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diff --git a/old/orig6941-h/6941-h.htm b/old/orig6941-h/6941-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..217b6ba --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig6941-h/6941-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1015 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>OLD MORTALITY, Complete, + by Sir Walter Scott +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc {margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .accounts {font-family: Courier New; font-size: 80%; margin-left: 20%} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY<br>Complete +</h2> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> + + +<br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>Contents</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Volume One</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm"><b>Volume Two</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated +by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: October 25, 2006 [EBook #6941] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MORTALITY, ILLUSTRATED, *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, with assistance from an etext produced by +David Moynihan + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1061" width="724" +alt="Bookcover +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/spines.jpg" height="1066" width="457" +alt="Spines +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY +</h2><br> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> +<br><br> +<hr> + +<a name="contents"></a> +<br><br> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<h3><a href="p1.htm">VOLUME ONE</a></h3> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_4_0002"> +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. +</a></p> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_INTR"> +INTRODUCTION. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_4_0005"> +VOLUME I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> + + + +</td><td> + + + +<h3><a href="p2.htm">VOLUME TWO</a></h3> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0022"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0023"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2H_GLOS"> +GLOSSARY. +</a></p> + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +<h3>VOLUME ONE</h3> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0004"> +Dedication +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0005"> +First Series +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0006"> +Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0007"> +The Graveyard +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0008"> +Tillietudlem Castle +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0009"> +Edith on the Battlements +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0010"> +Claverhouse +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0011"> +The Duel +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0012"> +Abbotsford +</a></p> + + +</td><td> + + +<h3>VOLUME TWO</h3> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0004"> +Jenny Dennison +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0005"> +The Battle of Bothwell Bridge +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0006"> +"Whiles—at Brose-time" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0007"> +Morton Awaiting Death—Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0008"> +Uttered a Dismal Shriek, and Fainted +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0009"> +Morton and Black Linn +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0010"> +Interior of Abbotsford +</a></p> +<br><br><br> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>PROVENANCE OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<br><br> + + +<table summary="Illustrations"> +<tr> +<td> +<h2>Subject or Title + + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Original Drawing + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Etching +</h2> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0009">Edith on the Battlements</a> +</td> +<td> +R. Herdman +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0007">The Graveyard</a> +</td> +<td> +J. MacWhirter +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0006">"Whiles--at Brose-Time"</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +Georg Cruikshank +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0008">Tillietudlem Castle</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +D. Y. Cameron +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0010">Claverhouse</a> +</td> +<td> +Lockhart Bogle +</td> +<td> +F. Huth +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0011">The Duel</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +Alfred Hartley +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0012">Abbotsford</a> +</td> +<td> +Photo etching by: +</td> +<td> +John Andrew & Son Co. +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0007">Morton Awaiting Death</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +V. Focillon +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0004">Jenny Dennison</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +W. Nooth +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0005">The Battle of Bothwell Bridge</a> +</td> +<td> +Sam Bough +</td> +<td> +C. de Billy +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0009">Morton and Black Linn</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0010">Interior of Abbotsford</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching of: +</td> +<td> +John Andrew & Son Co. +</td> +</tr> + + +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/titlepage.jpg" height="1002" width="583" +alt="Titlepage +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/dedication.jpg" height="775" width="570" +alt="Dedication +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/firstseries.jpg" height="587" width="491" +alt="First Series +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>Contents</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Volume One</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm"><b>Volume Two</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated +by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MORTALITY, ILLUSTRATED, *** + +***** This file should be named 6941-h.htm or 6941-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/6/9/4/6941/ + +Produced by David Widger, with assistance from an etext produced by +David Moynihan + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>OLD MORTALITY, Complete, + by Sir Walter Scott +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc {margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .accounts {font-family: Courier New; font-size: 80%; margin-left: 20%} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY<br>Complete +</h2> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> + + +<br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>Contents</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Volume One</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm"><b>Volume Two</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated +by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: October 25, 2006 [EBook #6941] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MORTALITY, ILLUSTRATED, *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, with assistance from an etext produced by +David Moynihan + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1061" width="724" +alt="Bookcover +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/spines.jpg" height="1066" width="457" +alt="Spines +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY +</h2><br> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> +<br><br> +<hr> + +<a name="contents"></a> +<br><br> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<h3><a href="p1.htm">VOLUME ONE</a></h3> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_4_0002"> +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. +</a></p> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_INTR"> +INTRODUCTION. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2H_4_0005"> +VOLUME I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> + + + +</td><td> + + + +<h3><a href="p2.htm">VOLUME TWO</a></h3> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0022"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2HCH0023"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#2H_GLOS"> +GLOSSARY. +</a></p> + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +<h3>VOLUME ONE</h3> + +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0004"> +Dedication +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0005"> +First Series +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0006"> +Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0007"> +The Graveyard +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0008"> +Tillietudlem Castle +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0009"> +Edith on the Battlements +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0010"> +Claverhouse +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0011"> +The Duel +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p1.htm#image-0012"> +Abbotsford +</a></p> + + +</td><td> + + +<h3>VOLUME TWO</h3> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0004"> +Jenny Dennison +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0005"> +The Battle of Bothwell Bridge +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0006"> +"Whiles—at Brose-time" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0007"> +Morton Awaiting Death—Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0008"> +Uttered a Dismal Shriek, and Fainted +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0009"> +Morton and Black Linn +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="p2.htm#image-0010"> +Interior of Abbotsford +</a></p> +<br><br><br> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<center> +<h2>PROVENANCE OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<br><br> + + +<table summary="Illustrations"> +<tr> +<td> +<h2>Subject or Title + + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Original Drawing + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Etching +</h2> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0009">Edith on the Battlements</a> +</td> +<td> +R. Herdman +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0007">The Graveyard</a> +</td> +<td> +J. MacWhirter +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0006">"Whiles--at Brose-Time"</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +Georg Cruikshank +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0008">Tillietudlem Castle</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +D. Y. Cameron +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0010">Claverhouse</a> +</td> +<td> +Lockhart Bogle +</td> +<td> +F. Huth +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0011">The Duel</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +Alfred Hartley +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p1.htm#image-0012">Abbotsford</a> +</td> +<td> +Photo etching by: +</td> +<td> +John Andrew & Son Co. +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0007">Morton Awaiting Death</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +V. Focillon +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0004">Jenny Dennison</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +W. Nooth +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0005">The Battle of Bothwell Bridge</a> +</td> +<td> +Sam Bough +</td> +<td> +C. de Billy +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0009">Morton and Black Linn</a> +</td> +<td> +M. L. Gow +</td> +<td> +H. W. Batley +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +<a href="p2.htm#image-0010">Interior of Abbotsford</a> +</td> +<td> +Original Etching of: +</td> +<td> +John Andrew & Son Co. +</td> +</tr> + + +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/titlepage.jpg" height="1002" width="583" +alt="Titlepage +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/dedication.jpg" height="775" width="570" +alt="Dedication +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/firstseries.jpg" height="587" width="491" +alt="First Series +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=6 border=4> +<tr><td> + + <a href="#contents"><b>Contents</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm"><b>Volume One</b></a> </td></tr><tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm"><b>Volume Two</b></a> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated +by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MORTALITY, ILLUSTRATED, *** + +***** This file should be named 6941-h.htm or 6941-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/6/9/4/6941/ + +Produced by David Widger, with assistance from an etext produced by +David Moynihan + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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+ margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc {margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .accounts {font-family: Courier New; font-size: 80%; margin-left: 20%} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY<br>Volume 1 +</h2> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Next Volume</a> +</td><td> + <a href="6941-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1061" width="724" +alt="Bookcover +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/spines.jpg" height="1066" width="457" +alt="Spines +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY +</h2><br> +<h2> + by Sir Walter Scott +</h2> +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0002"> +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION TO OLD MORTALITY. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_INTR"> +INTRODUCTION TO THE TALES OF MY LANDLORD. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_INTR"> +INTRODUCTION TO OLD MORTALITY. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> +VOLUME I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0004"> +Dedication +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0005"> +First Series +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0006"> +Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0007"> +The Graveyard +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0008"> +Tillietudlem Castle +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0009"> +Edith on the Battlements +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0010"> +Claverhouse +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0011"> +The Duel +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0012"> +Abbotsford +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/titlepage.jpg" height="1002" width="583" +alt="Titlepage +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/dedication.jpg" height="775" width="570" +alt="Dedication +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/firstseries.jpg" height="587" width="491" +alt="First Series +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + +<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION TO OLD MORTALITY. +</h2> +<p> + The origin of "Old Mortality," perhaps the best of Scott's historical + romances, is well known. In May, 1816, Mr. Joseph Train, the gauger from + Galloway, breakfasted with Scott in Castle Street. He brought gifts in + his hand,—a relic of Rob Roy, and a parcel of traditions. Among these + was a letter from Mr. Broadfoot, schoolmaster in Pennington, who + facetiously signed himself "Clashbottom." To cleish, or clash, is to + "flog," in Scots. From Mr. Broadfoot's joke arose Jedediah Cleishbotham, + the dominie of Gandercleugh; the real place of Broadfoot's revels was the + Shoulder of Mutton Inn, at Newton Stewart. Mr. Train, much pleased with + the antiques in "the den" of Castle Street, was particularly charmed by + that portrait of Claverhouse which now hangs on the staircase of the + study at Abbotsford. Scott expressed the Cavalier opinions about Dundee, + which were new to Mr. Train, who had been bred in the rural tradition of + "Bloody Claver'se." +</p> +<pre> + [The Editor's first acquaintance with Claverhouse was obtained + through an old nurse, who had lived on a farm beside a burn where, + she said, the skulls of Covenanters shot by Bloody Claver'se were + still occasionally found. The stream was a tributary of the + Ettrick.] +</pre> +<p> + "Might he not," asked Mr. Train, "be made, in good hands, the hero of a + national romance as interesting as any about either Wallace or Prince + Charlie?" He suggested that the story should be delivered "as if from the + mouth of Old Mortality." This probably recalled to Scott his own meeting + with Old Mortality in Dunnottar Churchyard, as described in the + Introduction to the novel. +</p> +<p> + The account of the pilgrim, as given by Sir Walter from Mr. Train's + memoranda, needs no addition. About Old Mortality's son, John, who went + to America in 1776 (? 1774), and settled in Baltimore, a curious romantic + myth has gathered. Mr. Train told Scott more, as his manuscript at + Abbotsford shows, than Scott printed. According to Mr. Train, John + Paterson, of Baltimore, had a son Robert and a daughter Elizabeth. Robert + married an American lady, who, after his decease, was married to the + Marquis of Wellesley. Elizabeth married Jerome Bonaparte! Sir Walter + distrusted these legends, though derived from a Scotch descendant of Old + Mortality. Mr. Ramage, in March, 1871, wrote to "Notes and Queries" + dispelling the myth. +</p> +<p> + According to Jerome Bonaparte's descendant, Madame Bonaparte, her family + were Pattersons, not Patersons. Her Baltimore ancestor's will is extant, + has been examined by Old Mortality's great-grandson, and announces in a + kind of preamble that the testator was a native of Donegal; his Christian + name was William ("Notes and Queries," Fourth Series, vol. vii. p. 219, + and Fifth Series, August, 1874). This, of course, quite settles the + question; but the legend is still current among American descendants of + the old Roxburghshire wanderer. +</p> +<p> + "Old Mortality," with its companion, "The Black Dwarf," was published on + December 1, 1816, by Mr. Murray in London, and Mr. Blackwood in + Edinburgh. +</p> +<p> + The name of "The Author of 'Waverley'" was omitted on the title-page. The + reason for a change of publisher may have been chiefly financial + (Lockhart, v. 152). Scott may have also thought it amusing to appear as + his own rival in a new field. He had not yet told his secret to Lady + Abercorn, but he seems to reveal it (for who but he could have known so + much about the subject?) in a letter to her, of November 29, 1816. "You + must know the Marquis well,—or rather you must be the Marquis himself!" + quoth Dalgetty. Here follow portions of the letter: +</p> +<pre> + I do not like the first story, "The Black Dwarf," at all; but the + long one which occupies three volumes is a most remarkable + production. . . . I should like to know if you are of my opinion as + to these new volumes coming from the same hand. . . . I wander about + from nine in the morning till five at night with a plaid about my + shoulders and an immensely large bloodhound at my heels, and stick + in sprigs which are to become trees when I shall have no eyes to + look at them. . . . + + I am truly glad that the Tales have amused you. In my poor opinion + they are the best of the four sets, though perhaps I only think so + on account of their opening ground less familiar to me than the + manners of the Highlanders. . . . If Tom—[His brother, Mr. Thomas + Scott.]—wrote those volumes, he has not put me in his secret. . . . + General rumour here attributes them to a very ingenious but most + unhappy man, a clergyman of the Church of Scotland, who, many years + since, was obliged to retire from his profession, and from society, + who hides himself under a borrowed name. This hypothesis seems to + account satisfactorily for the rigid secrecy observed; but from what + I can recollect of the unfortunate individual, these are not the + kind of productions I should expect from him. Burley, if I mistake + not, was on board the Prince of Orange's own vessel at the time of + his death. There was also in the Life Guards such a person as + Francis Stewart, grandson of the last Earl of Bothwell. I have in my + possession various proceedings at his father's instance for + recovering some part of the Earl's large estates which had been + granted to the Earls of Buccleugh and Roxburgh. It would appear that + Charles I. made some attempts to reinstate him in those lands, but, + like most of that poor monarch's measures, the attempt only served + to augment his own enemies, for Buccleugh was one of the first who + declared against him in Scotland, and raised a regiment of twelve + hundred men, of whom my grandfather's grandfather (Sir William Scott + of Harden) was lieutenant-colonel. This regiment was very active at + the destruction of Montrose's Highland army at Philiphaugh. In + Charles the Second's time the old knight suffered as much through + the nonconformity of his wife as Cuddie through that of his mother. + My father's grandmother, who lived to the uncommon age of + ninety-eight years, perfectly remembered being carried, when a + child, to the field-preachings, where the clergyman thundered from + the top of a rock, and the ladies sat upon their side-saddles, which + were placed upon the turf for their accommodation, while the men + stood round, all armed with swords and pistols. . . . Old Mortality + was a living person; I have myself seen him about twenty years ago + repairing the Covenanters' tombs as far north as Dunnottar. +</pre> +<p> + If Lady Abercorn was in any doubt after this ingenuous communication, Mr. + Murray, the publisher, was in none. (Lockhart, v. 169.) He wrote to Scott + on December 14, 1816, rejoicing in the success of the Tales, "which must + be written either by Walter Scott or the Devil. . . . I never experienced + such unmixed pleasure as the reading of this exquisite work has afforded + me; and if you could see me, as the author's literary chamberlain, + receiving the unanimous and vehement praises of those who have read it, + and the curses of those whose needs my scanty supply could not satisfy, + you might judge of the sincerity with which I now entreat you to assure + the Author of the most complete success." Lord Holland had said, when Mr. + Murray asked his opinion, "Opinion! We did not one of us go to bed last + night,—nothing slept but my gout." +</p> +<p> + The very Whigs were conquered. But not the Scottish Whigs, the Auld + Leaven of the Covenant,—they were still dour, and offered many + criticisms. Thereon Scott, by way of disproving his authorship, offered + to review the Tales in the "Quarterly." His true reason for this step was + the wish to reply to Dr. Thomas McCrie, author of the "Life of John + Knox," who had been criticising Scott's historical view of the Covenant, + in the "Edinburgh Christian Instructor." Scott had, perhaps, no better + mode of answering his censor. He was indifferent to reviews, but here his + historical knowledge and his candour had been challenged. Scott always + recognised the national spirit of the Covenanters, which he remarks on in + "The Heart of Mid-Lothian," and now he was treated as a faithless + Scotsman. For these reasons he reviewed himself; but it is probable, as + Lockhart says, that William Erskine wrote the literary or aesthetic part + of the criticism (Lockhart, v.174, note). +</p> +<p> + Dr. McCrie's review may be read, or at least may be found, in the fourth + volume of his collected works (Blackwood, Edinburgh 1857). The critique + amounts to about eighty-five thousand words. Since the "Princesse de + Cleves" was reviewed in a book as long as the original, never was so + lengthy a criticism. As Dr. McCrie's performance scarcely shares the + popularity of "Old Mortality," a note on his ideas may not be + superfluous, though space does not permit a complete statement of his + many objections. The Doctor begins by remarks on novels in general, then + descends to the earlier Waverley romances. "The Antiquary" he pronounces + to be "tame and fatiguing." Acknowledging the merits of the others, he + finds fault with "the foolish lines" (from Burns), "which must have been + foisted without the author's knowledge into the title page," and he + denounces the "bad taste" of the quotation from "Don Quixote." Burns and + Cervantes had done no harm to Dr. McCrie, but his anger was aroused, and + he, like the McCallum More as described by Andrew Fairservice, "got up + wi' an unto' bang, and garr'd them a' look about them." The view of the + Covenanters is "false and distorted." These worthies are not to be + "abused with profane wit or low buffoonery." "Prayers were not read in + the parish churches of Scotland" at that time. As Episcopacy was restored + when Charles II. returned "upon the unanimous petition of the Scottish + Parliament" (Scott's Collected Works, vol. xix. p. 78) it is not + unnatural for the general reader to suppose that prayers would be read by + the curates. Dr. McCrie maintains that "at the Restoration neither the + one nor the other" (neither the Scotch nor English Prayer Books) "was + imposed," and that the Presbyterians repeatedly "admitted they had no + such grievance." No doubt Dr. McCrie is correct. But Mr. James Guthrie, + who was executed on June 1, 1661, said in his last speech, "Oh that there + were not many who study to build again what they did formerly + unwarrantably destroy: I mean Prelacy and the Service Book, a mystery of + iniquity that works amongst us, whose steps lead unto the house of the + great Whore, Babylon, the mother of fornication," and so forth. Either + this mystery of iniquity, the Book of Common Prayer, "was working amongst + us," or it was not. If it was not, of what did Mr. Guthrie complain? If + it was "working," was read by certain curates, as by Burnet, afterwards + Bishop of Salisbury, at Saltoun, Scott is not incorrect. He makes Morton, + in danger of death, pray in the words of the Prayer Book, "a circumstance + which so enraged his murderers that they determined to precipitate his + fate." Dr. McCrie objects to this incident, which is merely borrowed, one + may conjecture, from the death of Archbishop Sharpe. The assassins told + the Archbishop that they would slay him. "Hereupon he began to think of + death. But (here are just the words of the person who related the story) + behold! God did not give him the grace to pray to Him without the help of + a book. But he pulled out of his pocket a small book, and began to read + over some words to himself, which filled us with amazement and + indignation." So they fired their pistols into the old man, and then + chopped him up with their swords, supposing that he had a charm against + bullets! Dr. McCrie seems to have forgotten, or may have disbelieved the + narrative telling how Sharpe's use of the Prayer Book, like Morton's, + "enraged" his murderers. The incident does not occur in the story of the + murder by Russell, one of the murderers, a document published in C. K. + Sharpe's edition of Kirkton. It need not be true, but it may have + suggested the prayer of Morton. +</p> +<p> + If Scott thought that the Prayer Book was ordained to be read in Scotch + churches, he was wrong; if he merely thought that it might have been read + in some churches, was "working amongst us," he was right: at least, + according to Mr. James Guthrie. +</p> +<p> + Dr. McCrie argues that Burley would never have wrestled with a soldier in + an inn, especially in the circumstances. This, he says, was inconsistent + with Balfour's "character." Wodrow remarks, "I cannot hear that this + gentleman had ever any great character for religion among those that knew + him, and such were the accounts of him, when abroad, that the reverend + ministers of the Scots congregation at Rotterdam would never allow him to + communicate with them." In Scott's reading of Burley's character, there + was a great deal of the old Adam. That such a man should so resent the + insolence of a soldier is far from improbable, and our sympathies are + with Burley on this occasion. +</p> +<p> + Mause Headrigg is next criticised. Scott never asserted that she was a + representative of sober Presbyterianism. She had long conducted herself + prudently, but, when she gave way to her indignation, she only used such + language as we find on many pages of Wodrow, in the mouths of many + Covenanters. Indeed, though Manse is undeniably comic, she also commands + as much respect as the Spartan mother when she bids her only son bear + himself boldly in the face of torture. If Scott makes her grotesque, he + also makes her heroic. But Dr. McCrie could not endure the ridiculous + element, which surely no fair critic can fail to observe in the speeches + of the gallant and courageous, but not philosophical, members of the + Covenant's Extreme Left. Dr. McCrie talks of "the creeping loyalty of the + Cavaliers." "Staggering" were a more appropriate epithet. Both sides were + loyal to principle, both courageous; but the inappropriate and + promiscuous scriptural language of many Covenanters was, and remains, + ridiculous. Let us admit that the Covenanters were not averse to all + games. In one or two sermons they illustrate religion by phrases derived + from golf! +</p> +<p> + When Dr. McCrie exclaims, in a rich anger, "Your Fathers!" as if Scott's + must either have been Presbyterians or Cavaliers, the retort is cleverly + put by Sir Walter in the mouth of Jedediah. His ancestors of these days + had been Quakers, and persecuted by both parties. +</p> +<p> + Throughout the novel Scott keeps insisting that the Presbyterians had + been goaded into rebellion, and even into revenge, by cruelty of + persecution, and that excesses and bloodthirstiness were confined to the + "High Flyers," as the milder Covenanters called them. Morton represents + the ideal of a good Scot in the circumstances. He comes to be ashamed of + his passive attitude in the face of oppression. He stands up for "that + freedom from stripes and bondage" which was claimed, as you may read in + Scripture, by the Apostle Paul, and which every man who is free-born is + called upon to defend, for his own sake and that of his countrymen. The + terms demanded by Morton from Monmouth before the battle of Bothwell + Bridge are such as Scott recognises to be fair. Freedom of worship, and a + free Parliament, are included. +</p> +<p> + Dr. McCrie's chief charges are that Scott does not insist enough on the + hardships and brutalities of the persecution, and that the ferocity of + the Covenanters is overstated. He does not admit that the picture drawn + of "the more rigid Presbyterians" is just. But it is almost impossible to + overstate the ferocity of the High Flyers' conduct and creed. Thus + Wodrow, a witness not quite unfriendly to the rigid Presbyterians, though + not high-flying enough for Patrick Walker, writes "Mr. Tate informs me + that he had this account front Mr. Antony Shau, and others of the + Indulged; that at some time, under the Indulgence, there was a meeting of + some people, when they resolved in one night . . . to go to every house + of the Indulged Ministers and kill them, and all in one night." + This anecdote was confirmed by Mr. John Millar, to whose father's house + one of these High Flyers came, on this errand. This massacre was not + aimed at the persecutors, but at the Poundtexts. As to their creed, + Wodrow has an anecdote of one of his own elders, who told a poor woman + with many children that "it would be an uncouth mercy" if they were all + saved. +</p> +<p> + A pleasant evangel was this, and peacefully was it to have been + propagated! +</p> +<p> + Scott was writing a novel, not history. In "The Minstrelsy of the + Scottish Border" (1802-3) Sir Walter gave this account of the + persecutions. "Had the system of coercion been continued until our day, + Blair and Robertson would have preached in the wilderness, and only + discovered their powers of eloquence and composition by rolling along a + deeper torrent of gloomy fanaticism. . . . The genius of the persecuted + became stubborn, obstinate, and ferocious." He did not, in his romance, + draw a complete picture of the whole persecution, but he did show, by + that insolence of Bothwell at Milnwood, which stirs the most sluggish + blood, how the people were misused. This scene, to Dr. McCrie's mind, is + "a mere farce," because it is enlivened by Manse's declamations. Scott + displays the abominable horrors of the torture as forcibly as literature + may dare to do. But Dr. McCrie is not satisfied, because Macbriar, the + tortured man, had been taken in arms. Some innocent person should have + been put in the Boot, to please Dr. McCrie. He never remarks that + Macbriar conquers our sympathy by his fortitude. He complains of what the + Covenanters themselves called "the language of Canaan," which is put into + their mouths, "a strange, ridiculous, and incoherent jargon compounded of + Scripture phrases, and cant terms peculiar to their own party opinions in + ecclesiastical politics." But what other language did many of them speak? + "Oh, all ye that can pray, tell all the Lord's people to try, by mourning + and prayer, if ye can taigle him, taigle him especially in Scotland, for + we fear, he will depart from it." This is the theology of a savage, in + the style of a clown, but it is quoted by Walker as Mr. Alexander + Peden's.' Mr. John Menzie's "Testimony" (1670) is all about "hardened + men, whom though they walk with you for the present with horns of a lamb, + yet afterward ye may hear them speak with the mouth of a dragon, pricks + in your eyes and thorns in your sides." Manse Headrigg scarcely + caricatures this eloquence, or Peden's "many and long seventy-eight years + left-hand defections, and forty-nine years right-hand extremes;" while + "Professor Simson in Glasgow, and Mr. Glass in Tealing, both with Edom's + children cry Raze, raze the very foundation!" Dr. McCrie is reduced to + supposing that some of the more absurd sermons were incorrectly reported. + Very possibly they were, but the reports were in the style which the + people liked. As if to remove all possible charge of partiality, Scott + made the one faultless Christian of his tale a Covenanting widow, the + admirable Bessie McLure. But she, says the doctor, "repeatedly banns and + minces oaths in her conversation." This outrageous conduct of Bessie's + consists in saying "Gude protect us!" and "In Heaven's name, who are ye?" + Next the Doctor congratulates Scott on his talent for buffoonery. "Oh, le + grand homme, rien ne lui peut plaire." Scott is later accused of not + making his peasants sufficiently intelligent. Cuddie Headrigg and Jenny + Dennison suffice as answers to this censure. +</p> +<p> + Probably the best points made by Dr. McCrie are his proof that biblical + names were not common among the Covenanteers and that Episcopal eloquence + and Episcopal superstition were often as tardy and as dark as the + eloquence and superstition of the Presbyterians. He carries the war into + the opposite camp, with considerable success. His best answer to "Old + Mortality" would have been a novel, as good and on the whole as fair, + written from the Covenanting side. Hogg attempted this reply, not to + Scott's pleasure according to the Shepherd, in "The Brownie of Bodsbeck." + The Shepherd says that when Scott remarked that the "Brownie" gave an + untrue description of the age, he replied, "It's a devilish deal truer + than yours!" Scott, in his defence, says that to please the friends of + the Covenanters, "their portraits must be drawn without shadow, and the + objects of their political antipathy be blackened, hooved, and horned ere + they will acknowledge the likeness of either." He gives examples of + clemency, and even considerateness, in Dundee; for example, he did not + bring with him a prisoner, "who laboured under a disease rendering it + painful to him to be on horseback." He examines the story of John Brown, + and disproves the blacker circumstances. Yet he appears to hold that + Dundee should have resigned his commission rather than carry out the + orders of Government? Burley's character for ruthlessness is defended by + the evidence of the "Scottish Worthies." As Dr. McCrie objects to his + "buffoonery," it is odd that he palliates the "strong propensity" of Knox + "to indulge his vein of humour," when describing, with ghoul-like mirth, + the festive circumstances of the murder and burial of Cardinal Beaton. + The odious part of his satire, Scott says, is confined to "the fierce and + unreasonable set of extra-Presbyterians," Wodrow's High Flyers. "We have + no delight to dwell either upon the atrocities or absurdities of a people + whose ignorance and fanaticism were rendered frantic by persecution." + To sum up the controversy, we may say that Scott was unfair, if at all, + in tone rather than in statement. He grants to the Covenanters dauntless + resolution and fortitude; he admits their wrongs; we cannot see, on the + evidence of their literature, that he exaggerates their grotesqueness, + their superstition, their impossible attitude as of Israelites under a + Theocracy, which only existed as an ideal, or their ruthlessness on + certain occasions. The books of Wodrow, Kirkton, and Patrick Walker, the + sermons, the ghost stories, the dying speeches, the direct testimony of + their own historians, prove all that Scott says, a hundred times over. + The facts are correct, the testimony to the presence of another, an + angelic temper, remains immortal in the figure of Bessie McLure. But an + unfairness of tone may be detected in the choice of such names as + Kettledrummle and Poundtext: probably the "jog-trot" friends of the + Indulgence have more right to complain than the "high-flying" friends of + the Covenant. Scott had Cavalier sympathies, as Macaulay had Covenanting + sympathies. That Scott is more unjust to the Covenanters than Macaulay to + Claverhouse historians will scarcely maintain. Neither history or fiction + would be very delightful if they were warless. This must serve as an + apology more needed by Macaulay—than by Sir Walter. His reply to Dr. + McCrie is marked by excellent temper, humour, and good humor. The + "Quarterly Review" ends with the well known reference to his brother + Tom's suspected authorship: "We intended here to conclude this long + article, when a strong report reached us of certain transatlantic + confessions, which, if genuine (though of this we know nothing), assign a + different author to those volumes than the party suspected by our + Scottish correspondents. Yet a critic may be excused for seizing upon the + nearest suspected person, or the principle happily expressed by + Claverhouse in a letter to the Earl of Linlithgow. He had been, it seems, + in search of a gifted weaver who used to hold forth at conventicles: 'I + sent for the webster, they brought in his brother for him: though he, + maybe, cannot preach like his brother, I doubt not but he is as well + principled as he, wherefore I thought it would be no great fault to give + him the trouble to go to jail with the rest.'" +</p> +<p> + Nobody who read this could doubt that Scott was, at least, "art and part" + in the review. His efforts to disguise himself as an Englishman, aided by + a Scotch antiquary, are divertingly futile. He seized the chance of + defending his earlier works from some criticisms on Scotch manners + suggested by the ignorance of Gifford. Nor was it difficult to see that + the author of the review was also the author of the novel. In later years + Lady Louisa Stuart reminded Scott that "Old Mortality," like the Iliad, + had been ascribed by clever critics to several hands working together. On + December 5, 1816, she wrote to him, "I found something you wot of upon my + table; and as I dare not take it with me to a friend's house, for fear of + arousing curiosity"—she read it at once. She could not sleep afterwards, + so much had she been excited. "Manse and Cuddie forced me to laugh out + aloud, which one seldom does when alone." Many of the Scotch words "were + absolutely Hebrew" to her. She not unjustly objected to Claverhouse's use + of the word "sentimental" as an anachronism. Sentiment, like nerves, had + not been invented in Claverhouse's day. +</p> +<p> + The pecuniary success of "Old Mortality" was less, perhaps, than might + have been expected. The first edition was only of two thousand copies. + Two editions of this number were sold in six weeks, and a third was + printed. Constable's gallant enterprise of ten thousand, in "Rob Roy," + throws these figures into the shade. +</p> +<p> + "Old Mortality" is the first of Scott's works in which he invades history + beyond the range of what may be called living oral tradition. In + "Waverley," and even in "Rob Roy," he had the memories of Invernahyle, of + Miss Nairne, of many persons of the last generation for his guides. In + "Old Mortality" his fancy had to wander among the relics of another age, + among the inscribed tombs of the Covenanters, which are common in the + West Country, as in the churchyards of Balmaclellan and Dalry. There the + dust of these enduring and courageous men, like that of Bessie Bell and + Marion Gray in the ballad, "beiks forenenst the sun," which shines on + them from beyond the hills of their wanderings, while the brown waters of + the Ken murmur at their feet. +</p> +<pre> + Here now in peace sweet rest we take, + Once murdered for religion's sake, +</pre> +<p> + says the epitaph on the flat table-stone, beneath the wind tormented + trees of Iron Gray. Concerning these <i>Manes Presbyteriani</i>, "Guthrie's + and Giffan's Passions" and the rest, Scott had a library of rare volumes + full of prophecies, "remarkable Providences," angelic ministrations, + diabolical persecutions by The Accuser of the Brethren,—in fact, all + that Covenanteers had written or that had been written about + Covenanteers. "I'll tickle ye off a Covenanter as readily as old Jack + could do a young Prince; and a rare fellow he is, when brought forth in + his true colours," he says to Terry (November 12, 1816). He certainly was + not an unprejudiced witness, some ten years earlier, when he wrote to + Southey, "You can hardly conceive the perfidy, cruelty, and stupidity of + these people, according to the accounts they have themselves preserved. + But I admit I had many prejudices instilled into me, as my ancestor was a + Killiecrankie man." He used to tease Grahame of "The Sabbath," "but never + out of his good humour, by praising Dundee, and laughing at the + Covenanters." Even as a boy he had been familiar with that godly company + in "the original edition of the lives of Cameron and others, by Patrick + Walker." The more curious parts of those biographies were excised by the + care of later editors, but they may all be found now in the "Biographia + Presbyteriana" (1827), published by True Jock, chief clerk to "Leein' + Johnnie," Mr. John Ballantyne. To this work the inquirer may turn, if he + is anxious to see whether Scott's colouring is correct. The true blue of + the Covenant is not dulled in the "Biographia Presbyteriana." +</p> +<p> + With all these materials at his command, Scott was able almost to dwell + in the age of the Covenant hence the extraordinary life and brilliance of + this, his first essay in fiction dealing with a remote time and obsolete + manners. His opening, though it may seem long and uninviting to modern + readers, is interesting for the sympathetic sketch of the gentle + consumptive dominie. If there was any class of men whom Sir Walter could + not away with, it was the race of schoolmasters, "black cattle" whom he + neither trusted nor respected. But he could make or invent exceptions, as + in the uncomplaining and kindly usher of the verbose Cleishbotham. Once + launched in his legend, with the shooting of the Popinjay, he never + falters. The gallant, dauntless, overbearing Bothwell, the dour Burley, + the handful of Preachers, representing every current of opinion in the + Covenant, the awful figure of Habakkuk Mucklewrath, the charm of goodness + in Bessie McLure, are all immortal, deathless as Shakspeare's men and + women. Indeed here, even more than elsewhere, we admire the life which + Scott breathes into his minor characters, Halliday and Inglis, the + troopers, the child who leads Morton to Burley's retreat in the cave, + that auld Laird Nippy, old Milnwood (a real "Laird Nippy" was a neighbour + of Scott's at Ashiestiel), Ailie Wilson, the kind, crabbed old + housekeeper, generous in great things, though habitually niggardly in + things small. Most of these are persons whom we might still meet in + Scotland, as we might meet Cuddie Headrigg—the shrewd, the blithe, the + faithful and humorous Cuddie. As to Miss Jenny Dennison, we can hardly + forgive Scott for making that gayest of soubrettes hard and selfish in + married life. He is too severe on the harmless and even beneficent race + of coquettes, who brighten life so much, who so rapidly "draw up with the + new pleugh lad," and who do so very little harm when all is said. Jenny + plays the part of a leal and brave lass in the siege of Tillietudlem, + hunger and terror do not subdue her spirit; she is true, in spite of many + temptations, to her Cuddie, and we decline to believe that she was untrue + to his master and friend. Ikuse, no doubt, is a caricature, though Wodrow + makes us acquainted with at least one Mause, Jean Biggart, who "all the + winter over was exceedingly straitened in wrestling and prayer as to the + Parliament, and said that still that place was brought before her, Our + hedges are broken down!" ("Analecta," ii. 173.) Surely even Dr. McCrie + must have laughed out loud, like Lady Louisa Stuart, when Mause exclaims: + "Neither will I peace for the bidding of no earthly potsherd, though it + be painted as red as a brick from the tower o' Babel, and ca' itsel' a + corporal." Manse, as we have said, is not more comic than heroic, a + mother in that Sparta of the Covenant. The figure of Morton, as usual, is + not very attractive. In his review, Scott explains the weakness of his + heroes as usually strangers in the land (Waverley, Lovel, Mannering, + Osbaldistone), who need to have everything explained to them, and who are + less required to move than to be the pivots of the general movement. But + Morton is no stranger in the land. His political position in the juste + milieu is unexciting. A schoolboy wrote to Scott at this time, "Oh, Sir + Walter, how could you take the lady from the gallant Cavalier, and give + her to the crop-eared Covenanter?" Probably Scott sympathised with his + young critic, who longed "to be a feudal chief, and to see his retainers + happy around him." But Edith Bellenden loved Morton, with that love + which, as she said, and thought, "disturbs the repose of the dead." Scott + had no choice. Besides, Dr. McCrie might have disapproved of so fortunate + an arrangement. The heroine herself does not live in the memory like Di + Vernon; she does not even live like Jenny Dennison. We remember Corporal + Raddlebanes better, the stoutest fighting man of Major Bellenden's + acquaintance; and the lady of Tillietudlem has admirers more numerous and + more constant. The lovers of the tale chiefly engage our interest by the + rare constancy of their affections. +</p> +<p> + The most disputed character is, of course, that of Claverhouse. There is + no doubt that, if Claverhouse had been a man of the ordinary mould, he + would never have reckoned so many enthusiastic friends in future ages. + But Beauty, which makes Helen immortal, had put its seal on Bonny Dundee. + With that face "which limners might have loved to paint, and ladies to + look upon," he still conquers hearts from his dark corner above the + private staircase in Sir Walter's deserted study. He was brave, he was + loyal when all the world forsook his master; in that reckless age of + revelry he looks on with the austere and noble contempt which he wears in + Hell among the tippling shades of Cavaliers. He died in the arms of + victory, but he lives among +</p> +<pre> + The chiefs of ancient names + Who swore to fight and die beneath the banner of King James, + And he fell in Killiecrankie Pass, the glory of the Grahames. +</pre> +<p> + Sentiment in romance, not in history, may be excused for pardoning the + rest. +</p> +<p> + Critics of the time, as Lady Louisa Stuart reminds Sir Walter, did not + believe the book was his, because it lacked his "tedious descriptions." + The descriptions, as of the waterfall where Burley had his den, are + indeed far from "tedious." There is a tendency in Scott to exalt into + mountains "his own grey hills," the <i>bosses verdatres</i> as Prosper Merimee + called them, of the Border. But the horrors of such linns as that down + which Hab Dab and Davie Dinn "dang the deil" are not exaggerated. +</p> +<p> + "Old Mortality" was the last novel written by Scott before the malady + which tormented his stoicism in 1817-1820. Every reader has his own + favourite, but few will place this glorious tale lower than second in the + list of his incomparable romances. +</p> +<center> + ANDREW LANG. +</center> +<a name="2H_INTR"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + INTRODUCTION TO THE TALES OF MY LANDLORD. +</h2> +<p> + As I may, without vanity, presume that the name and official description + prefixed to this Proem will secure it, from the sedate and reflecting + part of mankind, to whom only I would be understood to address myself, + such attention as is due to the sedulous instructor of youth, and the + careful performer of my Sabbath duties, I will forbear to hold up a + candle to the daylight, or to point out to the judicious those + recommendations of my labours which they must necessarily anticipate from + the perusal of the title-page. Nevertheless, I am not unaware, that, as + Envy always dogs Merit at the heels, there may be those who will whisper, + that albeit my learning and good principles cannot (lauded be the + heavens) be denied by any one, yet that my situation at Gandercleugh hath + been more favourable to my acquisitions in learning than to the + enlargement of my views of the ways and works of the present generation. + To the which objection, if, peradventure, any such shall be started, my + answer shall be threefold: +</p> +<p> + First, Gandercleugh is, as it were, the central part—the navel (<i>si fas + sit dicere</i>) of this our native realm of Scotland; so that men, from + every corner thereof, when travelling on their concernments of business, + either towards our metropolis of law, by which I mean Edinburgh, or + towards our metropolis and mart of gain, whereby I insinuate Glasgow, are + frequently led to make Gandercleugh their abiding stage and place of rest + for the night. And it must be acknowledged by the most sceptical, that I, + who have sat in the leathern armchair, on the left-hand side of the fire, + in the common room of the Wallace Inn, winter and summer, for every + evening in my life, during forty years bypast, (the Christian Sabbaths + only excepted,) must have seen more of the manners and customs of various + tribes and people, than if I had sought them out by my own painful travel + and bodily labour. Even so doth the tollman at the well-frequented + turnpike on the Wellbrae-head, sitting at his ease in his own dwelling, + gather more receipt of custom, than if, moving forth upon the road, he + were to require a contribution from each person whom he chanced to meet + in his journey, when, according to the vulgar adage, he might possibly be + greeted with more kicks than halfpence. +</p> +<p> + But, secondly, supposing it again urged, that Ithacus, the most wise of + the Greeks, acquired his renown, as the Roman poet hath assured us, by + visiting states and men, I reply to the Zoilus who shall adhere to this + objection, that, <i>de facto</i>, I have seen states and men also; for I have + visited the famous cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the former twice, and + the latter three times, in the course of my earthly pilgrimage. And, + moreover, I had the honour to sit in the General Assembly (meaning, as an + auditor, in the galleries thereof,) and have heard as much goodly + speaking on the law of patronage, as, with the fructification thereof in + mine own understanding, hath made me be considered as an oracle upon that + doctrine ever since my safe and happy return to Gandercleugh. +</p> +<p> + Again,—and thirdly, If it be nevertheless pretended that my information + and knowledge of mankind, however extensive, and however painfully + acquired, by constant domestic enquiry, and by foreign travel, is, + natheless, incompetent to the task of recording the pleasant narratives + of my Landlord, I will let these critics know, to their own eternal shame + and confusion, as well as to the abashment and discomfiture of all who + shall rashly take up a song against me, that I am NOT the writer, + redacter, or compiler, of the "Tales of my Landlord;" nor am I, in one + single iota, answerable for their contents, more or less. And now, ye + generation of critics, who raise yourselves up as if it were brazen + serpents, to hiss with your tongues, and to smite with your stings, bow + yourselves down to your native dust, and acknowledge that yours have been + the thoughts of ignorance, and the words of vain foolishness. Lo! ye are + caught in your own snare, and your own pit hath yawned for you. Turn, + then, aside from the task that is too heavy for you; destroy not your + teeth by gnawing a file; waste not your strength by spurning against a + castle wall; nor spend your breath in contending in swiftness with a + fleet steed; and let those weigh the "Tales of my Landlord," who shall + bring with them the scales of candour cleansed from the rust of prejudice + by the hands of intelligent modesty. For these alone they were compiled, + as will appear from a brief narrative which my zeal for truth compelled + me to make supplementary to the present Proem. +</p> +<p> + It is well known that my Landlord was a pleasing and a facetious man, + acceptable unto all the parish of Gandercleugh, excepting only the Laird, + the Exciseman, and those for whom he refused to draw liquor upon trust. + Their causes of dislike I will touch separately, adding my own refutation + thereof. +</p> +<p> + His honour, the Laird, accused our Landlord, deceased, of having + encouraged, in various times and places, the destruction of hares, + rabbits, fowls black and grey, partridges, moor-pouts, roe-deer, and + other birds and quadrupeds, at unlawful seasons, and contrary to the laws + of this realm, which have secured, in their wisdom, the slaughter of such + animals for the great of the earth, whom I have remarked to take an + uncommon (though to me, an unintelligible) pleasure therein. Now, in + humble deference to his honour, and in justifiable defence of my friend + deceased, I reply to this charge, that howsoever the form of such animals + might appear to be similar to those so protected by the law, yet it was a + mere <i>deceptio visus</i>; for what resembled hares were, in fact, hill-kids, + and those partaking of the appearance of moor-fowl, were truly wood + pigeons, and consumed and eaten <i>eo nomine</i>, and not otherwise. + Again, the Exciseman pretended, that my deceased Landlord did encourage + that species of manufacture called distillation, without having an + especial permission from the Great, technically called a license, for + doing so. Now, I stand up to confront this falsehood; and in defiance of + him, his gauging-stick, and pen and inkhorn, I tell him, that I never + saw, or tasted, a glass of unlawful aqua vitae in the house of my + Landlord; nay, that, on the contrary, we needed not such devices, in + respect of a pleasing and somewhat seductive liquor, which was vended and + consumed at the Wallace Inn, under the name of mountain dew. If there is + a penalty against manufacturing such a liquor, let him show me the + statute; and when he does, I'll tell him if I will obey it or no. + Concerning those who came to my Landlord for liquor, and went thirsty + away, for lack of present coin, or future credit, I cannot but say it has + grieved my bowels as if the case had been mine own. Nevertheless, my + Landlord considered the necessities of a thirsty soul, and would permit + them, in extreme need, and when their soul was impoverished for lack of + moisture, to drink to the full value of their watches and wearing + apparel, exclusively of their inferior habiliments, which he was + uniformly inexorable in obliging them to retain, for the credit of the + house. As to mine own part, I may well say, that he never refused me that + modicum of refreshment with which I am wont to recruit nature after the + fatigues of my school. It is true, I taught his five sons English and + Latin, writing, book-keeping, with a tincture of mathematics, and that I + instructed his daughter in psalmody. Nor do I remember me of any fee or + honorarium received from him on account of these my labours, except the + compotations aforesaid. Nevertheless this compensation suited my humour + well, since it is a hard sentence to bid a dry throat wait till + quarter-day. +</p> +<p> + But, truly, were I to speak my simple conceit and belief, I think my + Landlord was chiefly moved to waive in my behalf the usual requisition of + a symbol, or reckoning, from the pleasure he was wont to take in my + conversation, which, though solid and edifying in the main, was, like a + well-built palace, decorated with facetious narratives and devices, + tending much to the enhancement and ornament thereof. And so pleased was + my Landlord of the Wallace in his replies during such colloquies, that + there was no district in Scotland, yea, and no peculiar, and, as it were, + distinctive custom therein practised, but was discussed betwixt us; + insomuch, that those who stood by were wont to say, it was worth a bottle + of ale to hear us communicate with each other. And not a few travellers, + from distant parts, as well as from the remote districts of our kingdom, + were wont to mingle in the conversation, and to tell news that had been + gathered in foreign lands, or preserved from oblivion in this our own. + Now I chanced to have contracted for teaching the lower classes with a + young person called Peter, or Patrick, Pattieson, who had been educated + for our Holy Kirk, yea, had, by the license of presbytery, his voice + opened therein as a preacher, who delighted in the collection of olden + tales and legends, and in garnishing them with the flowers of poesy, + whereof he was a vain and frivolous professor. For he followed not the + example of those strong poets whom I proposed to him as a pattern, but + formed versification of a flimsy and modern texture, to the compounding + whereof was necessary small pains and less thought. And hence I have chid + him as being one of those who bring forward the fatal revolution + prophesied by Mr. Robert Carey, in his Vaticination on the Death of the + celebrated Dr. John Donne: +</p> +<pre> + Now thou art gone, and thy strict laws will be + Too hard for libertines in poetry; + Till verse (by thee refined) in this last age + Turn ballad rhyme. +</pre> +<p> + I had also disputations with him touching his indulging rather a flowing + and redundant than a concise and stately diction in his prose + exercitations. But notwithstanding these symptoms of inferior taste, and + a humour of contradicting his betters upon passages of dubious + construction in Latin authors, I did grievously lament when Peter + Pattieson was removed from me by death, even as if he had been the + offspring of my own loins. And in respect his papers had been left in my + care, (to answer funeral and death-bed expenses,) I conceived myself + entitled to dispose of one parcel thereof, entitled, "Tales of my + Landlord," to one cunning in the trade (as it is called) of book + selling. He was a mirthful man, of small stature, cunning in + counterfeiting of voices, and in making facetious tales and responses, + and whom I have to laud for the truth of his dealings towards me. + Now, therefore, the world may see the injustice that charges me with + incapacity to write these narratives, seeing, that though I have proved + that I could have written them if I would, yet, not having done so, the + censure will deservedly fall, if at all due, upon the memory of Mr. Peter + Pattieson; whereas I must be justly entitled to the praise, when any is + due, seeing that, as the Dean of St. Patrick's wittily and logically + expresseth it, +</p> +<pre> + That without which a thing is not, + Is Causa sine qua non. +</pre> +<p> + The work, therefore, is unto me as a child is to a parent; in the which + child, if it proveth worthy, the parent hath honour and praise; but, if + otherwise, the disgrace will deservedly attach to itself alone. +</p> +<p> +I have only further to intimate, that Mr. Peter Pattieson, in arranging +these Tales for the press, hath more consulted his own fancy than the +accuracy of the narrative; nay, that he hath sometimes blended two or +three stories together for the mere grace of his plots. Of which +infidelity, although I disapprove and enter my testimony against it, yet +I have not taken upon me to correct the same, in respect it was the will +of the deceased, that his manuscript should be submitted to the press +without diminution or alteration. A fanciful nicety it was on the part of +my deceased friend, who, if thinking wisely, ought rather to have +conjured me, by all the tender ties of our friendship and common +pursuits, to have carefully revised, altered, and augmented, at my +judgment and discretion. But the will of the dead must be scrupulously +obeyed, even when we weep over their pertinacity and self-delusion. So, +gentle reader, I bid you farewell, recommending you to such fare as the +mountains of your own country produce; and I will only farther premise, +that each Tale is preceded by a short introduction, mentioning the +persons by whom, and the circumstances under which, the materials thereof +were collected.<br><br> + JEDEDIAH CLEISHBOTHAM. +</p> +<br><br><br><br> + +<h2> + INTRODUCTION TO OLD MORTALITY. +</h2> +<p> + The remarkable person, called by the title of Old Mortality, was we'll + known in Scotland about the end of the last century. His real name was + Robert Paterson. He was a native, it is said, of the parish of Closeburn, + in Dumfries-shire, and probably a mason by profession—at least educated + to the use of the chisel. Whether family dissensions, or the deep and + enthusiastic feeling of supposed duty, drove him to leave his dwelling, + and adopt the singular mode of life in which he wandered, like a palmer, + through Scotland, is not known. It could not be poverty, however, which + prompted his journeys, for he never accepted anything beyond the + hospitality which was willingly rendered him, and when that was not + proffered, he always had money enough to provide for his own humble + wants. His personal appearance, and favourite, or rather sole occupation, + are accurately described in the preliminary chapter of the following + work. +</p> +<p> + It is about thirty years since, or more, that the author met this + singular person in the churchyard of Dunnottar, when spending a day or + two with the late learned and excellent clergyman, Mr. Walker, the + minister of that parish, for the purpose of a close examination of the + ruins of the Castle of Dunnottar, and other subjects of antiquarian + research in that neighbourhood. Old Mortality chanced to be at the same + place, on the usual business of his pilgrimage; for the Castle of + Dunnottar, though lying in the anti-covenanting district of the Mearns, + was, with the parish churchyard, celebrated for the oppressions sustained + there by the Cameronians in the time of James II. +</p> +<p> + It was in 1685, when Argyle was threatening a descent upon Scotland, and + Monmouth was preparing to invade the west of England, that the Privy + Council of Scotland, with cruel precaution, made a general arrest of more + than a hundred persons in the southern and western provinces, supposed, + from their religious principles, to be inimical to Government, together + with many women and children. These captives were driven northward like a + flock of bullocks, but with less precaution to provide for their wants, + and finally penned up in a subterranean dungeon in the Castle of + Dunnottar, having a window opening to the front of a precipice which + overhangs the German Ocean. They had suffered not a little on the + journey, and were much hurt both at the scoffs of the northern + prelatists, and the mocks, gibes, and contemptuous tunes played by the + fiddlers and pipers who had come from every quarter as they passed, to + triumph over the revilers of their calling. The repose which the + melancholy dungeon afforded them, was anything but undisturbed. The + guards made them pay for every indulgence, even that of water; and when + some of the prisoners resisted a demand so unreasonable, and insisted on + their right to have this necessary of life untaxed, their keepers emptied + the water on the prison floor, saying, "If they were obliged to bring + water for the canting whigs, they were not bound to afford them the use + of bowls or pitchers gratis." +</p> +<p> + In this prison, which is still termed the Whig's Vault, several died of + the diseases incidental to such a situation; and others broke their + limbs, and incurred fatal injury, in desperate attempts to escape from + their stern prison-house. Over the graves of these unhappy persons, their + friends, after the Revolution, erected a monument with a suitable + inscription. +</p> +<p> + This peculiar shrine of the Whig martyrs is very much honoured by their + descendants, though residing at a great distance from the land of their + captivity and death. My friend, the Rev. Mr. Walker, told me, that being + once upon a tour in the south of Scotland, probably about forty years + since, he had the bad luck to involve himself in the labyrinth of + passages and tracks which cross, in every direction, the extensive waste + called Lochar Moss, near Dumfries, out of which it is scarcely possible + for a stranger to extricate himself; and there was no small difficulty in + procuring a guide, since such people as he saw were engaged in digging + their peats—a work of paramount necessity, which will hardly brook + interruption. Mr. Walker could, therefore, only procure unintelligible + directions in the southern brogue, which differs widely from that of the + Mearns. He was beginning to think himself in a serious dilemma, when he + stated his case to a farmer of rather the better class, who was employed, + as the others, in digging his winter fuel. The old man at first made the + same excuse with those who had already declined acting as the traveller's + guide; but perceiving him in great perplexity, and paying the respect due + to his profession, "You are a clergyman, sir?" he said. Mr. Walker + assented. "And I observe from your speech, that you are from the + north?"—"You are right, my good friend," was the reply. "And may I ask + if you have ever heard of a place called Dunnottar?"—"I ought to know + something about it, my friend," said Mr. Walker, "since I have been + several years the minister of the parish."—"I am glad to hear it," said + the Dumfriesian, "for one of my near relations lies buried there, and + there is, I believe, a monument over his grave. I would give half of what + I am aught, to know if it is still in existence."—"He was one of those + who perished in the Whig's Vault at the castle?" said the minister; "for + there are few southlanders besides lying in our churchyard, and none, I + think, having monuments."—"Even sae—even sae," said the old Cameronian, + for such was the farmer. He then laid down his spade, cast on his coat, + and heartily offered to see the minister out of the moss, if he should + lose the rest of the <i>day's dargue</i>. Mr. Walker was able to requite him + amply, in his opinion, by reciting the epitaph, which he remembered by + heart. The old man was enchanted with finding the memory of his + grandfather or great-grandfather faithfully recorded amongst the names of + brother sufferers; and rejecting all other offers of recompense, only + requested, after he had guided Mr. Walker to a safe and dry road, that he + would let him have a written copy of the inscription. +</p> +<p> + It was whilst I was listening to this story, and looking at the monument + referred to, that I saw Old Mortality engaged in his daily task of + cleaning and repairing the ornaments and epitaphs upon the tomb. His + appearance and equipment were exactly as described in the Novel. I was + very desirous to see something of a person so singular, and expected to + have done so, as he took up his quarters with the hospitable and + liberal-spirited minister. But though Mr. Walker invited him up after + dinner to partake of a glass of spirits and water, to which he was + supposed not to be very averse, yet he would not speak frankly upon the + subject of his occupation. He was in bad humour, and had, according to + his phrase, no freedom for conversation with us. +</p> +<p> + His spirit had been sorely vexed by hearing, in a certain Aberdonian + kirk, the psalmody directed by a pitch-pipe, or some similar instrument, + which was to Old Mortality the abomination of abominations. Perhaps, + after all, he did not feel himself at ease with his company; he might + suspect the questions asked by a north-country minister and a young + barrister to savour more of idle curiosity than profit. At any rate, in + the phrase of John Bunyan, Old Mortality went on his way, and I saw him + no more. +</p> +<p> + The remarkable figure and occupation of this ancient pilgrim was recalled + to my memory by an account transmitted by my friend Mr. Joseph Train, + supervisor of excise at Dumfries, to whom I owe many obligations of a + similar nature. From this, besides some other circumstances, among which + are those of the old man's death, I learned the particulars described in + the text. I am also informed, that the old palmer's family, in the third + generation, survives, and is highly respected both for talents and worth. + While these sheets were passing through the press, I received the + following communication from Mr. Train, whose undeviating kindness had, + during the intervals of laborious duty, collected its materials from an + indubitable source. +</p> +<pre> + "In the course of my periodical visits to the Glenkens, I have + become intimately acquainted with Robert Paterson, a son of Old + Mortality, who lives in the little village of Balmaclellan; and + although he is now in the 70th year of his age, preserves all the + vivacity of youth—has a most retentive memory, and a mind stored + with information far above what could be expected from a person in + his station of life. To him I am indebted for the following + particulars relative to his father, and his descendants down to the + present time. + + "Robert Paterson, alias Old Mortality, was the son of Walter + Paterson and Margaret Scott, who occupied the farm of Ilaggisha, in + the parish of Hawick, during nearly the first half of the eighteenth + century. Here Robert was born, in the memorable year 1715. + + "Being the youngest son of a numerous family, he, at an early age, + went to serve with an elder brother, named Francis, who rented, from + Sir John Jardine of Applegarth, a small tract in Comcockle Moor, + near Lochmaben. During his residence there, he became acquainted + with Elizabeth Gray, daughter of Robert Gray, gardener to Sir John + Jardine, whom he afterwards married. His wife had been, for a + considerable time, a cook-maid to Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick of + Closeburn, who procured for her husband, from the Duke of + Queensberry, an advantageous lease of the freestone quarry of + Gatelowbrigg, in the parish of Morton. Here he built a house, and + had as much land as kept a horse and cow. My informant cannot say, + with certainty, the year in which his father took up his residence + at Gatelowbrigg, but he is sure it must have been only a short time + prior to the year 1746, as, during the memorable frost in 1740, he + says his mother still resided in the service of Sir Thomas + Kirkpatrick. When the Highlanders were returning from England on + their route to Glasgow, in the year 1745-6, they plundered Mr. + Paterson's house at Gatelowbrigg, and carried him a prisoner as far + as Glenbuck, merely because he said to one of the straggling army, + that their retreat might have been easily foreseen, as the strong + arm of the Lord was evidently raised, not only against the bloody + and wicked house of Stewart, but against all who attempted to + support the abominable heresies of the Church of Rome. From this + circumstance it appears that Old Mortality had, even at that early + period of his life, imbibed the religious enthusiasm by which he + afterwards became so much distinguished. + + "The religious sect called Hill-men, or Cameronians, was at that + time much noted for austerity and devotion, in imitation of Cameron, + their founder, of whose tenets Old Mortality became a most strenuous + supporter. He made frequent journeys into Galloway to attend their + conventicles, and occasionally carried with him gravestones from his + quarry at Gatelowbrigg, to keep in remembrance the righteous whose + dust had been gathered to their fathers. Old Mortality was not one + of those religious devotees, who, although one eye is seemingly + turned towards heaven, keep the other steadfastly fixed on some + sublunary object. As his enthusiasm increased, his journeys into + Galloway became more frequent; and he gradually neglected even the + common prudential duty of providing for his offspring. From about + the year 1758, he neglected wholly to return from Galloway to his + wife and five children at Gatelowbrigg, which induced her to send + her eldest son Walter, then only twelve years of age, to Galloway, + in search of his father. After traversing nearly the whole of that + extensive district, from the Nick of Benncorie to the Fell of + Barullion, he found him at last working on the Cameronian monuments, + in the old kirkyard of Kirkchrist, on the west side of the Dee, + opposite the town of Kirkcudbright. The little wanderer used all the + influence in his power to induce his father to return to his family; + but in vain. Mrs. Paterson sent even some of her female children + into Galloway in search of their father, for the same purpose of + persuading him to return home; but without any success. At last, in + the summer of 1768, she removed to the little upland village of + Balmaclellan, in the Glenkens of Galloway, where, upon the small + pittance derived from keeping a little school, she supported her + numerous family in a respectable manner. + + "There is a small monumental stone in the farm of the Caldon, near + the House of the Hill, in Wigtonshire, which is highly venerated as + being the first erected, by Old Mortality, to the memory of several + persons who fell at that place in defence of their religious tenets + in the civil war, in the reign of Charles Second. + + "From the Caldon, the labours of Old Mortality, in the course of + time, spread over nearly all the Lowlands of Scotland. There are few + churchyards in Ayrshire, Galloway, or Dumfries-shire, where the work + of his chisel is not yet to be seen. It is easily distinguished from + the work of any other artist by the primitive rudeness of the + emblems of death, and of the inscriptions which adorn the ill-formed + blocks of his erection. This task of repairing and erecting + gravestones, practised without fee or reward, was the only + ostensible employment of this singular person for upwards of forty + years. The door of every Cameronian's house was indeed open to him + at all times when he chose to enter, and he was gladly received as + an inmate of the family; but he did not invariably accept of these + civilities, as may be seen by the following account of his frugal + expenses, found, amongst other little papers, (some of which I have + likewise in my possession,) in his pocket-book after his death. +</pre> + <p class="accounts"> + <br> + Gatehouse of Fleet, 4th February, 1796.<br> + ROBERT PATERBON debtor to MARGARET CHRYSTALE.<br> + To drye Lodginge for seven weeks,....... 0 4 1<br> + To Four Auchlet of Ait Meal,............ 0 3 4<br> + To 6 Lippies of Potatoes................ 0 1 3<br> + To Lent Money at the time of Mr. Reid's<br> + Sacrament,......................... 0 6 0<br> + To 3 Chappins of Yell with Sandy the<br> + Keelman,*.......................... 0 0 9<br> +<br> + Total,............................L.0 15 5<br> + Received in part,....................... 0 10 0<br> + Unpaid,............................... L.0 5 5<br> + </p> + +<pre> + *["A well-known humourist, still alive, popularly called by the name + of Old Keelybags, who deals in the keel or chalk with which farmers + mark their flocks."] +</pre> +<p> + "This statement shows the religious wanderer to have been very poor in + his old age; but he was so more by choice than through necessity, as at + the period here alluded to, his children were all comfortably situated, + and were most anxious to keep their father at home, but no entreaty could + induce him to alter his erratic way of life. He travelled from one + churchyard to another, mounted on his old white pony, till the last day + of his existence, and died, as you have described, at Bankhill, near + Lockerby, on the 14th February, 1801, in the 86th year of his age. As + soon as his body was found, intimation was sent to his sons at + Balmaclellan; but from the great depth of the snow at that time, the + letter communicating the particulars of his death was so long detained by + the way, that the remains of the pilgrim were interred before any of his + relations could arrive at Bankhill. +</p> +<p> + "The following is an exact copy of the account of his funeral + expenses,—the original of which I have in my possession:— +</p> +<p class="accounts"> +<br> + "Memorandum of the Funral Charges of Robert Paterson,<br> + who dyed at Bankhill on the 14th day of February, 1801.<br> + To a Coffon................... L.0 12 0<br> + To Munting for do............... 0 2 8<br> + To a Shirt for him.............. 0 5 6<br> + To a pair of Cotten Stockings... 0 2 0<br> + To Bread at the Founral......... 0 2 6<br> + To Chise at ditto............... 0 3 0<br> + To 1 pint Rume.................. 0 4 6<br> + To I pint Whiskie............... 0 4 0<br> + To a man going to Annam......... 0 2 0<br> + To the grave diger.............. 0 1 0<br> + To Linnen for a sheet to him.... 0 2 8<br> + + + L.2 1 10<br> + Taken off him when dead,.........1 7 6<br> + + + L.0 14 4<br> +</p> +<p> + "The above account is authenticated by the son of the deceased. +</p> +<p> + "My friend was prevented by indisposition from even going to Bankhill to + attend the funeral of his father, which I regret very much, as he is not + aware in what churchyard he was interred. +</p> +<p> + "For the purpose of erecting a small monument to his memory, I have made + every possible enquiry, wherever I thought there was the least chance of + finding out where Old Mortality was laid; but I have done so in vain, as + his death is not registered in the session-book of any of the + neighbouring parishes. I am sorry to think, that in all probability, this + singular person, who spent so many years of his lengthened existence in + striving with his chisel and mallet to perpetuate the memory of many less + deserving than himself, must remain even without a single stone to mark + out the resting place of his mortal remains. +</p> +<p> + "Old Mortality had three sons, Robert, Walter, and John; the former, as + has been already mentioned, lives in the village of Balmaclellan, in + comfortable circumstances, and is much respected by his neighbours. + Walter died several years ago, leaving behind him a family now + respectably situated in this point. John went to America in the year + 1776, and, after various turns of fortune, settled at Baltimore." +</p> +<p> + Old Nol himself is said to have loved an innocent jest. (See Captain + Hodgson's Memoirs.) Old Mortality somewhat resembled the Protector in + this turn to festivity. Like Master Silence, he had been merry twice and + once in his time; but even his jests were of a melancholy and sepulchral + nature, and sometimes attended with inconvenience to himself, as will + appear from the following anecdote:— +</p> +<p> + The old man was at one time following his wonted occupation of repairing + the tombs of the martyrs, in the churchyard of Girthon, and the sexton of + the parish was plying his kindred task at no small distance. Some roguish + urchins were sporting near them, and by their noisy gambols disturbing + the old men in their serious occupation. The most petulant of the + juvenile party were two or three boys, grandchildren of a person well + known by the name of Cooper Climent. This artist enjoyed almost a + monopoly in Girthon and the neighbouring parishes, for making and selling + ladles, caups, bickers, bowls, spoons, cogues, and trenchers, formed of + wood, for the use of the country people. It must be noticed, that + notwithstanding the excellence of the Cooper's vessels, they were apt, + when new, to impart a reddish tinge to whatever liquor was put into them, + a circumstance not uncommon in like cases. +</p> +<p> + The grandchildren of this dealer in wooden work took it into their head + to ask the sexton, what use he could possibly make of the numerous + fragments of old coffins which were thrown up in opening new graves. "Do + you not know," said Old Mortality, "that he sells them to your + grandfather, who makes them into spoons, trenchers, bickers, bowies, and + so forth?" At this assertion, the youthful group broke up in great + confusion and disgust, on reflecting how many meals they had eaten out of + dishes which, by Old Mortality's account, were only fit to be used at a + banquet of witches or of ghoules. They carried the tidings home, when + many a dinner was spoiled by the loathing which the intelligence + imparted; for the account of the materials was supposed to explain the + reddish tinge which, even in the days of the Cooper's fame, had seemed + somewhat suspicious. The ware of Cooper Climent was rejected in horror, + much to the benefit of his rivals the muggers, who dealt in earthenware. + The man of cutty-spoon and ladle saw his trade interrupted, and learned + the reason, by his quondam customers coming upon him in wrath to return + the goods which were composed of such unhallowed materials, and demand + repayment of their money. In this disagreeable predicament, the forlorn + artist cited Old Mortality into a court of justice, where he proved that + the wood he used in his trade was that of the staves of old wine-pipes + bought from smugglers, with whom the country then abounded, a + circumstance which fully accounted for their imparting a colour to their + contents. Old Mortality himself made the fullest declaration, that he had + no other purpose in making the assertion, than to check the petulance of + the children. But it is easier to take away a good name than to restore + it. Cooper Climent's business continued to languish, and he died in a + state of poverty. +</p> +<a name="image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" height="771" width="532" +alt="Frontispiece +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + VOLUME I. +</h2> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER I. +</h2> +<h3> + Preliminary. +</h3> +<pre> + Why seeks he with unwearied toil + Through death's dim walks to urge his way, + Reclaim his long-asserted spoil, + And lead oblivion into day? + Langhorne. +</pre> +<p> + "Most readers," says the Manuscript of Mr Pattieson, "must have witnessed + with delight the joyous burst which attends the dismissing of a + village-school on a fine summer evening. The buoyant spirit of childhood, + repressed with so much difficulty during the tedious hours of discipline, + may then be seen to explode, as it were, in shout, and song, and frolic, + as the little urchins join in groups on their play-ground, and arrange + their matches of sport for the evening. But there is one individual who + partakes of the relief afforded by the moment of dismission, whose + feelings are not so obvious to the eye of the spectator, or so apt to + receive his sympathy. I mean the teacher himself, who, stunned with the + hum, and suffocated with the closeness of his school-room, has spent the + whole day (himself against a host) in controlling petulance, exciting + indifference to action, striving to enlighten stupidity, and labouring to + soften obstinacy; and whose very powers of intellect have been confounded + by hearing the same dull lesson repeated a hundred times by rote, and + only varied by the various blunders of the reciters. Even the flowers of + classic genius, with which his solitary fancy is most gratified, have + been rendered degraded, in his imagination, by their connexion with + tears, with errors, and with punishment; so that the Eclogues of Virgil + and Odes of Horace are each inseparably allied in association with the + sullen figure and monotonous recitation of some blubbering school-boy. If + to these mental distresses are added a delicate frame of body, and a mind + ambitious of some higher distinction than that of being the tyrant of + childhood, the reader may have some slight conception of the relief which + a solitary walk, in the cool of a fine summer evening, affords to the + head which has ached, and the nerves which have been shattered, for so + many hours, in plying the irksome task of public instruction. +</p> +<p> + "To me these evening strolls have been the happiest hours of an unhappy + life; and if any gentle reader shall hereafter find pleasure in perusing + these lucubrations, I am not unwilling he should know, that the plan of + them has been usually traced in those moments, when relief from toil and + clamour, combined with the quiet scenery around me, has disposed my mind + to the task of composition. +</p> +<p> + "My chief haunt, in these hours of golden leisure, is the banks of the + small stream, which, winding through a 'lone vale of green bracken,' + passes in front of the village school-house of Gandercleugh. For the + first quarter of a mile, perhaps, I may be disturbed from my meditations, + in order to return the scrape, or doffed bonnet, of such stragglers among + my pupils as fish for trouts or minnows in the little brook, or seek + rushes and wild-flowers by its margin. But, beyond the space I have + mentioned, the juvenile anglers do not, after sunset, voluntarily extend + their excursions. The cause is, that farther up the narrow valley, and in + a recess which seems scooped out of the side of the steep heathy bank, + there is a deserted burial-ground, which the little cowards are fearful + of approaching in the twilight. To me, however, the place has an + inexpressible charm. It has been long the favourite termination of my + walks, and, if my kind patron forgets not his promise, will (and probably + at no very distant day) be my final resting-place after my mortal + pilgrimage. [Note: Note, by Mr Jedediah Cleishbotham.—That I kept my + plight in this melancholy matter with my deceased and lamented friend, + appeareth from a handsome headstone, erected at my proper charges in this + spot, bearing the name and calling of Peter Pattieson, with the date of + his nativity and sepulture; together also with a testimony of his merits, + attested by myself, as his superior and patron.—J. C.] +</p> +<p> + "It is a spot which possesses all the solemnity of feeling attached to a + burial-ground, without exciting those of a more unpleasing description. + Having been very little used for many years, the few hillocks which rise + above the level plain are covered with the same short velvet turf. The + monuments, of which there are not above seven or eight, are half sunk in + the ground, and overgrown with moss. No newly-erected tomb disturbs the + sober serenity of our reflections by reminding us of recent calamity, and + no rank-springing grass forces upon our imagination the recollection, + that it owes its dark luxuriance to the foul and festering remnants of + mortality which ferment beneath. The daisy which sprinkles the sod, and + the harebell which hangs over it, derive their pure nourishment from the + dew of heaven, and their growth impresses us with no degrading or + disgusting recollections. Death has indeed been here, and its traces are + before us; but they are softened and deprived of their horror by our + distance from the period when they have been first impressed. Those who + sleep beneath are only connected with us by the reflection, that they + have once been what we now are, and that, as their relics are now + identified with their mother earth, ours shall, at some future period, + undergo the same transformation. +</p> +<p> + "Yet, although the moss has been collected on the most modern of these + humble tombs during four generations of mankind, the memory of some of + those who sleep beneath them is still held in reverent remembrance. It is + true, that, upon the largest, and, to an antiquary, the most interesting + monument of the group, which bears the effigies of a doughty knight in + his hood of mail, with his shield hanging on his breast, the armorial + bearings are defaced by time, and a few worn-out letters may be read at + the pleasure of the decipherer, Dns. Johan—de Hamel,—or Johan—de + Lamel—And it is also true, that of another tomb, richly sculptured with + an ornamental cross, mitre, and pastoral staff, tradition can only aver, + that a certain nameless bishop lies interred there. But upon other two + stones which lie beside, may still be read in rude prose, and ruder + rhyme, the history of those who sleep beneath them. They belong, we are + assured by the epitaph, to the class of persecuted Presbyterians who + afforded a melancholy subject for history in the times of Charles II. and + his successor. [Note: James, Seventh King of Scotland of that name, and + Second according to the numeration of the Kings of England.—J. C.] In + returning from the battle of Pentland Hills, a party of the insurgents + had been attacked in this glen by a small detachment of the King's + troops, and three or four either killed in the skirmish, or shot after + being made prisoners, as rebels taken with arms in their hands. The + peasantry continued to attach to the tombs of those victims of prelacy an + honour which they do not render to more splendid mausoleums; and, when + they point them out to their sons, and narrate the fate of the sufferers, + usually conclude, by exhorting them to be ready, should times call for + it, to resist to the death in the cause of civil and religious liberty, + like their brave forefathers. +</p> +<p> + "Although I am far from venerating the peculiar tenets asserted by those + who call themselves the followers of those men, and whose intolerance and + narrow-minded bigotry are at least as conspicuous as their devotional + zeal, yet it is without depreciating the memory of those sufferers, many + of whom united the independent sentiments of a Hampden with the suffering + zeal of a Hooper or Latimer. On the other hand, it would be unjust to + forget, that many even of those who had been most active in crushing what + they conceived the rebellious and seditious spirit of those unhappy + wanderers, displayed themselves, when called upon to suffer for their + political and religious opinions, the same daring and devoted zeal, + tinctured, in their case, with chivalrous loyalty, as in the former with + republican enthusiasm. It has often been remarked of the Scottish + character, that the stubbornness with which it is moulded shows most to + advantage in adversity, when it seems akin to the native sycamore of + their hills, which scorns to be biassed in its mode of growth even by the + influence of the prevailing wind, but, shooting its branches with equal + boldness in every direction, shows no weather-side to the storm, and may + be broken, but can never be bended. It must be understood that I speak of + my countrymen as they fall under my own observation. When in foreign + countries, I have been informed that they are more docile. But it is time + to return from this digression. +</p> +<p> + "One summer evening, as in a stroll, such as I have described, I + approached this deserted mansion of the dead, I was somewhat surprised to + hear sounds distinct from those which usually soothe its solitude, the + gentle chiding, namely, of the brook, and the sighing of the wind in the + boughs of three gigantic ash-trees, which mark the cemetery. The clink of + a hammer was, on this occasion, distinctly heard; and I entertained some + alarm that a march-dike, long meditated by the two proprietors whose + estates were divided by my favourite brook, was about to be drawn up the + glen, in order to substitute its rectilinear deformity for the graceful + winding of the natural boundary. [Note: I deem it fitting that the reader + should be apprised that this limitary boundary between the conterminous + heritable property of his honour the Laird of Gandercleugh, and his + honour the Laird of Gusedub, was to have been in fashion an agger, or + rather murus of uncemented granite, called by the vulgar a drystane dyke, + surmounted, or coped, <i>cespite viridi</i>, i.e. with a sodturf. Truly their + honours fell into discord concerning two roods of marshy ground, near the + cove called the Bedral's Beild; and the controversy, having some years + bygone been removed from before the judges of the land, (with whom it + abode long,) even unto the Great City of London and the Assembly of the + Nobles therein, is, as I may say, adhuc in pendente.—J. C.] As I + approached, I was agreeably undeceived. An old man was seated upon the + monument of the slaughtered presbyterians, and busily employed in + deepening, with his chisel, the letters of the inscription, which, + announcing, in scriptural language, the promised blessings of futurity to + be the lot of the slain, anathematized the murderers with corresponding + violence. A blue bonnet of unusual dimensions covered the grey hairs of + the pious workman. His dress was a large old-fashioned coat of the coarse + cloth called hoddingrey, usually worn by the elder peasants, with + waistcoat and breeches of the same; and the whole suit, though still in + decent repair, had obviously seen a train of long service. Strong clouted + shoes, studded with hobnails, and gramoches or leggins, made of thick + black cloth, completed his equipment. Beside him, fed among the graves a + pony, the companion of his journey, whose extreme whiteness, as well as + its projecting bones and hollow eyes, indicated its antiquity. It was + harnessed in the most simple manner, with a pair of branks, a hair + tether, or halter, and a sunk, or cushion of straw, instead of bridle and + saddle. A canvass pouch hung around the neck of the animal, for the + purpose, probably, of containing the rider's tools, and any thing else he + might have occasion to carry with him. Although I had never seen the old + man before, yet from the singularity of his employment, and the style of + his equipage, I had no difficulty in recognising a religious itinerant + whom I had often heard talked of, and who was known in various parts of + Scotland by the title of Old Mortality. +</p> +<a name="image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa006.jpg" height="511" width="754" +alt="The Graveyard +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Where this man was born, or what was his real name, I have never been + able to learn; nor are the motives which made him desert his home, and + adopt the erratic mode of life which he pursued, known to me except very + generally. According to the belief of most people, he was a native of + either the county of Dumfries or Galloway, and lineally descended from + some of those champions of the Covenant, whose deeds and sufferings were + his favourite theme. He is said to have held, at one period of his life, + a small moorland farm; but, whether from pecuniary losses, or domestic + misfortune, he had long renounced that and every other gainful calling. + In the language of Scripture, he left his house, his home, and his + kindred, and wandered about until the day of his death, a period of + nearly thirty years. +</p> +<p> + "During this long pilgrimage, the pious enthusiast regulated his circuit + so as annually to visit the graves of the unfortunate Covenanters, who + suffered by the sword, or by the executioner, during the reigns of the + two last monarchs of the Stewart line. These are most numerous in the + western districts of Ayr, Galloway, and Dumfries; but they are also to be + found in other parts of Scotland, wherever the fugitives had fought, or + fallen, or suffered by military or civil execution. Their tombs are often + apart from all human habitation, in the remote moors and wilds to which + the wanderers had fled for concealment. But wherever they existed, Old + Mortality was sure to visit them when his annual round brought them + within his reach. In the most lonely recesses of the mountains, the + moor-fowl shooter has been often surprised to find him busied in cleaning + the moss from the grey stones, renewing with his chisel the half-defaced + inscriptions, and repairing the emblems of death with which these simple + monuments are usually adorned. Motives of the most sincere, though + fanciful devotion, induced the old man to dedicate so many years of + existence to perform this tribute to the memory of the deceased warriors + of the church. He considered himself as fulfilling a sacred duty, while + renewing to the eyes of posterity the decaying emblems of the zeal and + sufferings of their forefathers, and thereby trimming, as it were, the + beacon-light, which was to warn future generations to defend their + religion even unto blood. +</p> +<p> + "In all his wanderings, the old pilgrim never seemed to need, or was + known to accept, pecuniary assistance. It is true, his wants were very + few; for wherever he went, he found ready quarters in the house of some + Cameronian of his own sect, or of some other religious person. The + hospitality which was reverentially paid to him he always acknowledged, + by repairing the gravestones (if there existed any) belonging to the + family or ancestors of his host. As the wanderer was usually to be seen + bent on this pious task within the precincts of some country churchyard, + or reclined on the solitary tombstone among the heath, disturbing the + plover and the black-cock with the clink of his chisel and mallet, with + his old white pony grazing by his side, he acquired, from his converse + among the dead, the popular appellation of Old Mortality. +</p> +<p> + "The character of such a man could have in it little connexion even with + innocent gaiety. Yet, among those of his own religious persuasion, he is + reported to have been cheerful. The descendants of persecutors, or those + whom he supposed guilty of entertaining similar tenets, and the scoffers + at religion by whom he was sometimes assailed, he usually termed the + generation of vipers. Conversing with others, he was grave and + sententious, not without a cast of severity. But he is said never to have + been observed to give way to violent passion, excepting upon one + occasion, when a mischievous truant-boy defaced with a stone the nose of + a cherub's face, which the old man was engaged in retouching. I am in + general a sparer of the rod, notwithstanding the maxim of Solomon, for + which school-boys have little reason to thank his memory; but on this + occasion I deemed it proper to show that I did not hate the child.—But I + must return to the circumstances attending my first interview with this + interesting enthusiast. +</p> +<p> + "In accosting Old Mortality, I did not fail to pay respect to his years + and his principles, beginning my address by a respectful apology for + interrupting his labours. The old man intermitted the operation of the + chisel, took off his spectacles and wiped them, then, replacing them on + his nose, acknowledged my courtesy by a suitable return. Encouraged by + his affability, I intruded upon him some questions concerning the + sufferers on whose monument he was now employed. To talk of the exploits + of the Covenanters was the delight, as to repair their monuments was the + business, of his life. He was profuse in the communication of all the + minute information which he had collected concerning them, their wars, + and their wanderings. One would almost have supposed he must have been + their contemporary, and have actually beheld the passages which he + related, so much had he identified his feelings and opinions with theirs, + and so much had his narratives the circumstantiality of an eye-witness. +</p> +<p> + "'We,' he said, in a tone of exultation,—'we are the only true whigs. + Carnal men have assumed that triumphant appellation, following him whose + kingdom is of this world. Which of them would sit six hours on a wet + hill-side to hear a godly sermon? I trow an hour o't wad staw them. They + are ne'er a hair better than them that shamena to take upon themsells the + persecuting name of bludethirsty tories. Self-seekers all of them, + strivers after wealth, power, and worldly ambition, and forgetters alike + of what has been dree'd and done by the mighty men who stood in the gap + in the great day of wrath. Nae wonder they dread the accomplishment of + what was spoken by the mouth of the worthy Mr Peden, (that precious + servant of the Lord, none of whose words fell to the ground,) that the + French monzies [Note: Probably monsieurs. It would seem that this was + spoken during the apprehensions of invason from France.—Publishers.] + sall rise as fast in the glens of Ayr, and the kenns of Galloway, as ever + the Highlandmen did in 1677. And now they are gripping to the bow and to + the spear, when they suld be mourning for a sinfu' land and a broken + covenant.' +</p> +<p> + "Soothing the old man by letting his peculiar opinions pass without + contradiction, and anxious to prolong conversation with so singular a + character, I prevailed upon him to accept that hospitality, which Mr + Cleishbotham is always willing to extend to those who need it. In our way + to the schoolmaster's house, we called at the Wallace Inn, where I was + pretty certain I should find my patron about that hour of the evening. + After a courteous interchange of civilities, Old Mortality was, with + difficulty, prevailed upon to join his host in a single glass of liquor, + and that on condition that he should be permitted to name the pledge, + which he prefaced with a grace of about five minutes, and then, with + bonnet doffed and eyes uplifted, drank to the memory of those heroes of + the Kirk who had first uplifted her banner upon the mountains. As no + persuasion could prevail on him to extend his conviviality to a second + cup, my patron accompanied him home, and accommodated him in the + Prophet's Chamber, as it is his pleasure to call the closet which holds a + spare bed, and which is frequently a place of retreat for the poor + traveller. [Note: He might have added, and for the rich also; since, I + laud my stars, the great of the earth have also taken harbourage in my + poor domicile. And, during the service of my hand-maiden, Dorothy, who + was buxom and comely of aspect, his Honour the Laird of Smackawa, in his + peregrinations to and from the metropolis, was wont to prefer my + Prophet's Chamber even to the sanded chamber of dais in the Wallace Inn, + and to bestow a mutchkin, as he would jocosely say, to obtain the freedom + of the house, but, in reality, to assure himself of my company during the + evening.—J. C.] +</p> +<p> + "The next day I took leave of Old Mortality, who seemed affected by the + unusual attention with which I had cultivated his acquaintance and + listened to his conversation. After he had mounted, not without + difficulty, the old white pony, he took me by the hand and said, 'The + blessing of our Master be with you, young man! My hours are like the ears + of the latter harvest, and your days are yet in the spring; and yet you + may be gathered into the garner of mortality before me, for the sickle of + death cuts down the green as oft as the ripe, and there is a colour in + your cheek, that, like the bud of the rose, serveth oft to hide the worm + of corruption. Wherefore labour as one who knoweth not when his master + calleth. And if it be my lot to return to this village after ye are gane + hame to your ain place, these auld withered hands will frame a stane of + memorial, that your name may not perish from among the people.' +</p> +<p> + "I thanked Old Mortality for his kind intentions in my behalf, and heaved + a sigh, not, I think, of regret so much as of resignation, to think of + the chance that I might soon require his good offices. But though, in all + human probability, he did not err in supposing that my span of life may + be abridged in youth, he had over-estimated the period of his own + pilgrimage on earth. It is now some years since he has been missed in all + his usual haunts, while moss, lichen, and deer-hair, are fast covering + those stones, to cleanse which had been the business of his life. About + the beginning of this century he closed his mortal toils, being found on + the highway near Lockerby, in Dumfries-shire, exhausted and just + expiring. The old white pony, the companion of all his wanderings, was + standing by the side of his dying master. There was found about his + person a sum of money sufficient for his decent interment, which serves + to show that his death was in no ways hastened by violence or by want. + The common people still regard his memory with great respect; and many + are of opinion, that the stones which he repaired will not again require + the assistance of the chisel. They even assert, that on the tombs where + the manner of the martyrs' murder is recorded, their names have remained + indelibly legible since the death of Old Mortality, while those of the + persecutors, sculptured on the same monuments, have been entirely + defaced. It is hardly necessary to say that this is a fond imagination, + and that, since the time of the pious pilgrim, the monuments which were + the objects of his care are hastening, like all earthly memorials, into + ruin or decay. +</p> +<p> + "My readers will of course understand, that in embodying into one + compressed narrative many of the anecdotes which I had the advantage of + deriving from Old Mortality, I have been far from adopting either his + style, his opinions, or even his facts, so far as they appear to have + been distorted by party prejudice. I have endeavoured to correct or + verify them from the most authentic sources of tradition, afforded by the + representatives of either party. +</p> +<p> + "On the part of the Presbyterians, I have consulted such moorland farmers + from the western districts, as, by the kindness of their landlords, or + otherwise, have been able, during the late general change of property, to + retain possession of the grazings on which their grandsires fed their + flocks and herds. I must own, that of late days, I have found this a + limited source of information. I have, therefore, called in the + supplementary aid of those modest itinerants, whom the scrupulous + civility of our ancestors denominated travelling merchants, but whom, of + late, accommodating ourselves in this as in more material particulars, to + the feelings and sentiments of our more wealthy neighbours, we have + learned to call packmen or pedlars. To country weavers travelling in + hopes to get rid of their winter web, but more especially to tailors, + who, from their sedentary profession, and the necessity, in our country, + of exercising it by temporary residence in the families by whom they are + employed, may be considered as possessing a complete register of rural + traditions, I have been indebted for many illustrations of the narratives + of Old Mortality, much in the taste and spirit of the original. +</p> +<p> + "I had more difficulty in finding materials for correcting the tone of + partiality which evidently pervaded those stores of traditional learning, + in order that I might be enabled to present an unbiassed picture of the + manners of that unhappy period, and, at the same time, to do justice to + the merits of both parties. But I have been enabled to qualify the + narratives of Old Mortality and his Cameronian friends, by the reports of + more than one descendant of ancient and honourable families, who, + themselves decayed into the humble vale of life, yet look proudly back on + the period when their ancestors fought and fell in behalf of the exiled + house of Stewart. I may even boast right reverend authority on the same + score; for more than one nonjuring bishop, whose authority and income + were upon as apostolical a scale as the greatest abominator of Episcopacy + could well desire, have deigned, while partaking of the humble cheer of + the Wallace Inn, to furnish me with information corrective of the facts + which I learned from others. There are also here and there a laird or + two, who, though they shrug their shoulders, profess no great shame in + their fathers having served in the persecuting squadrons of Earlshall and + Claverhouse. From the gamekeepers of these gentlemen, an office the most + apt of any other to become hereditary in such families, I have also + contrived to collect much valuable information. +</p> +<p> + "Upon the whole, I can hardly fear, that, at this time, in describing the + operation which their opposite principles produced upon the good and bad + men of both parties, I can be suspected of meaning insult or injustice to + either. If recollection of former injuries, extra-loyalty, and contempt + and hatred of their adversaries, produced rigour and tyranny in the one + party, it will hardly be denied, on the other hand, that, if the zeal for + God's house did not eat up the conventiclers, it devoured at least, to + imitate the phrase of Dryden, no small portion of their loyalty, sober + sense, and good breeding. We may safely hope, that the souls of the brave + and sincere on either side have long looked down with surprise and pity + upon the ill-appreciated motives which caused their mutual hatred and + hostility, while in this valley of darkness, blood, and tears. Peace to + their memory! Let us think of them as the heroine of our only Scottish + tragedy entreats her lord to think of her departed sire:— +</p> +<pre> + 'O rake not up the ashes of our fathers! + Implacable resentment was their crime, + And grievous has the expiation been.'" +</pre> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II. +</h2> +<pre> + Summon an hundred horse, by break of day, + To wait our pleasure at the castle gates. + Douglas. +</pre> +<p> + Under the reign of the last Stewarts, there was an anxious wish on the + part of government to counteract, by every means in their power, the + strict or puritanical spirit which had been the chief characteristic of + the republican government, and to revive those feudal institutions which + united the vassal to the liege lord, and both to the crown. Frequent + musters and assemblies of the people, both for military exercise and for + sports and pastimes, were appointed by authority. The interference, in + the latter case, was impolitic, to say the least; for, as usual on such + occasions, the consciences which were at first only scrupulous, became + confirmed in their opinions, instead of giving way to the terrors of + authority; and the youth of both sexes, to whom the pipe and tabor in + England, or the bagpipe in Scotland, would have been in themselves an + irresistible temptation, were enabled to set them at defiance, from the + proud consciousness that they were, at the same time, resisting an act of + council. To compel men to dance and be merry by authority, has rarely + succeeded even on board of slave-ships, where it was formerly sometimes + attempted by way of inducing the wretched captives to agitate their limbs + and restore the circulation, during the few minutes they were permitted + to enjoy the fresh air upon deck. The rigour of the strict Calvinists + increased, in proportion to the wishes of the government that it should + be relaxed. A judaical observance of the Sabbath—a supercilious + condemnation of all manly pastimes and harmless recreations, as well as + of the profane custom of promiscuous dancing, that is, of men and women + dancing together in the same party (for I believe they admitted that + the exercise might be inoffensive if practised by the parties + separately)—distinguishing those who professed a more than ordinary + share of sanctity, they discouraged, as far as lay in their power, even + the ancient wappen-schaws, as they were termed, when the feudal array of + the county was called out, and each crown-vassal was required to appear + with such muster of men and armour as he was bound to make by his fief, + and that under high statutory penalties. The Covenanters were the more + jealous of those assemblies, as the lord lieutenants and sheriffs under + whom they were held had instructions from the government to spare no + pains which might render them agreeable to the young men who were thus + summoned together, upon whom the military exercise of the morning, and + the sports which usually closed the evening, might naturally be supposed + to have a seductive effect. +</p> +<p> + The preachers and proselytes of the more rigid presbyterians laboured, + therefore, by caution, remonstrance, and authority, to diminish the + attendance upon these summonses, conscious that in doing so, they + lessened not only the apparent, but the actual strength of the + government, by impeding the extension of that esprit de corps which soon + unites young men who are in the habit of meeting together for manly + sport, or military exercise. They, therefore, exerted themselves + earnestly to prevent attendance on these occasions by those who could + find any possible excuse for absence, and were especially severe upon + such of their hearers as mere curiosity led to be spectators, or love of + exercise to be partakers, of the array and the sports which took place. + Such of the gentry as acceded to these doctrines were not always, + however, in a situation to be ruled by them. The commands of the law were + imperative; and the privy council, who administered the executive power + in Scotland, were severe in enforcing the statutory penalties against the + crown-vassals who did not appear at the periodical wappen-schaw. The + landholders were compelled, therefore, to send their sons, tenants, and + vassals to the rendezvous, to the number of horses, men, and spears, at + which they were rated; and it frequently happened, that notwithstanding + the strict charge of their elders, to return as soon as the formal + inspection was over, the young men-at-arms were unable to resist the + temptation of sharing in the sports which succeeded the muster, or to + avoid listening to the prayers read in the churches on these occasions, + and thus, in the opinion of their repining parents, meddling with the + accursed thing which is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. +</p> +<p> + The sheriff of the county of Lanark was holding the wappen-schaw of a + wild district, called the Upper Ward of Clydesdale, on a haugh or level + plain, near to a royal borough, the name of which is no way essential to + my story, on the morning of the 5th of May, 1679, when our narrative + commences. When the musters had been made, and duly reported, the young + men, as was usual, were to mix in various sports, of which the chief was + to shoot at the popinjay, an ancient game formerly practised with + archery, but at this period with fire-arms. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Festival of the Popinjay. The Festival of the Popinjay is + still, I believe, practised at Maybole, in Ayrshire. The following + passage in the history of the Somerville family, suggested the + scenes in the text. The author of that curious manuscript thus + celebrates his father's demeanour at such an assembly. + + "Having now passed his infancie, in the tenth year of his age, he + was by his grandfather putt to the grammar school, ther being then + att the toune of Delserf a very able master that taught the grammar, + and fitted boyes for the colledge. Dureing his educating in this + place, they had then a custome every year to solemnize the first + Sunday of May with danceing about a May-pole, fyreing of pieces, and + all manner of ravelling then in use. Ther being at that tyme feu or + noe merchants in this pettie village, to furnish necessaries for the + schollars sports, this youth resolves to provide himself elsewhere, + so that he may appear with the bravest. In order to this, by break + of day he ryses and goes to Hamiltoune, and there bestowes all the + money that for a long tyme before he had gotten from his freinds, or + had otherwayes purchased, upon ribbones of diverse coloures, a new + hatt and gloves. But in nothing he bestowed his money more + liberallie than upon gunpowder, a great quantitie whereof he buyes + for his owne use, and to supplie the wantes of his comerades; thus + furnished with these commodities, but ane empty purse, he returnes + to Delserf by seven a clock, (haveing travelled that Sabbath morning + above eight myles,) puttes on his cloathes and new hatt, flying with + ribbones of all culloures; and in this equipage, with his little + phizie (fusee) upon his shoulder, he marches to the church yaird, + where the May-pole was sett up, and the solemnitie of that day was + to be kept. There first at the foot-ball he equalled any one that + played; but in handleing his piece, in chargeing and dischargeing, + he was so ready, and shott so near the marke, that he farre + surpassed all his fellow schollars, and became a teacher of that art + to them before the thretteenth year of his oune age. And really, I + have often admired his dexterity in this, both at the exercizeing of + his soulders, and when for recreatione. I have gone to the gunning + with him when I was but a stripeling myself; and albeit that + passetyme was the exercize I delighted most in, yet could I never + attaine to any perfectione comparable to him. This dayes sport being + over, he had the applause of all the spectatores, the kyndnesse of + his fellow-condisciples, and the favour of the whole inhabitants of + that little village."] +</pre> +<p> + This was the figure of a bird, decked with party-coloured feathers, so as + to resemble a popinjay or parrot. It was suspended to a pole, and served + for a mark, at which the competitors discharged their fusees and + carabines in rotation, at the distance of sixty or seventy paces. He + whose ball brought down the mark, held the proud title of Captain of the + Popinjay for the remainder of the day, and was usually escorted in + triumph to the most reputable change-house in the neighbourhood, where + the evening was closed with conviviality, conducted under his auspices, + and, if he was able to sustain it, at his expense. +</p> +<p> + It will, of course, be supposed, that the ladies of the country assembled + to witness this gallant strife, those excepted who held the stricter + tenets of puritanism, and would therefore have deemed it criminal to + afford countenance to the profane gambols of the malignants. Landaus, + barouches, or tilburies, there were none in those simple days. The lord + lieutenant of the county (a personage of ducal rank) alone pretended to + the magnificence of a wheel-carriage, a thing covered with tarnished + gilding and sculpture, in shape like the vulgar picture of Noah's ark, + dragged by eight long-tailed Flanders mares, bearing eight insides and + six outsides. The insides were their graces in person, two maids of + honour, two children, a chaplain stuffed into a sort of lateral recess, + formed by a projection at the door of the vehicle, and called, from its + appearance, the boot, and an equerry to his Grace ensconced in the + corresponding convenience on the opposite side. A coachman and three + postilions, who wore short swords, and tie-wigs with three tails, had + blunderbusses slung behind them, and pistols at their saddle-bow, + conducted the equipage. On the foot-board, behind this moving + mansion-house, stood, or rather hung, in triple file, six lacqueys in + rich liveries, armed up to the teeth. The rest of the gentry, men and + women, old and young, were on horseback followed by their servants; but + the company, for the reasons already assigned, was rather select than + numerous. +</p> +<p> + Near to the enormous leathern vehicle which we have attempted to + describe, vindicating her title to precedence over the untitled gentry of + the country, might be seen the sober palfrey of Lady Margaret Bellenden, + bearing the erect and primitive form of Lady Margaret herself, decked in + those widow's weeds which the good lady had never laid aside, since the + execution of her husband for his adherence to Montrose. +</p> +<p> + Her grand-daughter, and only earthly care, the fair-haired Edith, who was + generally allowed to be the prettiest lass in the Upper Ward, appeared + beside her aged relative like Spring placed close to Winter. Her black + Spanish jennet, which she managed with much grace, her gay riding-dress, + and laced side-saddle, had been anxiously prepared to set her forth to + the best advantage. But the clustering profusion of ringlets, which, + escaping from under her cap, were only confined by a green ribbon from + wantoning over her shoulders; her cast of features, soft and feminine, + yet not without a certain expression of playful archness, which redeemed + their sweetness from the charge of insipidity, sometimes brought against + blondes and blue-eyed beauties,—these attracted more admiration from the + western youth than either the splendour of her equipments or the figure + of her palfrey. +</p> +<p> + The attendance of these distinguished ladies was rather inferior to their + birth and fashion in those times, as it consisted only of two servants on + horseback. The truth was, that the good old lady had been obliged to make + all her domestic servants turn out to complete the quota which her barony + ought to furnish for the muster, and in which she would not for the + universe have been found deficient. The old steward, who, in steel cap + and jack-boots, led forth her array, had, as he said, sweated blood and + water in his efforts to overcome the scruples and evasions of the + moorland farmers, who ought to have furnished men, horse, and harness, on + these occasions. At last, their dispute came near to an open declaration + of hostilities, the incensed episcopalian bestowing on the recusants the + whole thunders of the commination, and receiving from them, in return, + the denunciations of a Calvinistic excommunication. What was to be done? + To punish the refractory tenants would have been easy enough. The privy + council would readily have imposed fines, and sent a troop of horse to + collect them. But this would have been calling the huntsman and hounds + into the garden to kill the hare. +</p> +<p> + "For," said Harrison to himself, "the carles have little eneugh gear at + ony rate, and if I call in the red-coats and take away what little they + have, how is my worshipful lady to get her rents paid at Candlemas, which + is but a difficult matter to bring round even in the best of times?" +</p> +<p> + So he armed the fowler, and falconer, the footman, and the ploughman, at + the home farm, with an old drunken cavaliering butler, who had served + with the late Sir Richard under Montrose, and stunned the family nightly + with his exploits at Kilsythe and Tippermoor, and who was the only man in + the party that had the smallest zeal for the work in hand. In this + manner, and by recruiting one or two latitudinarian poachers and + black-fishers, Mr Harrison completed the quota of men which fell to the + share of Lady Margaret Bellenden, as life-rentrix of the barony of + Tillietudlem and others. But when the steward, on the morning of the + eventful day, had mustered his <i>troupe dore</i> before the iron gate of the + tower, the mother of Cuddie Headrigg the ploughman appeared, loaded with + the jackboots, buff coat, and other accoutrements which had been issued + forth for the service of the day, and laid them before the steward; + demurely assuring him, that "whether it were the colic, or a qualm of + conscience, she couldna tak upon her to decide, but sure it was, Cuddie + had been in sair straits a' night, and she couldna say he was muckle + better this morning. The finger of Heaven," she said, "was in it, and her + bairn should gang on nae sic errands." Pains, penalties, and threats of + dismission, were denounced in vain; the mother was obstinate, and Cuddie, + who underwent a domiciliary visitation for the purpose of verifying his + state of body, could, or would, answer only by deep groans. Mause, who + had been an ancient domestic in the family, was a sort of favourite with + Lady Margaret, and presumed accordingly. Lady Margaret had herself set + forth, and her authority could not be appealed to. In this dilemma, the + good genius of the old butler suggested an expedient. +</p> +<p> + "He had seen mony a braw callant, far less than Guse Gibbie, fight brawly + under Montrose. What for no tak Guse Gibbie?" +</p> +<p> + This was a half-witted lad, of very small stature, who had a kind of + charge of the poultry under the old henwife; for in a Scottish family of + that day there was a wonderful substitution of labour. This urchin being + sent for from the stubble-field, was hastily muffled in the buff coat, + and girded rather to than with the sword of a full-grown man, his little + legs plunged into jack-boots, and a steel cap put upon his head, which + seemed, from its size, as if it had been intended to extinguish him. Thus + accoutred, he was hoisted, at his own earnest request, upon the quietest + horse of the party; and, prompted and supported by old Gudyill the + butler, as his front file, he passed muster tolerably enough; the sheriff + not caring to examine too closely the recruits of so well-affected a + person as Lady Margaret Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + To the above cause it was owing that the personal retinue of Lady + Margaret, on this eventful day, amounted only to two lacqueys, with which + diminished train she would, on any other occasion, have been much ashamed + to appear in public. But, for the cause of royalty, she was ready at any + time to have made the most unreserved personal sacrifices. She had lost + her husband and two promising sons in the civil wars of that unhappy + period; but she had received her reward, for, on his route through the + west of Scotland to meet Cromwell in the unfortunate field of Worcester, + Charles the Second had actually breakfasted at the Tower of Tillietudlem; + an incident which formed, from that moment, an important era in the life + of Lady Margaret, who seldom afterwards partook of that meal, either at + home or abroad, without detailing the whole circumstances of the royal + visit, not forgetting the salutation which his majesty conferred on each + side of her face, though she sometimes omitted to notice that he bestowed + the same favour on two buxom serving-wenches who appeared at her back, + elevated for the day into the capacity of waiting gentlewomen. +</p> +<a name="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa128.jpg" height="802" width="541" +alt="Tillietudlem Castle +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + These instances of royal favour were decisive; and if Lady Margaret had + not been a confirmed royalist already, from sense of high birth, + influence of education, and hatred to the opposite party, through whom + she had suffered such domestic calamity, the having given a breakfast to + majesty, and received the royal salute in return, were honours enough of + themselves to unite her exclusively to the fortunes of the Stewarts. + These were now, in all appearance, triumphant; but Lady Margaret's zeal + had adhered to them through the worst of times, and was ready to sustain + the same severities of fortune should their scale once more kick the + beam. At present she enjoyed, in full extent, the military display of the + force which stood ready to support the crown, and stifled, as well as she + could, the mortification she felt at the unworthy desertion of her own + retainers. +</p> +<p> + Many civilities passed between her ladyship and the representatives of + sundry ancient loyal families who were upon the ground, by whom she was + held in high reverence; and not a young man of rank passed by them in the + course of the muster, but he carried his body more erect in the saddle, + and threw his horse upon its haunches, to display his own horsemanship + and the perfect bitting of his steed to the best advantage in the eyes of + Miss Edith Bellenden. But the young cavaliers, distinguished by high + descent and undoubted loyalty, attracted no more attention from Edith + than the laws of courtesy peremptorily demanded; and she turned an + indifferent ear to the compliments with which she was addressed, most of + which were little the worse for the wear, though borrowed for the nonce + from the laborious and long-winded romances of Calprenede and Scuderi, + the mirrors in which the youth of that age delighted to dress themselves, + ere Folly had thrown her ballast overboard, and cut down her vessels of + the first-rate, such as the romances of Cyrus, Cleopatra, and others, + into small craft, drawing as little water, or, to speak more plainly, + consuming as little time as the little cockboat in which the gentle + reader has deigned to embark. It was, however, the decree of fate that + Miss Bellenden should not continue to evince the same equanimity till the + conclusion of the day. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III. +</h2> +<pre> + Horseman and horse confess'd the bitter pang, + And arms and warrior fell with heavy clang. + Pleasures of Hope. +</pre> +<p> + When the military evolutions had been gone through tolerably well, + allowing for the awkwardness of men and of horses, a loud shout announced + that the competitors were about to step forth for the game of the + popinjay already described. The mast, or pole, having a yard extended + across it, from which the mark was displayed, was raised amid the + acclamations of the assembly; and even those who had eyed the evolutions + of the feudal militia with a sort of malignant and sarcastic sneer, from + disinclination to the royal cause in which they were professedly + embodied, could not refrain from taking considerable interest in the + strife which was now approaching. They crowded towards the goal, and + criticized the appearance of each competitor, as they advanced in + succession, discharged their pieces at the mark, and had their good or + bad address rewarded by the laughter or applause of the spectators. But + when a slender young man, dressed with great simplicity, yet not without + a certain air of pretension to elegance and gentility, approached the + station with his fusee in his hand, his dark-green cloak thrown back over + his shoulder, his laced ruff and feathered cap indicating a superior rank + to the vulgar, there was a murmur of interest among the spectators, + whether altogether favourable to the young adventurer, it was difficult + to discover. +</p> +<p> + "Ewhow, sirs, to see his father's son at the like o' thae fearless + follies!" was the ejaculation of the elder and more rigid puritans, whose + curiosity had so far overcome their bigotry as to bring them to the + play-ground. But the generality viewed the strife less morosely, and were + contented to wish success to the son of a deceased presbyterian leader, + without strictly examining the propriety of his being a competitor for + the prize. +</p> +<p> + Their wishes were gratified. At the first discharge of his piece the + green adventurer struck the popinjay, being the first palpable hit of the + day, though several balls had passed very near the mark. A loud shout of + applause ensued. But the success was not decisive, it being necessary + that each who followed should have his chance, and that those who + succeeded in hitting the mark, should renew the strife among themselves, + till one displayed a decided superiority over the others. Two only of + those who followed in order succeeded in hitting the popinjay. The first + was a young man of low rank, heavily built, and who kept his face muffled + in his grey cloak; the second a gallant young cavalier, remarkable for a + handsome exterior, sedulously decorated for the day. He had been since + the muster in close attendance on Lady Margaret and Miss Bellenden, and + had left them with an air of indifference, when Lady Margaret had asked + whether there was no young man of family and loyal principles who would + dispute the prize with the two lads who had been successful. In half a + minute, young Lord Evandale threw himself from his horse, borrowed a gun + from a servant, and, as we have already noticed, hit the mark. Great was + the interest excited by the renewal of the contest between the three + candidates who had been hitherto successful. The state equipage of the + Duke was, with some difficulty, put in motion, and approached more near + to the scene of action. The riders, both male and female, turned their + horses' heads in the same direction, and all eyes were bent upon the + issue of the trial of skill. +</p> +<p> + It was the etiquette in the second contest, that the competitors should + take their turn of firing after drawing lots. The first fell upon the + young plebeian, who, as he took his stand, half-uncloaked his rustic + countenance, and said to the gallant in green, "Ye see, Mr Henry, if it + were ony other day, I could hae wished to miss for your sake; but Jenny + Dennison is looking at us, sae I maun do my best." +</p> +<p> + He took his aim, and his bullet whistled past the mark so nearly, that + the pendulous object at which it was directed was seen to shiver. Still, + however, he had not hit it, and, with a downcast look, he withdrew + himself from further competition, and hastened to disappear from the + assembly, as if fearful of being recognised. The green chasseur next + advanced, and his ball a second time struck the popinjay. All shouted; + and from the outskirts of the assembly arose a cry of, "The good old + cause for ever!" +</p> +<p> + While the dignitaries bent their brows at these exulting shouts of the + disaffected, the young Lord Evandale advanced again to the hazard, and + again was successful. The shouts and congratulations of the well-affected + and aristocratical part of the audience attended his success, but still a + subsequent trial of skill remained. +</p> +<p> + The green marksman, as if determined to bring the affair to a decision, + took his horse from a person who held him, having previously looked + carefully to the security of his girths and the fitting of his saddle, + vaulted on his back, and motioning with his hand for the bystanders to + make way, set spurs, passed the place from which he was to fire at a + gallop, and, as he passed, threw up the reins, turned sideways upon his + saddle, discharged his carabine, and brought down the popinjay. Lord + Evandale imitated his example, although many around him said it was an + innovation on the established practice, which he was not obliged to + follow. But his skill was not so perfect, or his horse was not so well + trained. The animal swerved at the moment his master fired, and the ball + missed the popinjay. Those who had been surprised by the address of the + green marksman were now equally pleased by his courtesy. He disclaimed + all merit from the last shot, and proposed to his antagonist that it + should not be counted as a hit, and that they should renew the contest on + foot. +</p> +<p> + "I would prefer horseback, if I had a horse as well bitted, and, + probably, as well broken to the exercise, as yours," said the young Lord, + addressing his antagonist. +</p> +<p> + "Will you do me the honour to use him for the next trial, on condition + you will lend me yours?" said the young gentleman. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale was ashamed to accept this courtesy, as conscious how much + it would diminish the value of victory; and yet, unable to suppress his + wish to redeem his reputation as a marksman, he added, "that although he + renounced all pretensions to the honour of the day," (which he said + some-what scornfully,) "yet, if the victor had no particular objection, + he would willingly embrace his obliging offer, and change horses with + him, for the purpose of trying a shot for love." +</p> +<p> + As he said so, he looked boldly towards Miss Bellenden, and tradition + says, that the eyes of the young tirailleur travelled, though more + covertly, in the same direction. The young Lord's last trial was as + unsuccessful as the former, and it was with difficulty that he preserved + the tone of scornful indifference which he had hitherto assumed. But, + conscious of the ridicule which attaches itself to the resentment of a + losing party, he returned to his antagonist the horse on which he had + made his last unsuccessful attempt, and received back his own; giving, at + the same time, thanks to his competitor, who, he said, had re-established + his favourite horse in his good opinion, for he had been in great danger + of transferring to the poor nag the blame of an inferiority, which every + one, as well as himself, must now be satisfied remained with the rider. + Having made this speech in a tone in which mortification assumed the veil + of indifference, he mounted his horse and rode off the ground. +</p> +<p> + As is the usual way of the world, the applause and attention even of + those whose wishes had favoured Lord Evandale, were, upon his decisive + discomfiture, transferred to his triumphant rival. +</p> +<p> + "Who is he? what is his name?" ran from mouth to mouth among the gentry + who were present, to few of whom he was personally known. His style and + title having soon transpired, and being within that class whom a great + man might notice without derogation, four of the Duke's friends, with the + obedient start which poor Malvolio ascribes to his imaginary retinue, + made out to lead the victor to his presence. As they conducted him in + triumph through the crowd of spectators, and stunned him at the same time + with their compliments on his success, he chanced to pass, or rather to + be led, immediately in front of Lady Margaret and her grand-daughter. The + Captain of the popinjay and Miss Bellenden coloured like crimson, as the + latter returned, with embarrassed courtesy, the low inclination which the + victor made, even to the saddle-bow, in passing her. +</p> +<p> + "Do you know that young person?" said Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "I—I—have seen him, madam, at my uncle's, and—and elsewhere + occasionally," stammered Miss Edith Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + "I hear them say around me," said Lady Margaret, "that the young spark is + the nephew of old Milnwood." +</p> +<p> + "The son of the late Colonel Morton of Milnwood, who commanded a regiment + of horse with great courage at Dunbar and Inverkeithing," said a + gentleman who sate on horseback beside Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "Ay, and who, before that, fought for the Covenanters both at + Marston-Moor and Philiphaugh," said Lady Margaret, sighing as she + pronounced the last fatal words, which her husband's death gave her such + sad reason to remember. +</p> +<p> + "Your ladyship's memory is just," said the gentleman, smiling, "but it + were well all that were forgot now." +</p> +<p> + "He ought to remember it, Gilbertscleugh," returned Lady Margaret, "and + dispense with intruding himself into the company of those to whom his + name must bring unpleasing recollections." +</p> +<p> + "You forget, my dear lady," said her nomenclator, "that the young + gentleman comes here to discharge suit and service in name of his uncle. + I would every estate in the country sent out as pretty a fellow." +</p> +<p> + "His uncle, as well as his umquhile father, is a roundhead, I presume," + said Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "He is an old miser," said Gilbertscleugh, "with whom a broad piece would + at any time weigh down political opinions, and, therefore, although + probably somewhat against the grain, he sends the young gentleman to + attend the muster to save pecuniary pains and penalties. As for the rest, + I suppose the youngster is happy enough to escape here for a day from the + dulness of the old house at Milnwood, where he sees nobody but his + hypochondriac uncle and the favourite housekeeper." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know how many men and horse the lands of Milnwood are rated at?" + said the old lady, continuing her enquiry. +</p> +<p> + "Two horsemen with complete harness," answered Gilbertscleugh. +</p> +<p> + "Our land," said Lady Margaret, drawing herself up with dignity, "has + always furnished to the muster eight men, cousin Gilbertscleugh, and + often a voluntary aid of thrice the number. I remember his sacred Majesty + King Charles, when he took his disjune at Tillietudlem, was particular in + enquiring"—"I see the Duke's carriage in motion," said Gilbertscleugh, + partaking at the moment an alarm common to all Lady Margaret's friends, + when she touched upon the topic of the royal visit at the family + mansion,—"I see the Duke's carriage in motion; I presume your ladyship + will take your right of rank in leaving the field. May I be permitted to + convoy your ladyship and Miss Bellenden home?—Parties of the wild whigs + have been abroad, and are said to insult and disarm the well-affected who + travel in small numbers." +</p> +<p> + "We thank you, cousin Gilbertscleugh," said Lady Margaret; "but as we + shall have the escort of my own people, I trust we have less need than + others to be troublesome to our friends. Will you have the goodness to + order Harrison to bring up our people somewhat more briskly; he rides + them towards us as if he were leading a funeral procession." +</p> +<p> + The gentleman in attendance communicated his lady's orders to the trusty + steward. +</p> +<p> + Honest Harrison had his own reasons for doubting the prudence of this + command; but, once issued and received, there was a necessity for obeying + it. He set off, therefore, at a hand-gallop, followed by the butler, in + such a military attitude as became one who had served under Montrose, and + with a look of defiance, rendered sterner and fiercer by the inspiring + fumes of a gill of brandy, which he had snatched a moment to bolt to the + king's health, and confusion to the Covenant, during the intervals of + military duty. Unhappily this potent refreshment wiped away from the + tablets of his memory the necessity of paying some attention to the + distresses and difficulties of his rear-file, Goose Gibbie. No sooner had + the horses struck a canter, than Gibbie's jack-boots, which the poor + boy's legs were incapable of steadying, began to play alternately against + the horse's flanks, and, being armed with long-rowelled spurs, overcame + the patience of the animal, which bounced and plunged, while poor + Gibbie's entreaties for aid never reached the ears of the too heedless + butler, being drowned partly in the concave of the steel cap in which his + head was immersed, and partly in the martial tune of the Gallant Grames, + which Mr Gudyill whistled with all his power of lungs. +</p> +<p> + The upshot was, that the steed speedily took the matter into his own + hands, and having gambolled hither and thither to the great amusement of + all spectators, set off at full speed towards the huge family-coach + already described. Gibbie's pike, escaping from its sling, had fallen to + a level direction across his hands, which, I grieve to say, were seeking + dishonourable safety in as strong a grasp of the mane as their muscles + could manage. His casque, too, had slipped completely over his face, so + that he saw as little in front as he did in rear. Indeed, if he could, it + would have availed him little in the circumstances; for his horse, as if + in league with the disaffected, ran full tilt towards the solemn equipage + of the Duke, which the projecting lance threatened to perforate from + window to window, at the risk of transfixing as many in its passage as + the celebrated thrust of Orlando, which, according to the Italian epic + poet, broached as many Moors as a Frenchman spits frogs. +</p> +<p> + On beholding the bent of this misdirected career, a panic shout of + mingled terror and wrath was set up by the whole equipage, insides and + outsides, at once, which had the happy effect of averting the threatened + misfortune. The capricious horse of Goose Gibbie was terrified by the + noise, and stumbling as he turned short round, kicked and plunged + violently as soon as he recovered. The jack-boots, the original cause of + the disaster, maintaining the reputation they had acquired when worn by + better cavaliers, answered every plunge by a fresh prick of the spurs, + and, by their ponderous weight, kept their place in the stirrups. Not so + Goose Gibbie, who was fairly spurned out of those wide and ponderous + greaves, and precipitated over the horse's head, to the infinite + amusement of all the spectators. His lance and helmet had forsaken him in + his fall, and, for the completion of his disgrace, Lady Margaret + Bellenden, not perfectly aware that it was one of her warriors who was + furnishing so much entertainment, came up in time to see her diminutive + man-at-arms stripped of his lion's hide,—of the buff-coat, that is, in + which he was muffled. +</p> +<p> + As she had not been made acquainted with this metamorphosis, and could + not even guess its cause, her surprise and resentment were extreme, nor + were they much modified by the excuses and explanations of her steward + and butler. She made a hasty retreat homeward, extremely indignant at the + shouts and laughter of the company, and much disposed to vent her + displeasure on the refractory agriculturist whose place Goose Gibbie had + so unhappily supplied. The greater part of the gentry now dispersed, the + whimsical misfortune which had befallen the gens d'armerie of + Tillietudlem furnishing them with huge entertainment on their road + homeward. The horsemen also, in little parties, as their road lay + together, diverged from the place of rendezvous, excepting such as, + having tried their dexterity at the popinjay, were, by ancient custom, + obliged to partake of a grace-cup with their captain before their + departure. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV. +</h2> +<pre> + At fairs he play'd before the spearmen, + And gaily graithed in their gear then, + Steel bonnets, pikes, and swords shone clear then + As ony bead; Now wha sall play before sic weir men, + Since Habbie's dead! + Elegy on Habbie Simpson. +</pre> +<p> + The cavalcade of horsemen on their road to the little borough-town were + preceded by Niel Blane, the town-piper, mounted on his white galloway, + armed with his dirk and broadsword, and bearing a chanter streaming with + as many ribbons as would deck out six country belles for a fair or + preaching. Niel, a clean, tight, well-timbered, long-winded fellow, had + gained the official situation of town-piper of—by his merit, with all + the emoluments thereof; namely, the Piper's Croft, as it is still called, + a field of about an acre in extent, five merks, and a new livery-coat of + the town's colours, yearly; some hopes of a dollar upon the day of the + election of magistrates, providing the provost were able and willing to + afford such a gratuity; and the privilege of paying, at all the + respectable houses in the neighbourhood, an annual visit at spring-time, + to rejoice their hearts with his music, to comfort his own with their ale + and brandy, and to beg from each a modicum of seed-corn. +</p> +<p> + In addition to these inestimable advantages, Niel's personal, or + professional, accomplishments won the heart of a jolly widow, who then + kept the principal change-house in the borough. Her former husband having + been a strict presbyterian, of such note that he usually went among his + sect by the name of Gaius the publican, many of the more rigid were + scandalized by the profession of the successor whom his relict had chosen + for a second helpmate. As the browst (or brewing) of the Howff retained, + nevertheless, its unrivalled reputation, most of the old customers + continued to give it a preference. The character of the new landlord, + indeed, was of that accommodating kind, which enabled him, by close + attention to the helm, to keep his little vessel pretty steady amid the + contending tides of faction. He was a good-humoured, shrewd, selfish sort + of fellow, indifferent alike to the disputes about church and state, and + only anxious to secure the good-will of customers of every description. + But his character, as well as the state of the country, will be best + understood by giving the reader an account of the instructions which he + issued to his daughter, a girl about eighteen, whom he was initiating in + those cares which had been faithfully discharged by his wife, until about + six months before our story commences, when the honest woman had been + carried to the kirkyard. +</p> +<p> + "Jenny," said Niel Blane, as the girl assisted to disencumber him of his + bagpipes, "this is the first day that ye are to take the place of your + worthy mother in attending to the public; a douce woman she was, civil to + the customers, and had a good name wi' Whig and Tory, baith up the street + and down the street. It will be hard for you to fill her place, + especially on sic a thrang day as this; but Heaven's will maun be + obeyed.—Jenny, whatever Milnwood ca's for, be sure he maun hae't, for + he's the Captain o' the Popinjay, and auld customs maun be supported; if + he canna pay the lawing himsell, as I ken he's keepit unco short by the + head, I'll find a way to shame it out o' his uncle.—The curate is + playing at dice wi' Cornet Grahame. Be eident and civil to them + baith—clergy and captains can gie an unco deal o' fash in thae times, + where they take an ill-will.—The dragoons will be crying for ale, and + they wunna want it, and maunna want it—they are unruly chields, but + they pay ane some gate or other. I gat the humle-cow, that's the best in + the byre, frae black Frank Inglis and Sergeant Bothwell, for ten pund + Scots, and they drank out the price at ae downsitting." +</p> +<p> + "But, father," interrupted Jenny, "they say the twa reiving loons drave + the cow frae the gudewife o' Bell's-moor, just because she gaed to hear a + field-preaching ae Sabbath afternoon." +</p> +<p> + "Whisht! ye silly tawpie," said her father, "we have naething to do how + they come by the bestial they sell—be that atween them and their + consciences.—Aweel—Take notice, Jenny, of that dour, stour-looking + carle that sits by the cheek o' the ingle, and turns his back on a' men. + He looks like ane o' the hill-folk, for I saw him start a wee when he saw + the red-coats, and I jalouse he wad hae liked to hae ridden by, but his + horse (it's a gude gelding) was ower sair travailed; he behoved to stop + whether he wad or no. Serve him cannily, Jenny, and wi' little din, and + dinna bring the sodgers on him by speering ony questions at him; but let + na him hae a room to himsell, they wad say we were hiding him.—For + yoursell, Jenny, ye'll be civil to a' the folk, and take nae heed o' ony + nonsense and daffing the young lads may say t'ye. Folk in the hostler + line maun put up wi' muckle. Your mither, rest her saul, could pit up wi' + as muckle as maist women—but aff hands is fair play; and if ony body be + uncivil ye may gie me a cry—Aweel,—when the malt begins to get aboon + the meal, they'll begin to speak about government in kirk and state, and + then, Jenny, they are like to quarrel—let them be doing—anger's a + drouthy passion, and the mair they dispute, the mair ale they'll drink; + but ye were best serve them wi' a pint o' the sma' browst, it will heat + them less, and they'll never ken the difference." +</p> +<p> + "But, father," said Jenny, "if they come to lounder ilk ither, as they + did last time, suldna I cry on you?" +</p> +<p> + "At no hand, Jenny; the redder gets aye the warst lick in the fray. If + the sodgers draw their swords, ye'll cry on the corporal and the guard. + If the country folk tak the tangs and poker, ye'll cry on the bailie and + town-officers. But in nae event cry on me, for I am wearied wi' doudling + the bag o' wind a' day, and I am gaun to eat my dinner quietly in the + spence.—And, now I think on't, the Laird of Lickitup (that's him that + was the laird) was speering for sma' drink and a saut herring—gie him a + pu' be the sleeve, and round into his lug I wad be blithe o' his company + to dine wi' me; he was a gude customer anes in a day, and wants naething + but means to be a gude ane again—he likes drink as weel as e'er he did. + And if ye ken ony puir body o' our acquaintance that's blate for want o' + siller, and has far to gang hame, ye needna stick to gie them a waught o' + drink and a bannock—we'll ne'er miss't, and it looks creditable in a + house like ours. And now, hinny, gang awa', and serve the folk, but first + bring me my dinner, and twa chappins o' yill and the mutchkin stoup o' + brandy." +</p> +<p> + Having thus devolved his whole cares on Jenny as prime minister, Niel + Blane and the ci-devant laird, once his patron, but now glad to be his + trencher-companion, sate down to enjoy themselves for the remainder of + the evening, remote from the bustle of the public room. +</p> +<p> + All in Jenny's department was in full activity. The knights of the + popinjay received and requited the hospitable entertainment of their + captain, who, though he spared the cup himself, took care it should go + round with due celerity among the rest, who might not have otherwise + deemed themselves handsomely treated. Their numbers melted away by + degrees, and were at length diminished to four or five, who began to talk + of breaking up their party. At another table, at some distance, sat two + of the dragoons, whom Niel Blane had mentioned, a sergeant and a private + in the celebrated John Grahame of Claverhouse's regiment of Life-Guards. + Even the non-commissioned officers and privates in these corps were not + considered as ordinary mercenaries, but rather approached to the rank of + the French mousquetaires, being regarded in the light of cadets, who + performed the duties of rank-and-file with the prospect of obtaining + commissions in case of distinguishing themselves. +</p> +<p> + Many young men of good families were to be found in the ranks, a + circumstance which added to the pride and self-consequence of these + troops. A remarkable instance of this occurred in the person of the + non-commissioned officer in question. His real name was Francis Stewart, + but he was universally known by the appellation of Bothwell, being + lineally descended from the last earl of that name; not the infamous + lover of the unfortunate Queen Mary, but Francis Stewart, Earl of + Bothwell, whose turbulence and repeated conspiracies embarrassed the + early part of James Sixth's reign, and who at length died in exile in + great poverty. The son of this Earl had sued to Charles I. for the + restitution of part of his father's forfeited estates, but the grasp of + the nobles to whom they had been allotted was too tenacious to be + unclenched. The breaking out of the civil wars utterly ruined him, by + intercepting a small pension which Charles I. had allowed him, and he + died in the utmost indigence. His son, after having served as a soldier + abroad and in Britain, and passed through several vicissitudes of + fortune, was fain to content himself with the situation of a + non-commissioned officer in the Life-Guards, although lineally descended + from the royal family, the father of the forfeited Earl of Bothwell + having been a natural son of James VI. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Sergeant Bothwell. The history of the restless and ambitious + Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell, makes a considerable figure in + the reign of James VI. of Scotland, and First of England. After + being repeatedly pardoned for acts of treason, he was at length + obliged to retire abroad, where he died in great misery. Great part + of his forfeited estate was bestowed on Walter Scott, first Lord of + Buccleuch, and on the first Earl of Roxburghe. + + Francis Stewart, son of the forfeited Earl, obtained from the favour + of Charles I. a decreet-arbitral, appointing the two noblemen, + grantees of his father's estate, to restore the same, or make some + compensation for retaining it. The barony of Crichton, with its + beautiful castle, was surrendered by the curators of Francis, Earl + of Buccleuch, but he retained the far more extensive property in + Liddesdale. James Stewart also, as appears from writings in the + author's possession, made an advantageous composition with the Earl + of Roxburghe. "But," says the satirical Scotstarvet, "male parta + pejus dilabuntur;" for he never brooked them, (enjoyed them,) nor was + any thing the richer, since they accrued to his creditors, and are + now in the possession of Dr Seaton. His eldest son Francis became a + trooper in the late war; as for the other brother John, who was + Abbot of Coldingham, he also disposed all that estate, and now has + nothing, but lives on the charity of his friends. "The Staggering + State of the Scots Statesmen for One Hundred Years," by Sir John + Scot of Scotstarvet. Edinburgh, 1754. P. 154. + + Francis Stewart, who had been a trooper during the great Civil War, + seems to have received no preferment, after the Restoration, suited + to his high birth, though, in fact, third cousin to Charles II. + Captain Crichton, the friend of Dean Swift, who published his + Memoirs, found him a private gentleman in the King's Life-Guards. At + the same time this was no degrading condition; for Fountainhall + records a duel fought between a Life-Guardsman and an officer in the + militia, because the latter had taken upon him to assume superior + rank as an officer, to a gentleman private in the Life-Guards. The + Life-Guards man was killed in the rencontre, and his antagonist was + executed for murder. + + The character of Bothwell, except in relation to the name, is + entirely ideal.] +</pre> +<p> + Great personal strength, and dexterity in the use of his arms, as well as + the remarkable circumstances of his descent, had recommended this man to + the attention of his officers. But he partook in a great degree of the + licentiousness and oppressive disposition, which the habit of acting as + agents for government in levying fines, exacting free quarters, and + otherwise oppressing the Presbyterian recusants, had rendered too general + among these soldiers. They were so much accustomed to such missions, that + they conceived themselves at liberty to commit all manner of license with + impunity, as if totally exempted from all law and authority, excepting + the command of their officers. On such occasions Bothwell was usually the + most forward. +</p> +<p> + It is probable that Bothwell and his companions would not so long have + remained quiet, but for respect to the presence of their Cornet, who + commanded the small party quartered in the borough, and who was engaged + in a game at dice with the curate of the place. But both of these being + suddenly called from their amusement to speak with the chief magistrate + upon some urgent business, Bothwell was not long of evincing his contempt + for the rest of the company. +</p> +<p> + "Is it not a strange thing, Halliday," he said to his comrade, "to see a + set of bumpkins sit carousing here this whole evening, without having + drank the king's health?" +</p> +<p> + "They have drank the king's health," said Halliday. "I heard that green + kail-worm of a lad name his majesty's health." +</p> +<p> + "Did he?" said Bothwell. "Then, Tom, we'll have them drink the Archbishop + of St Andrew's health, and do it on their knees too." +</p> +<p> + "So we will, by G—," said Halliday; "and he that refuses it, we'll have + him to the guard-house, and teach him to ride the colt foaled of an + acorn, with a brace of carabines at each foot to keep him steady." +</p> +<p> + "Right, Tom," continued Bothwell; "and, to do all things in order, I'll + begin with that sulky blue-bonnet in the ingle-nook." +</p> +<p> + He rose accordingly, and taking his sheathed broadsword under his arm to + support the insolence which he meditated, placed himself in front of the + stranger noticed by Niel Blane, in his admonitions to his daughter, as + being, in all probability, one of the hill-folk, or refractory + presbyterians. +</p> +<p> + "I make so bold as to request of your precision, beloved," said the + trooper, in a tone of affected solemnity, and assuming the snuffle of a + country preacher, "that you will arise from your seat, beloved, and, + having bent your hams until your knees do rest upon the floor, beloved, + that you will turn over this measure (called by the profane a gill) of + the comfortable creature, which the carnal denominate brandy, to the + health and glorification of his Grace the Archbishop of St Andrews, the + worthy primate of all Scotland." +</p> +<p> + All waited for the stranger's answer.—His features, austere even to + ferocity, with a cast of eye, which, without being actually oblique, + approached nearly to a squint, and which gave a very sinister expression + to his countenance, joined to a frame, square, strong, and muscular, + though something under the middle size, seemed to announce a man unlikely + to understand rude jesting, or to receive insults with impunity. +</p> +<p> + "And what is the consequence," said he, "if I should not be disposed to + comply with your uncivil request?" +</p> +<p> + "The consequence thereof, beloved," said Bothwell, in the same tone of + raillery, "will be, firstly, that I will tweak thy proboscis or nose. + Secondly, beloved, that I will administer my fist to thy distorted visual + optics; and will conclude, beloved, with a practical application of the + flat of my sword to the shoulders of the recusant." +</p> +<p> + "Is it even so?" said the stranger; "then give me the cup;" and, taking + it in his hand, he said, with a peculiar expression of voice and manner, + "The Archbishop of St Andrews, and the place he now worthily holds;—may + each prelate in Scotland soon be as the Right Reverend James Sharpe!" +</p> +<p> + "He has taken the test," said Halliday, exultingly. +</p> +<p> + "But with a qualification," said Bothwell; "I don't understand what the + devil the crop-eared whig means." +</p> +<p> + "Come, gentlemen," said Morton, who became impatient of their insolence, + "we are here met as good subjects, and on a merry occasion; and we have a + right to expect we shall not be troubled with this sort of discussion." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell was about to make a surly answer, but Halliday reminded him in a + whisper, that there were strict injunctions that the soldiers should give + no offence to the men who were sent out to the musters agreeably to the + council's orders. So, after honouring Morton with a broad and fierce + stare, he said, "Well, Mr Popinjay, I shall not disturb your reign; I + reckon it will be out by twelve at night.—Is it not an odd thing, + Halliday," he continued, addressing his companion, "that they should make + such a fuss about cracking off their birding-pieces at a mark which any + woman or boy could hit at a day's practice? If Captain Popinjay now, or + any of his troop, would try a bout, either with the broadsword, + backsword, single rapier, or rapier and dagger, for a gold noble, the + first-drawn blood, there would be some soul in it,—or, zounds, would the + bumpkins but wrestle, or pitch the bar, or putt the stone, or throw the + axle-tree, if (touching the end of Morton's sword scornfully with his + toe) they carry things about them that they are afraid to draw." +</p> +<p> + Morton's patience and prudence now gave way entirely, and he was about to + make a very angry answer to Bothwell's insolent observations, when the + stranger stepped forward. +</p> +<p> + "This is my quarrel," he said, "and in the name of the good cause, I will + see it out myself.—Hark thee, friend," (to Bothwell,) "wilt thou wrestle + a fall with me?" +</p> +<p> + "With my whole spirit, beloved," answered Bothwell; "yea I will strive + with thee, to the downfall of one or both." +</p> +<p> + "Then, as my trust is in Him that can help," retorted his antagonist, "I + will forthwith make thee an example to all such railing Rabshakehs!" +</p> +<p> + With that he dropped his coarse grey horseman's coat from his shoulders, + and, extending his strong brawny arms with a look of determined + resolution, he offered himself to the contest. The soldier was nothing + abashed by the muscular frame, broad chest, square shoulders, and hardy + look of his antagonist, but, whistling with great composure, unbuckled + his belt, and laid aside his military coat. The company stood round them, + anxious for the event. +</p> +<p> + In the first struggle the trooper seemed to have some advantage, and also + in the second, though neither could be considered as decisive. But it was + plain he had put his whole strength too suddenly forth, against an + antagonist possessed of great endurance, skill, vigour, and length of + wind. In the third close, the countryman lifted his opponent fairly from + the floor, and hurled him to the ground with such violence, that he lay + for an instant stunned and motionless. His comrade Halliday immediately + drew his sword; "You have killed my sergeant," he exclaimed to the + victorious wrestler, "and by all that is sacred you shall answer it!" +</p> +<p> + "Stand back!" cried Morton and his companions, "it was all fair play; + your comrade sought a fall, and he has got it." +</p> +<p> + "That is true enough," said Bothwell, as he slowly rose; "put up your + bilbo, Tom. I did not think there was a crop-ear of them all could have + laid the best cap and feather in the King's Life-Guards on the floor of a + rascally change-house.—Hark ye, friend, give me your hand." The stranger + held out his hand. "I promise you," said Bothwell, squeezing his hand + very hard, "that the time will come when we shall meet again, and try + this game over in a more earnest manner." +</p> +<p> + "And I'll promise you," said the stranger, returning the grasp with equal + firmness, "that when we next meet, I will lay your head as low as it lay + even now, when you shall lack the power to lift it up again." +</p> +<p> + "Well, beloved," answered Bothwell, "if thou be'st a whig, thou art a + stout and a brave one, and so good even to thee—Hadst best take thy nag + before the Cornet makes the round; for, I promise thee, he has stay'd + less suspicious-looking persons." +</p> +<p> + The stranger seemed to think that the hint was not to be neglected; he + flung down his reckoning, and going into the stable, saddled and brought + out a powerful black horse, now recruited by rest and forage, and turning + to Morton, observed, "I ride towards Milnwood, which I hear is your home; + will you give me the advantage and protection of your company?" +</p> +<p> + "Certainly," said Morton; although there was something of gloomy and + relentless severity in the man's manner from which his mind recoiled. His + companions, after a courteous good-night, broke up and went off in + different directions, some keeping them company for about a mile, until + they dropped off one by one, and the travellers were left alone. +</p> +<p> + The company had not long left the Howff, as Blane's public-house was + called, when the trumpets and kettle-drums sounded. The troopers got + under arms in the market-place at this unexpected summons, while, with + faces of anxiety and earnestness, Cornet Grahame, a kinsman of + Claverhouse, and the Provost of the borough, followed by half-a-dozen + soldiers, and town-officers with halberts, entered the apartment of Niel + Blane. +</p> +<p> + "Guard the doors!" were the first words which the Cornet spoke; "let no + man leave the house.—So, Bothwell, how comes this? Did you not hear them + sound boot and saddle?" +</p> +<p> + "He was just going to quarters, sir," said his comrade; "he has had a bad + fall." +</p> +<p> + "In a fray, I suppose?" said Grahame. "If you neglect duty in this way, + your royal blood will hardly protect you." +</p> +<p> + "How have I neglected duty?" said Bothwell, sulkily. +</p> +<p> + "You should have been at quarters, Sergeant Bothwell," replied the + officer; "you have lost a golden opportunity. Here are news come that the + Archbishop of St Andrews has been strangely and foully assassinated by a + body of the rebel whigs, who pursued and stopped his carriage on + Magus-Muir, near the town of St Andrews, dragged him out, and dispatched + him with their swords and daggers." [Note: The general account of this + act of assassination is to be found in all histories of the period. A + more particular narrative may be found in the words of one of the actors, + James Russell, in the Appendix to Kirkton's History of the Church of + Scotland, published by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, Esquire. 4to, + Edinburgh, 1817.] +</p> +<p> + All stood aghast at the intelligence. +</p> +<p> + "Here are their descriptions," continued the Cornet, pulling out a + proclamation, "the reward of a thousand merks is on each of their heads." +</p> +<p> + "The test, the test, and the qualification!" said Bothwell to Halliday; + "I know the meaning now—Zounds, that we should not have stopt him! Go + saddle our horses, Halliday.—Was there one of the men, Cornet, very + stout and square-made, double-chested, thin in the flanks, hawk-nosed?" +</p> +<p> + "Stay, stay," said Cornet Grahame, "let me look at the paper.—Hackston + of Rathillet, tall, thin, black-haired." +</p> +<p> + "That is not my man," said Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + "John Balfour, called Burley, aquiline nose, red-haired, five feet + eight inches in height"—"It is he—it is the very man!" said + Bothwell,—"skellies fearfully with one eye?" +</p> +<p> + "Right," continued Grahame, "rode a strong black horse, taken from the + primate at the time of the murder." +</p> +<p> + "The very man," exclaimed Bothwell, "and the very horse! he was in this + room not a quarter of an hour since." +</p> +<p> + A few hasty enquiries tended still more to confirm the opinion, that the + reserved and stern stranger was Balfour of Burley, the actual commander + of the band of assassins, who, in the fury of misguided zeal, had + murdered the primate, whom they accidentally met, as they were searching + for another person against whom they bore enmity. [Note: One Carmichael, + sheriff-depute in Fife, who had been active in enforcing the penal + measures against non-conformists. He was on the moors hunting, but + receiving accidental information that a party was out in quest of him, he + returned home, and escaped the fate designed for him, which befell his + patron the Archbishop.] In their excited imagination the casual + rencounter had the appearance of a providential interference, and they + put to death the archbishop, with circumstances of great and cold-blooded + cruelty, under the belief, that the Lord, as they expressed it, had + delivered him into their hands. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Murderers of Archbishop Sharpe. The leader of this party was + David Hackston, of Rathillet, a gentleman of ancient birth and good + estate. He had been profligate in his younger days, but having been + led from curiosity to attend the conventicles of the nonconforming + clergy, he adopted their principles in the fullest extent. It + appears, that Hackston had some personal quarrel with Archbishop + Sharpe, which induced him to decline the command of the party when + the slaughter was determined upon, fearing his acceptance might be + ascribed to motives of personal enmity. He felt himself free in + conscience, however, to be present; and when the archbishop, dragged + from his carriage, crawled towards him on his knees for protection, + he replied coldly, "Sir, I will never lay a finger on you." It is + remarkable that Hackston, as well as a shepherd who was also + present, but passive, on the occasion, were the only two of the + party of assassins who suffered death by the hands of the + executioner. + + On Hackston refusing the command, it was by universal suffrage + conferred on John Balfour of Kinloch, called Burley, who was + Hackston's brother-in-law. He is described "as a little man, + squint-eyed, and of a very fierce aspect."—"He was," adds the same + author, "by some reckoned none of the most religious; yet he was + always reckoned zealous and honest-hearted, courageous in every + enterprise, and a brave soldier, seldom any escaping that came into + his hands. He was the principal actor in killing that arch-traitor + to the Lord and his church, James Sharpe." See Scottish Worthies. + 8vo. Leith, 1816. Page 522.] +</pre> +<p> + "Horse, horse, and pursue, my lads!" exclaimed Cornet Grahame; "the + murdering dog's head is worth its weight in gold." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER V. +</h2> +<pre> + Arouse thee, youth!—it is no human call— + God's church is leaguer'd—haste to man the wall; + Haste where the Redcross banners wave on high, + Signal of honour'd death, or victory! + James Duff. +</pre> +<p> + Morton and his companion had attained some distance from the town before + either of them addressed the other. There was something, as we have + observed, repulsive in the manner of the stranger, which prevented Morton + from opening the conversation, and he himself seemed to have no desire to + talk, until, on a sudden, he abruptly demanded, "What has your father's + son to do with such profane mummeries as I find you this day engaged in?" +</p> +<p> + "I do my duty as a subject, and pursue my harmless recreations according + to my own pleasure," replied Morton, somewhat offended. +</p> +<p> + "Is it your duty, think you, or that of any Christian young man, to bear + arms in their cause who have poured out the blood of God's saints in the + wilderness as if it had been water? or is it a lawful recreation to waste + time in shooting at a bunch of feathers, and close your evening with + winebibbing in public-houses and market-towns, when He that is mighty is + come into the land with his fan in his hand, to purge the wheat from the + chaff?" +</p> +<p> + "I suppose from your style of conversation," said Morton, "that you are + one of those who have thought proper to stand out against the government. + I must remind you that you are unnecessarily using dangerous language in + the presence of a mere stranger, and that the times do not render it safe + for me to listen to it." +</p> +<p> + "Thou canst not help it, Henry Morton," said his companion; "thy Master + has his uses for thee, and when he calls, thou must obey. Well wot I thou + hast not heard the call of a true preacher, or thou hadst ere now been + what thou wilt assuredly one day become." +</p> +<p> + "We are of the presbyterian persuasion, like yourself," said Morton; for + his uncle's family attended the ministry of one of those numerous + presbyterian clergymen, who, complying with certain regulations, were + licensed to preach without interruption from the government. This + indulgence, as it was called, made a great schism among the + presbyterians, and those who accepted of it were severely censured by the + more rigid sectaries, who refused the proffered terms. The stranger, + therefore, answered with great disdain to Morton's profession of faith. +</p> +<p> + "That is but an equivocation—a poor equivocation. Ye listen on the + Sabbath to a cold, worldly, time-serving discourse, from one who forgets + his high commission so much as to hold his apostleship by the favour of + the courtiers and the false prelates, and ye call that hearing the word! + Of all the baits with which the devil has fished for souls in these days + of blood and darkness, that Black Indulgence has been the most + destructive. An awful dispensation it has been, a smiting of the shepherd + and a scattering of the sheep upon the mountains—an uplifting of one + Christian banner against another, and a fighting of the wars of darkness + with the swords of the children of light!" +</p> +<p> + "My uncle," said Morton, "is of opinion, that we enjoy a reasonable + freedom of conscience under the indulged clergymen, and I must + necessarily be guided by his sentiments respecting the choice of a place + of worship for his family." +</p> +<p> + "Your uncle," said the horseman, "is one of those to whom the least lamb + in his own folds at Milnwood is dearer than the whole Christian flock. He + is one that could willingly bend down to the golden-calf of Bethel, and + would have fished for the dust thereof when it was ground to powder and + cast upon the waters. Thy father was a man of another stamp." +</p> +<p> + "My father," replied Morton, "was indeed a brave and gallant man. And you + may have heard, sir, that he fought for that royal family in whose name I + was this day carrying arms." +</p> +<p> + "Ay; and had he lived to see these days, he would have cursed the hour he + ever drew sword in their cause. But more of this hereafter—I promise + thee full surely that thy hour will come, and then the words thou hast + now heard will stick in thy bosom like barbed arrows. My road lies + there." +</p> +<p> + He pointed towards a pass leading up into a wild extent of dreary and + desolate hills; but as he was about to turn his horse's head into the + rugged path, which led from the high-road in that direction, an old woman + wrapped in a red cloak, who was sitting by the cross-way, arose, and + approaching him, said, in a mysterious tone of voice, "If ye be of our + ain folk, gangna up the pass the night for your lives. There is a lion in + the path, that is there. The curate of Brotherstane and ten soldiers hae + beset the pass, to hae the lives of ony of our puir wanderers that + venture that gate to join wi' Hamilton and Dingwall." +</p> +<p> + "Have the persecuted folk drawn to any head among themselves?" demanded + the stranger. +</p> +<p> + "About sixty or seventy horse and foot," said the old dame; "but, ewhow! + they are puirly armed, and warse fended wi' victual." +</p> +<p> + "God will help his own," said the horseman. "Which way shall I take to + join them?" +</p> +<p> + "It's a mere impossibility this night," said the woman, "the troopers + keep sae strict a guard; and they say there's strange news come frae the + east, that makes them rage in their cruelty mair fierce than ever—Ye + maun take shelter somegate for the night before ye get to the muirs, and + keep yoursell in hiding till the grey o' the morning, and then you may + find your way through the Drake Moss. When I heard the awfu' threatenings + o' the oppressors, I e'en took my cloak about me, and sate down by the + wayside, to warn ony of our puir scattered remnant that chanced to come + this gate, before they fell into the nets of the spoilers." +</p> +<p> + "Have you a house near this?" said the stranger; "and can you give me + hiding there?" +</p> +<p> + "I have," said the old woman, "a hut by the way-side, it may be a mile + from hence; but four men of Belial, called dragoons, are lodged therein, + to spoil my household goods at their pleasure, because I will not wait + upon the thowless, thriftless, fissenless ministry of that carnal man, + John Halftext, the curate." +</p> +<p> + "Good night, good woman, and thanks for thy counsel," said the stranger, + as he rode away. +</p> +<p> + "The blessings of the promise upon you," returned the old dame; "may He + keep you that can keep you." +</p> +<p> + "Amen!" said the traveller; "for where to hide my head this night, mortal + skill cannot direct me." +</p> +<p> + "I am very sorry for your distress," said Morton; "and had I a house or + place of shelter that could be called my own, I almost think I would risk + the utmost rigour of the law rather than leave you in such a strait. But + my uncle is so alarmed at the pains and penalties denounced by the laws + against such as comfort, receive, or consort with intercommuned persons, + that he has strictly forbidden all of us to hold any intercourse with + them." +</p> +<p> + "It is no less than I expected," said the stranger; "nevertheless, I + might be received without his knowledge;—a barn, a hay-loft, a + cart-shed,—any place where I could stretch me down, would be to my + habits like a tabernacle of silver set about with planks of cedar." +</p> +<p> + "I assure you," said Morton, much embarrassed, "that I have not the means + of receiving you at Milnwood without my uncle's consent and knowledge; + nor, if I could do so, would I think myself justifiable in engaging him + unconsciously in danger, which, most of all others, he fears and + deprecates." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the traveller, "I have but one word to say. Did you ever + hear your father mention John Balfour of Burley?" +</p> +<p> + "His ancient friend and comrade, who saved his life, with almost the loss + of his own, in the battle of Longmarston-Moor?—Often, very often." +</p> +<p> + "I am that Balfour," said his companion. "Yonder stands thy uncle's + house; I see the light among the trees. The avenger of blood is behind + me, and my death certain unless I have refuge there. Now, make thy + choice, young man; to shrink from the side of thy father's friend, like a + thief in the night, and to leave him exposed to the bloody death from + which he rescued thy father, or to expose thine uncle's wordly goods to + such peril, as, in this perverse generation, attends those who give a + morsel of bread or a draught of cold water to a Christian man, when + perishing for lack of refreshment!" +</p> +<p> + A thousand recollections thronged on the mind of Morton at once. His + father, whose memory he idolized, had often enlarged upon his obligations + to this man, and regretted, that, after having been long comrades, they + had parted in some unkindness at the time when the kingdom of Scotland + was divided into Resolutioners and Protesters; the former of whom adhered + to Charles II. after his father's death upon the scaffold, while the + Protesters inclined rather to a union with the triumphant republicans. + The stern fanaticism of Burley had attached him to this latter party, and + the comrades had parted in displeasure, never, as it happened, to meet + again. These circumstances the deceased Colonel Morton had often + mentioned to his son, and always with an expression of deep regret, that + he had never, in any manner, been enabled to repay the assistance, which, + on more than one occasion, he had received from Burley. +</p> +<p> + To hasten Morton's decision, the night-wind, as it swept along, brought + from a distance the sullen sound of a kettle-drum, which, seeming to + approach nearer, intimated that a body of horse were upon their march + towards them. +</p> +<p> + "It must be Claverhouse, with the rest of his regiment. What can have + occasioned this night-march? If you go on, you fall into their hands—if + you turn back towards the borough-town, you are in no less danger from + Cornet Grahame's party.—The path to the hill is beset. I must shelter + you at Milnwood, or expose you to instant death;—but the punishment of + the law shall fall upon myself, as in justice it should, not upon my + uncle.—Follow me." +</p> +<p> + Burley, who had awaited his resolution with great composure, now followed + him in silence. +</p> +<p> + The house of Milnwood, built by the father of the present proprietor, was + a decent mansion, suitable to the size of the estate, but, since the + accession of this owner, it had been suffered to go considerably into + disrepair. At some little distance from the house stood the court of + offices. Here Morton paused. +</p> +<p> + "I must leave you here for a little while," he whispered, "until I can + provide a bed for you in the house." +</p> +<p> + "I care little for such delicacy," said Burley; "for thirty years this + head has rested oftener on the turf, or on the next grey stone, than upon + either wool or down. A draught of ale, a morsel of bread, to say my + prayers, and to stretch me upon dry hay, were to me as good as a painted + chamber and a prince's table." +</p> +<p> + It occurred to Morton at the same moment, that to attempt to introduce + the fugitive within the house, would materially increase the danger of + detection. Accordingly, having struck a light with implements left in the + stable for that purpose, and having fastened up their horses, he assigned + Burley, for his place of repose, a wooden bed, placed in a loft half-full + of hay, which an out-of-door domestic had occupied until dismissed by his + uncle in one of those fits of parsimony which became more rigid from day + to day. In this untenanted loft Morton left his companion, with a caution + so to shade his light that no reflection might be seen from the window, + and a promise that he would presently return with such refreshments as he + might be able to procure at that late hour. This last, indeed, was a + subject on which he felt by no means confident, for the power of + obtaining even the most ordinary provisions depended entirely upon the + humour in which he might happen to find his uncle's sole confidant, the + old housekeeper. If she chanced to be a-bed, which was very likely, or + out of humour, which was not less so, Morton well knew the case to be at + least problematical. +</p> +<p> + Cursing in his heart the sordid parsimony which pervaded every part of + his uncle's establishment, he gave the usual gentle knock at the bolted + door, by which he was accustomed to seek admittance, when accident had + detained him abroad beyond the early and established hours of rest at the + house of Milnwood. It was a sort of hesitating tap, which carried an + acknowledgment of transgression in its very sound, and seemed rather to + solicit than command attention. After it had been repeated again and + again, the housekeeper, grumbling betwixt her teeth as she rose from the + chimney corner in the hall, and wrapping her checked handkerchief round + her head to secure her from the cold air, paced across the stone-passage, + and repeated a careful "Wha's there at this time o' night?" more than + once before she undid the bolts and bars, and cautiously opened the door. +</p> +<p> + "This is a fine time o' night, Mr Henry," said the old dame, with the + tyrannic insolence of a spoilt and favourite domestic;—"a braw time o' + night and a bonny, to disturb a peaceful house in, and to keep quiet folk + out o' their beds waiting for you. Your uncle's been in his maist three + hours syne, and Robin's ill o' the rheumatize, and he's to his bed too, + and sae I had to sit up for ye mysell, for as sair a hoast as I hae." +</p> +<p> + Here she coughed once or twice, in further evidence of the egregious + inconvenience which she had sustained. +</p> +<p> + "Much obliged to you, Alison, and many kind thanks." +</p> +<p> + "Hegh, sirs, sae fair-fashioned as we are! Mony folk ca' me Mistress + Wilson, and Milnwood himsell is the only ane about this town thinks o' + ca'ing me Alison, and indeed he as aften says Mrs Alison as ony other + thing." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, Mistress Alison," said Morton, "I really am sorry to have + kept you up waiting till I came in." +</p> +<p> + "And now that you are come in, Mr Henry," said the cross old woman, "what + for do you no tak up your candle and gang to your bed? and mind ye dinna + let the candle sweal as ye gang alang the wainscot parlour, and haud a' + the house scouring to get out the grease again." +</p> +<p> + "But, Alison, I really must have something to eat, and a draught of ale, + before I go to bed." +</p> +<p> + "Eat?—and ale, Mr Henry?—My certie, ye're ill to serve! Do ye think we + havena heard o' your grand popinjay wark yonder, and how ye bleezed away + as muckle pouther as wad hae shot a' the wild-fowl that we'll want atween + and Candlemas—and then ganging majoring to the piper's Howff wi' a' the + idle loons in the country, and sitting there birling, at your poor + uncle's cost, nae doubt, wi' a' the scaff and raff o' the water-side, + till sun-down, and then coming hame and crying for ale, as if ye were + maister and mair!" +</p> +<p> + Extremely vexed, yet anxious, on account of his guest, to procure + refreshments if possible, Morton suppressed his resentment, and + good-humouredly assured Mrs Wilson, that he was really both hungry and + thirsty; "and as for the shooting at the popinjay, I have heard you say + you have been there yourself, Mrs Wilson—I wish you had come to look at + us." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, Maister Henry," said the old dame, "I wish ye binna beginning to + learn the way of blawing in a woman's lug wi' a' your whilly-wha's!— + Aweel, sae ye dinna practise them but on auld wives like me, the less + matter. But tak heed o' the young queans, lad.—Popinjay—ye think + yoursell a braw fellow enow; and troth!" (surveying him with the candle,) + "there's nae fault to find wi' the outside, if the inside be conforming. + But I mind, when I was a gilpy of a lassock, seeing the Duke, that was + him that lost his head at London—folk said it wasna a very gude ane, but + it was aye a sair loss to him, puir gentleman—Aweel, he wan the + popinjay, for few cared to win it ower his Grace's head—weel, he had a + comely presence, and when a' the gentles mounted to show their capers, + his Grace was as near to me as I am to you; and he said to me, 'Tak tent + o' yoursell, my bonny lassie, (these were his very words,) for my horse + is not very chancy.'—And now, as ye say ye had sae little to eat or + drink, I'll let you see that I havena been sae unmindfu' o' you; for I + dinna think it's safe for young folk to gang to their bed on an empty + stamach." +</p> +<p> + To do Mrs Wilson justice, her nocturnal harangues upon such occasions not + unfrequently terminated with this sage apophthegm, which always prefaced + the producing of some provision a little better than ordinary, such as + she now placed before him. In fact, the principal object of her + maundering was to display her consequence and love of power; for Mrs + Wilson was not, at the bottom, an illtempered woman, and certainly loved + her old and young master (both of whom she tormented extremely) better + than any one else in the world. She now eyed Mr Henry, as she called him, + with great complacency, as he partook of her good cheer. +</p> +<p> + "Muckle gude may it do ye, my bonny man. I trow ye dinna get sic a + skirl-in-the-pan as that at Niel Blane's. His wife was a canny body, and + could dress things very weel for ane in her line o' business, but no like + a gentleman's housekeeper, to be sure. But I doubt the daughter's a silly + thing—an unco cockernony she had busked on her head at the kirk last + Sunday. I am doubting that there will be news o' a' thae braws. But my + auld een's drawing thegither—dinna hurry yoursell, my bonny man, tak + mind about the putting out the candle, and there's a horn of ale, and a + glass of clow-gillie-flower water; I dinna gie ilka body that; I keep it + for a pain I hae whiles in my ain stamach, and it's better for your young + blood than brandy. Sae, gude-night to ye, Mr Henry, and see that ye tak + gude care o' the candle." +</p> +<p> + Morton promised to attend punctually to her caution, and requested her + not to be alarmed if she heard the door opened, as she knew he must + again, as usual, look to his horse, and arrange him for the night. Mrs + Wilson then retreated, and Morton, folding up his provisions, was about + to hasten to his guest, when the nodding head of the old housekeeper was + again thrust in at the door, with an admonition, to remember to take an + account of his ways before he laid himself down to rest, and to pray for + protection during the hours of darkness. +</p> +<p> + Such were the manners of a certain class of domestics, once common in + Scotland, and perhaps still to be found in some old manor-houses in its + remote counties. They were fixtures in the family they belonged to; and + as they never conceived the possibility of such a thing as dismissal to + be within the chances of their lives, they were, of course, sincerely + attached to every member of it. [Note: A masculine retainer of this kind, + having offended his master extremely, was commanded to leave his service + instantly. "In troth and that will I not," answered the domestic; "if + your honour disna ken when ye hae a gude servant, I ken when I hae a gude + master, and go away I will not." On another occasion of the same nature, + the master said, "John, you and I shall never sleep under the same roof + again;" to which John replied, with much, "Whare the deil can your honour + be ganging?"] On the other hand, when spoiled by the indulgence or + indolence of their superiors, they were very apt to become ill-tempered, + self-sufficient, and tyrannical; so much so, that a mistress or master + would sometimes almost have wished to exchange their crossgrained + fidelity for the smooth and accommodating duplicity of a modern menial. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<pre> + Yea, this man's brow, like to a tragic leaf, + Foretells the nature of a tragic volume. + Shakspeare. +</pre> +<p> + Being at length rid of the housekeeper's presence, Morton made a + collection of what he had reserved from the provisions set before him, + and prepared to carry them to his concealed guest. He did not think it + necessary to take a light, being perfectly acquainted with every turn of + the road; and it was lucky he did not do so, for he had hardly stepped + beyond the threshold ere a heavy trampling of horses announced, that the + body of cavalry, whose kettle-drums [Note: Regimental music is never + played at night. But who can assure us that such was not the custom in + Charles the Second's time? Till I am well informed on this point, the + kettle-drums shall clash on, as adding something to the picturesque + effect of the night march.] they had before heard, were in the act of + passing along the high-road which winds round the foot of the bank on + which the house of Milnwood was placed. He heard the commanding officer + distinctly give the word halt. A pause of silence followed, interrupted + only by the occasional neighing or pawing of an impatient charger. +</p> +<p> + "Whose house is this?" said a voice, in a tone of authority and command. +</p> +<p> + "Milnwood, if it like your honour," was the reply. +</p> +<p> + "Is the owner well affected?" said the enquirer. +</p> +<p> + "He complies with the orders of government, and frequents an indulged + minister," was the response. +</p> +<p> + "Hum! ay! indulged? a mere mask for treason, very impolitically allowed + to those who are too great cowards to wear their principles barefaced.— + Had we not better send up a party and search the house, in case some of + the bloody villains concerned in this heathenish butchery may be + concealed in it?" +</p> +<p> + Ere Morton could recover from the alarm into which this proposal had + thrown him, a third speaker rejoined, "I cannot think it at all + necessary; Milnwood is an infirm, hypochondriac old man, who never + meddles with politics, and loves his moneybags and bonds better than any + thing else in the world. His nephew, I hear, was at the wappenschaw + to-day, and gained the popinjay, which does not look like a fanatic. I + should think they are all gone to bed long since, and an alarm at this + time of night might kill the poor old man." +</p> +<p> + "Well," rejoined the leader, "if that be so, to search the house would be + lost time, of which we have but little to throw away. Gentlemen of the + Life-Guards, forward—March!" +</p> +<p> + A few notes on the trumpet, mingled with the occasional boom of the + kettle-drum, to mark the cadence, joined with the tramp of hoofs and the + clash of arms, announced that the troop had resumed its march. The moon + broke out as the leading files of the column attained a hill up which the + road winded, and showed indistinctly the glittering of the steel-caps; + and the dark figures of the horses and riders might be imperfectly traced + through the gloom. They continued to advance up the hill, and sweep over + the top of it in such long succession, as intimated a considerable + numerical force. +</p> +<p> + When the last of them had disappeared, young Morton resumed his purpose + of visiting his guest. Upon entering the place of refuge, he found him + seated on his humble couch with a pocket Bible open in his hand, which he + seemed to study with intense meditation. His broadsword, which he had + unsheathed in the first alarm at the arrival of the dragoons, lay naked + across his knees, and the little taper that stood beside him upon the old + chest, which served the purpose of a table, threw a partial and imperfect + light upon those stern and harsh features, in which ferocity was rendered + more solemn and dignified by a wild cast of tragic enthusiasm. His brow + was that of one in whom some strong o'ermastering principle has + overwhelmed all other passions and feelings, like the swell of a high + spring-tide, when the usual cliffs and breakers vanish from the eye, and + their existence is only indicated by the chasing foam of the waves that + burst and wheel over them. He raised his head, after Morton had + contemplated him for about a minute. +</p> +<p> + "I perceive," said Morton, looking at his sword, "that you heard the + horsemen ride by; their passage delayed me for some minutes." +</p> +<p> + "I scarcely heeded them," said Balfour; "my hour is not yet come. That I + shall one day fall into their hands, and be honourably associated with + the saints whom they have slaughtered, I am full well aware. And I would, + young man, that the hour were come; it should be as welcome to me as ever + wedding to bridegroom. But if my Master has more work for me on earth, I + must not do his labour grudgingly." +</p> +<p> + "Eat and refresh yourself," said Morton; "tomorrow your safety requires + you should leave this place, in order to gain the hills, so soon as you + can see to distinguish the track through the morasses." +</p> +<p> + "Young man," returned Balfour, "you are already weary of me, and would be + yet more so, perchance, did you know the task upon which I have been + lately put. And I wonder not that it should be so, for there are times + when I am weary of myself. Think you not it is a sore trial for flesh and + blood, to be called upon to execute the righteous judgments of Heaven + while we are yet in the body, and continue to retain that blinded sense + and sympathy for carnal suffering, which makes our own flesh thrill when + we strike a gash upon the body of another? And think you, that when some + prime tyrant has been removed from his place, that the instruments of his + punishment can at all times look back on their share in his downfall with + firm and unshaken nerves? Must they not sometimes even question the truth + of that inspiration which they have felt and acted under? Must they not + sometimes doubt the origin of that strong impulse with which their + prayers for heavenly direction under difficulties have been inwardly + answered and confirmed, and confuse, in their disturbed apprehensions, + the responses of Truth itself with some strong delusion of the enemy?" +</p> +<p> + "These are subjects, Mr Balfour, on which I am ill qualified to converse + with you," answered Morton; "but I own I should strongly doubt the origin + of any inspiration which seemed to dictate a line of conduct contrary to + those feelings of natural humanity, which Heaven has assigned to us as + the general law of our conduct." +</p> +<p> + Balfour seemed somewhat disturbed, and drew himself hastily up, but + immediately composed himself, and answered coolly, "It is natural you + should think so; you are yet in the dungeon-house of the law, a pit + darker than that into which Jeremiah was plunged, even the dungeon of + Malcaiah the son of Hamelmelech, where there was no water but mire. Yet + is the seal of the covenant upon your forehead, and the son of the + righteous, who resisted to blood where the banner was spread on the + mountains, shall not be utterly lost, as one of the children of darkness. + Trow ye, that in this day of bitterness and calamity, nothing is required + at our hands but to keep the moral law as far as our carnal frailty will + permit? Think ye our conquests must be only over our corrupt and evil + affections and passions? No; we are called upon, when we have girded up + our loins, to run the race boldly, and when we have drawn the sword, we + are enjoined to smite the ungodly, though he be our neighbour, and the + man of power and cruelty, though he were of our own kindred, and the + friend of our own bosom." +</p> +<p> + "These are the sentiments," said Morton, "that your enemies impute to + you, and which palliate, if they do not vindicate, the cruel measures + which the council have directed against you. They affirm, that you + pretend to derive your rule of action from what you call an inward light, + rejecting the restraints of legal magistracy, of national law, and even + of common humanity, when in opposition to what you call the spirit within + you." +</p> +<p> + "They do us wrong," answered the Covenanter; "it is they, perjured as + they are, who have rejected all law, both divine and civil, and who now + persecute us for adherence to the Solemn League and Covenant between God + and the kingdom of Scotland, to which all of them, save a few popish + malignants, have sworn in former days, and which they now burn in the + market-places, and tread under foot in derision. When this Charles + Stewart returned to these kingdoms, did the malignants bring him back? + They had tried it with strong hand, but they failed, I trow. Could James + Grahame of Montrose, and his Highland caterans, have put him again in the + place of his father? I think their heads on the Westport told another + tale for many a long day. It was the workers of the glorious work—the + reformers of the beauty of the tabernacle, that called him again to the + high place from which his father fell. And what has been our reward? In + the words of the prophet, 'We looked for peace, but no good came; and for + a time of health, and behold trouble—The snorting of his horses was + heard from Dan; the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of + his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land and all + that is in it.'" +</p> +<p> + "Mr Balfour," answered Morton, "I neither undertake to subscribe to or + refute your complaints against the government. I have endeavoured to + repay a debt due to the comrade of my father, by giving you shelter in + your distress, but you will excuse me from engaging myself either in your + cause, or in controversy. I will leave you to repose, and heartily wish + it were in my power to render your condition more comfortable." +</p> +<p> + "But I shall see you, I trust, in the morning, ere I depart?—I am not a + man whose bowels yearn after kindred and friends of this world. When I + put my hand to the plough, I entered into a covenant with my worldly + affections that I should not look back on the things I left behind me. + Yet the son of mine ancient comrade is to me as mine own, and I cannot + behold him without the deep and firm belief, that I shall one day see him + gird on his sword in the dear and precious cause for which his father + fought and bled." +</p> +<p> + With a promise on Morton's part that he would call the refugee when it + was time for him to pursue his journey, they parted for the night. +</p> +<p> + Morton retired to a few hours' rest; but his imagination, disturbed by + the events of the day, did not permit him to enjoy sound repose. There + was a blended vision of horror before him, in which his new friend seemed + to be a principal actor. The fair form of Edith Bellenden also mingled in + his dream, weeping, and with dishevelled hair, and appearing to call on + him for comfort and assistance, which he had not in his power to render. + He awoke from these unrefreshing slumbers with a feverish impulse, and a + heart which foreboded disaster. There was already a tinge of dazzling + lustre on the verge of the distant hills, and the dawn was abroad in all + the freshness of a summer morning. +</p> +<p> + "I have slept too long," he exclaimed to himself, "and must now hasten to + forward the journey of this unfortunate fugitive." +</p> +<p> + He dressed himself as fast as possible, opened the door of the house with + as little noise as he could, and hastened to the place of refuge occupied + by the Covenanter. Morton entered on tiptoe, for the determined tone and + manner, as well as the unusual language and sentiments of this singular + individual, had struck him with a sensation approaching to awe. Balfour + was still asleep. A ray of light streamed on his uncurtained couch, and + showed to Morton the working of his harsh features, which seemed agitated + by some strong internal cause of disturbance. He had not undressed. Both + his arms were above the bed-cover, the right hand strongly clenched, and + occasionally making that abortive attempt to strike which usually attends + dreams of violence; the left was extended, and agitated, from time to + time, by a movement as if repulsing some one. The perspiration stood on + his brow, "like bubbles in a late disturbed stream," and these marks of + emotion were accompanied with broken words which escaped from him at + intervals—"Thou art taken, Judas—thou art taken—Cling not to my + knees—cling not to my knees—hew him down!—A priest? Ay, a priest of + Baal, to be bound and slain, even at the brook Kishon.—Fire arms will + not prevail against him—Strike—thrust with the cold iron—put him out + of pain—put him out of pain, were it but for the sake of his grey + hairs." +</p> +<p> + Much alarmed at the import of these expressions, which seemed to burst + from him even in sleep with the stern energy accompanying the + perpetration of some act of violence, Morton shook his guest by the + shoulder in order to awake him. The first words he uttered were, "Bear me + where ye will, I will avouch the deed!" +</p> +<p> + His glance around having then fully awakened him, he at once assumed all + the stern and gloomy composure of his ordinary manner, and throwing + himself on his knees, before speaking to Morton, poured forth an + ejaculatory prayer for the suffering Church of Scotland, entreating that + the blood of her murdered saints and martyrs might be precious in the + sight of Heaven, and that the shield of the Almighty might be spread over + the scattered remnant, who, for His name's sake, were abiders in the + wilderness. Vengeance—speedy and ample vengeance on the oppressors, was + the concluding petition of his devotions, which he expressed aloud in + strong and emphatic language, rendered more impressive by the Orientalism + of Scripture. +</p> +<p> + When he had finished his prayer he arose, and, taking Morton by the arm, + they descended together to the stable, where the Wanderer (to give Burley + a title which was often conferred on his sect) began to make his horse + ready to pursue his journey. When the animal was saddled and bridled, + Burley requested Morton to walk with him a gun-shot into the wood, and + direct him to the right road for gaining the moors. Morton readily + complied, and they walked for some time in silence under the shade of + some fine old trees, pursuing a sort of natural path, which, after + passing through woodland for about half a mile, led into the bare and + wild country which extends to the foot of the hills. +</p> +<p> + There was little conversation between them, until at length Burley + suddenly asked Morton, "Whether the words he had spoken over-night had + borne fruit in his mind?" +</p> +<p> + Morton answered, "That he remained of the same opinion which he had + formerly held, and was determined, at least as far and as long as + possible, to unite the duties of a good Christian with those of a + peaceful subject." +</p> +<p> + "In other words," replied Burley, "you are desirous to serve both God and + Mammon—to be one day professing the truth with your lips, and the next + day in arms, at the command of carnal and tyrannic authority, to shed the + blood of those who for the truth have forsaken all things? Think ye," he + continued, "to touch pitch and remain undefiled? to mix in the ranks of + malignants, papists, papa-prelatists, latitudinarians, and scoffers; to + partake of their sports, which are like the meat offered unto idols; to + hold intercourse, perchance, with their daughters, as the sons of God + with the daughters of men in the world before the flood—Think you, I + say, to do all these things, and yet remain free from pollution? I say + unto you, that all communication with the enemies of the Church is the + accursed thing which God hateth! Touch not—taste not—handle not! And + grieve not, young man, as if you alone were called upon to subdue your + carnal affections, and renounce the pleasures which are a snare to your + feet—I say to you, that the Son of David hath denounced no better lot on + the whole generation of mankind." +</p> +<p> + He then mounted his horse, and, turning to Morton, repeated the text of + Scripture, "An heavy yoke was ordained for the sons of Adam from the day + they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the + mother of all things; from him who is clothed in blue silk and weareth a + crown, even to him who weareth simple linen,—wrath, envy, trouble, and + unquietness, rigour, strife, and fear of death in the time of rest." +</p> +<p> + Having uttered these words he set his horse in motion, and soon + disappeared among the boughs of the forest. +</p> +<p> + "Farewell, stern enthusiast," said Morton, looking after him; "in some + moods of my mind, how dangerous would be the society of such a companion! + If I am unmoved by his zeal for abstract doctrines of faith, or rather + for a peculiar mode of worship, (such was the purport of his + reflections,) can I be a man, and a Scotchman, and look with indifference + on that persecution which has made wise men mad? Was not the cause of + freedom, civil and religious, that for which my father fought; and shall + I do well to remain inactive, or to take the part of an oppressive + government, if there should appear any rational prospect of redressing + the insufferable wrongs to which my miserable countrymen are subjected?— + And yet, who shall warrant me that these people, rendered wild by + persecution, would not, in the hour of victory, be as cruel and as + intolerant as those by whom they are now hunted down? What degree of + moderation, or of mercy, can be expected from this Burley, so + distinguished as one of their principal champions, and who seems even now + to be reeking from some recent deed of violence, and to feel stings of + remorse, which even his enthusiasm cannot altogether stifle? I am weary + of seeing nothing but violence and fury around me—now assuming the mask + of lawful authority, now taking that of religious zeal. I am sick of my + country—of myself—of my dependent situation—of my repressed + feelings—of these woods—of that river—of that house—of all + but—Edith, and she can never be mine! Why should I haunt her walks?—Why + encourage my own delusion, and perhaps hers?—She can never be mine. Her + grandmother's pride—the opposite principles of our families—my + wretched state of dependence—a poor miserable slave, for I have not + even the wages of a servant—all circumstances give the lie to the vain + hope that we can ever be united. Why then protract a delusion so + painful? +</p> +<p> + "But I am no slave," he said aloud, and drawing himself up to his full + stature—"no slave, in one respect, surely. I can change my abode—my + father's sword is mine, and Europe lies open before me, as before him and + hundreds besides of my countrymen, who have filled it with the fame of + their exploits. Perhaps some lucky chance may raise me to a rank with our + Ruthvens, our Lesleys, our Monroes, the chosen leaders of the famous + Protestant champion, Gustavus Adolphus, or, if not, a soldier's life or a + soldier's grave." +</p> +<p> + When he had formed this determination, he found himself near the door of + his uncle's house, and resolved to lose no time in making him acquainted + with it. +</p> +<p> + "Another glance of Edith's eye, another walk by Edith's side, and my + resolution would melt away. I will take an irrevocable step, therefore, + and then see her for the last time." +</p> +<p> + In this mood he entered the wainscotted parlour, in which his uncle was + already placed at his morning's refreshment, a huge plate of oatmeal + porridge, with a corresponding allowance of butter-milk. The favourite + housekeeper was in attendance, half standing, half resting on the back of + a chair, in a posture betwixt freedom and respect. The old gentleman had + been remarkably tall in his earlier days, an advantage which he now lost + by stooping to such a degree, that at a meeting, where there was some + dispute concerning the sort of arch which should be thrown over a + considerable brook, a facetious neighbour proposed to offer Milnwood a + handsome sum for his curved backbone, alleging that he would sell any + thing that belonged to him. Splay feet of unusual size, long thin hands, + garnished with nails which seldom felt the steel, a wrinkled and puckered + visage, the length of which corresponded with that of his person, + together with a pair of little sharp bargain-making grey eyes, that + seemed eternally looking out for their advantage, completed the highly + unpromising exterior of Mr Morton of Milnwood. As it would have been very + injudicious to have lodged a liberal or benevolent disposition in such an + unworthy cabinet, nature had suited his person with a mind exactly in + conformity with it, that is to say, mean, selfish, and covetous. +</p> +<p> + When this amiable personage was aware of the presence of his nephew, he + hastened, before addressing him, to swallow the spoonful of porridge + which he was in the act of conveying to his mouth, and, as it chanced to + be scalding hot, the pain occasioned by its descent down his throat and + into his stomach, inflamed the ill-humour with which he was already + prepared to meet his kinsman. +</p> +<p> + "The deil take them that made them!" was his first ejaculation, + apostrophizing his mess of porridge. +</p> +<p> + "They're gude parritch eneugh," said Mrs Wilson, "if ye wad but take time + to sup them. I made them mysell; but if folk winna hae patience, they + should get their thrapples causewayed." +</p> +<p> + "Haud your peace, Alison! I was speaking to my nevoy.—How is this, sir? + And what sort o' scampering gates are these o' going on? Ye were not at + hame last night till near midnight." +</p> +<p> + "Thereabouts, sir, I believe," answered Morton, in an indifferent tone. +</p> +<p> + "Thereabouts, sir?—What sort of an answer is that, sir? Why came ye na + hame when other folk left the grund?" +</p> +<p> + "I suppose you know the reason very well, sir," said Morton; "I had the + fortune to be the best marksman of the day, and remained, as is usual, to + give some little entertainment to the other young men." +</p> +<p> + "The deevil ye did, sir! And ye come to tell me that to my face? You + pretend to gie entertainments, that canna come by a dinner except by + sorning on a carefu' man like me? But if ye put me to charges, I'se work + it out o'ye. I seena why ye shouldna haud the pleugh, now that the + pleughman has left us; it wad set ye better than wearing thae green duds, + and wasting your siller on powther and lead; it wad put ye in an honest + calling, and wad keep ye in bread without being behadden to ony ane." +</p> +<p> + "I am very ambitious of learning such a calling, sir, but I don't + understand driving the plough." +</p> +<p> + "And what for no? It's easier than your gunning and archery that ye like + sae weel. Auld Davie is ca'ing it e'en now, and ye may be goadsman for + the first twa or three days, and tak tent ye dinna o'erdrive the owsen, + and then ye will be fit to gang betweeu the stilts. Ye'll ne'er learn + younger, I'll be your caution. Haggie-holm is heavy land, and Davie is + ower auld to keep the coulter down now." +</p> +<p> + "I beg pardon for interrupting you, sir, but I have formed a scheme for + myself, which will have the same effect of relieving you of the burden + and charge attending my company." +</p> +<p> + "Ay? Indeed? a scheme o' yours? that must be a denty ane!" said the + uncle, with a very peculiar sneer; "let's hear about it, lad." +</p> +<p> + "It is said in two words, sir. I intend to leave this country, and serve + abroad, as my father did before these unhappy troubles broke out at home. + His name will not be so entirely forgotten in the countries where he + served, but that it will procure his son at least the opportunity of + trying his fortune as a soldier." +</p> +<p> + "Gude be gracious to us!" exclaimed the housekeeper; "our young Mr Harry + gang abroad? na, na! eh, na! that maun never be." +</p> +<p> + Milnwood, entertaining no thought or purpose of parting with his nephew, + who was, moreover, very useful to him in many respects, was thunderstruck + at this abrupt declaration of independence from a person whose deference + to him had hitherto been unlimited. He recovered himself, however, + immediately. +</p> +<p> + "And wha do you think is to give you the means, young man, for such a + wild-goose chase? Not I, I am sure. I can hardly support you at hame. And + ye wad be marrying, I'se warrant, as your father did afore ye, too, and + sending your uncle hame a pack o' weans to be fighting and skirling + through the house in my auld days, and to take wing and flee aff like + yoursell, whenever they were asked to serve a turn about the town?" +</p> +<p> + "I have no thoughts of ever marrying," answered Henry. +</p> +<p> + "Hear till him now!" said the housekeeper. "It's a shame to hear a douce + young lad speak in that way, since a' the warld kens that they maun + either marry or do waur." +</p> +<p> + "Haud your peace, Alison," said her master; "and you, Harry," (he added + more mildly,) "put this nonsense out o' your head—this comes o' letting + ye gang a-sodgering for a day—mind ye hae nae siller, lad, for ony sic + nonsense plans." +</p> +<p> + "I beg your pardon, sir, my wants shall be very few; and would you please + to give me the gold chain, which the Margrave gave to my father after the + battle of Lutzen"—"Mercy on us! the gowd chain?" exclaimed his uncle. +</p> +<p> + "The chain of gowd!" re-echoed the housekeeper, both aghast with + astonishment at the audacity of the proposal. +</p> +<p> + —"I will keep a few links," continued the young man, "to remind me of + him by whom it was won, and the place where he won it," continued Morton; + "the rest shall furnish me the means of following the same career in + which my father obtained that mark of distinction." +</p> +<p> + "Mercifu' powers!" exclaimed the governante, "my master wears it every + Sunday!" +</p> +<p> + "Sunday and Saturday," added old Milnwood, "whenever I put on my black + velvet coat; and Wylie Mactrickit is partly of opinion it's a kind of + heir-loom, that rather belangs to the head of the house than to the + immediate descendant. It has three thousand links; I have counted them a + thousand times. It's worth three hundred pounds sterling." +</p> +<p> + "That is more than I want, sir; if you choose to give me the third part + of the money, and five links of the chain, it will amply serve my + purpose, and the rest will be some slight atonement for the expense and + trouble I have put you to." +</p> +<p> + "The laddie's in a creel!" exclaimed his uncle. "O, sirs, what will + become o' the rigs o' Milnwood when I am dead and gane! He would fling + the crown of Scotland awa, if he had it." +</p> +<p> + "Hout, sir," said the old housekeeper, "I maun e'en say it's partly your + ain faut. Ye maunna curb his head ower sair in neither; and, to be sure, + since he has gane doun to the Howff, ye maun just e'en pay the lawing." +</p> +<p> + "If it be not abune twa dollars, Alison," said the old gentleman, very + reluctantly. +</p> +<p> + "I'll settle it myself wi'Niel Blane, the first time I gang down to the + clachan," said Alison, "cheaper than your honour or Mr Harry can do;" and + then whispered to Henry, "Dinna vex him onymair; I'll pay the lave out o' + the butter siller, and nae mair words about it." Then proceeding aloud, + "And ye maunna speak o' the young gentleman hauding the pleugh; there's + puir distressed whigs enow about the country will be glad to do that for + a bite and a soup—it sets them far better than the like o' him." +</p> +<p> + "And then we'll hae the dragoons on us," said Milnwood, "for comforting + and entertaining intercommuned rebels; a bonny strait ye wad put us in!— + But take your breakfast, Harry, and then lay by your new green coat, and + put on your Raploch grey; it's a mair mensfu' and thrifty dress, and a + mair seemly sight, than thae dangling slops and ribbands." +</p> +<p> + Morton left the room, perceiving plainly that he had at present no chance + of gaining his purpose, and, perhaps, not altogether displeased at the + obstacles which seemed to present themselves to his leaving the + neighbourhood of Tillietudlem. The housekeeper followed him into the next + room, patting him on the back, and bidding him "be a gude bairn, and pit + by his braw things." +</p> +<p> + "And I'll loop doun your hat, and lay by the band and ribband," said the + officious dame; "and ye maun never, at no hand, speak o' leaving the + land, or of selling the gowd chain, for your uncle has an unco pleasure + in looking on you, and in counting the links of the chainzie; and ye ken + auld folk canna last for ever; sae the chain, and the lands, and a' will + be your ain ae day; and ye may marry ony leddy in the country-side ye + like, and keep a braw house at Milnwood, for there's enow o' means; and + is not that worth waiting for, my dow?" +</p> +<p> + There was something in the latter part of the prognostic which sounded so + agreeably in the ears of Morton, that he shook the old dame cordially by + the hand, and assured her he was much obliged by her good advice, and + would weigh it carefully before he proceeded to act upon his former + resolution. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VII. +</h2> +<pre> + From seventeen years till now, almost fourscore, + Here lived I, but now live here no more. + At seventeen years many their fortunes seek, + But at fourscore it is too late a week. + As You Like it. +</pre> +<p> + We must conduct our readers to the Tower of Tillietudlem, to which Lady + Margaret Bellenden had returned, in romantic phrase, malecontent and full + of heaviness, at the unexpected, and, as she deemed it, indelible + affront, which had been brought upon her dignity by the public + miscarriage of Goose Gibbie. That unfortunate man-at-arms was forthwith + commanded to drive his feathered charge to the most remote parts of the + common moor, and on no account to awaken the grief or resentment of his + lady, by appearing in her presence while the sense of the affront was yet + recent. +</p> +<p> + The next proceeding of Lady Margaret was to hold a solemn court of + justice, to which Harrison and the butler were admitted, partly on the + footing of witnesses, partly as assessors, to enquire into the recusancy + of Cuddie Headrigg the ploughman, and the abetment which he had received + from his mother—these being regarded as the original causes of the + disaster which had befallen the chivalry of Tillietudlem. The charge + being fully made out and substantiated, Lady Margaret resolved to + reprimand the culprits in person, and, if she found them impenitent, to + extend the censure into a sentence of expulsion from the barony. Miss + Bellenden alone ventured to say any thing in behalf of the accused, but + her countenance did not profit them as it might have done on any other + occasion. For so soon as Edith had heard it ascertained that the + unfortunate cavalier had not suffered in his person, his disaster had + affected her with an irresistible disposition to laugh, which, in spite + of Lady Margaret's indignation, or rather irritated, as usual, by + restraint, had broke out repeatedly on her return homeward, until her + grandmother, in no shape imposed upon by the several fictitious causes + which the young lady assigned for her ill-timed risibility, upbraided her + in very bitter terms with being insensible to the honour of her family. + Miss Bellenden's intercession, therefore, had, on this occasion, little + or no chance to be listened to. +</p> +<p> + As if to evince the rigour of her disposition, Lady Margaret, on this + solemn occasion, exchanged the ivory-headed cane with which she commonly + walked, for an immense gold-headed staff which had belonged to her + father, the deceased Earl of Torwood, and which, like a sort of mace of + office, she only made use of on occasions of special solemnity. Supported + by this awful baton of command, Lady Margaret Bellenden entered the + cottage of the delinquents. +</p> +<p> + There was an air of consciousness about old Mause, as she rose from her + wicker chair in the chimney-nook, not with the cordial alertness of + visage which used, on other occasions, to express the honour she felt in + the visit of her lady, but with a certain solemnity and embarrassment, + like an accused party on his first appearance in presence of his judge, + before whom he is, nevertheless, determined to assert his innocence. Her + arms were folded, her mouth primmed into an expression of respect, + mingled with obstinacy, her whole mind apparently bent up to the solemn + interview. With her best curtsey to the ground, and a mute motion of + reverence, Mause pointed to the chair, which, on former occasions, Lady + Margaret (for the good lady was somewhat of a gossip) had deigned to + occupy for half an hour sometimes at a time, hearing the news of the + county and of the borough. But at present her mistress was far too + indignant for such condescension. She rejected the mute invitation with a + haughty wave of her hand, and drawing herself up as she spoke, she + uttered the following interrogatory in a tone calculated to overwhelm the + culprit. +</p> +<p> + "Is it true, Mause, as I am informed by Harrison, Gudyill, and others of + my people, that you hae taen it upon you, contrary to the faith you owe + to God and the king, and to me, your natural lady and mistress, to keep + back your son frae the wappen-schaw, held by the order of the sheriff, + and to return his armour and abulyiements at a moment when it was + impossible to find a suitable delegate in his stead, whereby the barony + of Tullietudlem, baith in the person of its mistress and indwellers, has + incurred sic a disgrace and dishonour as hasna befa'en the family since + the days of Malcolm Canmore?" +</p> +<p> + Mause's habitual respect for her mistress was extreme; she hesitated, and + one or two short coughs expressed the difficulty she had in defending + herself. +</p> +<p> + "I am sure—my leddy—hem, hem!—I am sure I am sorry—very sorry that + ony cause of displeasure should hae occurred—but my son's illness"— + "Dinna tell me of your son's illness, Mause! Had he been sincerely + unweel, ye would hae been at the Tower by daylight to get something that + wad do him gude; there are few ailments that I havena medical recipes + for, and that ye ken fu' weel." +</p> +<p> + "O ay, my leddy! I am sure ye hae wrought wonderful cures; the last thing + ye sent Cuddie, when he had the batts, e'en wrought like a charm." +</p> +<p> + "Why, then, woman, did ye not apply to me, if there was only real + need?—but there was none, ye fause-hearted vassal that ye are!" +</p> +<p> + "Your leddyship never ca'd me sic a word as that before. Ohon! that I + suld live to be ca'd sae," she continued, bursting into tears, "and me a + born servant o' the house o' Tillietudlem! I am sure they belie baith + Cuddie and me sair, if they said he wadna fight ower the boots in blude + for your leddyship and Miss Edith, and the auld Tower—ay suld he, and I + would rather see him buried beneath it, than he suld gie way—but thir + ridings and wappenschawings, my leddy, I hae nae broo o' them ava. I can + find nae warrant for them whatsoever." +</p> +<p> + "Nae warrant for them?" cried the high-born dame. "Do ye na ken, woman, + that ye are bound to be liege vassals in all hunting, hosting, watching, + and warding, when lawfully summoned thereto in my name? Your service is + not gratuitous. I trow ye hae land for it.—Ye're kindly tenants; hae a + cot-house, a kale-yard, and a cow's grass on the common.—Few hae been + brought farther ben, and ye grudge your son suld gie me a day's service + in the field?" +</p> +<p> + "Na, my leddy—na, my leddy, it's no that," exclaimed Mause, greatly + embarrassed, "but ane canna serve twa maisters; and, if the truth maun + e'en come out, there's Ane abune whase commands I maun obey before your + leddyship's. I am sure I would put neither king's nor kaisar's, nor ony + earthly creature's, afore them." +</p> +<p> + "How mean ye by that, ye auld fule woman?—D'ye think that I order ony + thing against conscience?" +</p> +<p> + "I dinna pretend to say that, my leddy, in regard o' your leddyship's + conscience, which has been brought up, as it were, wi' prelatic + principles; but ilka ane maun walk by the light o' their ain; and mine," + said Mause, waxing bolder as the conference became animated, "tells me + that I suld leave a'—cot, kale-yard, and cow's grass—and suffer a', + rather than that I or mine should put on harness in an unlawfu' cause," +</p> +<p> + "Unlawfu'!" exclaimed her mistress; "the cause to which you are called by + your lawful leddy and mistress—by the command of the king—by the writ + of the privy council—by the order of the lordlieutenant—by the warrant + of the sheriff?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, my leddy, nae doubt; but no to displeasure your leddyship, ye'll + mind that there was ance a king in Scripture they ca'd Nebuchadnezzar, + and he set up a golden image in the plain o' Dura, as it might be in the + haugh yonder by the water-side, where the array were warned to meet + yesterday; and the princes, and the governors, and the captains, and the + judges themsells, forby the treasurers, the counsellors, and the + sheriffs, were warned to the dedication thereof, and commanded to fall + down and worship at the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, + psaltery, and all kinds of music." +</p> +<p> + "And what o' a' this, ye fule wife? Or what had Nebuchadnezzar to do with + the wappen-schaw of the Upper Ward of Clydesdale?" +</p> +<p> + "Only just thus far, my leddy," continued Mause, firmly, "that prelacy is + like the great golden image in the plain of Dura, and that as Shadrach, + Meshach, and Abednego, were borne out in refusing to bow down and + worship, so neither shall Cuddy Headrigg, your leddyship's poor + pleughman, at least wi' his auld mither's consent, make murgeons or + Jenny-flections, as they ca' them, in the house of the prelates and + curates, nor gird him wi' armour to fight in their cause, either at the + sound of kettle-drums, organs, bagpipes, or ony other kind of music + whatever." +</p> +<p> + Lady Margaret Bellenden heard this exposition of Scripture with the + greatest possible indignation, as well as surprise. +</p> +<p> + "I see which way the wind blaws," she exclaimed, after a pause of + astonishment; "the evil spirit of the year sixteen hundred and forty-twa + is at wark again as merrily as ever, and ilka auld wife in the + chimley-neuck will be for knapping doctrine wi' doctors o' divinity and + the godly fathers o' the church." +</p> +<p> + "If your leddyship means the bishops and curates, I'm sure they hae been + but stepfathers to the Kirk o' Scotland. And, since your leddyship is + pleased to speak o' parting wi' us, I am free to tell you a piece o' my + mind in another article. Your leddyship and the steward hae been pleased + to propose that my son Cuddie suld work in the barn wi' a new-fangled + machine [Note: Probably something similar to the barn-fanners now used + for winnowing corn, which were not, however, used in their present shape + until about 1730. They were objected to by the more rigid sectaries on + their first introduction, upon such reasoning as that of honest Mause in + the text.] for dighting the corn frae the chaff, thus impiously thwarting + the will of Divine Providence, by raising wind for your leddyship's ain + particular use by human art, instead of soliciting it by prayer, or + waiting patiently for whatever dispensation of wind Providence was + pleased to send upon the sheeling-hill. Now, my leddy"—"The woman would + drive ony reasonable being daft!" said Lady Margaret; then resuming her + tone of authority and indifference, she concluded, "Weel, Mause, I'll + just end where I sud hae begun—ye're ower learned and ower godly for me + to dispute wi'; sae I have just this to say,—either Cuddie must attend + musters when he's lawfully warned by the ground officer, or the sooner he + and you flit and quit my bounds the better; there's nae scarcity o' auld + wives or ploughmen; but, if there were, I had rather that the rigs of + Tillietudlem bare naething but windle-straes and sandy lavrocks [Note: + Bent-grass and sand-larks.] than that they were ploughed by rebels to the + king." +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, my leddy," said Mause, "I was born here, and thought to die where + my father died; and your leddyship has been a kind mistress, I'll ne'er + deny that, and I'se ne'er cease to pray for you, and for Miss Edith, and + that ye may be brought to see the error of your ways. But still"—"The + error of my ways!" interrupted Lady Margaret, much incensed—"The error + of my ways, ye uncivil woman?" +</p> +<p> + "Ou, ay, my leddy, we are blinded that live in this valley of tears and + darkness, and hae a' ower mony errors, grit folks as weel as sma'—but, + as I said, my puir bennison will rest wi' you and yours wherever I am. I + will be wae to hear o' your affliction, and blithe to hear o' your + prosperity, temporal and spiritual. But I canna prefer the commands of an + earthly mistress to those of a heavenly master, and sae I am e'en ready + to suffer for righteousness' sake." +</p> +<p> + "It is very well," said Lady Margaret, turning her back in great + displeasure; "ye ken my will, Mause, in the matter. I'll hae nae whiggery + in the barony of Tillietudlem—the next thing wad be to set up a + conventicle in my very withdrawing room." +</p> +<p> + Having said this, she departed, with an air of great dignity; and Mause, + giving way to feelings which she had suppressed during the + interview,—for she, like her mistress, had her own feeling of + pride,—now lifted up her voice and wept aloud. +</p> +<p> + Cuddie, whose malady, real or pretended, still detained him in bed, lay + perdu during all this conference, snugly ensconced within his boarded + bedstead, and terrified to death lest Lady Margaret, whom he held in + hereditary reverence, should have detected his presence, and bestowed on + him personally some of those bitter reproaches with which she loaded his + mother. But as soon as he thought her ladyship fairly out of hearing, he + bounced up in his nest. +</p> +<p> + "The foul fa' ye, that I suld say sae," he cried out to his mother, "for + a lang-tongued clavering wife, as my father, honest man, aye ca'd ye! + Couldna ye let the leddy alane wi' your whiggery? And I was e'en as great + a gomeral to let ye persuade me to lie up here amang the blankets like a + hurcheon, instead o' gaun to the wappen-schaw like other folk. Odd, but I + put a trick on ye, for I was out at the window-bole when your auld back + was turned, and awa down by to hae a baff at the popinjay, and I shot + within twa on't. I cheated the leddy for your clavers, but I wasna gaun + to cheat my joe. But she may marry whae she likes now, for I'm clean dung + ower. This is a waur dirdum than we got frae Mr Gudyill when ye garr'd me + refuse to eat the plum-porridge on Yule-eve, as if it were ony matter to + God or man whether a pleughman had suppit on minched pies or sour + sowens." +</p> +<p> + "O, whisht, my bairn, whisht," replied Mause; "thou kensna about thae + things—It was forbidden meat, things dedicated to set days and holidays, + which are inhibited to the use of protestant Christians." +</p> +<p> + "And now," continued her son, "ye hae brought the leddy hersell on our + hands!—An I could but hae gotten some decent claes in, I wad hae spanged + out o' bed, and tauld her I wad ride where she liked, night or day, an + she wad but leave us the free house and the yaird, that grew the best + early kale in the haill country, and the cow's grass." +</p> +<p> + "O wow! my winsome bairn, Cuddie," continued the old dame, "murmur not at + the dispensation; never grudge suffering in the gude cause." +</p> +<p> + "But what ken I if the cause is gude or no, mither," rejoined Cuddie, + "for a' ye bleeze out sae muckle doctrine about it? It's clean beyond my + comprehension a'thegither. I see nae sae muckle difference atween the twa + ways o't as a' the folk pretend. It's very true the curates read aye the + same words ower again; and if they be right words, what for no? A gude + tale's no the waur o' being twice tauld, I trow; and a body has aye the + better chance to understand it. Every body's no sae gleg at the uptake as + ye are yoursell, mither." +</p> +<p> + "O, my dear Cuddie, this is the sairest distress of a'," said the anxious + mother—"O, how aften have I shown ye the difference between a pure + evangelical doctrine, and ane that's corrupt wi' human inventions? O, my + bairn, if no for your ain saul's sake, yet for my grey hairs"—"Weel, + mither," said Cuddie, interrupting her, "what need ye mak sae muckle din + about it? I hae aye dune whate'er ye bade me, and gaed to kirk whare'er + ye likit on the Sundays, and fended weel for ye in the ilka days besides. + And that's what vexes me mair than a' the rest, when I think how I am to + fend for ye now in thae brickle times. I am no clear if I can pleugh ony + place but the Mains and Mucklewhame, at least I never tried ony other + grund, and it wadna come natural to me. And nae neighbouring heritors + will daur to take us, after being turned aff thae bounds for + non-enormity." +</p> +<p> + "Non-conformity, hinnie," sighed Mause, "is the name that thae warldly + men gie us." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, aweel—we'll hae to gang to a far country, maybe twall or fifteen + miles aff. I could be a dragoon, nae doubt, for I can ride and play wi' + the broadsword a bit, but ye wad be roaring about your blessing and your + grey hairs." (Here Mause's exclamations became extreme.) "Weel, weel, I + but spoke o't; besides, ye're ower auld to be sitting cocked up on a + baggage-waggon wi' Eppie Dumblane, the corporal's wife. Sae what's to + come o' us I canna weel see—I doubt I'll hae to tak the hills wi' the + wild whigs, as they ca' them, and then it will be my lo to be shot down + like a mawkin at some dikeside, or to be sent to heaven wi' a Saint + Johnstone's tippit about my hause." +</p> +<p> + "O, my bonnie Cuddie," said the zealous Mause, "forbear sic carnal, + self-seeking language, whilk is just a misdoubting o' Providence—I have + not seen the son of the righteous begging his bread, sae says the text; + and your father was a douce honest man, though somewhat warldly in his + dealings, and cumbered about earthly things, e'en like yoursell, my jo!" +</p> +<p> + "Aweel," said Cuddie, after a little consideration, "I see but ae gate + for't, and that's a cauld coal to blaw at, mither. Howsomever, mither, ye + hae some guess o' a wee bit kindness that's atween Miss Edith and young + Mr Henry Morton, that suld be ca'd young Milnwood, and that I hae whiles + carried a bit book, or maybe a bit letter, quietly atween them, and made + believe never to ken wha it cam frae, though I kend brawly. There's + whiles convenience in a body looking a wee stupid—and I have aften seen + them walking at e'en on the little path by Dinglewood-burn; but naebody + ever kend a word about it frae Cuddie; I ken I'm gay thick in the head, + but I'm as honest as our auld fore-hand ox, puir fallow, that I'll ne'er + work ony mair—I hope they'll be as kind to him that come ahint me as I + hae been.—But, as I was saying, we'll awa down to Milnwood and tell Mr + Harry our distress They want a pleughman, and the grund's no unlike our + ain—I am sure Mr Harry will stand my part, for he's a kind-hearted + gentleman.—I'll get but little penny-fee, for his uncle, auld Nippie + Milnwood, has as close a grip as the deil himsell. But we'l, aye win a + bit bread, and a drap kale, and a fire-side and theeking ower our heads, + and that's a' we'll want for a season.—Sae get up, mither, and sort your + things to gang away; for since sae it is that gang we maun, I wad like + ill to wait till Mr Harrison and auld Gudyill cam to pu' us out by the + lug and the horn." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> +<pre> + The devil a puritan, or any thing else he is, but a time-server. + Twelfth Night. +</pre> +<p> + It was evening when Mr Henry Morton perceived an old woman, wrapped in + her tartan plaid, supported by a stout, stupid-looking fellow, in + hoddin-grey, approach the house of Milnwood. Old Mause made her courtesy, + but Cuddie took the lead in addressing Morton. Indeed, he had previously + stipulated with his mother that he was to manage matters his own way; for + though he readily allowed his general inferiority of understanding, and + filially submitted to the guidance of his mother on most ordinary + occasions, yet he said, "For getting a service, or getting forward in the + warld, he could somegate gar the wee pickle sense he had gang muckle + farther than hers, though she could crack like ony minister o' them a'." +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, he thus opened the conversation with young Morton: "A braw + night this for the rye, your honour; the west park will be breering + bravely this e'en." +</p> +<p> + "I do not doubt it, Cuddie; but what can have brought your mother—this + is your mother, is it not?" (Cuddie nodded.) "What can have brought your + mother and you down the water so late?" +</p> +<p> + "Troth, stir, just what gars the auld wives trot—neshessity, stir—I'm + seeking for service, stir." +</p> +<p> + "For service, Cuddie, and at this time of the year? how comes that?" +</p> +<p> + Mause could forbear no longer. Proud alike of her cause and her + sufferings, she commenced with an affected humility of tone, "It has + pleased Heaven, an it like your honour, to distinguish us by a + visitation"—"Deil's in the wife and nae gude!" whispered Cuddie to his + mother, "an ye come out wi' your whiggery, they'll no daur open a door to + us through the haill country!" Then aloud and addressing Morton, "My + mother's auld, stir, and she has rather forgotten hersell in speaking to + my leddy, that canna weel bide to be contradickit, (as I ken nae-body + likes it if they could help themsells,) especially by her ain folk,—and + Mr Harrison the steward, and Gudyill the butler, they're no very fond o' + us, and it's ill sitting at Rome and striving wi' the Pope; sae I thought + it best to flit before ill came to waur—and here's a wee bit line to + your honour frae a friend will maybe say some mair about it." +</p> +<p> + Morton took the billet, and crimsoning up to the ears, between joy and + surprise, read these words: "If you can serve these poor helpless people, + you will oblige E. B." +</p> +<p> + It was a few instants before he could attain composure enough to ask, + "And what is your object, Cuddie? and how can I be of use to you?" +</p> +<p> + "Wark, stir, wark, and a service, is my object—a bit beild for my mither + and mysell—we hae gude plenishing o' our ain, if we had the cast o' a + cart to bring it down—and milk and meal, and greens enow, for I'm gay + gleg at meal-time, and sae is my mither, lang may it be sae—And, for the + penny-fee and a' that, I'll just leave it to the laird and you. I ken + ye'll no see a poor lad wranged, if ye can help it." +</p> +<p> + Morton shook his head. "For the meat and lodging, Cuddie, I think I can + promise something; but the penny-fee will be a hard chapter, I doubt." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tak my chance o't, stir," replied the candidate for service, + "rather than gang down about Hamilton, or ony sic far country." +</p> +<p> + "Well; step into the kitchen, Cuddie, and I'll do what I can for you." +</p> +<p> + The negotiation was not without difficulties. Morton had first to bring + over the housekeeper, who made a thousand objections, as usual, in order + to have the pleasure of being besought and entreated; but, when she was + gained over, it was comparatively easy to induce old Milnwood to accept + of a servant, whose wages were to be in his own option. An outhouse was, + therefore, assigned to Mause and her son for their habitation, and it was + settled that they were for the time to be admitted to eat of the frugal + fare provided for the family, until their own establishment should be + completed. As for Morton, he exhausted his own very slender stock of + money in order to make Cuddie such a present, under the name of arles, as + might show his sense of the value of the recommendation delivered to him. +</p> +<p> + "And now we're settled ance mair," said: Cuddie to his mother, "and if + we're no sae bien and comfortable as we were up yonder, yet life's life + ony gate, and we're wi' decent kirk-ganging folk o' your ain persuasion, + mither; there will be nae quarrelling about that." +</p> +<p> + "Of my persuasion, hinnie!" said the too-enlightened Mause; "wae's me for + thy blindness and theirs. O, Cuddie, they are but in the court of the + Gentiles, and will ne'er win farther ben, I doubt; they are but little + better than the prelatists themsells. They wait on the ministry of that + blinded man, Peter Poundtext, ance a precious teacher of the Word, but + now a backsliding pastor, that has, for the sake of stipend and family + maintenance, forsaken the strict path, and gane astray after the black + Indulgence. O, my son, had ye but profited by the gospel doctrines ye hae + heard in the Glen of Bengonnar, frae the dear Richard Rumbleberry, that + sweet youth, who suffered martyrdom in the Grassmarket, afore Candlemas! + Didna ye hear him say, that Erastianism was as bad as Prelacy, and that + the Indulgence was as bad as Erastianism?" +</p> +<p> + "Heard ever ony body the like o' this!" interrupted Cuddie; "we'll be + driven out o' house and ha' again afore we ken where to turn oursells. + Weej, mither, I hae just ae word mair—An I hear ony mair o' your + din—afore folk, that is, for I dinna mind your clavers mysell, they aye + set me sleeping—but if I hear ony mair din afore folk, as I was saying, + about Poundtexts and Rumbleberries, and doctrines and malignants, I'se + e'en turn a single sodger mysell, or maybe a sergeant or a captain, if ye + plague me the mair, and let Rumbleberry and you gang to the deil + thegither. I ne'er gat ony gude by his doctrine, as ye ca't, but a sour + fit o' the batts wi' sitting amang the wat moss-hags for four hours at a + yoking, and the leddy cured me wi' some hickery-pickery; mair by token, + an she had kend how I came by the disorder, she wadna hae been in sic a + hurry to mend it." +</p> +<p> + Although groaning in spirit over the obdurate and impenitent state, as + she thought it, of her son Cuddie, Mause durst neither urge him farther + on the topic, nor altogether neglect the warning he had given her. She + knew the disposition of her deceased helpmate, whom this surviving pledge + of their union greatly resembled, and remembered, that although + submitting implicitly in most things to her boast of superior acuteness, + he used on certain occasions, when driven to extremity, to be seized with + fits of obstinacy, which neither remonstrance, flattery, nor threats, + were capable of overpowering. Trembling, therefore, at the very + possibility of Cuddie's fulfilling his threat, she put a guard over her + tongue, and even when Poundtext was commended in her presence, as an able + and fructifying preacher, she had the good sense to suppress the + contradiction which thrilled upon her tongue, and to express her + sentiments no otherwise than by deep groans, which the hearers charitably + construed to flow from a vivid recollection of the more pathetic parts of + his homilies. How long she could have repressed her feelings it is + difficult to say. An unexpected accident relieved her from the necessity. +</p> +<p> + The Laird of Milnwood kept up all old fashions which were connected with + economy. It was, therefore, still the custom in his house, as it had been + universal in Scotland about fifty years before, that the domestics, after + having placed the dinner on the table, sate down at the lower end of the + board, and partook of the share which was assigned to them, in company + with their masters. On the day, therefore, after Cuddie's arrival, being + the third from the opening of this narrative, old Robin, who was butler, + valet-de-chambre, footman, gardener, and what not, in the house of + Milnwood, placed on the table an immense charger of broth, thickened with + oatmeal and colewort, in which ocean of liquid was indistinctly + discovered, by close observers, two or three short ribs of lean mutton + sailing to and fro. Two huge baskets, one of bread made of barley and + pease, and one of oat-cakes, flanked this standing dish. A large boiled + salmon would now-a-days have indicated more liberal house-keeping; but at + that period salmon was caught in such plenty in the considerable rivers + in Scotland, that instead of being accounted a delicacy, it was generally + applied to feed the servants, who are said sometimes to have stipulated + that they should not be required to eat a food so luscious and surfeiting + in its quality above five times a-week. The large black jack, filled with + very small beer of Milnwood's own brewing, was allowed to the company at + discretion, as were the bannocks, cakes, and broth; but the mutton was + reserved for the heads of the family, Mrs Wilson included: and a measure + of ale, somewhat deserving the name, was set apart in a silver tankard + for their exclusive use. A huge kebbock, (a cheese, that is, made with + ewemilk mixed with cow's milk,) and a jar of salt butter, were in common + to the company. +</p> +<p> + To enjoy this exquisite cheer, was placed, at the head of the table, the + old Laird himself, with his nephew on the one side, and the favourite + housekeeper on the other. At a long interval, and beneath the salt of + course, sate old Robin, a meagre, half-starved serving-man, rendered + cross and cripple by rheumatism, and a dirty drab of a housemaid, whom + use had rendered callous to the daily exercitations which her temper + underwent at the hands of her master and Mrs Wilson. A barnman, a + white-headed cow-herd boy, with Cuddie the new ploughman and his mother, + completed the party. The other labourers belonging to the property + resided in their own houses, happy at least in this, that if their cheer + was not more delicate than that which we have described, they could eat + their fill, unwatched by the sharp, envious grey eyes of Milnwood, which + seemed to measure the quantity that each of his dependents swallowed, as + closely as if their glances attended each mouthful in its progress from + the lips to the stomach. This close inspection was unfavourable to + Cuddie, who sustained much prejudice in his new master's opinion, by the + silent celerity with which he caused the victuals to disappear before + him. And ever and anon Milnwood turned his eyes from the huge feeder to + cast indignant glances upon his nephew, whose repugnance to rustic labour + was the principal cause of his needing a ploughman, and who had been the + direct means of his hiring this very cormorant. +</p> +<p> + "Pay thee wages, quotha?" said Milnwood to himself,—"Thou wilt eat in a + week the value of mair than thou canst work for in a month." +</p> +<p> + These disagreeable ruminations were interrupted by a loud knocking at the + outer-gate. It was a universal custom in Scotland, that, when the family + was at dinner, the outer-gate of the courtyard, if there was one, and if + not, the door of the house itself, was always shut and locked, and only + guests of importance, or persons upon urgent business, sought or received + admittance at that time. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Locking the Door during Dinner. The custom of keeping the + door of a house or chateau locked during the time of dinner, + probably arose from the family being anciently assembled in the hall + at that meal, and liable to surprise. But it was in many instances + continued as a point of high etiquette, of which the following is an + example: + + A considerable landed proprietor in Dumfries-shire, being a + bachelor, without near relations, and determined to make his will, + resolved previously to visit his two nearest kinsmen, and decide + which should be his heir, according to the degree of kindness with + which he should be received. Like a good clansman, he first visited + his own chief, a baronet in rank, descendant and representative of + one of the oldest families in Scotland. Unhappily the dinner-bell + had rung, and the door of the castle had been locked before his + arrival. The visitor in vain announced his name and requested + admittance; but his chief adhered to the ancient etiquette, and + would on no account suffer the doors to be unbarred. Irritated at + this cold reception, the old Laird rode on to Sanquhar Castle, then + the residence of the Duke of Queensberry, who no sooner heard his + name, than, knowing well he had a will to make, the drawbridge + dropped, and the gates flew open—the table was covered anew—his + grace's bachelor and intestate kinsman was received with the utmost + attention and respect; and it is scarcely necessary to add, that + upon his death some years after, the visitor's considerable landed + property went to augment the domains of the Ducal House of + Queensberry. This happened about the end of the seventeenth + century.] +</pre> +<p> + The family of Milnwood were therefore surprised, and, in the unsettled + state of the times, something alarmed, at the earnest and repeated + knocking with which the gate was now assailed. Mrs Wilson ran in person + to the door, and, having reconnoitred those who were so clamorous for + admittance, through some secret aperture with which most Scottish + door-ways were furnished for the express purpose, she returned wringing + her hands in great dismay, exclaiming, "The red-coats! the red-coats!" +</p> +<p> + "Robin—Ploughman—what ca' they ye?—Barnsman—Nevoy Harry—open the + door, open the door!" exclaimed old Milnwood, snatching up and slipping + into his pocket the two or three silver spoons with which the upper end + of the table was garnished, those beneath the salt being of goodly horn. + "Speak them fair, sirs—Lord love ye, speak them fair—they winna bide + thrawing—we're a' harried—we're a' harried!" +</p> +<p> + While the servants admitted the troopers, whose oaths and threats already + indicated resentment at the delay they had been put to, Cuddie took the + opportunity to whisper to his mother, "Now, ye daft auld carline, mak + yoursell deaf—ye hae made us a' deaf ere now—and let me speak for ye. I + wad like ill to get my neck raxed for an auld wife's clashes, though ye + be our mither." +</p> +<p> + "O, hinny, ay; I'se be silent or thou sall come to ill," was the + corresponding whisper of Mause "but bethink ye, my dear, them that deny + the Word, the Word will deny"—Her admonition was cut short by the + entrance of the Life-Guardsmen, a party of four troopers, commanded by + Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + In they tramped, making a tremendous clatter upon the stone-floor with + the iron-shod heels of their large jack-boots, and the clash and clang of + their long, heavy, basket-hilted broadswords. Milnwood and his + housekeeper trembled, from well-grounded apprehensions of the system of + exaction and plunder carried on during these domiciliary visits. Henry + Morton was discomposed with more special cause, for he remembered that he + stood answerable to the laws for having harboured Burley. The widow Mause + Headrigg, between fear for her son's life and an overstrained and + enthusiastic zeal, which reproached her for consenting even tacitly to + belie her religious sentiments, was in a strange quandary. The other + servants quaked for they knew not well what. Cuddie alone, with the look + of supreme indifference and stupidity which a Scottish peasant can at + times assume as a mask for considerable shrewdness and craft, continued + to swallow large spoonfuls of his broth, to command which he had drawn + within his sphere the large vessel that contained it, and helped himself, + amid the confusion, to a sevenfold portion. +</p> +<p> + "What is your pleasure here, gentlemen?" said Milnwood, humbling himself + before the satellites of power. +</p> +<p> + "We come in behalf of the king," answered Bothwell; "why the devil did + you keep us so long standing at the door?" +</p> +<p> + "We were at dinner," answered Milnwood, "and the door was locked, as is + usual in landward towns [Note: The Scots retain the use of the word town + in its comprehensive Saxon meaning, as a place of habitation. A mansion + or a farm house, though solitary, is called the town. A landward town is + a dwelling situated in the country.] in this country. I am sure, + gentlemen, if I had kend ony servants of our gude king had stood at the + door—But wad ye please to drink some ale—or some brandy—or a cup of + canary sack, or claret wine?" making a pause between each offer as long + as a stingy bidder at an auction, who is loath to advance his offer for a + favourite lot. +</p> +<p> + "Claret for me," said one fellow. +</p> +<p> + "I like ale better," said another, "provided it is right juice of John + Barleycorn." +</p> +<p> + "Better never was malted," said Milnwood; "I can hardly say sae muckle + for the claret. It's thin and cauld, gentlemen." +</p> +<p> + "Brandy will cure that," said a third fellow; "a glass of brandy to three + glasses of wine prevents the curmurring in the stomach." +</p> +<p> + "Brandy, ale, sack, and claret?—we'll try them all," said Bothwell, "and + stick to that which is best. There's good sense in that, if the damn'dest + whig in Scotland had said it." +</p> +<p> + Hastily, yet with a reluctant quiver of his muscles, Milnwood lugged out + two ponderous keys, and delivered them to the governante. +</p> +<p> + "The housekeeper," said Bothwell, taking a seat, and throwing himself + upon it, "is neither so young nor so handsome as to tempt a man to follow + her to the gauntrees, and devil a one here is there worth sending in her + place.—What's this?—meat?" (searching with a fork among the broth, and + fishing up a cutlet of mutton)—"I think I could eat a bit—why, it's as + tough as if the devil's dam had hatched it." +</p> +<p> + "If there is any thing better in the house, sir," said Milnwood, alarmed + at these symptoms of disapprobation—"No, no," said Bothwell, "it's not + worth while, I must proceed to business.—You attend Poundtext, the + presbyterian parson, I understand, Mr Morton?" +</p> +<p> + Mr Morton hastened to slide in a confession and apology. +</p> +<p> + "By the indulgence of his gracious majesty and the government, for I wad + do nothing out of law—I hae nae objection whatever to the establishment + of a moderate episcopacy, but only that I am a country-bred man, and the + ministers are a hamelier kind of folk, and I can follow their doctrine + better; and, with reverence, sir, it's a mair frugal establishment for + the country." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I care nothing about that," said Bothwell; "they are indulged, and + there's an end of it; but, for my part, if I were to give the law, never + a crop-ear'd cur of the whole pack should bark in a Scotch pulpit. + However, I am to obey commands.—There comes the liquor; put it down, my + good old lady." +</p> +<p> + He decanted about one-half of a quart bottle of claret into a wooden + quaigh or bicker, and took it off at a draught. +</p> +<p> + "You did your good wine injustice, my friend;—it's better than your + brandy, though that's good too. Will you pledge me to the king's health?" +</p> +<p> + "With pleasure," said Milnwood, "in ale,—but I never drink claret, and + keep only a very little for some honoured friends." +</p> +<p> + "Like me, I suppose," said Bothwell; and then, pushing the bottle to + Henry, he said, "Here, young man, pledge you the king's health." +</p> +<p> + Henry filled a moderate glass in silence, regardless of the hints and + pushes of his uncle, which seemed to indicate that he ought to have + followed his example, in preferring beer to wine. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Bothwell, "have ye all drank the toast?—What is that old + wife about? Give her a glass of brandy, she shall drink the king's + health, by"—"If your honour pleases," said Cuddie, with great stolidity + of aspect, "this is my mither, stir; and she's as deaf as Corra-linn; we + canna mak her hear day nor door; but if your honour pleases, I am ready + to drink the king's health for her in as mony glasses of brandy as ye + think neshessary." +</p> +<p> + "I dare swear you are," answered Bothwell; "you look like a fellow that + would stick to brandy—help thyself, man; all's free where'er I come.— + Tom, help the maid to a comfortable cup, though she's but a dirty jilt + neither. Fill round once more—Here's to our noble commander, Colonel + Graham of Claverhouse!—What the devil is the old woman groaning for? She + looks as very a whig as ever sate on a hill-side—Do you renounce the + Covenant, good woman?" +</p> +<p> + "Whilk Covenant is your honour meaning? Is it the Covenant of Works, or + the Covenant of Grace?" said Cuddie, interposing. +</p> +<p> + "Any covenant; all covenants that ever were hatched," answered the + trooper. +</p> +<p> + "Mither," cried Cuddie, affecting to speak as to a deaf person, "the + gentleman wants to ken if ye will renunce the Covenant of Works?" +</p> +<p> + "With all my heart, Cuddie," said Mause, "and pray that my feet may be + delivered from the snare thereof." +</p> +<p> + "Come," said Bothwell, "the old dame has come more frankly off than I + expected. Another cup round, and then we'll proceed to business.—You + have all heard, I suppose, of the horrid and barbarous murder committed + upon the person of the Archbishop of St Andrews, by ten or eleven armed + fanatics?" +</p> +<p> + All started and looked at each other; at length Milnwood himself + answered, "They had heard of some such misfortune, but were in hopes it + had not been true." +</p> +<p> + "There is the relation published by government, old gentleman; what do + you think of it?" +</p> +<p> + "Think, sir? Wh—wh—whatever the council please to think of it," + stammered Milnwood. +</p> +<p> + "I desire to have your opinion more explicitly, my friend," said the + dragoon, authoritatively. +</p> +<p> + Milnwood's eyes hastily glanced through the paper to pick out the + strongest expressions of censure with which it abounded, in gleaning + which he was greatly aided by their being printed in italics. +</p> +<p> + "I think it a—bloody and execrable—murder and parricide—devised by + hellish and implacable cruelty—utterly abominable, and a scandal to the + land." +</p> +<p> + "Well said, old gentleman!" said the querist—"Here's to thee, and I wish + you joy of your good principles. You owe me a cup of thanks for having + taught you them; nay, thou shalt pledge me in thine own sack—sour ale + sits ill upon a loyal stomach.—Now comes your turn, young man; what + think you of the matter in hand?" +</p> +<p> + "I should have little objection to answer you," said Henry, "if I knew + what right you had to put the question." +</p> +<p> + "The Lord preserve us!" said the old housekeeper, "to ask the like o' + that at a trooper, when a' folk ken they do whatever they like through + the haill country wi' man and woman, beast and body." +</p> +<p> + The old gentleman exclaimed, in the same horror at his nephew's audacity, + "Hold your peace, sir, or answer the gentleman discreetly. Do you mean to + affront the king's authority in the person of a sergeant of the + Life-Guards?" +</p> +<p> + "Silence, all of you!" exclaimed Bothwell, striking his hand fiercely on + the table—"Silence, every one of you, and hear me!—You ask me for my + right to examine you, sir (to Henry); my cockade and my broadsword are my + commission, and a better one than ever Old Nol gave to his roundheads; + and if you want to know more about it, you may look at the act of council + empowering his majesty's officers and soldiers to search for, examine, + and apprehend suspicious persons; and, therefore, once more, I ask you + your opinion of the death of Archbishop Sharpe—it's a new touch-stone we + have got for trying people's metal." +</p> +<p> + Henry had, by this time, reflected upon the useless risk to which he + would expose the family by resisting the tyrannical power which was + delegated to such rude hands; he therefore read the narrative over, and + replied, composedly, "I have no hesitation to say, that the perpetrators + of this assassination have committed, in my opinion, a rash and wicked + action, which I regret the more, as I foresee it will be made the cause + of proceedings against many who are both innocent of the deed, and as far + from approving it as myself." +</p> +<p> + While Henry thus expressed himself, Bothwell, who bent his eyes keenly + upon him, seemed suddenly to recollect his features. +</p> +<p> + "Aha! my friend Captain Popinjay, I think I have seen you before, and in + very suspicious company." +</p> +<p> + "I saw you once," answered Henry, "in the public-house of the town of—." +</p> +<p> + "And with whom did you leave that public-house, youngster?—Was it not + with John Balfour of Burley, one of the murderers of the Archbishop?" +</p> +<p> + "I did leave the house with the person you have named," answered Henry, + "I scorn to deny it; but, so far from knowing him to be a murderer of the + primate, I did not even know at the time that such a crime had been + committed." +</p> +<p> + "Lord have mercy on me, I am ruined!—utterly ruined and undone!" + exclaimed Milnwood. "That callant's tongue will rin the head aff his ain + shoulders, and waste my gudes to the very grey cloak on my back!" +</p> +<p> + "But you knew Burley," continued Bothwell, still addressing Henry, and + regardless of his uncle's interruption, "to be an intercommuned rebel and + traitor, and you knew the prohibition to deal with such persons. You + knew, that, as a loyal subject, you were prohibited to reset, supply, or + intercommune with this attainted traitor, to correspond with him by word, + writ, or message, or to supply him with meat, drink, house, harbour, or + victual, under the highest pains—you knew all this, and yet you broke + the law." (Henry was silent.) "Where did you part from him?" continued + Bothwell; "was it in the highway, or did you give him harbourage in this + very house?" +</p> +<p> + "In this house!" said his uncle; "he dared not for his neck bring ony + traitor into a house of mine." +</p> +<p> + "Dare he deny that he did so?" said Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + "As you charge it to me as a crime," said Henry, "you will excuse my + saying any thing that will criminate myself." +</p> +<p> + "O, the lands of Milnwood!—the bonny lands of Milnwood, that have been + in the name of Morton twa hundred years!" exclaimed his uncle; "they are + barking and fleeing, outfield and infield, haugh and holme!" +</p> +<p> + "No, sir," said Henry, "you shall not suffer on my account.—I own," he + continued, addressing Bothwell, "I did give this man a night's lodging, + as to an old military comrade of my father. But it was not only without + my uncle's knowledge, but contrary to his express general orders. I + trust, if my evidence is considered as good against myself, it will have + some weight in proving my uncle's innocence." +</p> +<p> + "Come, young man," said the soldier, in a somewhat milder tone, "you're a + smart spark enough, and I am sorry for you; and your uncle here is a fine + old Trojan, kinder, I see, to his guests than himself, for he gives us + wine and drinks his own thin ale—tell me all you know about this Burley, + what he said when you parted from him, where he went, and where he is + likely now to be found; and, d—n it, I'll wink as hard on your share of + the business as my duty will permit. There's a thousand merks on the + murdering whigamore's head, an I could but light on it—Come, out with + it—where did you part with him?" +</p> +<p> + "You will excuse my answering that question, sir," said Morton; "the same + cogent reasons which induced me to afford him hospitality at considerable + risk to myself and my friends, would command me to respect his secret, + if, indeed, he had trusted me with any." +</p> +<p> + "So you refuse to give me an answer?" said Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + "I have none to give," returned Henry. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps I could teach you to find one, by tying a piece of lighted match + betwixt your fingers," answered Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + "O, for pity's sake, sir," said old Alison apart to her master, "gie them + siller—it's siller they're seeking—they'll murder Mr Henry, and + yoursell next!" +</p> +<p> + Milnwood groaned in perplexity and bitterness of spirit, and, with a tone + as if he was giving up the ghost, exclaimed, "If twenty p—p—punds would + make up this unhappy matter"—"My master," insinuated Alison to the + sergeant, "would gie twenty punds sterling"—"Punds Scotch, ye b—h!" + interrupted Milnwood; for the agony of his avarice overcame alike his + puritanic precision and the habitual respect he entertained for his + housekeeper. +</p> +<p> + "Punds sterling," insisted the housekeeper, "if ye wad hae the gudeness + to look ower the lad's misconduct; he's that dour ye might tear him to + pieces, and ye wad ne'er get a word out o' him; and it wad do ye little + gude, I'm sure, to burn his bonny fingerends." +</p> +<p> + "Why," said Bothwell, hesitating, "I don't know—most of my cloth would + have the money, and take off the prisoner too; but I bear a conscience, + and if your master will stand to your offer, and enter into a bond to + produce his nephew, and if all in the house will take the test-oath, I do + not know but"—"O ay, ay, sir," cried Mrs Wilson, "ony test, ony oaths ye + please!" And then aside to her master, "Haste ye away, sir, and get the + siller, or they will burn the house about our lugs." +</p> +<p> + Old Milnwood cast a rueful look upon his adviser, and moved off, like a + piece of Dutch clockwork, to set at liberty his imprisoned angels in this + dire emergency. Meanwhile, Sergeant Bothwell began to put the test-oath + with such a degree of solemn reverence as might have been expected, being + just about the same which is used to this day in his majesty's + custom-house. +</p> +<p> + "You—what's your name, woman?" +</p> +<p> + "Alison Wilson, sir." +</p> +<p> + "You, Alison Wilson, solemnly swear, certify, and declare, that you judge + it unlawful for subjects, under pretext of reformation, or any other + pretext whatsoever, to enter into Leagues and Covenants"—Here the + ceremony was interrupted by a strife between Cuddie and his mother, + which, long conducted in whispers, now became audible. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, whisht, mither, whisht! they're upon a communing—Oh! whisht, and + they'll agree weel eneuch e'enow." +</p> +<p> + "I will not whisht, Cuddie," replied his mother, "I will uplift my voice + and spare not—I will confound the man of sin, even the scarlet man, and + through my voice shall Mr Henry be freed from the net of the fowler." +</p> +<p> + "She has her leg ower the harrows now," said Cuddie, "stop her wha can—I + see her cocked up behint a dragoon on her way to the Tolbooth—I find my + ain legs tied below a horse's belly—Ay—she has just mustered up her + sermon, and there—wi' that grane—out it comes, and we are a'ruined, + horse and foot!" +</p> +<p> + "And div ye think to come here," said Mause, her withered hand shaking in + concert with her keen, though wrinkled visage, animated by zealous wrath, + and emancipated, by the very mention of the test, from the restraints of + her own prudence, and Cuddie's admonition—"Div ye think to come here, + wi' your soul-killing, saint-seducing, conscience-confounding oaths, and + tests, and bands—your snares, and your traps, and your gins?—Surely it + is in vain that a net is spread in the sight of any bird." +</p> +<p> + "Eh! what, good dame?" said the soldier. "Here's a whig miracle, egad! + the old wife has got both her ears and tongue, and we are like to be + driven deaf in our turn.—Go to, hold your peace, and remember whom you + talk to, you old idiot." +</p> +<p> + "Whae do I talk to! Eh, sirs, ower weel may the sorrowing land ken what + ye are. Malignant adherents ye are to the prelates, foul props to a + feeble and filthy cause, bloody beasts of prey, and burdens to the + earth." +</p> +<p> + "Upon my soul," said Bothwell, astonished as a mastiff-dog might be + should a hen-partridge fly at him in defence of her young, "this is the + finest language I ever heard! Can't you give us some more of it?" +</p> +<p> + "Gie ye some mair o't?" said Mause, clearing her voice with a preliminary + cough, "I will take up my testimony against you ance and again.— + Philistines ye are, and Edomites—leopards are ye, and foxes—evening + wolves, that gnaw not the bones till the morrow—wicked dogs, that + compass about the chosen—thrusting kine, and pushing bulls of + Bashan—piercing serpents ye are, and allied baith in name and nature + with the great Red Dragon; Revelations, twalfth chapter, third and + fourth verses." +</p> +<p> + Here the old lady stopped, apparently much more from lack of breath than + of matter. +</p> +<p> + "Curse the old hag!" said one of the dragoons, "gag her, and take her to + head-quarters." +</p> +<p> + "For shame, Andrews," said Bothwell; "remember the good lady belongs to + the fair sex, and uses only the privilege of her tongue.—But, hark ye, + good woman, every bull of Bashan and Red Dragon will not be so civil as I + am, or be contented to leave you to the charge of the constable and + ducking-stool. In the meantime I must necessarily carry off this young + man to head-quarters. I cannot answer to my commanding-officer to leave + him in a house where I have heard so much treason and fanaticism." +</p> +<p> + "Se now, mither, what ye hae dune," whispered Cuddie; "there's the + Philistines, as ye ca' them, are gaun to whirry awa' Mr Henry, and a' wi' + your nash-gab, deil be on't!" +</p> +<p> + "Haud yere tongue, ye cowardly loon," said the mother, "and layna the + wyte on me; if you and thae thowless gluttons, that are sitting staring + like cows bursting on clover, wad testify wi' your hands as I have + testified wi' my tongue, they should never harle the precious young lad + awa' to captivity." +</p> +<p> + While this dialogue passed, the soldiers had already bound and secured + their prisoner. Milnwood returned at this instant, and, alarmed at the + preparations he beheld, hastened to proffer to Bothwell, though with many + a grievous groan, the purse of gold which he had been obliged to rummage + out as ransom for his nephew. The trooper took the purse with an air of + indifference, weighed it in his hand, chucked it up into the air, and + caught it as it fell, then shook his head, and said, "There's many a + merry night in this nest of yellow boys, but d—n me if I dare venture + for them—that old woman has spoken too loud, and before all the men + too.—Hark ye, old gentleman," to Milnwood, "I must take your nephew to + head-quarters, so I cannot, in conscience, keep more than is my due as + civility-money;" then opening the purse, he gave a gold piece to each of + the soldiers, and took three to himself. "Now," said he, "you have the + comfort to know that your kinsman, young Captain Popinjay, will be + carefully looked after and civilly used; and the rest of the money I + return to you." +</p> +<p> + Milnwood eagerly extended his hand. +</p> +<p> + "Only you know," said Bothwell, still playing with the purse, "that every + landholder is answerable for the conformity and loyalty of his household, + and that these fellows of mine are not obliged to be silent on the + subject of the fine sermon we have had from that old puritan in the + tartan plaid there; and I presume you are aware that the consequences of + delation will be a heavy fine before the council." +</p> +<p> + "Good sergeant,—worthy captain!" exclaimed the terrified miser, "I am + sure there is no person in my house, to my knowledge, would give cause of + offence." +</p> +<p> + "Nay," answered Bothwell, "you shall hear her give her testimony, as she + calls it, herself.—You fellow," (to Cuddie,) "stand back, and let your + mother speak her mind. I see she's primed and loaded again since her + first discharge." +</p> +<p> + "Lord! noble sir," said Cuddie, "an auld wife's tongue's but a feckless + matter to mak sic a fash about. Neither my father nor me ever minded + muckle what our mither said." +</p> +<p> + "Hold your peace, my lad, while you are well," said Bothwell; "I promise + you I think you are slyer than you would like to be supposed.—Come, good + dame, you see your master will not believe that you can give us so bright + a testimony." +</p> +<p> + Mause's zeal did not require this spur to set her again on full career. +</p> +<p> + "Woe to the compliers and carnal self-seekers," she said, "that daub over + and drown their consciences by complying with wicked exactions, and + giving mammon of unrighteousness to the sons of Belial, that it may make + their peace with them! It is a sinful compliance, a base confederacy with + the Enemy. It is the evil that Menahem did in the sight of the Lord, when + he gave a thousand talents to Pul, King of Assyria, that his hand might + be with him; Second Kings, feifteen chapter, nineteen verse. It is the + evil deed of Ahab, when he sent money to Tiglath-Peleser; see the saame + Second Kings, saxteen and aught. And if it was accounted a backsliding + even in godly Hezekiah, that he complied with Sennacherib, giving him + money, and offering to bear that which was put upon him, (see the saame + Second Kings, aughteen chapter, fourteen and feifteen verses,) even so it + is with them that in this contumacious and backsliding generation pays + localities and fees, and cess and fines, to greedy and unrighteous + publicans, and extortions and stipends to hireling curates, (dumb dogs + which bark not, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber,) and gives gifts + to be helps and hires to our oppressors and destroyers. They are all like + the casters of a lot with them—like the preparing of a table for the + troop, and the furnishing a drink-offering to the number." +</p> +<p> + "There's a fine sound of doctrine for you, Mr Morton! How like you that?" + said Bothwell; "or how do you think the Council will like it? I think we + can carry the greatest part of it in our heads without a kylevine pen and + a pair of tablets, such as you bring to conventicles. She denies paying + cess, I think, Andrews?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, by G—," said Andrews; "and she swore it was a sin to give a + trooper a pot of ale, or ask him to sit down to a table." +</p> +<p> + "You hear," said Bothwell, addressing Milnwood; "but it's your own + affair;" and he proffered back the purse with its diminished contents, + with an air of indifference. +</p> +<p> + Milnwood, whose head seemed stunned by the accumulation of his + misfortunes, extended his hand mechanically to take the purse. +</p> +<p> + "Are ye mad?" said his housekeeper, in a whisper; "tell them to keep + it;—they will keep it either by fair means or foul, and it's our only + chance to make them quiet." +</p> +<p> + "I canna do it, Ailie—I canna do it," said Milnwood, in the bitterness + of his heart. "I canna part wi' the siller I hae counted sae often ower, + to thae blackguards." +</p> +<p> + "Then I maun do it mysell, Milnwood," said the housekeeper, "or see a' + gang wrang thegither.—My master, sir," she said, addressing Bothwell, + "canna think o' taking back ony thing at the hand of an honourable + gentleman like you; he implores ye to pit up the siller, and be as kind + to his nephew as ye can, and be favourable in reporting our dispositions + to government, and let us tak nae wrang for the daft speeches of an auld + jaud," (here she turned fiercely upon Mause, to indulge herself for the + effort which it cost her to assume a mild demeanour to the soldiers,) "a + daft auld whig randy, that ne'er was in the house (foul fa' her) till + yesterday afternoon, and that sall ne'er cross the door-stane again an + anes I had her out o't." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay," whispered Cuddie to his parent, "e'en sae! I kend we wad be put + to our travels again whene'er ye suld get three words spoken to an end. I + was sure that wad be the upshot o't, mither." +</p> +<p> + "Whisht, my bairn," said she, "and dinna murmur at the cross—cross their + door-stane! weel I wot I'll ne'er cross their door-stane. There's nae + mark on their threshold for a signal that the destroying angel should + pass by. They'll get a back-cast o' his hand yet, that think sae muckle + o' the creature and sae little o' the Creator—sae muckle o' warld's gear + and sae little o' a broken covenant—sae muckle about thae wheen pieces + o' yellow muck, and sae little about the pure gold o' the Scripture—sae + muckle about their ain friend and kinsman, and sae little about the + elect, that are tried wi' hornings, harassings, huntings, searchings, + chasings, catchings, imprisonments, torturings, banishments, headings, + hangings, dismemberings, and quarterings quick, forby the hundreds forced + from their ain habitations to the deserts, mountains, muirs, mosses, + moss-flows, and peat-hags, there to hear the word like bread eaten in + secret." +</p> +<p> + "She's at the Covenant now, sergeant, shall we not have her away?" said + one of the soldiers. +</p> +<p> + "You be d—d!" said Bothwell, aside to him; "cannot you see she's better + where she is, so long as there is a respectable, sponsible, money-broking + heritor, like Mr Morton of Milnwood, who has the means of atoning her + trespasses? Let the old mother fly to raise another brood, she's too + tough to be made any thing of herself—Here," he cried, "one other round + to Milnwood and his roof-tree, and to our next merry meeting with + him!—which I think will not be far distant, if he keeps such a fanatical + family." +</p> +<p> + He then ordered the party to take their horses, and pressed the best in + Milnwood's stable into the king's service to carry the prisoner. Mrs + Wilson, with weeping eyes, made up a small parcel of necessaries for + Henry's compelled journey, and as she bustled about, took an opportunity, + unseen by the party, to slip into his hand a small sum of money. Bothwell + and his troopers, in other respects, kept their promise, and were civil. + They did not bind their prisoner, but contented themselves with leading + his horse between a file of men. They then mounted, and marched off with + much mirth and laughter among themselves, leaving the Milnwood family in + great confusion. The old Laird himself, overpowered by the loss of his + nephew, and the unavailing outlay of twenty pounds sterling, did nothing + the whole evening but rock himself backwards and forwards in his great + leathern easy-chair, repeating the same lamentation, of "Ruined on a' + sides, ruined on a' sides—harried and undone—harried and undone—body + and gudes, body and gudes!" +</p> +<p> + Mrs Alison Wilson's grief was partly indulged and partly relieved by the + torrent of invectives with which she accompanied Mause and Cuddie's + expulsion from Milnwood. +</p> +<p> + "Ill luck be in the graning corse o' thee! the prettiest lad in + Clydesdale this day maun be a sufferer, and a' for you and your daft + whiggery!" +</p> +<p> + "Gae wa'," replied Mause; "I trow ye are yet in the bonds of sin, and in + the gall of iniquity, to grudge your bonniest and best in the cause of + Him that gave ye a' ye hae—I promise I hae dune as muckle for Mr Harry + as I wad do for my ain; for if Cuddie was found worthy to bear testimony + in the Grassmarket"—"And there's gude hope o't," said Alison, "unless + you and he change your courses." +</p> +<p> + "—And if," continued Mause, disregarding the interruption, "the bloody + Doegs and the flattering Ziphites were to seek to ensnare me with a + proffer of his remission upon sinful compliances, I wad persevere, + natheless, in lifting my testimony against popery, prelacy, + antinomianism, erastianism, lapsarianism, sublapsarianism, and the sins + and snares of the times—I wad cry as a woman in labour against the black + Indulgence, that has been a stumbling-block to professors—I wad uplift + my voice as a powerful preacher." +</p> +<p> + "Hout tout, mither," cried Cuddie, interfering and dragging her off + forcibly, "dinna deave the gentlewoman wi' your testimony! ye hae + preached eneugh for sax days. Ye preached us out o' our canny free-house + and gude kale-yard, and out o' this new city o' refuge afore our hinder + end was weel hafted in it; and ye hae preached Mr Harry awa to the + prison; and ye hae preached twenty punds out o' the Laird's pocket that + he likes as ill to quit wi'; and sae ye may haud sae for ae wee while, + without preaching me up a ladder and down a tow. Sae, come awa, come awa; + the family hae had eneugh o' your testimony to mind it for ae while." +</p> +<p> + So saying he dragged off Mause, the words, + "Testimony—Covenant—malignants—indulgence," still thrilling upon her + tongue, to make preparations for instantly renewing their travels in + quest of an asylum. +</p> +<p> + "Ill-fard, crazy, crack-brained gowk, that she is!" exclaimed the + housekeeper, as she saw them depart, "to set up to be sae muckle better + than ither folk, the auld besom, and to bring sae muckle distress on a + douce quiet family! If it hadna been that I am mair than half a + gentlewoman by my station, I wad hae tried my ten nails in the wizen'd + hide o' her!" +</p> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX. +</h2> +<pre> + I am a son of Mars who have been in many wars, + And show my cuts and scars wherever I come; + This here was for a wench, and that other in a trench, + When welcoming the French at the sound of the drum. + Burns. +</pre> +<p> + "Don't be too much cast down," said Sergeant Bothwell to his prisoner as + they journeyed on towards the head-quarters; "you are a smart pretty lad, + and well connected; the worst that will happen will be strapping up for + it, and that is many an honest fellow's lot. I tell you fairly your + life's within the compass of the law, unless you make submission, and get + off by a round fine upon your uncle's estate; he can well afford it." +</p> +<p> + "That vexes me more than the rest," said Henry. "He parts with his money + with regret; and, as he had no concern whatever with my having given this + person shelter for a night, I wish to Heaven, if I escape a capital + punishment, that the penalty may be of a kind I could bear in my own + person." +</p> +<p> + "Why, perhaps," said Bothwell, "they will propose to you to go into one + of the Scotch regiments that are serving abroad. It's no bad line of + service; if your friends are active, and there are any knocks going, you + may soon get a commission." +</p> +<p> + "I am by no means sure," answered Morton, "that such a sentence is not + the best thing that can happen to me." +</p> +<p> + "Why, then, you are no real whig after all?" said the sergeant. +</p> +<p> + "I have hitherto meddled with no party in the state," said Henry, "but + have remained quietly at home; and sometimes I have had serious thoughts + of joining one of our foreign regiments." +</p> +<p> + "Have you?" replied Bothwell; "why, I honour you for it; I have served in + the Scotch French guards myself many a long day; it's the place for + learning discipline, d—n me. They never mind what you do when you are + off duty; but miss you the roll-call, and see how they'll arrange + you—D—n me, if old Captain Montgomery didn't make me mount guard upon + the arsenal in my steel-back and breast, plate-sleeves and head-piece, + for six hours at once, under so burning a sun, that gad I was baked like + a turtle at Port Royale. I swore never to miss answering to Francis + Stewart again, though I should leave my hand of cards upon the + drum-head—Ah! discipline is a capital thing." +</p> +<p> + "In other respects you liked the service?" said Morton, +</p> +<p> + "Par excellence," said Bothwell; "women, wine, and wassail, all to be had + for little but the asking; and if you find it in your conscience to let a + fat priest think he has some chance to convert you, gad he'll help you to + these comforts himself, just to gain a little ground in your good + affection. Where will you find a crop-eared whig parson will be so + civil?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, nowhere, I agree with you," said Henry; "but what was your chief + duty?" +</p> +<p> + "To guard the king's person," said Bothwell, "to look after the safety of + Louis le Grand, my boy, and now and then to take a turn among the + Huguenots (protestants, that is.) And there we had fine scope; it brought + my hand pretty well in for the service in this country. But, come, as you + are to be a bon camerado, as the Spaniards say, I must put you in cash + with some of your old uncle's broad-pieces. This is cutter's law; we must + not see a pretty fellow want, if we have cash ourselves." +</p> +<p> + Thus speaking, he pulled out his purse, took out some of the contents, + and offered them to Henry without counting them. Young Morton declined + the favour; and, not judging it prudent to acquaint the sergeant, + notwithstanding his apparent generosity, that he was actually in + possession of some money, he assured him he should have no difficulty in + getting a supply from his uncle. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Bothwell, "in that case these yellow rascals must serve to + ballast my purse a little longer. I always make it a rule never to quit + the tavern (unless ordered on duty) while my purse is so weighty that I + can chuck it over the signpost. [Note: A Highland laird, whose + peculiarities live still in the recollection of his countrymen, used to + regulate his residence at Edinburgh in the following manner: Every day he + visited the Water-gate, as it is called, of the Canongate, over which is + extended a wooden arch. Specie being then the general currency, he threw + his purse over the gate, and as long as it was heavy enough to be thrown + over, he continued his round of pleasure in the metropolis; when it was + too light, he thought it time to retire to the Highlands. Query—How + often would he have repeated this experiment at Temple Bar?] When it is + so light that the wind blows it back, then, boot and saddle,—we must + fall on some way of replenishing.—But what tower is that before us, + rising so high upon the steep bank, out of the woods that surround it on + every side?" +</p> +<p> + "It is the tower of Tillietudlem," said one of the soldiers. "Old Lady + Margaret Bellenden lives there. She's one of the best affected women in + the country, and one that's a soldier's friend. When I was hurt by one of + the d—d whig dogs that shot at me from behind a fauld-dike, I lay a + month there, and would stand such another wound to be in as good quarters + again." +</p> +<p> + "If that be the case," said Bothwell, "I will pay my respects to her as + we pass, and request some refreshment for men and horses; I am as thirsty + already as if I had drunk nothing at Milnwood. But it is a good thing in + these times," he continued, addressing himself to Henry, "that the King's + soldier cannot pass a house without getting a refreshment. In such houses + as Tillie—what d'ye call it? you are served for love; in the houses of + the avowed fanatics you help yourself by force; and among the moderate + presbyterians and other suspicious persons, you are well treated from + fear; so your thirst is always quenched on some terms or other." +</p> +<p> + "And you purpose," said Henry, anxiously, "to go upon that errand up to + the tower younder?" +</p> +<p> + "To be sure I do," answered Bothwell. "How should I be able to report + favourably to my officers of the worthy lady's sound principles, unless I + know the taste of her sack, for sack she will produce—that I take for + granted; it is the favourite consoler of your old dowager of quality, as + small claret is the potation of your country laird." +</p> +<p> + "Then, for heaven's sake," said Henry, "if you are determined to go + there, do not mention my name, or expose me to a family that I am + acquainted with. Let me be muffled up for the time in one of your + soldier's cloaks, and only mention me generally as a prisoner under your + charge." +</p> +<p> + "With all my heart," said Bothwell; "I promised to use you civilly, and I + scorn to break my word.—Here, Andrews, wrap a cloak round the prisoner, + and do not mention his name, nor where we caught him, unless you would + have a trot on a horse of wood." +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Wooden Mare. The punishment of riding the wooden mare was, + in the days of Charles and long after, one of the various and cruel + modes of enforcing military discipline. In front of the old + guard-house in the High Street of Edinburgh, a large horse of this + kind was placed, on which now and then, in the more ancient times, a + veteran might be seen mounted, with a firelock tied to each foot, + atoning for some small offence. + + There is a singular work, entitled Memoirs of Prince William Henry, + Duke of Gloucester, (son of Queen Anne,) from his birth to his ninth + year, in which Jenkin Lewis, an honest Welshman in attendance on the + royal infant's person, is pleased to record that his Royal Highness + laughed, cried, crow'd, and said Gig and Dy, very like a babe of + plebeian descent. He had also a premature taste for the discipline + as well as the show of war, and had a corps of twenty-two boys, + arrayed with paper caps and wooden swords. For the maintenance of + discipline in this juvenile corps, a wooden horse was established in + the Presence-chamber, and was sometimes employed in the punishment + of offences not strictly military. Hughes, the Duke's tailor, having + made him a suit of clothes which were too tight, was appointed, in + an order of the day issued by the young prince, to be placed on this + penal steed. The man of remnants, by dint of supplication and + mediation, escaped from the penance, which was likely to equal the + inconveniences of his brother artist's equestrian trip to Brentford. + But an attendant named Weatherly, who had presumed to bring the + young Prince a toy, (after he had discarded the use of them,) was + actually mounted on the wooden horse without a saddle, with his face + to the tail, while he was plied by four servants of the household + with syringes and squirts, till he had a thorough wetting. "He was a + waggish fellow," says Lewis, "and would not lose any thing for the + joke's sake when he was putting his tricks upon others, so he was + obliged to submit cheerfully to what was inflicted upon him, being + at our mercy to play him off well, which we did accordingly." Amid + much such nonsense, Lewis's book shows that this poor child, the + heir of the British monarchy, who died when he was eleven years old, + was, in truth, of promising parts, and of a good disposition. The + volume, which rarely occurs, is an octavo, published in 1789, the + editor being Dr Philip Hayes of Oxford.] +</pre> +<p> + They were at this moment at an arched gateway, battlemented and flanked + with turrets, one whereof was totally ruinous, excepting the lower story, + which served as a cow-house to the peasant, whose family inhabited the + turret that remained entire. The gate had been broken down by Monk's + soldiers during the civil war, and had never been replaced, therefore + presented no obstacle to Bothwell and his party. The avenue, very steep + and narrow, and causewayed with large round stones, ascended the side of + the precipitous bank in an oblique and zigzag course, now showing now + hiding a view of the tower and its exterior bulwarks, which seemed to + rise almost perpendicularly above their heads. The fragments of Gothic + defences which it exhibited were upon such a scale of strength, as + induced Bothwell to exclaim, "It's well this place is in honest and loyal + hands. Egad, if the enemy had it, a dozen of old whigamore wives with + their distaffs might keep it against a troop of dragoons, at least if + they had half the spunk of the old girl we left at Milnwood. Upon my + life," he continued, as they came in front of the large double tower and + its surrounding defences and flankers, "it is a superb place, founded, + says the worn inscription over the gate—unless the remnant of my Latin + has given me the slip—by Sir Ralph de Bellenden in 1350—a respectable + antiquity. I must greet the old lady with due honour, though it should + put me to the labour of recalling some of the compliments that I used to + dabble in when I was wont to keep that sort of company." +</p> +<p> + As he thus communed with himself, the butler, who had reconnoitred the + soldiers from an arrowslit in the wall, announced to his lady, that a + commanded party of dragoons, or, as he thought, Life-Guardsmen, waited at + the gate with a prisoner under their charge. +</p> +<p> + "I am certain," said Gudyill, "and positive, that the sixth man is a + prisoner; for his horse is led, and the two dragoons that are before have + their carabines out of their budgets, and rested upon their thighs. It + was aye the way we guarded prisoners in the days of the great Marquis." +</p> +<p> + "King's soldiers?" said the lady; "probably in want of refreshment. Go, + Gudyill, make them welcome, and let them be accommodated with what + provision and forage the Tower can afford.—And stay, tell my gentlewoman + to bring my black scarf and manteau. I will go down myself to receive + them; one cannot show the King's Life-Guards too much respect in times + when they are doing so much for royal authority. And d'ye hear, Gudyill, + let Jenny Dennison slip on her pearlings to walk before my niece and me, + and the three women to walk behind; and bid my niece attend me + instantly." +</p> +<p> + Fully accoutred, and attended according to her directions, Lady Margaret + now sailed out into the court-yard of her tower with great courtesy and + dignity. Sergeant Bothwell saluated the grave and reverend lady of the + manor with an assurance which had something of the light and careless + address of the dissipated men of fashion in Charles the Second's time, + and did not at all savour of the awkward or rude manners of a + non-commissioned officer of dragoons. His language, as well as his + manners, seemed also to be refined for the time and occasion; though the + truth was, that, in the fluctuations of an adventurous and profligate + life, Bothwell had sometimes kept company much better suited to his + ancestry than to his present situation of life. To the lady's request to + know whether she could be of service to them, he answered, with a + suitable bow, "That as they had to march some miles farther that night, + they would be much accommodated by permission to rest their horses for an + hour before continuing their journey." +</p> +<p> + "With the greatest pleasure," answered Lady Margaret; "and I trust that + my people will see that neither horse nor men want suitable refreshment." +</p> +<p> + "We are well aware, madam," continued Bothwell, "that such has always + been the reception, within the walls of Tillietudlem, of those who served + the King." +</p> +<p> + "We have studied to discharge our duty faithfully and loyally on all + occasions, sir," answered Lady Margaret, pleased with the compliment, + "both to our monarchs and to their followers, particularly to their + faithful soldiers. It is not long ago, and it probably has not escaped + the recollection of his sacret majesty, now on the throne, since he + himself honoured my poor house with his presence and breakfasted in a + room in this castle, Mr Sergeant, which my waiting-gentlewoman shall show + you; we still call it the King's room." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell had by this time dismounted his party, and committed the horses + to the charge of one file, and the prisoner to that of another; so that + he himself was at liberty to continue the conversation which the lady had + so condescendingly opened. +</p> +<p> + "Since the King, my master, had the honour to experience your + hospitality, I cannot wonder that it is extended to those that serve him, + and whose principal merit is doing it with fidelity. And yet I have a + nearer relation to his majesty than this coarse red coat would seem to + indicate." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, sir? Probably," said Lady Margaret, "you have belonged to his + household?" +</p> +<p> + "Not exactly, madam, to his household, but rather to his house; a + connexion through which I may claim kindred with most of the best + families in Scotland, not, I believe, exclusive of that of Tillietudlem." +</p> +<p> + "Sir?" said the old lady, drawing herself up with dignity at hearing what + she conceived an impertinent jest, "I do not understand you." +</p> +<p> + "It's but a foolish subject for one in my situation to talk of, madam," + answered the trooper; "but you must have heard of the history and + misfortunes of my grandfather Francis Stewart, to whom James I., his + cousin-german, gave the title of Bothwell, as my comrades give me the + nickname. It was not in the long run more advantageous to him than it is + to me." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" said Lady Margaret, with much sympathy and surprise; "I have + indeed always understood that the grandson of the last Earl was in + necessitous circumstances, but I should never have expected to see him so + low in the service. With such connexions, what ill fortune could have + reduced you"— +</p> +<p> + "Nothing much out of the ordinary course, I believe, madam," said + Bothwell, interrupting and anticipating the question. "I have had my + moments of good luck like my neighbours—have drunk my bottle with + Rochester, thrown a merry main with Buckingham, and fought at Tangiers + side by side with Sheffield. But my luck never lasted; I could not make + useful friends out of my jolly companions—Perhaps I was not sufficiently + aware," he continued, with some bitterness, "how much the descendant of + the Scottish Stewarts was honoured by being admitted into the + convivialities of Wilmot and Villiers." +</p> +<p> + "But your Scottish friends, Mr Stewart, your relations here, so numerous + and so powerful?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, ay, my lady," replied the sergeant, "I believe some of them might + have made me their gamekeeper, for I am a tolerable shot—some of them + would have entertained me as their bravo, for I can use my sword + well—and here and there was one, who, when better company was not to + be had, would have made me his companion, since I can drink my three + bottles of wine.—But I don't know how it is—between service and + service among my kinsmen, I prefer that of my cousin Charles as the most + creditable of them all, although the pay is but poor, and the livery far + from splendid." +</p> +<p> + "It is a shame, it is a burning scandal!" said Lady Margaret. "Why do you + not apply to his most sacred majesty? he cannot but be surprised to hear + that a scion of his august family"— +</p> +<p> + "I beg your pardon, madam," interrupted the sergeant, "I am but a blunt + soldier, and I trust you will excuse me when I say, his most sacred + majesty is more busy in grafting scions of his own, than with nourishing + those which were planted by his grandfather's grandfather." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Mr Stewart," said Lady Margaret, "one thing you must promise + me—remain at Tillietudlem to-night; to-morrow I expect your + commanding-officer, the gallant Claverhouse, to whom king and country + are so much obliged for his exertions against those who would turn the + world upside down. I will speak to him on the subject of your speedy + promotion; and I am certain he feels too much, both what is due to the + blood which is in your veins, and to the request of a lady so highly + distinguished as myself by his most sacred majesty, not to make better + provision for you than you have yet received." +</p> +<p> + "I am much obliged to your ladyship, and I certainly will remain her with + my prisoner, since you request it, especially as it will be the earliest + way of presenting him to Colonel Grahame, and obtaining his ultimate + orders about the young spark." +</p> +<p> + "Who is your prisoner, pray you?" said Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "A young fellow of rather the better class in this neighbourhood, who has + been so incautious as to give countenance to one of the murderers of the + primate, and to facilitate the dog's escape." +</p> +<p> + "O, fie upon him!" said Lady Margaret; "I am but too apt to forgive the + injuries I have received at the hands of these rogues, though some of + them, Mr Stewart, are of a kind not like to be forgotten; but those who + would abet the perpetrators of so cruel and deliberate a homicide on a + single man, an old man, and a man of the Archbishop's sacred + profession—O fie upon him! If you wish to make him secure, with little + trouble to your people, I will cause Harrison, or Gudyill, look for the + key of our pit, or principal dungeon. It has not been open since the + week after the victory of Kilsythe, when my poor Sir Arthur Bellenden + put twenty whigs into it; but it is not more than two stories beneath + ground, so it cannot be unwholesome, especially as I rather believe + there is somewhere an opening to the outer air." +</p> +<p> + "I beg your pardon, madam," answered the sergeant; "I daresay the dungeon + is a most admirable one; but I have promised to be civil to the lad, and + I will take care he is watched, so as to render escape impossible. I'll + set those to look after him shall keep him as fast as if his legs were in + the boots, or his fingers in the thumbikins." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Mr Stewart," rejoined the lady, "you best know your own duty. I + heartily wish you good evening, and commit you to the care of my steward, + Harrison. I would ask you to keep ourselves company, but a—a—a—" +</p> +<p> + "O, madam, it requires no apology; I am sensible the coarse red coat of + King Charles II. does and ought to annihilate the privileges of the red + blood of King James V." +</p> +<p> + "Not with me, I do assure you, Mr Stewart; you do me injustice if you + think so. I will speak to your officer to-morrow; and I trust you shall + soon find yourself in a rank where there shall be no anomalies to be + reconciled." +</p> +<p> + "I believe, madam," said Bothwell, "your goodness will find itself + deceived; but I am obliged to you for your intention, and, at all events, + I will have a merry night with Mr Harrison." +</p> +<p> + Lady Margaret took a ceremonious leave, with all the respect which she + owed to royal blood, even when flowing in the veins of a sergeant of the + Life-Guards; again assuring Mr Stewart, that whatever was in the Tower of + Tillietudlem was heartily at his service and that of his attendants. +</p> +<p> + Sergeant Bothwell did not fail to take the lady at her word, and readily + forgot the height from which his family had descended, in a joyous + carousal, during which Mr Harrison exerted himself to produce the best + wine in the cellar, and to excite his guest to be merry by that seducing + example, which, in matters of conviviality, goes farther than precept. + Old Gudyill associated himself with a party so much to his taste, pretty + much as Davy, in the Second Part of Henry the Fourth, mingles in the + revels of his master, Justice Shallow. He ran down to the cellar at the + risk of breaking his neck, to ransack some private catacomb, known, as he + boasted, only to himself, and which never either had, or should, during + his superintendence, renden forth a bottle of its contents to any one but + a real king's friend. +</p> +<p> + "When the Duke dined here," said the butler, seating himself at a + distance from the table, being somewhat overawed by Bothwell's genealogy, + but yet hitching his seat half a yard nearer at every clause of his + speech, "my leddy was importunate to have a bottle of that + Burgundy,"—(here he advanced his seat a little,)—"but I dinna ken how + it was, Mr Stewart, I misdoubted him. I jaloused him, sir, no to be the + friend to government he pretends: the family are not to lippen to. That + auld Duke James lost his heart before he lost his head; and the + Worcester man was but wersh parritch, neither gude to fry, boil, nor sup + cauld." (With this witty observation, he completed his first parallel, + and commenced a zigzag after the manner of an experienced engineer, in + order to continue his approaches to the table.) "Sae, sir, the faster my + leddy cried 'Burgundy to his Grace—the auld Burgundy—the choice + Burgundy—the Burgundy that came ower in the thirty-nine'—the mair did + I say to mysell, Deil a drap gangs down his hause unless I was mair + sensible o' his principles; sack and claret may serve him. Na, na, + gentlemen, as lang as I hae the trust o'butler in this house + o'Tillietudlem, I'll tak it upon me to see that nae disloyal or doubtfu' + person is the better o' our binns. But when I can find a true friend to + the king and his cause, and a moderate episcopacy; when I find a man, as + I say, that will stand by church and crown as I did mysell in my + master's life, and all through Montrose's time, I think there's naething + in the cellar ower gude to be spared on him." +</p> +<p> + By this time he had completed a lodgment in the body of the place, or, in + other words, advanced his seat close to the table. +</p> +<p> + "And now, Mr Francis Stewart of Bothwell, I have the honour to drink your + gude health, and a commission t'ye, and much luck may ye have in raking + this country clear o'whigs and roundheads, fanatics and Covenanters." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell, who, it may well be believed, had long ceased to be very + scrupulous in point of society, which he regulated more by his + convenience and station in life than his ancestry, readily answered the + butler's pledge, acknowledging, at the same time, the excellence of the + wine; and Mr Gudyill, thus adopted a regular member of the company, + continued to furnish them with the means of mirth until an early hour in + the next morning. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X. +</h2> +<pre> + Did I but purpose to embark with thee + On the smooth surface of a summer sea, + And would forsake the skiff and make the shore + When the winds whistle and the tempests roar? + Prior. +</pre> +<p> + While Lady Margaret held, with the high-descended sergeant of dragoons, + the conference which we have detailed in the preceding pages, her + grand-daughter, partaking in a less degree her ladyship's enthusiasm for + all who were sprung of the blood-royal, did not honour Sergeant Bothwell + with more attention than a single glance, which showed her a tall + powerful person, and a set of hardy weather-beaten features, to which + pride and dissipation had given an air where discontent mingled with the + reckless gaiety of desperation. The other soldiers offered still less to + detach her consideration; but from the prisoner, muffled and disguised as + he was, she found it impossible to withdraw her eyes. Yet she blamed + herself for indulging a curiosity which seemed obviously to give pain to + him who was its object. +</p> +<p> + "I wish," she said to Jenny Dennison, who was the immediate attendant on + her person, "I wish we knew who that poor fellow is." +</p> +<p> + "I was just thinking sae mysell, Miss Edith," said the waiting woman, + "but it canna be Cuddie Headrigg, because he's taller and no sae stout." +</p> +<p> + "Yet," continued Miss Bellenden, "it may be some poor neigbour, for whom + we might have cause to interest ourselves." +</p> +<p> + "I can sune learn wha he is," said the enterprising Jenny, "if the + sodgers were anes settled and at leisure, for I ken ane o' them very + weel—the best-looking and the youngest o' them." +</p> +<p> + "I think you know all the idle young fellows about the country," answered + her mistress. +</p> +<p> + "Na, Miss Edith, I am no sae free o' my acquaintance as that," answered + the fille-de-chambre. "To be sure, folk canna help kenning the folk by + head-mark that they see aye glowring and looking at them at kirk and + market; but I ken few lads to speak to unless it be them o' the family, + and the three Steinsons, and Tam Rand, and the young miller, and the five + Howisons in Nethersheils, and lang Tam Gilry, and"— +</p> +<p> + "Pray cut short a list of exceptions which threatens to be a long one, + and tell me how you come to know this young soldier," said Miss + Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + "Lord, Miss Edith, it's Tam Halliday, Trooper Tam, as they ca' him, that + was wounded by the hill-folk at the conventicle at Outer-side Muir, and + lay here while he was under cure. I can ask him ony thing, and Tam will + no refuse to answer me, I'll be caution for him." +</p> +<p> + "Try, then," said Miss Edith, "if you can find an opportunity to ask him + the name of his prisoner, and come to my room and tell me what he says." +</p> +<p> + Jenny Dennison proceeded on her errand, but soon returned with such a + face of surprise and dismay as evinced a deep interest in the fate of the + prisoner. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter?" said Edith, anxiously; "does it prove to be Cuddie, + after all, poor fellow?" +</p> +<p> + "Cuddie, Miss Edith? Na! na! it's nae Cuddie," blubbered out the faithful + fille-de-chambre, sensible of the pain which her news were about to + inflict on her young mistress. "O dear, Miss Edith, it's young Milnwood + himsell!" +</p> +<p> + "Young Milnwood!" exclaimed Edith, aghast in her turn; "it is + impossible—totally impossible!—His uncle attends the clergyman + indulged by law, and has no connexion whatever with the refractory + people; and he himself has never interfered in this unhappy dissension; + he must be totally innocent, unless he has been standing up for some + invaded right." +</p> +<p> + "O, my dear Miss Edith," said her attendant, "these are not days to ask + what's right or what's wrang; if he were as innocent as the new-born + infant, they would find some way of making him guilty, if they liked; but + Tam Halliday says it will touch his life, for he has been resetting ane + o' the Fife gentlemen that killed that auld carle of an Archbishop." +</p> +<p> + "His life!" exclaimed Edith, starting hastily up, and speaking with a + hurried and tremulous accent,—"they cannot—they shall not—I will speak + for him—they shall not hurt him!" +</p> +<p> + "O, my dear young leddy, think on your grandmother; think on the danger + and the difficulty," added Jenny; "for he's kept under close confinement + till Claverhouse comes up in the morning, and if he doesna gie him full + satisfaction, Tam Halliday says there will be brief wark wi' him—Kneel + down—mak ready—present—fire—just as they did wi' auld deaf John + Macbriar, that never understood a single question they pat till him, and + sae lost his life for lack o' hearing." +</p> +<p> + "Jenny," said the young lady, "if he should die, I will die with him; + there is no time to talk of danger or difficulty—I will put on a plaid, + and slip down with you to the place where they have kept him—I will + throw myself at the feet of the sentinel, and entreat him, as he has a + soul to be saved"— +</p> +<p> + "Eh, guide us!" interrupted the maid, "our young leddy at the feet o' + Trooper Tam, and speaking to him about his soul, when the puir chield + hardly kens whether he has ane or no, unless that he whiles swears by + it—that will never do; but what maun be maun be, and I'll never desert a + true-love cause—And sae, if ye maun see young Milnwood, though I ken nae + gude it will do, but to make baith your hearts the sairer, I'll e'en tak + the risk o't, and try to manage Tam Halliday; but ye maun let me hae my + ain gate and no speak ae word—he's keeping guard o'er Milnwood in the + easter round of the tower." +</p> +<p> + "Go, go, fetch me a plaid," said Edith. "Let me but see him, and I will + find some remedy for his danger—Haste ye, Jenny, as ever ye hope to have + good at my hands." +</p> +<p> + Jenny hastened, and soon returned with a plaid, in which Edith muffled + herself so as completely to screen her face, and in part to disguise her + person. This was a mode of arranging the plaid very common among the + ladies of that century, and the earlier part of the succeeding one; so + much so, indeed, that the venerable sages of the Kirk, conceiving that + the mode gave tempting facilities for intrigue, directed more than one + act of Assembly against this use of the mantle. But fashion, as usual, + proved too strong for authority, and while plaids continued to be worn, + women of all ranks occasionally employed them as a sort of muffler or + veil. [Note: Concealment of an individual, while in public or promiscuous + society, was then very common. In England, where no plaids were worn, the + ladies used vizard masks for the same purpose, and the gallants drew the + skirts of their cloaks over the right shoulder, so as to cover part of + the face. This is repeatedly alluded to in Pepys's Diary.] Her face and + figure thus concealed, Edith, holding by her attendant's arm, hastened + with trembling steps to the place of Morton's confinement. +</p> +<p> + This was a small study or closet, in one of the turrets, opening upon a + gallery in which the sentinel was pacing to and fro; for Sergeant + Bothwell, scrupulous in observing his word, and perhaps touched with some + compassion for the prisoner's youth and genteel demeanour, had waved the + indignity of putting his guard into the same apartment with him. + Halliday, therefore, with his carabine on his arm, walked up and down the + gallery, occasionally solacing himself with a draught of ale, a huge + flagon of which stood upoon the table at one end of the apartment, and at + other times humming the lively Scottish air, +</p> +<p> + "Between Saint Johnstone and Bonny Dundee, I'll gar ye be fain to follow + me." +</p> +<p> + Jenny Dennison cautioned her mistress once more to let her take her own + way. +</p> +<p> + "I can manage the trooper weel eneugh," she said, "for as rough as he + is—I ken their nature weel; but ye maunna say a single word." +</p> +<p> + She accordingly opened the door of the gallery just as the sentinel had + turned his back from it, and taking up the tune which he hummed, she sung + in a coquettish tone of rustic raillery, +</p> +<p> + "If I were to follow a poor sodger lad, My friends wad be angry, my + minnie be mad; A laird, or a lord, they were fitter for me, Sae I'll + never be fain to follow thee."— +</p> +<p> + "A fair challenge, by Jove," cried the sentinel, turning round, "and from + two at once; but it's not easy to bang the soldier with his bandoleers;" + then taking up the song where the damsel had stopt, +</p> +<p> + "To follow me ye weel may be glad, A share of my supper, a share of my + bed, To the sound of the drum to range fearless and free, I'll gar ye be + fain to follow me."— +</p> +<p> + "Come, my pretty lass, and kiss me for my song." +</p> +<p> + "I should not have thought of that, Mr Halliday," answered Jenny, with a + look and tone expressing just the necessary degree of contempt at the + proposal, "and, I'se assure ye, ye'll hae but little o' my company unless + ye show gentler havings—It wasna to hear that sort o'nonsense that + brought me here wi' my friend, and ye should think shame o' yoursell, 'at + should ye." +</p> +<p> + "Umph! and what sort of nonsense did bring you here then, Mrs Dennison?" +</p> +<p> + "My kinswoman has some particular business with your prisoner, young Mr + Harry Morton, and I am come wi' her to speak till him." +</p> +<p> + "The devil you are!" answered the sentinel; "and pray, Mrs Dennison, how + do your kinswoman and you propose to get in? You are rather too plump to + whisk through a keyhole, and opening the door is a thing not to be spoke + of." +</p> +<p> + "It's no a thing to be spoken o', but a thing to be dune," replied the + persevering damsel. +</p> +<p> + "We'll see about that, my bonny Jenny;" and the soldier resumed his + march, humming, as he walked to and fro along the gallery, +</p> +<p> + "Keek into the draw-well, Janet, Janet, Then ye'll see your bonny sell, + My joe Janet." +</p> +<p> + "So ye're no thinking to let us in, Mr Halliday? Weel, weel; gude e'en to + you—ye hae seen the last o' me, and o' this bonny die too," said Jenny, + holding between her finger and thumb a splendid silver dollar. +</p> +<p> + "Give him gold, give him gold," whispered the agitated young lady. +</p> +<p> + "Silver's e'en ower gude for the like o' him," replied Jenny, "that disna + care for the blink o' a bonny lassie's ee—and what's waur, he wad think + there was something mair in't than a kinswoman o' mine. My certy! + siller's no sae plenty wi' us, let alane gowd." Having addressed this + advice aside to her mistress, she raised her voice, and said, "My cousin + winna stay ony langer, Mr Halliday; sae, if ye please, gude e'en t'ye." +</p> +<p> + "Halt a bit, halt a bit," said the trooper; "rein up and parley, Jenny. + If I let your kinswoman in to speak to my prisoner, you must stay here + and keep me company till she come out again, and then we'll all be well + pleased you know." +</p> +<p> + "The fiend be in my feet then," said Jenny; "d'ye think my kinswoman and + me are gaun to lose our gude name wi' cracking clavers wi' the like o' + you or your prisoner either, without somebody by to see fair play? Hegh, + hegh, sirs, to see sic a difference between folk's promises and + performance! Ye were aye willing to slight puir Cuddie; but an I had + asked him to oblige me in a thing, though it had been to cost his + hanging, he wadna hae stude twice about it." +</p> +<p> + "D—n Cuddie!" retorted the dragoon, "he'll be hanged in good earnest, I + hope. I saw him today at Milnwood with his old puritanical b—of a + mother, and if I had thought I was to have had him cast in my dish, I + would have brought him up at my horse's tail—we had law enough to bear + us out." +</p> +<p> + "Very weel, very weel—See if Cuddie winna hae a lang shot at you ane o' + thae days, if ye gar him tak the muir wi' sae mony honest folk. He can + hit a mark brawly; he was third at the popinjay; and he's as true of his + promise as of ee and hand, though he disna mak sic a phrase about it as + some acquaintance o' yours—But it's a' ane to me—Come, cousin, we'll + awa'." +</p> +<p> + "Stay, Jenny; d—n me, if I hang fire more than another when I have said + a thing," said the soldier, in a hesitating tone. "Where is the + sergeant?" +</p> +<p> + "Drinking and driving ower," quoth Jenny, "wi' the Steward and John + Gudyill." +</p> +<p> + "So, so—he's safe enough—and where are my comrades?" asked Halliday. +</p> +<p> + "Birling the brown bowl wi' the fowler and the falconer, and some o' the + serving folk." +</p> +<p> + "Have they plenty of ale?" +</p> +<p> + "Sax gallons, as gude as e'er was masked," said the maid. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, my pretty Jenny," said the relenting sentinel, "they are + fast till the hour of relieving guard, and perhaps something later; and + so, if you will promise to come alone the next time"—"Maybe I will, and + maybe I winna," said Jenny; "but if ye get the dollar, ye'll like that + just as weel." +</p> +<p> + "I'll be d—n'd if I do," said Halliday, taking the money, howeve; "but + it's always something for my risk; for, if Claverhouse hears what I have + done, he will build me a horse as high as the Tower of Tillietudlem. But + every one in the regiment takes what they can come by; I am sure Bothwell + and his blood-royal shows us a good example. And if I were trusting to + you, you little jilting devil, I should lose both pains and powder; + whereas this fellow," looking at the piece, "will be good as far as he + goes. So, come, there is the door open for you; do not stay groaning and + praying with the young whig now, but be ready, when I call at the door, + to start, as if they were sounding 'Horse and away.'" +</p> +<p> + So speaking, Halliday unlocked the door of the closet, admitted Jenny and + her pretended kinswoman, locked it behind them, and hastily reassumed the + indifferent measured step and time-killing whistle of a sentinel upon his + regular duty. +</p> +<p> + The door, which slowly opened, discovered Morton with both arms reclined + upon a table, and his head resting upon them in a posture of deep + dejection. He raised his face as the door opened, and, perceiving the + female figures which it admitted, started up in great surprise. Edith, as + if modesty had quelled the courage which despair had bestowed, stood + about a yard from the door without having either the power to speak or to + advance. All the plans of aid, relief, or comfort, which she had proposed + to lay before her lover, seemed at once to have vanished from her + recollection, and left only a painful chaos of ideas, with which was + mingled a fear that she had degraded herself in the eyes of Morton by a + step which might appear precipitate and unfeminine. She hung motionless + and almost powerless upon the arm of her attendant, who in vain + endeavoured to reassure and inspire her with courage, by whispering, "We + are in now, madam, and we maun mak the best o' our time; for, doubtless, + the corporal or the sergeant will gang the rounds, and it wad be a pity + to hae the poor lad Halliday punished for his civility." +</p> +<p> + Morton, in the meantime, was timidly advancing, suspecting the truth; for + what other female in the house, excepting Edith herself, was likely to + take an interest in his misfortunes? and yet afraid, owing to the + doubtful twilight and the muffled dress, of making some mistake which + might be prejudicial to the object of his affections. Jenny, whose ready + wit and forward manners well qualified her for such an office, hastened + to break the ice. +</p> +<p> + "Mr Morton, Miss Edith's very sorry for your present situation, and"— +</p> +<p> + It was needless to say more; he was at her side, almost at her feet, + pressing her unresisting hands, and loading her with a profusion of + thanks and gratitude which would be hardly intelligible from the mere + broken words, unless we could describe the tone, the gesture, the + impassioned and hurried indications of deep and tumultuous feeling, with + which they were accompanied. +</p> +<p> + For two or three minutes, Edith stood as motionless as the statue of a + saint which receives the adoration of a worshipper; and when she + recovered herself sufficiently to withdraw her hands from Henry's grasp, + she could at first only faintly articulate, "I have taken a strange step, + Mr Morton—a step," she continued with more coherence, as her ideas + arranged themselves in consequence of a strong effort, "that perhaps may + expose me to censure in your eyes—But I have long permitted you to use + the language of friendship—perhaps I might say more—too long to leave + you when the world seems to have left you. How, or why, is this + imprisonment? what can be done? can my uncle, who thinks so highly of + you—can your own kinsman, Milnwood, be of no use? are there no means? + and what is likely to be the event?" +</p> +<p> + "Be what it will," answered Henry, contriving to make himself master of + the hand that had escaped from him, but which was now again abandoned to + his clasp, "be what it will, it is to me from this moment the most + welcome incident of a weary life. To you, dearest Edith—forgive me, I + should have said Miss Bellenden, but misfortune claims strange + privileges—to you I have owed the few happy moments which have gilded a + gloomy existence; and if I am now to lay it down, the recollection of + this honour will be my happiness in the last hour of suffering." +</p> +<p> + "But is it even thus, Mr Morton?" said Miss Bellenden. "Have you, who + used to mix so little in these unhappy feuds, become so suddenly and + deeply implicated, that nothing short of"— +</p> +<p> + She paused, unable to bring out the word which should have come next. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing short of my life, you would say?" replied Morton, in a calm, but + melancholy tone; "I believe that will be entirely in the bosoms of my + judges. My guards spoke of a possibility of exchanging the penalty for + entry into foreign service. I thought I could have embraced the + alternative; and yet, Miss Bellenden, since I have seen you once more, I + feel that exile would be more galling than death." +</p> +<p> + "And is it then true," said Edith, "that you have been so desperately + rash as to entertain communication with any of those cruel wretches who + assassinated the primate?" +</p> +<p> + "I knew not even that such a crime had been committed," replied Morton, + "when I gave unhappily a night's lodging and concealment to one of those + rash and cruel men, the ancient friend and comrade of my father. But my + ignorance will avail me little; for who, Miss Bellenden, save you, will + believe it? And, what is worse, I am at least uncertain whether, even if + I had known the crime, I could have brought my mind, under all the + circumstances, to refuse a temporary refuge to the fugitive." +</p> +<p> + "And by whom," said Edith, anxiously, "or under what authority, will the + investigation of your conduct take place?" +</p> +<p> + "Under that of Colonel Grahame of Claverhouse, I am given to understand," + said Morton; "one of the military commission, to whom it has pleased our + king, our privy council, and our parliament, that used to be more + tenacious of our liberties, to commit the sole charge of our goods and of + our lives." +</p> +<p> + "To Claverhouse?" said Edith, faintly; "merciful Heaven, you are lost ere + you are tried! He wrote to my grandmother that he was to be here + to-morrow morning, on his road to the head of the county, where some + desperate men, animated by the presence of two or three of the actors in + the primate's murder, are said to have assembled for the purpose of + making a stand against the government. His expressions made me shudder, + even when I could not guess that—that—a friend"— +</p> +<p> + "Do not be too much alarmed on my account, my dearest Edith," said Henry, + as he supported her in his arms; "Claverhouse, though stern and + relentless, is, by all accounts, brave, fair, and honourable. I am a + soldier's son, and will plead my cause like a soldier. He will perhaps + listen more favourably to a blunt and unvarnished defence than a + truckling and time-serving judge might do. And, indeed, in a time when + justice is, in all its branches, so completely corrupted, I would rather + lose my life by open military violence, than be conjured out of it by the + hocus-pocus of some arbitrary lawyer, who lends the knowledge he has of + the statutes made for our protection, to wrest them to our destruction." +</p> +<p> + "You are lost—you are lost, if you are to plead your cause with + Claverhouse!" sighed Edith; "root and branchwork is the mildest of his + expressions. The unhappy primate was his intimate friend and early + patron. 'No excuse, no subterfuge,' said his letter, 'shall save either + those connected with the deed, or such as have given them countenance and + shelter, from the ample and bitter penalty of the law, until I shall have + taken as many lives in vengeance of this atrocious murder, as the old man + had grey hairs upon his venerable head.' There is neither ruth nor favour + to be found with him." +</p> +<p> + Jenny Dennison, who had hitherto remained silent, now ventured, in the + extremity of distress which the lovers felt, but for which they were + unable to devise a remedy, to offer her own advice. +</p> +<p> + "Wi' your leddyship's pardon, Miss Edith, and young Mr Morton's, we + maunna waste time. Let Milnwood take my plaid and gown; I'll slip them + aff in the dark corner, if he'll promise no to look about, and he may + walk past Tam Halliday, who is half blind with his ale, and I can tell + him a canny way to get out o' the Tower, and your leddyship will gang + quietly to your ain room, and I'll row mysell in his grey cloak, and pit + on his hat, and play the prisoner till the coast's clear, and then I'll + cry in Tam Halliday, and gar him let me out." +</p> +<p> + "Let you out?" said Morton; "they'll make your life answer it." +</p> +<p> + "Ne'er a bit," replied Jenny; "Tam daurna tell he let ony body in, for + his ain sake; and I'll gar him find some other gate to account for the + escape." +</p> +<p> + "Will you, by G—?" said the sentinel, suddenly opening the door of the + apartment; "if I am half blind, I am not deaf, and you should not plan an + escape quite so loud, if you expect to go through with it. Come, come, + Mrs Janet—march, troop—quick time—trot, d—n me!—And you, madam + kinswoman,—I won't ask your real name, though you were going to play me + so rascally a trick,—but I must make a clear garrison; so beat a + retreat, unless you would have me turn out the guard." +</p> +<p> + "I hope," said Morton, very anxiously, "you will not mention this + circumstance, my good friend, and trust to my honour to acknowledge your + civility in keeping the secret. If you overheard our conversation, you + must have observed that we did not accept of, or enter into, the hasty + proposal made by this good-natured girl." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, devilish good-natured, to be sure," said Halliday. "As for the rest, + I guess how it is, and I scorn to bear malice, or tell tales, as much as + another; but no thanks to that little jilting devil, Jenny Dennison, who + deserves a tight skelping for trying to lead an honest lad into a scrape, + just because he was so silly as to like her good-for-little chit face." +</p> +<p> + Jenny had no better means of justification than the last apology to which + her sex trust, and usually not in vain; she pressed her handkerchief to + her face, sobbed with great vehemence, and either wept, or managed, as + Halliday might have said, to go through the motions wonderfully well. +</p> +<p> + "And now," continued the soldier, somewhat mollified, "if you have any + thing to say, say it in two minutes, and let me see your backs turned; + for if Bothwell take it into his drunken head to make the rounds half an + hour too soon, it will be a black business to us all." +</p> +<p> + "Farewell, Edith," whispered Morton, assuming a firmness he was far from + possessing; "do not remain here—leave me to my fate—it cannot be beyond + endurance since you are interested in it.—Good night, good night!—Do + not remain here till you are discovered." +</p> +<p> + Thus saying, he resigned her to her attendant, by whom she was quietly + led and partly supported out of the apartment. +</p> +<p> + "Every one has his taste, to be sure," said Halliday; "but d—n me if I + would have vexed so sweet a girl as that is, for all the whigs that ever + swore the Covenant." +</p> +<p> + When Edith had regained her apartment, she gave way to a burst of grief + which alarmed Jenny Dennison, who hastened to administer such scraps of + consolation as occurred to her. +</p> +<p> + "Dinna vex yoursell sae muckle, Miss Edith," said that faithful + attendant; "wha kens what may happen to help young Milnwood? He's a brave + lad, and a bonny, and a gentleman of a good fortune, and they winna + string the like o' him up as they do the puir whig bodies that they catch + in the muirs, like straps o' onions; maybe his uncle will bring him aff, + or maybe your ain grand-uncle will speak a gude word for him—he's weel + acquent wi' a' the red-coat gentlemen." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, Jenny! you are right," said Edith, recovering herself + from the stupor into which she had sunk; "this is no time for despair, + but for exertion. You must find some one to ride this very night to my + uncle's with a letter." +</p> +<p> + "To Charnwood, madam? It's unco late, and it's sax miles an' a bittock + doun the water; I doubt if we can find man and horse the night, mair + especially as they hae mounted a sentinel before the gate. Puir Cuddie! + he's gane, puir fallow, that wad hae dune aught in the warld I bade him, + and ne'er asked a reason—an' I've had nae time to draw up wi' the new + pleugh-lad yet; forby that, they say he's gaun to be married to Meg + Murdieson, illfaur'd cuttie as she is." +</p> +<p> + "You must find some one to go, Jenny; life and death depend upon it." +</p> +<p> + "I wad gang mysell, my leddy, for I could creep out at the window o' the + pantry, and speel down by the auld yew-tree weel eneugh—I hae played + that trick ere now. But the road's unco wild, and sae mony red-coats + about, forby the whigs, that are no muckle better (the young lads o' + them) if they meet a fraim body their lane in the muirs. I wadna stand + for the walk—I can walk ten miles by moonlight weel eneugh." +</p> +<p> + "Is there no one you can think of, that, for money or favour, would serve + me so far?" asked Edith, in great anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "I dinna ken," said Jenny, after a moment's consideration, "unless it be + Guse Gibbie; and he'll maybe no ken the way, though it's no sae difficult + to hit, if he keep the horse-road, and mind the turn at the Cappercleugh, + and dinna drown himsell in the Whomlekirn-pule, or fa' ower the scaur at + the Deil's Loaning, or miss ony o' the kittle steps at the Pass o' + Walkwary, or be carried to the hills by the whigs, or be taen to the + tolbooth by the red-coats." +</p> +<p> + "All ventures must be run," said Edith, cutting short the list of chances + against Goose Gibbie's safe arrival at the end of his pilgrimage; "all + risks must be run, unless you can find a better messenger.—Go, bid the + boy get ready, and get him out of the Tower as secretly as you can. If he + meets any one, let him say he is carrying a letter to Major Bellenden of + Charnwood, but without mentioning any names." +</p> +<p> + "I understand, madam," said Jenny Dennison; "I warrant the callant will + do weel eneugh, and Tib the hen-wife will tak care o' the geese for a + word o' my mouth; and I'll tell Gibbie your leddyship will mak his peace + wi' Lady Margaret, and we'll gie him a dollar." +</p> +<p> + "Two, if he does his errand well," said Edith. +</p> +<p> + Jenny departed to rouse Goose Gibbie out of his slumbers, to which he was + usually consigned at sundown, or shortly after, he keeping the hours of + the birds under his charge. During her absence, Edith took her writing + materials, and prepared against her return the following letter, + superscribed, For the hands of Major Bellenden of Charnwood, my much + honoured uncle, These: "My dear Uncle—This will serve to inform you I am + desirous to know how your gout is, as we did not see you at the + wappen-schaw, which made both my grandmother and myself very uneasy. And + if it will permit you to travel, we shall be happy to see you at our poor + house to-morrow at the hour of breakfast, as Colonel Grahame of + Claverhouse is to pass this way on his march, and we would willingly have + your assistance to receive and entertain a military man of such + distinction, who, probably, will not be much delighted with the company + of women. Also, my dear uncle, I pray you to let Mrs Carefor't, your + housekeeper, send me my double-trimmed paduasoy with the hanging sleeves, + which she will find in the third drawer of the walnut press in the green + room, which you are so kind as to call mine. Also, my dear uncle, I pray + you to send me the second volume of the Grand Cyrus, as I have only read + as far as the imprisonment of Philidaspes upon the seven hundredth and + thirty-third page; but, above all, I entreat you to come to us to-morrow + before eight of the clock, which, as your pacing nag is so good, you may + well do without rising before your usual hour. So, praying to God to + preserve your health, I rest your dutiful and loving niece, +</p> +<p> + "Edith Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + "Postscriptum. A party of soldiers have last night brought your friend, + young Mr Henry Morton of Milnwood, hither as a prisoner. I conclude you + will be sorry for the young gentleman, and, therefore, let you know this, + in case you may think of speaking to Colonel Grahame in his behalf. I + have not mentioned his name to my grandmother, knowing her prejudice + against the family." +</p> +<p> + This epistle being duly sealed and delivered to Jenny, that faithful + confidant hastened to put the same in the charge of Goose Gibbie, whom + she found in readiness to start from the castle. She then gave him + various instructions touching the road, which she apprehended he was + likely to mistake, not having travelled it above five or six times, and + possessing only the same slender proportion of memory as of judgment. + Lastly, she smuggled him out of the garrison through the pantry window + into the branchy yew-tree which grew close beside it, and had the + satisfaction to see him reach the bottom in safety, and take the right + turn at the commencement of his journey. She then returned to persuade + her young mistress to go to bed, and to lull her to rest, if possible, + with assurances of Gibbie's success in his embassy, only qualified by a + passing regret that the trusty Cuddie, with whom the commission might + have been more safely reposed, was no longer within reach of serving her. +</p> +<p> + More fortunate as a messenger than as a cavalier, it was Gibbie's good + hap rather than his good management, which, after he had gone astray not + oftener than nine times, and given his garments a taste of the variation + of each bog, brook, and slough, between Tillietudlem and Charnwood, + placed him about daybreak before the gate of Major Bellenden's mansion, + having completed a walk of ten miles (for the bittock, as usual, amounted + to four) in little more than the same number of hours. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI. +</h2> +<pre> + At last comes the troop, by the word of command + Drawn up in our court, where the Captain cries, + Stand! + Swift +</pre> +<p> + Major Bellenden's ancient valet, Gideon Pike as he adjusted his master's + clothes by his bedside, preparatory to the worthy veteran's toilet, + acquainted him, as an apology for disturbing him an hour earlier than his + usual time of rising, that there was an express from Tillietudlem. +</p> +<p> + "From Tillietudlem?" said the old gentleman, rising hastily in his bed, + and sitting bolt upright,—"Open the shutters, Pike—I hope my + sister-in-law is well—furl up the bed-curtain.—What have we all here?" + (glancing at Edith's note.) "The gout? why, she knows I have not had a + fit since Candlemas.—The wappen-schaw? I told her a month since I was + not to be there.—Paduasoy and hanging sleeves? why, hang the gipsy + herself!—Grand Cyrus and Philipdastus?—Philip Devil!—is the wench gone + crazy all at once? was it worth while to send an express and wake me + at five in the morning for all this trash?—But what says her + postscriptum?—Mercy on us!" he exclaimed on perusing it,—"Pike, saddle + old Kilsythe instantly, and another horse for yourself." +</p> +<p> + "I hope nae ill news frae the Tower, sir?" said Pike, astonished at his + master's sudden emotion. +</p> +<p> + "Yes—no—yes—that is, I must meet Claverhouse there on some express + business; so boot and saddle, Pike, as fast as you can.—O, Lord! what + times are these!—the poor lad—my old cronie's son!—and the silly wench + sticks it into her postscriptum, as she calls it, at the tail of all this + trumpery about old gowns and new romances!" +</p> +<p> + In a few minutes the good old officer was fully equipped; and having + mounted upon his arm-gaunt charger as soberly as Mark Antony himself + could have done, he paced forth his way to the Tower of Tillietudlem. +</p> +<p> + On the road he formed the prudent resolution to say nothing to the old + lady (whose dislike to presbyterians of all kinds he knew to be + inveterate) of the quality and rank of the prisoner detained within her + walls, but to try his own influence with Claverhouse to obtain Morton's + liberation. +</p> +<p> + "Being so loyal as he is, he must do something for so old a cavalier as I + am," said the veteran to himself; "and if he is so good a soldier as the + world speaks of, why, he will be glad to serve an old soldier's son. I + never knew a real soldier that was not a frank-hearted, honest fellow; + and I think the execution of the laws (though it's a pity they find it + necessary to make them so severe) may be a thousand times better + intrusted with them than with peddling lawyers and thick-skulled country + gentlemen." +</p> +<p> + Such were the ruminations of Major Miles Bellenden, which were terminated + by John Gudyill (not more than half-drunk) taking hold of his bridle, and + assisting him to dismount in the roughpaved court of Tillietudlem. +</p> +<p> + "Why, John," said the veteran, "what devil of a discipline is this you + have been keeping? You have been reading Geneva print this morning + already." +</p> +<p> + "I have been reading the Litany," said John, shaking his head with a look + of drunken gravity, and having only caught one word of the Major's + address to him; "life is short, sir; we are flowers of the field, + sir—hiccup—and lilies of the valley." +</p> +<p> + "Flowers and lilies? Why, man, such carles as thou and I can hardly be + called better than old hemlocks, decayed nettles, or withered rag-weed; + but I suppose you think that we are still worth watering." +</p> +<p> + "I am an old soldier, sir, I thank Heaven—hiccup"— +</p> +<p> + "An old skinker, you mean, John. But come, never mind, show me the way to + your mistress, old lad." +</p> +<p> + John Gudyill led the way to the stone hall, where Lady Margaret was + fidgeting about, superintending, arranging, and re-forming the + preparations made for the reception of the celebrated Claverhouse, whom + one party honoured and extolled as a hero, and another execrated as a + bloodthirsty oppressor. +</p> +<p> + "Did I not tell you," said Lady Margaret to her principal female + attendant—"did I not tell you, Mysie, that it was my especial pleasure + on this occasion to have every thing in the precise order wherein it was + upon that famous morning when his most sacred majesty partook of his + disjune at Tillietudlem?" +</p> +<p> + "Doubtless, such were your leddyship's commands, and to the best of my + remembrance"—was Mysie answering, when her ladyship broke in with, "Then + wherefore is the venison pasty placed on the left side of the throne, and + the stoup of claret upon the right, when ye may right weel remember, + Mysie, that his most sacred majesty with his ain hand shifted the pasty + to the same side with the flagon, and said they were too good friends to + be parted?" +</p> +<p> + "I mind that weel, madam," said Mysie; "and if I had forgot, I have heard + your leddyship often speak about that grand morning sin' syne; but I + thought every thing was to be placed just as it was when his majesty, God + bless him, came into this room, looking mair like an angel than a man, if + he hadna been sae black-a-vised." +</p> +<p> + "Then ye thought nonsense, Mysie; for in whatever way his most sacred + majesty ordered the position of the trenchers and flagons, that, as weel + as his royal pleasure in greater matters, should be a law to his + subjects, and shall ever be to those of the house of Tillietudlem." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, madam," said Mysie, making the alterations required, "it's easy + mending the error; but if every thing is just to be as his majesty left + it, there should be an unco hole in the venison pasty." +</p> +<p> + At this moment the door opened. +</p> +<p> + "Who is that, John Gudyill?" exclaimed the old lady. "I can speak to no + one just now.—Is it you, my dear brother?" she continued, in some + surprise, as the Major entered; "this is a right early visit." +</p> +<p> + "Not more early than welcome, I hope," replied Major Bellenden, as he + saluted the widow of his deceased brother; "but I heard by a note which + Edith sent to Charnwood about some of her equipage and books, that you + were to have Claver'se here this morning, so I thought, like an old + firelock as I am, that I should like to have a chat with this rising + soldier. I caused Pike saddle Kilsythe, and here we both are." +</p> +<p> + "And most kindly welcome you are," said the old lady; "it is just what I + should have prayed you to do, if I had thought there was time. You see I + am busy in preparation. All is to be in the same order as when"—"The + king breakfasted at Tillietudlem," said the Major, who, like all Lady + Margaret's friends, dreaded the commencement of that narrative, and was + desirous to cut it short,—"I remember it well; you know I was waiting on + his majesty." +</p> +<p> + "You were, brother," said Lady Margaret; "and perhaps you can help me to + remember the order of the entertainment." +</p> +<p> + "Nay, good sooth," said the Major, "the damnable dinner that Noll gave us + at Worcester a few days afterwards drove all your good cheer out of my + memory.—But how's this?—you have even the great Turkey-leather + elbow-chair, with the tapestry cushions, placed in state." +</p> +<p> + "The throne, brother, if you please," said Lady Margaret, gravely. +</p> +<p> + "Well, the throne be it, then," continued the Major. "Is that to be + Claver'se's post in the attack upon the pasty?" +</p> +<p> + "No, brother," said the lady; "as these cushions have been once honoured + by accommodating the person of our most sacred Monarch, they shall never, + please Heaven, during my life-time, be pressed by any less dignified + weight." +</p> +<p> + "You should not then," said the old soldier, "put them in the way of an + honest old cavalier, who has ridden ten miles before breakfast; for, to + confess the truth, they look very inviting. But where is Edith?" +</p> +<p> + "On the battlements of the warder's turret," answered the old lady, + "looking out for the approach of our guests." +</p> +<p> + "Why, I'll go there too; and so should you, Lady Margaret, as soon as you + have your line of battle properly formed in the hall here. It's a pretty + thing, I can tell you, to see a regiment of horse upon the march." +</p> +<p> + Thus speaking, he offered his arm with an air of old-fashioned gallantry, + which Lady Margaret accepted with such a courtesy of acknowledgment as + ladies were wont to make in Holyroodhouse before the year 1642, which, + for one while, drove both courtesies and courts out of fashion. +</p> +<p> + Upon the bartizan of the turret, to which they ascended by many a winding + passage and uncouth staircase, they found Edith, not in the attitude of a + young lady who watches with fluttering curiosity the approach of a smart + regiment of dragoons, but pale, downcast, and evincing, by her + countenance, that sleep had not, during the preceding night, been the + companion of her pillow. The good old veteran was hurt at her appearance, + which, in the hurry of preparation, her grandmother had omitted to + notice. +</p> +<p> + "What is come over you, you silly girl?" he said; "why, you look like an + officer's wife when she opens the News-letter after an action, and + expects to find her husband among the killed and wounded. But I know the + reason—you will persist in reading these nonsensical romances, day and + night, and whimpering for distresses that never existed. Why, how the + devil can you believe that Artamines, or what d'ye call him, fought + singlehanded with a whole battalion? One to three is as great odds as + ever fought and won, and I never knew any body that cared to take that, + except old Corporal Raddlebanes. But these d—d books put all pretty + men's actions out of countenance. I daresay you would think very little + of Raddlebanes, if he were alongside of Artamines.—I would have the + fellows that write such nonsense brought to the picquet for + leasing-making." +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Romances of the Seventeenth Century. As few, in the present + age, are acquainted with the ponderous folios to which the age of + Louis XIV. gave rise, we need only say, that they combine the + dulness of the metaphysical courtship with all the improbabilities + of the ancient Romance of Chivalry. Their character will be most + easily learned from Boileau's Dramatic Satire, or Mrs Lennox's + Female Quixote.] +</pre> +<p> + Lady Margaret, herself somewhat attached to the perusal of romances, took + up the cudgels. "Monsieur Scuderi," she said, "is a soldier, brother; + and, as I have heard, a complete one, and so is the Sieur d'Urfe." +</p> +<p> + "More shame for them; they should have known better what they were + writing about. For my part, I have not read a book these twenty years + except my Bible, The Whole Duty of Man, and, of late days, Turner's + Pallas Armata, or Treatise on the Ordering of the Pike Exercise, and I + don't like his discipline much neither. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Sir James Turner. Sir James Turner was a soldier of fortune, + bred in the civil wars. He was intrusted with a commission to levy + the fines imposed by the Privy Council for non-conformity, in the + district of Dumfries and Galloway. In this capacity he vexed the + country so much by his exactions, that the people rose and made him + prisoner, and then proceeded in arms towards Mid-Lothian, where they + were defeated at Pentland Hills, in 1666. Besides his treatise on + the Military Art, Sir James Turner wrote several other works; the + most curious of which is his Memoirs of his own Life and Times, + which has just been printed, under the charge of the Bannatyne + Club.] +</pre> +<p> + He wants to draw up the cavalry in front of a stand of pikes, instead of + being upon the wings. Sure am I, if we had done so at Kilsythe, instead + of having our handful of horse on the flanks, the first discharge would + have sent them back among our Highlanders.—But I hear the kettle-drums." +</p> +<p> + All heads were now bent from the battlements of the turret, which + commanded a distant prospect down the vale of the river. The Tower of + Tillietudlem stood, or perhaps yet stands, upon the angle of a very + precipitous bank, formed by the junction of a considerable brook with the + Clyde. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: The Castle of Tillietudlem is imaginary; but the ruins of + Craignethan Castle, situated on the Nethan, about three miles from + its junction with the Clyde, have something of the character of the + description in the text]. +</pre> +<p> + There was a narrow bridge of one steep arch, across the brook near its + mouth, over which, and along the foot of the high and broken bank, winded + the public road; and the fortalice, thus commanding both bridge and pass, + had been, in times of war, a post of considerable importance, the + possession of which was necessary to secure the communication of the + upper and wilder districts of the country with those beneath, where the + valley expands, and is more capable of cultivation. The view downwards is + of a grand woodland character; but the level ground and gentle slopes + near the river form cultivated fields of an irregular shape, interspersed + with hedgerow-trees and copses, the enclosures seeming to have been + individually cleared out of the forest which surrounds them, and which + occupies, in unbroken masses, the steeper declivities and more distant + banks. The stream, in colour a clear and sparkling brown, like the hue of + the Cairngorm pebbles, rushes through this romantic region in bold sweeps + and curves, partly visible and partly concealed by the trees which clothe + its banks. With a providence unknown in other parts of Scotland, the + peasants have, in most places, planted orchards around their cottages, + and the general blossom of the appletrees at this season of the year gave + all the lower part of the view the appearance of a flower-garden. +</p> +<p> + Looking up the river, the character of the scene was varied considerably + for the worse. A hilly, waste, and uncultivated country approached close + to the banks; the trees were few, and limited to the neighbourhood of the + stream, and the rude moors swelled at a little distance into shapeless + and heavy hills, which were again surmounted in their turn by a range of + lofty mountains, dimly seen on the horizon. Thus the tower commanded two + prospects, the one richly cultivated and highly adorned, the other + exhibiting the monotonous and dreary character of a wild and inhospitable + moorland. +</p> +<p> + The eyes of the spectators on the present occasion were attracted to the + downward view, not alone by its superior beauty, but because the distant + sounds of military music began to be heard from the public high-road + which winded up the vale, and announced the approach of the expected body + of cavalry. Their glimmering ranks were shortly afterwards seen in the + distance, appearing and disappearing as the trees and the windings of the + road permitted them to be visible, and distinguished chiefly by the + flashes of light which their arms occasionally reflected against the sun. + The train was long and imposing, for there were about two hundred and + fifty horse upon the march, and the glancing of the swords and waving of + their banners, joined to the clang of their trumpets and kettle-drums, + had at once a lively and awful effect upon the imagination. As they + advanced still nearer and nearer, they could distinctly see the files of + those chosen troops following each other in long succession, completely + equipped and superbly mounted. +</p> +<p> + "It's a sight that makes me thirty years younger," said the old cavalier; + "and yet I do not much like the service that these poor fellows are to be + engaged in. Although I had my share of the civil war, I cannot say I had + ever so much real pleasure in that sort of service as when I was employed + on the Continent, and we were hacking at fellows with foreign faces and + outlandish dialect. It's a hard thing to hear a hamely Scotch tongue cry + quarter, and be obliged to cut him down just the same as if he called out + <i>misricorde</i>.—So, there they come through the Netherwood haugh; upon my + word, fine-looking fellows, and capitally mounted.—He that is gallopping + from the rear of the column must be Claver'se himself;—ay, he gets into + the front as they cross the bridge, and now they will be with us in less + than five minutes." +</p> +<a name="image-0009"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" height="771" width="532" +alt="Edith on the Battlements--Frontispiece +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + At the bridge beneath the tower the cavalry divided, and the greater + part, moving up the left bank of the brook and crossing at a ford a + little above, took the road of the Grange, as it was called, a large set + of farm-offices belonging to the Tower, where Lady Margaret had ordered + preparation to be made for their reception and suitable entertainment. + The officers alone, with their colours and an escort to guard them, were + seen to take the steep road up to the gate of the Tower, appearing by + intervals as they gained the ascent, and again hidden by projections of + the bank and of the huge old trees with which it is covered. When they + emerged from this narrow path, they found themselves in front of the old + Tower, the gates of which were hospitably open for their reception. Lady + Margaret, with Edith and her brother-in-law, having hastily descended + from their post of observation, appeared to meet and to welcome their + guests, with a retinue of domestics in as good order as the orgies of the + preceding evening permitted. The gallant young cornet (a relation as well + as namesake of Claverhouse, with whom the reader has been already made + acquainted) lowered the standard amid the fanfare of the trumpets, in + homage to the rank of Lady Margaret and the charms of her grand-daughter, + and the old walls echoed to the flourish of the instruments, and the + stamp and neigh of the chargers. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: John Grahame of Claverhouse. This remarkable person united + the seemingly inconsistent qualities of courage and cruelty, a + disinterested and devoted loyalty to his prince, with a disregard of + the rights of his fellow-subjects. He was the unscrupulous agent of + the Scottish Privy Council in executing the merciless severities of + the government in Scotland during the reigns of Charles II. and + James II.; but he redeemed his character by the zeal with which he + asserted the cause of the latter monarch after the Revolution, the + military skill with which he supported it at the battle of + Killiecrankie, and by his own death in the arms of victory. + + It is said by tradition, that he was very desirous to see, and be + introduced to, a certain Lady Elphinstoun, who had reached the + advanced age of one hundred years and upwards. The noble matron, + being a stanch whig, was rather unwilling to receive Claver'se, (as + he was called from his title,) but at length consented. After the + usual compliments, the officer observed to the lady, that having + lived so much beyond the usual term of humanity, she must in her + time have seen many strange changes. "Hout na, sir," said Lady + Elphinstoun, "the world is just to end with me as it began. When I + was entering life, there was ane Knox deaving us a' wi' his clavers, + and now I am ganging out, there is ane Claver'se deaving us a' wi' + his knocks." + + Clavers signifying, in common parlance, idle chat, the double pun + does credit to the ingenuity of a lady of a hundred years old.] +</pre> +<p> + Claverhouse himself alighted from a black horse, the most beautiful + perhaps in Scotland. He had not a single white hair upon his whole body, + a circumstance which, joined to his spirit and fleetness, and to his + being so frequently employed in pursuit of the presbyterian recusants, + caused an opinion to prevail among them, that the steed had been + presented to his rider by the great Enemy of Mankind, in order to assist + him in persecuting the fugitive wanderers. When Claverhouse had paid his + respects to the ladies with military politeness, had apologized for the + trouble to which he was putting Lady Margaret's family, and had received + the corresponding assurances that she could not think any thing an + inconvenience which brought within the walls of Tillietudlem so + distinguished a soldier, and so loyal a servant of his sacred majesty; + when, in short, all forms of hospitable and polite ritual had been duly + complied with, the Colonel requested permission to receive the report of + Bothwell, who was now in attendance, and with whom he spoke apart for a + few minutes. Major Bellenden took that opportunity to say to his niece, + without the hearing of her grandmother, "What a trifling foolish girl you + are, Edith, to send me by express a letter crammed with nonsense about + books and gowns, and to slide the only thing I cared a marvedie about + into the postscript!" +</p> +<p> + "I did not know," said Edith, hesitating very much, "whether it would be + quite—quite proper for me to"—"I know what you would say—whether it + would be right to take any interest in a presbyterian. But I knew this + lad's father well. He was a brave soldier; and, if he was once wrong, he + was once right too. I must commend your caution, Edith, for having said + nothing of this young gentleman's affair to your grandmother—you may + rely on it I shall not—I will take an opportunity to speak to Claver'se. + Come, my love, they are going to breakfast. Let us follow them." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII. +</h2> +<pre> + Their breakfast so warm to be sure they did eat, + A custom in travellers mighty discreet. + Prior. +</pre> +<p> + The breakfast of Lady Margaret Bellenden no more resembled a modern + <i>dejune</i>, than the great stone-hall at Tillietudlem could brook + comparison with a modern drawing-room. No tea, no coffee, no variety of + rolls, but solid and substantial viands,—the priestly ham, the knightly + sirloin, the noble baron of beef, the princely venison pasty; while + silver flagons, saved with difficulty from the claws of the Covenanters, + now mantled, some with ale, some with mead, and some with generous wine + of various qualities and descriptions. The appetites of the guests were + in correspondence to the magnificence and solidity of the preparation—no + piddling—no boy's-play, but that steady and persevering exercise of the + jaws which is best learned by early morning hours, and by occasional hard + commons. +</p> +<p> + Lady Margaret beheld with delight the cates which she had provided + descending with such alacrity into the persons of her honoured guests, + and had little occasion to exercise, with respect to any of the company + saving Claverhouse himself, the compulsory urgency of pressing to eat, to + which, as to the peine forte et dure, the ladies of that period were in + the custom of subjecting their guests. +</p> +<p> + But the leader himself, more anxious to pay courtesy to Miss Bellenden, + next whom he was placed, than to gratify his appetite, appeared somewhat + negligent of the good cheer set before him. Edith heard, without reply, + many courtly speeches addressed to her, in a tone of voice of that happy + modulation which could alike melt in the low tones of interesting + conversation, and rise amid the din of battle, "loud as a trumpet with a + silver sound." The sense that she was in the presence of the dreadful + chief upon whose fiat the fate of Henry Morton must depend—the + recollection of the terror and awe which were attached to the very name + of the commander, deprived her for some time, not only of the courage to + answer, but even of the power of looking upon him. But when, emboldened + by the soothing tones of his voice, she lifted her eyes to frame some + reply, the person on whom she looked bore, in his appearance at least, + none of the terrible attributes in which her apprehensions had arrayed + him. +</p> +<p> + Grahame of Claverhouse was in the prime of life, rather low of stature, + and slightly, though elegantly, formed; his gesture, language, and + manners, were those of one whose life had been spent among the noble and + the gay. His features exhibited even feminine regularity. An oval face, a + straight and well-formed nose, dark hazel eyes, a complexion just + sufficiently tinged with brown to save it from the charge of effeminacy, + a short upper lip, curved upward like that of a Grecian statue, and + slightly shaded by small mustachios of light brown, joined to a profusion + of long curled locks of the same colour, which fell down on each side of + his face, contributed to form such a countenance as limners love to paint + and ladies to look upon. +</p> +<p> + The severity of his character, as well as the higher attributes of + undaunted and enterprising valour which even his enemies were compelled + to admit, lay concealed under an exterior which seemed adapted to the + court or the saloon rather than to the field. The same gentleness and + gaiety of expression which reigned in his features seemed to inspire his + actions and gestures; and, on the whole, he was generally esteemed, at + first sight, rather qualified to be the votary of pleasure than of + ambition. But under this soft exterior was hidden a spirit unbounded in + daring and in aspiring, yet cautious and prudent as that of Machiavel + himself. Profound in politics, and embued, of course, with that disregard + for individual rights which its intrigues usually generate, this leader + was cool and collected in danger, fierce and ardent in pursuing success, + careless of facing death himself, and ruthless in inflicting it upon + others. Such are the characters formed in times of civil discord, when + the highest qualities, perverted by party spirit, and inflamed by + habitual opposition, are too often combined with vices and excesses which + deprive them at once of their merit and of their lustre. +</p> +<p> + In endeavouring to reply to the polite trifles with which Claverhouse + accosted her, Edith showed so much confusion, that her grandmother + thought it necessary to come to her relief. +</p> +<p> + "Edith Bellenden," said the old lady, "has, from my retired mode of + living, seen so little of those of her own sphere, that truly she can + hardly frame her speech to suitable answers. A soldier is so rare a sight + with us, Colonel Grahame, that unless it be my young Lord Evandale, we + have hardly had an opportunity of receiving a gentleman in uniform. And, + now I talk of that excellent young nobleman, may I enquire if I was not + to have had the honour of seeing him this morning with the regiment?" +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale, madam, was on his march with us," answered the leader, + "but I was obliged to detach him with a small party to disperse a + conventicle of those troublesome scoundrels, who have had the impudence + to assemble within five miles of my head-quarters." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed!" said the old lady; "that is a height of presumption to which I + would have thought no rebellious fanatics would have ventured to aspire. + But these are strange times! There is an evil spirit in the land, Colonel + Grahame, that excites the vassals of persons of rank to rebel against the + very house that holds and feeds them. There was one of my able-bodied men + the other day who plainly refused to attend the wappen-schaw at my + bidding. Is there no law for such recusancy, Colonel Grahame?" +</p> +<p> + "I think I could find one," said Claverhouse, with great composure, "if + your ladyship will inform me of the name and residence of the culprit." +</p> +<p> + "His name," said Lady Margaret, "is Cuthbert Headrigg; I can say nothing + of his domicile, for ye may weel believe, Colonel Grahame, he did not + dwell long in Tillietudlem, but was speedily expelled for his contumacy. + I wish the lad no severe bodily injury; but incarceration, or even a few + stripes, would be a good example in this neighbourhood. His mother, under + whose influence I doubt he acted, is an ancient domestic of this family, + which makes me incline to mercy; although," continued the old lady, + looking towards the pictures of her husband and her sons, with which the + wall was hung, and heaving, at the same time, a deep sigh, "I, Colonel + Grahame, have in my ain person but little right to compassionate that + stubborn and rebellious generation. They have made me a childless widow, + and, but for the protection of our sacred sovereign and his gallant + soldiers, they would soon deprive me of lands and goods, of hearth and + altar. Seven of my tenants, whose joint rent-mail may mount to wellnigh a + hundred merks, have already refused to pay either cess or rent, and had + the assurance to tell my steward that they would acknowledge neither king + nor landlord but who should have taken the Covenant." +</p> +<p> + "I will take a course with them—that is, with your ladyship's + permission," answered Claverhouse; "it would ill become me to neglect the + support of lawful authority when it is lodged in such worthy hands as + those of Lady Margaret Bellenden. But I must needs say this country grows + worse and worse daily, and reduces me to the necessity of taking measures + with the recusants that are much more consonant with my duty than with my + inclinations. And, speaking of this, I must not forget that I have to + thank your ladyship for the hospitality you have been pleased to extend + to a party of mine who have brought in a prisoner, charged with having + resetted [Note: Resetted, i.e. received or harboured.] the murdering + villain, Balfour of Burley." +</p> +<p> + "The house of Tillietudlem," answered the lady, "hath ever been open to + the servants of his majesty, and I hope that the stones of it will no + longer rest on each other when it surceases to be as much at their + command as at ours. And this reminds me, Colonel Grahame, that the + gentleman who commands the party can hardly be said to be in his proper + place in the army, considering whose blood flows in his veins; and if I + might flatter myself that any thing would be granted to my request, I + would presume to entreat that he might be promoted on some favourable + opportunity." +</p> +<p> + "Your ladyship means Sergeant Francis Stewart, whom we call Bothwell?" + said Claverhouse, smiling. "The truth is, he is a little too rough in the + country, and has not been uniformly so amenable to discipline as the + rules of the service require. But to instruct me how to oblige Lady + Margaret Bellenden, is to lay down the law to me.—Bothwell," he + continued, addressing the sergeant, who just then appeared at the door, + "go kiss Lady Margaret Bellenden's hand, who interests herself in your + promotion, and you shall have a commission the first vacancy." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell went through the salutation in the manner prescribed, but not + without evident marks of haughty reluctance, and, when he had done so, + said aloud, "To kiss a lady's hand can never disgrace a gentleman; but I + would not kiss a man's, save the king's, to be made a general." +</p> +<p> + "You hear him," said Claverhouse, smiling, "there's the rock he splits + upon; he cannot forget his pedigree." +</p> +<p> + "I know, my noble colonel," said Bothwell, in the same tone, "that you + will not forget your promise; and then, perhaps, you may permit Cornet + Stewart to have some recollection of his grandfather, though the Sergeant + must forget him." +</p> +<p> + "Enough of this, sir," said Claverhouse, in the tone of command which was + familiar to him; "and let me know what you came to report to me just + now." +</p> +<p> + "My Lord Evandale and his party have halted on the high-road with some + prisoners," said Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + "My Lord Evandale?" said Lady Margaret. "Surely, Colonel Grahame, you + will permit him to honour me with his society, and to take his poor + disjune here, especially considering, that even his most sacred Majesty + did not pass the Tower of Tillietudlem without halting to partake of some + refreshment." +</p> +<p> + As this was the third time in the course of the conversation that Lady + Margaret had adverted to this distinguished event, Colonel Grahame, as + speedily as politeness would permit, took advantage of the first pause to + interrupt the farther progress of the narrative, by saying, "We are + already too numerous a party of guests; but as I know what Lord Evandale + will suffer (looking towards Edith) if deprived of the pleasure which we + enjoy, I will run the risk of overburdening your ladyship's + hospitality.—Bothwell, let Lord Evandale know that Lady Margaret + Bellenden requests the honour of his company." +</p> +<p> + "And let Harrison take care," added Lady Margaret, "that the people and + their horses are suitably seen to." +</p> +<p> + Edith's heart sprung to her lips during this conversation; for it + instantly occurred to her, that, through her influence over Lord + Evandale, she might find some means of releasing Morton from his present + state of danger, in case her uncle's intercession with Claverhouse should + prove ineffectual. At any other time she would have been much averse to + exert this influence; for, however inexperienced in the world, her native + delicacy taught her the advantage which a beautiful young woman gives to + a young man when she permits him to lay her under an obligation. And she + would have been the farther disinclined to request any favour of Lord + Evandale, because the voice of the gossips in Clydesdale had, for reasons + hereafter to be made known, assigned him to her as a suitor, and because + she could not disguise from herself that very little encouragement was + necessary to realize conjectures which had hitherto no foundation. This + was the more to be dreaded, that, in the case of Lord Evandale's making a + formal declaration, he had every chance of being supported by the + influence of Lady Margaret and her other friends, and that she would have + nothing to oppose to their solicitations and authority, except a + predilection, to avow which she knew would be equally dangerous and + unavailing. She determined, therefore, to wait the issue of her uncle's + intercession, and, should it fail, which she conjectured she should soon + learn, either from the looks or language of the open-hearted veteran, she + would then, as a last effort, make use in Morton's favour of her interest + with Lord Evandale. Her mind did not long remain in suspense on the + subject of her uncle's application. +</p> +<p> + Major Bellenden, who had done the honours of the table, laughing and + chatting with the military guests who were at that end of the board, was + now, by the conclusion of the repast, at liberty to leave his station, + and accordingly took an opportunity to approach Claverhouse, requesting + from his niece, at the same time, the honour of a particular + introduction. As his name and character were well known, the two military + men met with expressions of mutual regard; and Edith, with a beating + heart, saw her aged relative withdraw from the company, together with his + new acquaintance, into a recess formed by one of the arched windows of + the hall. She watched their conference with eyes almost dazzled by the + eagerness of suspense, and, with observation rendered more acute by the + internal agony of her mind, could guess, from the pantomimic gestures + which accompanied the conversation, the progress and fate of the + intercession in behalf of Henry Morton. +</p> +<p> + The first expression of the countenance of Claverhouse betokened that + open and willing courtesy, which, ere it requires to know the nature of + the favour asked, seems to say, how happy the party will be to confer an + obligation on the suppliant. But as the conversation proceeded, the brow + of that officer became darker and more severe, and his features, though + still retaining the expression of the most perfect politeness, assumed, + at least to Edith's terrified imagination, a harsh and inexorable + character. His lip was now compressed as if with impatience; now curled + slightly upward, as if in civil contempt of the arguments urged by Major + Bellenden. The language of her uncle, as far as expressed in his manner, + appeared to be that of earnest intercession, urged with all the + affectionate simplicity of his character, as well as with the weight + which his age and reputation entitled him to use. But it seemed to have + little impression upon Colonel Grahame, who soon changed his posture, as + if about to cut short the Major's importunity, and to break up their + conference with a courtly expression of regret, calculated to accompany a + positive refusal of the request solicited. This movement brought them so + near Edith, that she could distinctly hear Claverhouse say, "It cannot + be, Major Bellenden; lenity, in his case, is altogether beyond the bounds + of my commission, though in any thing else I am heartily desirous to + oblige you.—And here comes Evandale with news, as I think.—What tidings + do you bring us, Evandale?" he continued, addressing the young lord, who + now entered in complete uniform, but with his dress disordered, and his + boots spattered, as if by riding hard. +</p> +<a name="image-0010"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa176.jpg" height="767" width="524" +alt="Claverhouse +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Unpleasant news, sir," was his reply. "A large body of whigs are in arms + among the hills, and have broken out into actual rebellion. They have + publicly burnt the Act of Supremacy, that which established episcopacy, + that for observing the martyrdom of Charles I., and some others, and have + declared their intention to remain together in arms for furthering the + covenanted work of reformation." +</p> +<p> + This unexpected intelligence struck a sudden and painful surprise into + the minds of all who heard it, excepting Claverhouse. +</p> +<p> + "Unpleasant news call you them?" replied Colonel Grahame, his dark eyes + flashing fire, "they are the best I have heard these six months. Now that + the scoundrels are drawn into a body, we will make short work with them. + When the adder crawls into daylight," he added, striking the heel of his + boot upon the floor, as if in the act of crushing a noxious reptile, "I + can trample him to death; he is only safe when he remains lurking in his + den or morass.—Where are these knaves?" he continued, addressing Lord + Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "About ten miles off among the mountains, at a place called Loudon-hill," + was the young nobleman's reply. "I dispersed the conventicle against + which you sent me, and made prisoner an old trumpeter of rebellion,—an + intercommuned minister, that is to say,—who was in the act of exhorting + his hearers to rise and be doing in the good cause, as well as one or two + of his hearers who seemed to be particularly insolent; and from some + country people and scouts I learned what I now tell you." +</p> +<p> + "What may be their strength?" asked his commander. +</p> +<p> + "Probably a thousand men, but accounts differ widely." +</p> +<p> + "Then," said Claverhouse, "it is time for us to be up and be doing + also—Bothwell, bid them sound to horse." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell, who, like the war-horse of scripture, snuffed the battle afar + off, hastened to give orders to six negroes, in white dresses richly + laced, and having massive silver collars and armlets. These sable + functionaries acted as trumpeters, and speedily made the castle and the + woods around it ring with their summons. +</p> +<p> + "Must you then leave us?" said Lady Margaret, her heart sinking under + recollection of former unhappy times; "had ye not better send to learn + the force of the rebels?—O, how many a fair face hae I heard these + fearfu' sounds call away frae the Tower of Tillietudlem, that my auld een + were ne'er to see return to it!" +</p> +<p> + "It is impossible for me to stop," said Claverhouse; "there are rogues + enough in this country to make the rebels five times their strength, if + they are not checked at once." +</p> +<p> + "Many," said Evandale, "are flocking to them already, and they give out + that they expect a strong body of the indulged presbyterians, headed by + young Milnwood, as they call him, the son of the famous old roundhead, + Colonel Silas Morton." +</p> +<p> + This speech produced a very different effect upon the hearers. Edith + almost sunk from her seat with terror, while Claverhouse darted a glance + of sarcastic triumph at Major Bellenden, which seemed to imply—"You see + what are the principles of the young man you are pleading for." +</p> +<p> + "It's a lie—it's a d—d lie of these rascally fanatics," said the Major + hastily. "I will answer for Henry Morton as I would for my own son. He is + a lad of as good church-principles as any gentleman in the Life-Guards. I + mean no offence to any one. He has gone to church service with me fifty + times, and I never heard him miss one of the responses in my life. Edith + Bellenden can bear witness to it as well as I. He always read on the same + Prayer-book with her, and could look out the lessons as well as the + curate himself. Call him up; let him be heard for himself." +</p> +<p> + "There can be no harm in that," said Claverhouse, "whether he be innocent + or guilty.—Major Allan," he said, turning to the officer next in + command, "take a guide, and lead the regiment forward to Loudon-hill by + the best and shortest road. Move steadily, and do not let the men blow + the horses; Lord Evandale and I will overtake you in a quarter of an + hour. Leave Bothwell with a party to bring up the prisoners." +</p> +<p> + Allan bowed, and left the apartment, with all the officers, excepting + Claverhouse and the young nobleman. In a few minutes the sound of the + military music and the clashing of hoofs announced that the horsemen were + leaving the castle. The sounds were presently heard only at intervals, + and soon died away entirely. +</p> +<p> + While Claverhouse endeavoured to soothe the terrors of Lady Margaret, and + to reconcile the veteran Major to his opinion of Morton, Evandale, + getting the better of that conscious shyness which renders an ingenuous + youth diffident in approaching the object of his affections, drew near to + Miss Bellenden, and accosted her in a tone of mingled respect and + interest. +</p> +<p> + "We are to leave you," he said, taking her hand, which he pressed with + much emotion—"to leave you for a scene which is not without its dangers. + Farewell, dear Miss Bellenden;—let me say for the first, and perhaps the + last time, dear Edith! We part in circumstances so singular as may excuse + some solemnity in bidding farewell to one, whom I have known so long, and + whom I—respect so highly." +</p> +<p> + The manner differing from the words, seemed to express a feeling much + deeper and more agitating than was conveyed in the phrase he made use of. + It was not in woman to be utterly insensible to his modest and deep-felt + expression of tenderness. Although borne down by the misfortunes and + imminent danger of the man she loved, Edith was touched by the hopeless + and reverential passion of the gallant youth, who now took leave of her + to rush into dangers of no ordinary description. +</p> +<p> + "I hope—I sincerely trust," she said, "there is no danger. I hope there + is no occasion for this solemn ceremonial—that these hasty insurgents + will be dispersed rather by fear than force, and that Lord Evandale will + speedily return to be what he must always be, the dear and valued friend + of all in this castle." +</p> +<p> + "Of all," he repeated, with a melancholy emphasis upon the word. "But be + it so—whatever is near you is dear and valued to me, and I value their + approbation accordingly. Of our success I am not sanguine. Our numbers + are so few, that I dare not hope for so speedy, so bloodless, or so safe + an end of this unhappy disturbance. These men are enthusiastic, resolute, + and desperate, and have leaders not altogether unskilled in military + matters. I cannot help thinking that the impetuosity of our Colonel is + hurrying us against them rather prematurely. But there are few that have + less reason to shun danger than I have." +</p> +<p> + Edith had now the opportunity she wished to bespeak the young nobleman's + intercession and protection for Henry Morton, and it seemed the only + remaining channel of interest by which he could be rescued from impending + destruction. Yet she felt at that moment as if, in doing so, she was + abusing the partiality and confidence of the lover, whose heart was as + open before her, as if his tongue had made an express declaration. Could + she with honour engage Lord Evandale in the service of a rival? or could + she with prudence make him any request, or lay herself under any + obligation to him, without affording ground for hopes which she could + never realize? But the moment was too urgent for hesitation, or even for + those explanations with which her request might otherwise have been + qualified. +</p> +<p> + "I will but dispose of this young fellow," said Claverhouse, from the + other side of the hall, "and then, Lord Evandale—I am sorry to interrupt + again your conversation—but then we must mount.—Bothwell, why do not + you bring up the prisoner? and, hark ye, let two files load their + carabines." +</p> +<p> + In these words, Edith conceived she heard the death-warrant of her lover. + She instantly broke through the restraint which had hitherto kept her + silent. +</p> +<p> + "My Lord Evandale," she said, "this young gentleman is a particular + friend of my uncle's—your interest must be great with your colonel—let + me request your intercession in his favour—it will confer on my uncle a + lasting obligation." +</p> +<p> + "You overrate my interest, Miss Bellenden," said Lord Evandale; "I have + been often unsuccessful in such applications, when I have made them on + the mere score of humanity." +</p> +<p> + "Yet try once again for my uncle's sake." +</p> +<p> + "And why not for your own?" said Lord Evandale. "Will you not allow me to + think I am obliging you personally in this matter?—Are you so diffident + of an old friend that you will not allow him even the satisfaction of + thinking that he is gratifying your wishes?" +</p> +<p> + "Surely—surely," replied Edith; "you will oblige me infinitely—I am + interested in the young gentleman on my uncle's account—Lose no time, + for God's sake!" +</p> +<p> + She became bolder and more urgent in her entreaties, for she heard the + steps of the soldiers who were entering with their prisoner. +</p> +<p> + "By heaven! then," said Evandale, "he shall not die, if I should die in + his place!—But will not you," he said, resuming the hand, which in the + hurry of her spirits she had not courage to withdraw, "will not you grant + me one suit, in return for my zeal in your service?" +</p> +<p> + "Any thing you can ask, my Lord Evandale, that sisterly affection can + give." +</p> +<p> + "And is this all," he continued, "all you can grant to my affection + living, or my memory when dead?" +</p> +<p> + "Do not speak thus, my lord," said Edith, "you distress me, and do + injustice to yourself. There is no friend I esteem more highly, or to + whom I would more readily grant every mark of regard—providing—But"—A + deep sigh made her turn her head suddenly, ere she had well uttered the + last word; and, as she hesitated how to frame the exception with which + she meant to close the sentence, she became instantly aware she had been + overheard by Morton, who, heavily ironed and guarded by soldiers, was now + passing behind her in order to be presented to Claverhouse. As their eyes + met each other, the sad and reproachful expression of Morton's glance + seemed to imply that he had partially heard, and altogether + misinterpreted, the conversation which had just passed. There wanted but + this to complete Edith's distress and confusion. Her blood, which rushed + to her brow, made a sudden revulsion to her heart, and left her as pale + as death. This change did not escape the attention of Evandale, whose + quick glance easily discovered that there was between the prisoner and + the object of his own attachment, some singular and uncommon connexion. + He resigned the hand of Miss Bellenden, again surveyed the prisoner with + more attention, again looked at Edith, and plainly observed the confusion + which she could no longer conceal. +</p> +<p> + "This," he said, after a moment's gloomy silence, "is, I believe, the + young gentleman who gained the prize at the shooting match." +</p> +<p> + "I am not sure," hesitated Edith—"yet—I rather think not," scarce + knowing what she replied. +</p> +<p> + "It is he," said Evandale, decidedly; "I know him well. A victor," he + continued, somewhat haughtily, "ought to have interested a fair spectator + more deeply." +</p> +<p> + He then turned from Edith, and advancing towards the table at which + Claverhouse now placed himself, stood at a little distance, resting on + his sheathed broadsword, a silent, but not an unconcerned, spectator of + that which passed. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> +<pre> + O, my Lord, beware of jealousy! + Othello. +</pre> +<p> + To explain the deep effect which the few broken passages of the + conversation we have detailed made upon the unfortunate prisoner by whom + they were overheard, it is necessary to say something of his previous + state of mind, and of the origin of his acquaintance with Edith. +</p> +<p> + Henry Morton was one of those gifted characters, which possess a force of + talent unsuspected by the owner himself. He had inherited from his father + an undaunted courage, and a firm and uncompromising detestation of + oppression, whether in politics or religion. But his enthusiasm was + unsullied by fanatic zeal, and unleavened by the sourness of the + puritanical spirit. From these his mind had been freed, partly by the + active exertions of his own excellent understanding, partly by frequent + and long visits at Major Bellenden's, where he had an opportunity of + meeting with many guests whose conversation taught him, that goodness and + worth were not limited to those of any single form of religious + observance. +</p> +<p> + The base parsimony of his uncle had thrown many obstacles in the way of + his education; but he had so far improved the opportunities which offered + themselves, that his instructors as well as his friends were surprised at + his progress under such disadvantages. Still, however, the current of his + soul was frozen by a sense of dependence, of poverty, above all, of an + imperfect and limited education. These feelings impressed him with a + diffidence and reserve which effectually concealed from all but very + intimate friends, the extent of talent and the firmness of character, + which we have stated him to be possessed of. The circumstances of the + times had added to this reserve an air of indecision and of indifference; + for, being attached to neither of the factions which divided the kingdom, + he passed for dull, insensible, and uninfluenced by the feeling of + religion or of patriotism. No conclusion, however, could be more unjust; + and the reasons of the neutrality which he had hitherto professed had + root in very different and most praiseworthy motives. He had formed few + congenial ties with those who were the objects of persecution, and was + disgusted alike by their narrow-minded and selfish party-spirit, their + gloomy fanaticism, their abhorrent condemnation of all elegant studies or + innocent exercises, and the envenomed rancour of their political hatred. + But his mind was still more revolted by the tyrannical and oppressive + conduct of the government, the misrule, license, and brutality of the + soldiery, the executions on the scaffold, the slaughters in the open + field, the free quarters and exactions imposed by military law, which + placed the lives and fortunes of a free people on a level with Asiatic + slaves. Condemning, therefore, each party as its excesses fell under his + eyes, disgusted with the sight of evils which he had no means of + alleviating, and hearing alternate complaints and exultations with which + he could not sympathize, he would long ere this have left Scotland, had + it not been for his attachment to Edith Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + The earlier meetings of these young people had been at Charnwood, when + Major Bellenden, who was as free from suspicion on such occasions as + Uncle Toby himself, had encouraged their keeping each other constant + company, without entertaining any apprehension of the natural + consequences. Love, as usual in such cases, borrowed the name of + friendship, used her language, and claimed her privileges. When Edith + Bellenden was recalled to her mother's castle, it was astonishing by what + singular and recurring accidents she often met young Morton in her + sequestered walks, especially considering the distance of their places of + abode. Yet it somehow happened that she never expressed the surprise + which the frequency of these rencontres ought naturally to have excited, + and that their intercourse assumed gradually a more delicate character, + and their meetings began to wear the air of appointments. Books, + drawings, letters, were exchanged between them, and every trifling + commission, given or executed, gave rise to a new correspondence. Love + indeed was not yet mentioned between them by name, but each knew the + situation of their own bosom, and could not but guess at that of the + other. Unable to desist from an intercourse which possessed such charms + for both, yet trembling for its too probable consequences, it had been + continued without specific explanation until now, when fate appeared to + have taken the conclusion into its own hands. +</p> +<p> + It followed, as a consequence of this state of things, as well as of the + diffidence of Morton's disposition at this period, that his confidence in + Edith's return of his affection had its occasional cold fits. Her + situations was in every respect so superior to his own, her worth so + eminent, her accomplishments so many, her face so beautiful, and her + manners so bewitching, that he could not but entertain fears that some + suitor more favoured than himself by fortune, and more acceptable to + Edith's family than he durst hope to be, might step in between him and + the object of his affections. Common rumour had raised up such a rival in + Lord Evandale, whom birth, fortune, connexions, and political principles, + as well as his frequent visits at Tillietudlem, and his attendance upon + Lady Bellenden and her niece at all public places, naturally pointed out + as a candidate for her favour. It frequently and inevitably happened, + that engagements to which Lord Evandale was a party, interfered with the + meeting of the lovers, and Henry could not but mark that Edith either + studiously avoided speaking of the young nobleman, or did so with obvious + reserve and hesitation. +</p> +<p> + These symptoms, which, in fact, arose from the delicacy of her own + feelings towards Morton himself, were misconstrued by his diffident + temper, and the jealousy which they excited was fermented by the + occasional observations of Jenny Dennison. This true-bred serving-damsel + was, in her own person, a complete country coquette, and when she had no + opportunity of teasing her own lovers, used to take some occasional + opportunity to torment her young lady's. This arose from no ill-will to + Henry Morton, who, both on her mistress's account and his own handsome + form and countenance, stood high in her esteem. But then Lord Evandale + was also handsome; he was liberal far beyond what Morton's means could + afford, and he was a lord, moreover, and, if Miss Edith Bellenden should + accept his hand, she would become a baron's lady, and, what was more, + little Jenny Dennison, whom the awful housekeeper at Tillietudlem huffed + about at her pleasure, would be then Mrs Dennison, Lady Evandale's own + woman, or perhaps her ladyship's lady-in-waiting. The impartiality of + Jenny Dennison, therefore, did not, like that of Mrs Quickly, extend to a + wish that both the handsome suitors could wed her young lady; for it must + be owned that the scale of her regard was depressed in favour of Lord + Evandale, and her wishes in his favour took many shapes extremely + tormenting to Morton; being now expressed as a friendly caution, now as + an article of intelligence, and anon as a merry jest, but always tending + to confirm the idea, that, sooner or later, his romantic intercourse with + her young mistress must have a close, and that Edith Bellenden would, in + spite of summer walks beneath the greenwood tree, exchange of verses, of + drawings, and of books, end in becoming Lady Evandale. +</p> +<p> + These hints coincided so exactly with the very point of his own + suspicions and fears, that Morton was not long of feeling that jealousy + which every one has felt who has truly loved, but to which those are most + liable whose love is crossed by the want of friends' consent, or some + other envious impediment of fortune. Edith herself, unwittingly, and in + the generosity of her own frank nature, contributed to the error into + which her lover was in danger of falling. Their conversation once chanced + to turn upon some late excesses committed by the soldiery on an occasion + when it was said (inaccurately however) that the party was commanded by + Lord Evandale. Edith, as true in friendship as in love, was somewhat hurt + at the severe strictures which escaped from Morton on this occasion, and + which, perhaps, were not the less strongly expressed on account of their + supposed rivalry. She entered into Lord Evandale's defence with such + spirit as hurt Morton to the very soul, and afforded no small delight to + Jenny Dennison, the usual companion of their walks. Edith perceived her + error, and endeavoured to remedy it; but the impression was not so easily + erased, and it had no small effect in inducing her lover to form that + resolution of going abroad, which was disappointed in the manner we have + already mentioned. +</p> +<p> + The visit which he received from Edith during his confinement, the deep + and devoted interest which she had expressed in his fate, ought of + themselves to have dispelled his suspicions; yet, ingenious in tormenting + himself, even this he thought might be imputed to anxious friendship, or, + at most, to a temporary partiality, which would probably soon give way to + circumstances, the entreaties of her friends, the authority of Lady + Margaret, and the assiduities of Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "And to what do I owe it," he said, "that I cannot stand up like a man, + and plead my interest in her ere I am thus cheated out of it?—to what, + but to the all-pervading and accursed tyranny, which afflicts at once our + bodies, souls, estates, and affections! And is it to one of the pensioned + cut-throats of this oppressive government that I must yield my + pretensions to Edith Bellenden?—I will not, by Heaven!—It is a just + punishment on me for being dead to public wrongs, that they have visited + me with their injuries in a point where they can be least brooked or + borne." +</p> +<p> + As these stormy resolutions boiled in his bosom, and while he ran over + the various kinds of insult and injury which he had sustained in his own + cause and in that of his country, Bothwell entered the tower, followed by + two dragoons, one of whom carried handcuffs. +</p> +<p> + "You must follow me, young man," said he, "but first we must put you in + trim." +</p> +<p> + "In trim!" said Morton. "What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, we must put on these rough bracelets. I durst not—nay, d—n it, I + durst do any thing—but I would not for three hours' plunder of a stormed + town bring a whig before my Colonel without his being ironed. Come, come, + young man, don't look sulky about it." +</p> +<p> + He advanced to put on the irons; but, seizing the oaken-seat upon which + he had rested, Morton threatened to dash out the brains of the first who + should approach him. +</p> +<p> + "I could manage you in a moment, my youngster," said Bothwell, "but I had + rather you would strike sail quietly." +</p> +<p> + Here indeed he spoke the truth, not from either fear or reluctance to + adopt force, but because he dreaded the consequences of a noisy scuffle, + through which it might probably be discovered that he had, contrary to + express orders, suffered his prisoner to pass the night without being + properly secured. +</p> +<p> + "You had better be prudent," he continued, in a tone which he meant to be + conciliatory, "and don't spoil your own sport. They say here in the + castle that Lady Margaret's niece is immediately to marry our young + Captain, Lord Evandale. I saw them close together in the hall yonder, and + I heard her ask him to intercede for your pardon. She looked so devilish + handsome and kind upon him, that on my soul—But what the devil's the + matter with you?—You are as pale as a sheet—Will you have some brandy?" +</p> +<p> + "Miss Bellenden ask my life of Lord Evandale?" said the prisoner, + faintly. +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay; there's no friend like the women—their interest carries all in + court and camp.—Come, you are reasonable now—Ay, I thought you would + come round." +</p> +<p> + Here he employed himself in putting on the fetters, against which, + Morton, thunderstruck by this intelligence, no longer offered the least + resistance. +</p> +<p> + "My life begged of him, and by her!—ay—ay—put on the irons—my limbs + shall not refuse to bear what has entered into my very soul—My life + begged by Edith, and begged of Evandale!" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, and he has power to grant it too," said Bothwell—"He can do more + with the Colonel than any man in the regiment." +</p> +<p> + And as he spoke, he and his party led their prisoner towards the hall. In + passing behind the seat of Edith, the unfortunate prisoner heard enough, + as he conceived, of the broken expressions which passed between Edith and + Lord Evandale, to confirm all that the soldier had told him. That moment + made a singular and instantaneous revolution in his character. The depth + of despair to which his love and fortunes were reduced, the peril in + which his life appeared to stand, the transference of Edith's affections, + her intercession in his favour, which rendered her fickleness yet more + galling, seemed to destroy every feeling for which he had hitherto lived, + but, at the same time, awakened those which had hitherto been smothered + by passions more gentle though more selfish. Desperate himself, he + determined to support the rights of his country, insulted in his person. + His character was for the moment as effectually changed as the appearance + of a villa, which, from being the abode of domestic quiet and happiness, + is, by the sudden intrusion of an armed force, converted into a + formidable post of defence. +</p> +<p> + We have already said that he cast upon Edith one glance in which reproach + was mingled with sorrow, as if to bid her farewell for ever; his next + motion was to walk firmly to the table at which Colonel Grahame was + seated. +</p> +<p> + "By what right is it, sir," said he firmly, and without waiting till he + was questioned,—"By what right is it that these soldiers have dragged me + from my family, and put fetters on the limbs of a free man?" +</p> +<p> + "By my commands," answered Claverhouse; "and I now lay my commands on you + to be silent and hear my questions." +</p> +<p> + "I will not," replied Morton, in a determined tone, while his boldness + seemed to electrify all around him. "I will know whether I am in lawful + custody, and before a civil magistrate, ere the charter of my country + shall be forfeited in my person." +</p> +<p> + "A pretty springald this, upon my honour!" said Claverhouse. +</p> +<p> + "Are you mad?" said Major Bellenden to his young friend. "For God's sake, + Henry Morton," he continued, in a tone between rebuke and entreaty, + "remember you are speaking to one of his majesty's officers high in the + service." +</p> +<p> + "It is for that very reason, sir," returned Henry, firmly, "that I desire + to know what right he has to detain me without a legal warrant. Were he a + civil officer of the law I should know my duty was submission." +</p> +<p> + "Your friend, here," said Claverhouse to the veteran, coolly, "is one of + those scrupulous gentlemen, who, like the madman in the play, will not + tie his cravat without the warrant of Mr Justice Overdo; but I will let + him see, before we part, that my shoulder-knot is as legal a badge of + authority as the mace of the Justiciary. So, waving this discussion, you + will be pleased, young man, to tell me directly when you saw Balfour of + Burley." +</p> +<p> + "As I know no right you have to ask such a question," replied Morton, "I + decline replying to it." +</p> +<p> + "You confessed to my sergeant," said Claverhouse, "that you saw and + entertained him, knowing him to be an intercommuned traitor; why are you + not so frank with me?" +</p> +<p> + "Because," replied the prisoner, "I presume you are, from education, + taught to understand the rights upon which you seem disposed to trample; + and I am willing you should be aware there are yet Scotsmen who can + assert the liberties of Scotland." +</p> +<p> + "And these supposed rights you would vindicate with your sword, I + presume?" said Colonel Grahame. +</p> +<p> + "Were I armed as you are, and we were alone upon a hill-side, you should + not ask me the question twice." +</p> +<p> + "It is quite enough," answered Claverhouse, calmly; "your language + corresponds with all I have heard of you;—but you are the son of a + soldier, though a rebellious one, and you shall not die the death of a + dog; I will save you that indignity." +</p> +<p> + "Die in what manner I may," replied Morton, "I will die like the son of a + brave man; and the ignominy you mention shall remain with those who shed + innocent blood." +</p> +<p> + "Make your peace, then, with Heaven, in five minutes' space.—Bothwell, + lead him down to the court-yard, and draw up your party." +</p> +<p> + The appalling nature of this conversation, and of its result, struck the + silence of horror into all but the speakers. But now those who stood + round broke forth into clamour and expostulation. Old Lady Margaret, who, + with all the prejudices of rank and party, had not laid aside the + feelings of her sex, was loud in her intercession. +</p> +<p> + "O, Colonel Grahame," she exclaimed, "spare his young blood! Leave him to + the law—do not repay my hospitality by shedding men's blood on the + threshold of my doors!" +</p> +<p> + "Colonel Grahame," said Major Bellenden, "you must answer this violence. + Don't think, though I am old and feckless, that my friend's son shall be + murdered before my eyes with impunity. I can find friends that shall make + you answer it." +</p> +<p> + "Be satisfied, Major Bellenden, I will answer it," replied Claverhouse, + totally unmoved; "and you, madam, might spare me the pain the resisting + this passionate intercession for a traitor, when you consider the noble + blood your own house has lost by such as he is." +</p> +<p> + "Colonel Grahame," answered the lady, her aged frame trembling with + anxiety, "I leave vengeance to God, who calls it his own. The shedding of + this young man's blood will not call back the lives that were dear to me; + and how can it comfort me to think that there has maybe been another + widowed mother made childless, like mysell, by a deed done at my very + door-stane!" +</p> +<p> + "This is stark madness," said Claverhouse; "I must do my duty to church + and state. Here are a thousand villains hard by in open rebellion, and + you ask me to pardon a young fanatic who is enough of himself to set a + whole kingdom in a blaze! It cannot be—Remove him, Bothwell." +</p> +<p> + She who was most interested in this dreadful decision, had twice strove + to speak, but her voice had totally failed her; her mind refused to + suggest words, and her tongue to utter them. She now sprung up and + attempted to rush forward, but her strength gave way, and she would have + fallen flat upon the pavement had she not been caught by her attendant. +</p> +<p> + "Help!" cried Jenny,—"Help, for God's sake! my young lady is dying." +</p> +<p> + At this exclamation, Evandale, who, during the preceding part of the + scene, had stood motionless, leaning upon his sword, now stepped forward, + and said to his commanding-officer, "Colonel Grahame, before proceeding + in this matter, will you speak a word with me in private?" +</p> +<p> + Claverhouse looked surprised, but instantly rose and withdrew with the + young nobleman into a recess, where the following brief dialogue passed + between them: +</p> +<p> + "I think I need not remind you, Colonel, that when our family interest + was of service to you last year in that affair in the privy-council, you + considered yourself as laid under some obligation to us?" +</p> +<p> + "Certainly, my dear Evandale," answered Claverhouse, "I am not a man who + forgets such debts; you will delight me by showing how I can evince my + gratitude." +</p> +<p> + "I will hold the debt cancelled," said Lord Evandale, "if you will spare + this young man's life." +</p> +<p> + "Evandale," replied Grahame, in great surprise, "you are mad—absolutely + mad—what interest can you have in this young spawn of an old + roundhead?—His father was positively the most dangerous man in all + Scotland, cool, resolute, soliderly, and inflexible in his cursed + principles. His son seems his very model; you cannot conceive the + mischief he may do. I know mankind, Evandale—were he an insignificant, + fanatical, country booby, do you think I would have refused such a + trifle as his life to Lady Margaret and this family? But this is a lad + of fire, zeal, and education—and these knaves want but such a leader to + direct their blind enthusiastic hardiness. I mention this, not as + refusing your request, but to make you fully aware of the possible + consequences—I will never evade a promise, or refuse to return an + obligation—if you ask his life, he shall have it." +</p> +<p> + "Keep him close prisoner," answered Evandale, "but do not be surprised if + I persist in requesting you will not put him to death. I have most urgent + reasons for what I ask." +</p> +<p> + "Be it so then," replied Grahame;—"but, young man, should you wish in + your future life to rise to eminence in the service of your king and + country, let it be your first task to subject to the public interest, and + to the discharge of your duty, your private passions, affections, and + feelings. These are not times to sacrifice to the dotage of greybeards, + or the tears of silly women, the measures of salutary severity which the + dangers around compel us to adopt. And remember, that if I now yield this + point, in compliance with your urgency, my present concession must exempt + me from future solicitations of the same nature." +</p> +<p> + He then stepped forward to the table, and bent his eyes keenly on Morton, + as if to observe what effect the pause of awful suspense between death + and life, which seemed to freeze the bystanders with horror, would + produce upon the prisoner himself. Morton maintained a degree of + firmness, which nothing but a mind that had nothing left upon earth to + love or to hope, could have supported at such a crisis. +</p> +<p> + "You see him?" said Claverhouse, in a half whisper to Lord Evandale; "he + is tottering on the verge between time and eternity, a situation more + appalling than the most hideous certainty; yet his is the only cheek + unblenched, the only eye that is calm, the only heart that keeps its + usual time, the only nerves that are not quivering. Look at him well, + Evandale—If that man shall ever come to head an army of rebels, you will + have much to answer for on account of this morning's work." He then said + aloud, "Young man, your life is for the present safe, through the + intercession of your friends—Remove him, Bothwell, and let him be + properly guarded, and brought along with the other prisoners." +</p> +<p> + "If my life," said Morton, stung with the idea that he owed his respite + to the intercession of a favoured rival, "if my life be granted at Lord + Evandale's request"— +</p> +<p> + "Take the prisoner away, Bothwell," said Colonel Grahame, interrupting + him; "I have neither time to make nor to hear fine speeches." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell forced off Morton, saying, as he conducted him into the + court-yard, "Have you three lives in your pocket, besides the one in your + body, my lad, that you can afford to let your tongue run away with them + at this rate? Come, come, I'll take care to keep you out of the Colonel's + way; for, egad, you will not be five minutes with him before the next + tree or the next ditch will be the word. So, come along to your + companions in bondage." +</p> +<p> + Thus speaking, the sergeant, who, in his rude manner, did not altogether + want sympathy for a gallant young man, hurried Morton down to the + courtyard, where three other prisoners, (two men and a woman,) who had + been taken by Lord Evandale, remained under an escort of dragoons. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, Claverhouse took his leave of Lady Margaret. But it was + difficult for the good lady to forgive his neglect of her intercession. +</p> +<p> + "I have thought till now," she said, "that the Tower of Tillietudlem + might have been a place of succour to those that are ready to perish, + even if they werena sae deserving as they should have been—but I see + auld fruit has little savour—our suffering and our services have been of + an ancient date." +</p> +<p> + "They are never to be forgotten by me, let me assure your ladyship," said + Claverhouse. "Nothing but what seemed my sacred duty could make me + hesitate to grant a favour requested by you and the Major. Come, my good + lady, let me hear you say you have forgiven me, and, as I return + to-night, I will bring a drove of two hundred whigs with me, and pardon + fifty head of them for your sake." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be happy to hear of your success, Colonel," said Major + Bellenden; "but take an old soldier's advice, and spare blood when + battle's over,—and once more let me request to enter bail for young + Morton." +</p> +<p> + "We will settle that when I return," said Claverhouse. "Meanwhile, be + assured his life shall be safe." +</p> +<p> + During this conversation, Evandale looked anxiously around for Edith; but + the precaution of Jenny Dennison had occasioned her mistress being + transported to her own apartment. +</p> +<p> + Slowly and heavily he obeyed the impatient summons of Claverhouse, who, + after taking a courteous leave of Lady Margaret and the Major, had + hastened to the court-yard. The prisoners with their guard were already + on their march, and the officers with their escort mounted and followed. + All pressed forward to overtake the main body, as it was supposed they + would come in sight of the enemy in little more than two hours. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> +<pre> + My hounds may a' rin masterless, + My hawks may fly frae tree to tree, + My lord may grip my vassal lands, + For there again maun I never be! + Old Ballad. +</pre> +<p> + We left Morton, along with three companions in captivity, travelling in + the custody of a small body of soldiers, who formed the rear-guard of the + column under the command of Claverhouse, and were immediately under the + charge of Sergeant Bothwell. Their route lay towards the hills in which + the insurgent presbyterians were reported to be in arms. They had not + prosecuted their march a quarter of a mile ere Claverhouse and Evandale + galloped past them, followed by their orderly-men, in order to take their + proper places in the column which preceded them. No sooner were they past + than Bothwell halted the body which he commanded, and disencumbered + Morton of his irons. +</p> +<p> + "King's blood must keep word," said the dragoon. "I promised you should + be civilly treated as far as rested with me.—Here, Corporal Inglis, let + this gentleman ride alongside of the other young fellow who is prisoner; + and you may permit them to converse together at their pleasure, under + their breath, but take care they are guarded by two files with loaded + carabines. If they attempt an escape, blow their brains out.—You cannot + call that using you uncivilly," he continued, addressing himself to + Morton, "it's the rules of war, you know.—And, Inglis, couple up the + parson and the old woman, they are fittest company for each other, d—n + me; a single file may guard them well enough. If they speak a word of + cant or fanatical nonsense, let them have a strapping with a + shoulder-belt. There's some hope of choking a silenced parson; if he is + not allowed to hold forth, his own treason will burst him." +</p> +<p> + Having made this arrangement, Bothwell placed himself at the head of the + party, and Inglis, with six dragoons, brought up the rear. The whole then + set forward at a trot, with the purpose of overtaking the main body of + the regiment. +</p> +<p> + Morton, overwhelmed with a complication of feelings, was totally + indifferent to the various arrangements made for his secure custody, and + even to the relief afforded him by his release from the fetters. He + experienced that blank and waste of the heart which follows the hurricane + of passion, and, no longer supported by the pride and conscious rectitude + which dictated his answers to Claverhouse, he surveyed with deep + dejection the glades through which he travelled, each turning of which + had something to remind him of past happiness and disappointed love. The + eminence which they now ascended was that from which he used first and + last to behold the ancient tower when approaching or retiring from it; + and, it is needless to add, that there he was wont to pause, and gaze + with a lover's delight on the battlements, which, rising at a distance + out of the lofty wood, indicated the dwelling of her, whom he either + hoped soon to meet or had recently parted from. Instinctively he turned + his head back to take a last look of a scene formerly so dear to him, and + no less instinctively he heaved a deep sigh. It was echoed by a loud + groan from his companion in misfortune, whose eyes, moved, perchance, by + similar reflections, had taken the same direction. This indication of + sympathy, on the part of the captive, was uttered in a tone more coarse + than sentimental; it was, however, the expression of a grieved spirit, + and so far corresponded with the sigh of Morton. In turning their heads + their eyes met, and Morton recognised the stolid countenance of Cuddie + Headrigg, bearing a rueful expression, in which sorrow for his own lot + was mixed with sympathy for the situation of his companion. +</p> +<p> + "Hegh, sirs!" was the expression of the ci-devant ploughman of the mains + of Tillietudlem; "it's an unco thing that decent folk should be harled + through the country this gate, as if they were a warld's wonder." +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry to see you here, Cuddie," said Morton, who, even in his own + distress, did not lose feeling for that of others. +</p> +<p> + "And sae am I, Mr Henry," answered Cuddie, "baith for mysell and you; but + neither of our sorrows will do muckle gude that I can see. To be sure, + for me," continued the captive agriculturist, relieving his heart by + talking, though he well knew it was to little purpose,—"to be sure, for + my part, I hae nae right to be here ava', for I never did nor said a word + against either king or curate; but my mither, puir body, couldna haud the + auld tongue o' her, and we maun baith pay for't, it's like." +</p> +<p> + "Your mother is their prisoner likewise?" said Morton, hardly knowing + what he said. +</p> +<p> + "In troth is she, riding ahint ye there like a bride, wi' that auld carle + o' a minister that they ca' Gabriel Kettledrummle—Deil that he had been + in the inside of a drum or a kettle either, for my share o' him! Ye see, + we were nae sooner chased out o' the doors o' Milnwood, and your uncle + and the housekeeper banging them to and barring them ahint us, as if we + had had the plague on our bodies, that I says to my mother, What are we + to do neist? for every hole and bore in the country will be steekit + against us, now that ye hae affronted my auld leddy, and gar't the + troopers tak up young Milnwood. Sae she says to me, Binna cast doun, but + gird yoursell up to the great task o' the day, and gie your testimony + like a man upon the mount o' the Covenant." +</p> +<p> + "And so I suppose you went to a conventicle?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Ye sall hear," continued Cuddie.—"Aweel, I kendna muckle better what to + do, sae I e'en gaed wi' her to an auld daft carline like hersell, and we + got some water-broo and bannocks; and mony a weary grace they said, and + mony a psalm they sang, or they wad let me win to, for I was amaist + famished wi' vexation. Aweel, they had me up in the grey o' the morning, + and I behoved to whig awa wi' them, reason or nane, to a great gathering + o' their folk at the Miry-sikes; and there this chield, Gabriel + Kettledrummle, was blasting awa to them on the hill-side, about lifting + up their testimony, nae doubt, and ganging down to the battle of Roman + Gilead, or some sic place. Eh, Mr Henry! but the carle gae them a screed + o' doctrine! Ye might hae heard him a mile down the wind—He routed like + a cow in a fremd loaning.—Weel, thinks I, there's nae place in this + country they ca' Roman Gilead—it will be some gate in the west + muirlands; and or we win there I'll see to slip awa wi' this mither o' + mine, for I winna rin my neck into a tether for ony Kettledrummle in the + country side—Aweel," continued Cuddie, relieving himself by detailing + his misfortunes, without being scrupulous concerning the degree of + attention which his companion bestowed on his narrative, "just as I was + wearying for the tail of the preaching, cam word that the dragoons were + upon us.—Some ran, and some cried, Stand! and some cried, Down wi' the + Philistines!—I was at my mither to get her awa sting and ling or the + red-coats cam up, but I might as weel hae tried to drive our auld + fore-a-hand ox without the goad—deil a step wad she budge.—Weel, after + a', the cleugh we were in was strait, and the mist cam thick, and there + was good hope the dragoons wad hae missed us if we could hae held our + tongues; but, as if auld Kettledrummle himsell hadna made din eneugh to + waken the very dead, they behoved a' to skirl up a psalm that ye wad hae + heard as far as Lanrick!—Aweel, to mak a lang tale short, up cam my + young Lord Evandale, skelping as fast as his horse could trot, and twenty + red-coats at his back. Twa or three chields wad needs fight, wi' the + pistol and the whinger in the tae hand, and the Bible in the tother, and + they got their crouns weel cloured; but there wasna muckle skaith dune, + for Evandale aye cried to scatter us, but to spare life." +</p> +<p> + "And did you not resist?" said Morton, who probably felt, that, at that + moment, he himself would have encountered Lord Evandale on much slighter + grounds. +</p> +<p> + "Na, truly," answered Cuddie, "I keepit aye before the auld woman, and + cried for mercy to life and limb; but twa o' the red-coats cam up, and + ane o' them was gaun to strike my mither wi' the side o' his + broadsword—So I got up my kebbie at them, and said I wad gie them as + gude. Weel, they turned on me, and clinked at me wi' their swords, and I + garr'd my hand keep my head as weel as I could till Lord Evandale came + up, and then I cried out I was a servant at Tillietudlem—ye ken + yoursell he was aye judged to hae a look after the young leddy—and he + bade me fling down my kent, and sae me and my mither yielded oursells + prisoners. I'm thinking we wad hae been letten slip awa, but + Kettledrummle was taen near us—for Andrew Wilson's naig that he was + riding on had been a dragooner lang syne, and the sairer Kettledrummle + spurred to win awa, the readier the dour beast ran to the dragoons when + he saw them draw up.—Aweel, when my mother and him forgathered, they + set till the sodgers, and I think they gae them their kale through the + reek! Bastards o' the hure o' Babylon was the best words in their wame. + Sae then the kiln was in a bleeze again, and they brought us a' three on + wi' them to mak us an example, as they ca't." +</p> +<p> + "It is most infamous and intolerable oppression!" said Morton, half + speaking to himself; "here is a poor peaceable fellow, whose only motive + for joining the conventicle was a sense of filial piety, and he is + chained up like a thief or murderer, and likely to die the death of one, + but without the privilege of a formal trial, which our laws indulge to + the worst malefactor! Even to witness such tyranny, and still more to + suffer under it, is enough to make the blood of the tamest slave boil + within him." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure," said Cuddie, hearing, and partly understanding, what had + broken from Morton in resentment of his injuries, "it is no right to + speak evil o' dignities—my auld leddy aye said that, as nae doubt she + had a gude right to do, being in a place o' dignity hersell; and troth I + listened to her very patiently, for she aye ordered a dram, or a sowp + kale, or something to us, after she had gien us a hearing on our duties. + But deil a dram, or kale, or ony thing else—no sae muckle as a cup o' + cauld water—do thae lords at Edinburgh gie us; and yet they are heading + and hanging amang us, and trailing us after thae blackguard troopers, and + taking our goods and gear as if we were outlaws. I canna say I tak it + kind at their hands." +</p> +<p> + "It would be very strange if you did," answered Morton, with suppressed + emotion. +</p> +<p> + "And what I like warst o' a'," continued poor Cuddie, "is thae ranting + red-coats coming amang the lasses, and taking awa our joes. I had a sair + heart o' my ain when I passed the Mains down at Tillietudlem this morning + about parritch-time, and saw the reek comin' out at my ain lum-head, and + kend there was some ither body than my auld mither sitting by the + ingle-side. But I think my heart was e'en sairer, when I saw that + hellicat trooper, Tam Halliday, kissing Jenny Dennison afore my face. I + wonder women can hae the impudence to do sic things; but they are a' for + the red-coats. Whiles I hae thought o' being a trooper mysell, when I + thought naething else wad gae down wi' Jenny—and yet I'll no blame her + ower muckle neither, for maybe it was a' for my sake that she loot Tam + touzle her tap-knots that gate." +</p> +<p> + "For your sake?" said Morton, unable to refrain from taking some interest + in a story which seemed to bear a singular coincidence with his own. +</p> +<p> + "E'en sae, Milnwood," replied Cuddie; "for the puir quean gat leave to + come near me wi' speaking the loun fair, (d—n him, that I suld say sae!) + and sae she bade me God speed, and she wanted to stap siller into my + hand;—I'se warrant it was the tae half o' her fee and bountith, for she + wared the ither half on pinners and pearlings to gang to see us shoot yon + day at the popinjay." +</p> +<p> + "And did you take it, Cuddie?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Troth did I no, Milnwood; I was sic a fule as to fling it back to + her—my heart was ower grit to be behadden to her, when I had seen that + loon slavering and kissing at her. But I was a great fule for my pains; + it wad hae dune my mither and me some gude, and she'll ware't a' on duds + and nonsense." +</p> +<p> + There was here a deep and long pause. Cuddie was probably engaged in + regretting the rejection of his mistress's bounty, and Henry Morton in + considering from what motives, or upon what conditions, Miss Bellenden + had succeeded in procuring the interference of Lord Evandale in his + favour. +</p> +<p> + Was it not possible, suggested his awakening hopes, that he had construed + her influence over Lord Evandale hastily and unjustly? Ought he to + censure her severely, if, submitting to dissimulation for his sake, she + had permitted the young nobleman to entertain hopes which she had no + intention to realize? Or what if she had appealed to the generosity which + Lord Evandale was supposed to possess, and had engaged his honour to + protect the person of a favoured rival? +</p> +<p> + Still, however, the words which he had overheard recurred ever and anon + to his remembrance, with a pang which resembled the sting of an adder. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing that she could refuse him!—was it possible to make a more + unlimited declaration of predilection? The language of affection has not, + within the limits of maidenly delicacy, a stronger expression. She is + lost to me wholly, and for ever; and nothing remains for me now, but + vengeance for my own wrongs, and for those which are hourly inflicted on + my country." +</p> +<p> + Apparently, Cuddie, though with less refinement, was following out a + similar train of ideas; for he suddenly asked Morton in a low + whisper—"Wad there be ony ill in getting out o' thae chields' hands an + ane could compass it?" +</p> +<p> + "None in the world," said Morton; "and if an opportunity occurs of doing + so, depend on it I for one will not let it slip." +</p> +<p> + "I'm blythe to hear ye say sae," answered Cuddie. "I'm but a puir silly + fallow, but I canna think there wad be muckle ill in breaking out by + strength o' hand, if ye could mak it ony thing feasible. I am the lad + that will ne'er fear to lay on, if it were come to that; but our auld + leddy wad hae ca'd that a resisting o' the king's authority." +</p> +<p> + "I will resist any authority on earth," said Morton, "that invades + tyrannically my chartered rights as a freeman; and I am determined I will + not be unjustly dragged to a jail, or perhaps a gibbet, if I can possibly + make my escape from these men either by address or force." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, that's just my mind too, aye supposing we hae a feasible + opportunity o' breaking loose. But then ye speak o' a charter; now these + are things that only belang to the like o' you that are a gentleman, and + it mightna bear me through that am but a husbandman." +</p> +<p> + "The charter that I speak of," said Morton, "is common to the meanest + Scotchman. It is that freedom from stripes and bondage which was claimed, + as you may read in Scripture, by the Apostle Paul himself, and which + every man who is free-born is called upon to defend, for his own sake and + that of his countrymen." +</p> +<p> + "Hegh, sirs!" replied Cuddie, "it wad hae been lang or my Leddy Margaret, + or my mither either, wad hae fund out sic a wiselike doctrine in the + Bible! The tane was aye graning about giving tribute to Caesar, and the + tither is as daft wi' her whiggery. I hae been clean spoilt, just wi' + listening to twa blethering auld wives; but if I could get a gentleman + that wad let me tak on to be his servant, I am confident I wad be a clean + contrary creature; and I hope your honour will think on what I am saying, + if ye were ance fairly delivered out o' this house of bondage, and just + take me to be your ain wally-de-shamble." +</p> +<p> + "My valet, Cuddie?" answered Morton; "alas! that would be sorry + preferment, even if we were at liberty." +</p> +<p> + "I ken what ye're thinking—that because I am landward-bred, I wad be + bringing ye to disgrace afore folk; but ye maun ken I'm gay gleg at the + uptak; there was never ony thing dune wi' hand but I learned gay readily, + 'septing reading, writing, and ciphering; but there's no the like o' me + at the fit-ba', and I can play wi' the broadsword as weel as Corporal + Inglis there. I hae broken his head or now, for as massy as he's riding + ahint us.—And then ye'll no be gaun to stay in this country?"—said he, + stopping and interrupting himself. +</p> +<p> + "Probably not," replied Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Weel, I carena a boddle. Ye see I wad get my mither bestowed wi' her + auld graning tittie, auntie Meg, in the Gallowgate o' Glasgow, and then I + trust they wad neither burn her for a witch, or let her fail for fau't o' + fude, or hang her up for an auld whig wife; for the provost, they say, is + very regardfu' o' sic puir bodies. And then you and me wad gang and pouss + our fortunes, like the folk i' the daft auld tales about Jock the + Giant-killer and Valentine and Orson; and we wad come back to merry + Scotland, as the sang says, and I wad tak to the stilts again, and turn + sic furs on the bonny rigs o' Milnwood holms, that it wad be worth a pint + but to look at them." +</p> +<p> + "I fear," said Morton, "there is very little chance, my good friend + Cuddie, of our getting back to our old occupation." +</p> +<p> + "Hout, stir—hout, stir," replied Cuddie, "it's aye gude to keep up a + hardy heart—as broken a ship's come to land.—But what's that I hear? + never stir, if my auld mither isna at the preaching again! I ken the + sough o' her texts, that sound just like the wind blawing through the + spence; and there's Kettledrummle setting to wark, too—Lordsake, if the + sodgers anes get angry, they'll murder them baith, and us for company!" +</p> +<p> + Their farther conversation was in fact interrupted by a blatant noise + which rose behind them, in which the voice of the preacher emitted, in + unison with that of the old woman, tones like the grumble of a bassoon + combined with the screaking of a cracked fiddle. At first, the aged pair + of sufferers had been contented to condole with each other in smothered + expressions of complaint and indignation; but the sense of their injuries + became more pungently aggravated as they communicated with each other, + and they became at length unable to suppress their ire. +</p> +<p> + "Woe, woe, and a threefold woe unto you, ye bloody and violent + persecutors!" exclaimed the Reverend Gabriel Kettledrummle—"Woe, and + threefold woe unto you, even to the breaking of seals, the blowing of + trumpets, and the pouring forth of vials!" +</p> +<p> + "Ay—ay—a black cast to a' their ill-fa'ur'd faces, and the outside o' + the loof to them at the last day!" echoed the shrill counter-tenor of + Mause, falling in like the second part of a catch. +</p> +<p> + "I tell you," continued the divine, "that your rankings and your + ridings—your neighings and your prancings—your bloody, barbarous, + and inhuman cruelties—your benumbing, deadening, and debauching + the conscience of poor creatures by oaths, soul-damning and + self-contradictory, have arisen from earth to Heaven like a foul and + hideous outcry of perjury for hastening the wrath to come—hugh! hugh! + hugh!" +</p> +<p> + "And I say," cried Mause, in the same tune, and nearly at the same time, + "that wi' this auld breath o' mine, and it's sair taen down wi' the + asthmatics and this rough trot"— +</p> +<p> + "Deil gin they would gallop," said Cuddie, "wad it but gar her haud her + tongue!" +</p> +<p> + "—Wi' this auld and brief breath," continued Mause, "will I testify + against the backslidings, defections, defalcations, and declinings of the + land—against the grievances and the causes of wrath!" +</p> +<p> + "Peace, I pr'ythee—Peace, good woman," said the preacher, who had just + recovered from a violent fit of coughing, and found his own anathema + borne down by Mause's better wind; "peace, and take not the word out of + the mouth of a servant of the altar.—I say, I uplift my voice and tell + you, that before the play is played out—ay, before this very sun gaes + down, ye sall learn that neither a desperate Judas, like your prelate + Sharpe that's gane to his place; nor a sanctuary-breaking Holofernes, + like bloody-minded Claverhouse; nor an ambitious Diotrephes, like the lad + Evandale; nor a covetous and warld-following Demas, like him they ca' + Sergeant Bothwell, that makes every wife's plack and her meal-ark his + ain; neither your carabines, nor your pistols, nor your broadswords, nor + your horses, nor your saddles, bridles, surcingles, nose-bags, nor + martingales, shall resist the arrows that are whetted and the bow that is + bent against you!" +</p> +<p> + "That shall they never, I trow," echoed Mause; "castaways are they ilk + ane o' them—besoms of destruction, fit only to be flung into the fire + when they have sweepit the filth out o' the Temple—whips of small cords, + knotted for the chastisement of those wha like their warldly gudes and + gear better than the Cross or the Covenant, but when that wark's done, + only meet to mak latchets to the deil's brogues." +</p> +<p> + "Fiend hae me," said Cuddie, addressing himself to Morton, "if I dinna + think our mither preaches as weel as the minister!—But it's a sair pity + o' his hoast, for it aye comes on just when he's at the best o't, and + that lang routing he made air this morning, is sair again him too—Deil + an I care if he wad roar her dumb, and then he wad hae't a' to answer for + himsell—It's lucky the road's rough, and the troopers are no taking + muckle tent to what they say, wi' the rattling o' the horse's feet; but + an we were anes on saft grund, we'll hear news o' a' this." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie's conjecture were but too true. The words of the prisoners had not + been much attended to while drowned by the clang of horses' hoofs on a + rough and stony road; but they now entered upon the moorlands, where the + testimony of the two zealous captives lacked this saving accompaniment. + And, accordingly, no sooner had their steeds begun to tread heath and + green sward, and Gabriel Kettledrummle had again raised his voice with, + "Also I uplift my voice like that of a pelican in the wilderness"— +</p> +<p> + "And I mine," had issued from Mause, "like a sparrow on the house-tops"— +</p> +<p> + When "Hollo, ho!" cried the corporal from the rear; "rein up your + tongues, the devil blister them, or I'll clap a martingale on them." +</p> +<p> + "I will not peace at the commands of the profane," said Gabriel. +</p> +<p> + "Nor I neither," said Mause, "for the bidding of no earthly potsherd, + though it be painted as red as a brick from the Tower of Babel, and ca' + itsell a corporal." +</p> +<p> + "Halliday," cried the corporal, "hast got never a gag about thee, + man?—We must stop their mouths before they talk us all dead." +</p> +<p> + Ere any answer could be made, or any measure taken in consequence of the + corporal's motion, a dragoon galloped towards Sergeant Bothwell, who was + considerably a-head of the party he commanded. On hearing the orders + which he brought, Bothwell instantly rode back to the head of his party, + ordered them to close their files, to mend their pace, and to move with + silence and precaution, as they would soon be in presence of the enemy. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV. +</h2> +<pre> + Quantum in nobis, we've thought good + To save the expense of Christian blood, + And try if we, by mediation + Of treaty, and accommodation, + Can end the quarrel, and compose + This bloody duel without blows. + Butler. +</pre> +<p> + The increased pace of the party of horsemen soon took away from their + zealous captives the breath, if not the inclination, necessary for + holding forth. They had now for more than a mile got free of the + woodlands, whose broken glades had, for some time, accompanied them after + they had left the woods of Tillietudlem. A few birches and oaks still + feathered the narrow ravines, or occupied in dwarf-clusters the hollow + plains of the moor. But these were gradually disappearing; and a wide and + waste country lay before them, swelling into bare hills of dark heath, + intersected by deep gullies; being the passages by which torrents forced + their course in winter, and during summer the disproportioned channels + for diminutive rivulets that winded their puny way among heaps of stones + and gravel, the effects and tokens of their winter fury;—like so many + spendthrifts dwindled down by the consequences of former excesses and + extravagance. This desolate region seemed to extend farther than the eye + could reach, without grandeur, without even the dignity of mountain + wildness, yet striking, from the huge proportion which it seemed to bear + to such more favoured spots of the country as were adapted to + cultivation, and fitted for the support of man; and thereby impressing + irresistibly the mind of the spectator with a sense of the omnipotence of + nature, and the comparative inefficacy of the boasted means of + amelioration which man is capable of opposing to the disadvantages of + climate and soil. +</p> +<p> + It is a remarkable effect of such extensive wastes, that they impose an + idea of solitude even upon those who travel through them in considerable + numbers; so much is the imagination affected by the disproportion between + the desert around and the party who are traversing it. Thus the members + of a caravan of a thousand souls may feel, in the deserts of Africa or + Arabia, a sense of loneliness unknown to the individual traveller, whose + solitary course is through a thriving and cultivated country. +</p> +<p> + It was not, therefore, without a peculiar feeling of emotion, that Morton + beheld, at the distance of about half a mile, the body of the cavalry to + which his escort belonged, creeping up a steep and winding path which + ascended from the more level moor into the hills. Their numbers, which + appeared formidable when they crowded through narrow roads, and seemed + multiplied by appearing partially, and at different points, among the + trees, were now apparently diminished by being exposed at once to view, + and in a landscape whose extent bore such immense proportion to the + columns of horses and men, which, showing more like a drove of black + cattle than a body of soldiers, crawled slowly along the face of the + hill, their force and their numbers seeming trifling and contemptible. +</p> +<p> + "Surely," said Morton to himself, "a handful of resolute men may defend + any defile in these mountains against such a small force as this is, + providing that their bravery is equal to their enthusiasm." +</p> +<p> + While he made these reflections, the rapid movement of the horsemen who + guarded him, soon traversed the space which divided them from their + companions; and ere the front of Claverhouse's column had gained the brow + of the hill which they had been seen ascending, Bothwell, with his + rearguard and prisoners, had united himself, or nearly so, with the main + body led by his commander. The extreme difficulty of the road, which was + in some places steep, and in others boggy, retarded the progress of the + column, especially in the rear; for the passage of the main body, in many + instances, poached up the swamps through which they passed, and rendered + them so deep, that the last of their followers were forced to leave the + beaten path, and find safer passage where they could. +</p> +<p> + On these occasions, the distresses of the Reverend Gabriel Kettledrummle + and of Mause Headrigg, were considerably augmented, as the brutal + troopers, by whom they were guarded, compelled them, at all risks which + such inexperienced riders were likely to incur, to leap their horses over + drains and gullies, or to push them through morasses and swamps. +</p> +<p> + "Through the help of the Lord I have luppen ower a wall," cried poor + Mause, as her horse was, by her rude attendants, brought up to leap the + turf enclosure of a deserted fold, in which feat her curch flew off, + leaving her grey hairs uncovered. +</p> +<p> + "I am sunk in deep mire where there is no standing—I am come into deep + waters where the floods overflow me," exclaimed Kettledrummle, as the + charger on which he was mounted plunged up to the saddle-girths in a + well-head, as the springs are called which supply the marshes, the sable + streams beneath spouting over the face and person of the captive + preacher. +</p> +<p> + These exclamations excited shouts of laughter among their military + attendants; but events soon occurred which rendered them all sufficiently + serious. +</p> +<p> + The leading files of the regiment had nearly attained the brow of the + steep hill we have mentioned, when two or three horsemen, speedily + discovered to be a part of their own advanced guard, who had acted as a + patrol, appeared returning at full gallop, their horses much blown, and + the men apparently in a disordered flight. They were followed upon the + spur by five or six riders, well armed with sword and pistol, who halted + upon the top of the hill, on observing the approach of the Life-Guards. + One or two who had carabines dismounted, and, taking a leisurely and + deliberate aim at the foremost rank of the regiment, discharged their + pieces, by which two troopers were wounded, one severely. They then + mounted their horses, and disappeared over the ridge of the hill, + retreating with so much coolness as evidently showed, that, on the one + hand, they were undismayed by the approach of so considerable a force as + was moving against them, and conscious, on the other, that they were + supported by numbers sufficient for their protection. This incident + occasioned a halt through the whole body of cavalry; and while + Claverhouse himself received the report of his advanced guard, which had + been thus driven back upon the main body, Lord Evandale advanced to the + top of the ridge over which the enemy's horsemen had retired, and Major + Allan, Cornet Grahame, and the other officers, employed themselves in + extricating the regiment from the broken ground, and drawing them up on + the side of the hill in two lines, the one to support the other. +</p> +<p> + The word was then given to advance; and in a few minutes the first lines + stood on the brow and commanded the prospect on the other side. The + second line closed upon them, and also the rear-guard with the prisoners; + so that Morton and his companions in captivity could, in like manner, see + the form of opposition which was now offered to the farther progress of + their captors. +</p> +<p> + The brow of the hill, on which the royal Life-Guards were now drawn up, + sloped downwards (on the side opposite to that which they had ascended) + with a gentle declivity, for more than a quarter of a mile, and presented + ground, which, though unequal in some places, was not altogether + unfavourable for the manoeuvres of cavalry, until near the bottom, when + the slope terminated in a marshy level, traversed through its whole + length by what seemed either a natural gully, or a deep artificial drain, + the sides of which were broken by springs, trenches filled with water, + out of which peats and turf had been dug, and here and there by some + straggling thickets of alders which loved the moistness so well, that + they continued to live as bushes, although too much dwarfed by the sour + soil and the stagnant bog-water to ascend into trees. Beyond this ditch, + or gully, the ground arose into a second heathy swell, or rather hill, + near to the foot of which, and' as if with the object of defending the + broken ground and ditch that covered their front, the body of insurgents + appeared to be drawn up with the purpose of abiding battle. +</p> +<p> + Their infantry was divided into three lines. The first, tolerably + provided with fire-arms, were advanced almost close to the verge of the + bog, so that their fire must necessarily annoy the royal cavalry as they + descended the opposite hill, the whole front of which was exposed, and + would probably be yet more fatal if they attempted to cross the morass. + Behind this first line was a body of pikemen, designed for their support + in case the dragoons should force the passage of the marsh. In their rear + was their third line, consisting of countrymen armed with scythes set + straight on poles, hay-forks, spits, clubs, goads, fish-spears, and such + other rustic implements as hasty resentment had converted into + instruments of war. On each flank of the infantry, but a little backward + from the bog, as if to allow themselves dry and sound ground whereon to + act in case their enemies should force the pass, there was drawn up a + small body of cavalry, who were, in general, but indifferently armed, and + worse mounted, but full of zeal for the cause, being chiefly either + landholders of small property, or farmers of the better class, whose + means enabled them to serve on horseback. A few of those who had been + engaed in driving back the advanced guard of the royalists, might now be + seen returning slowly towards their own squadrons. These were the only + individuals of the insurgent army which seemed to be in motion. All the + others stood firm and motionless, as the grey stones that lay scattered + on the heath around them. +</p> +<p> + The total number of the insurgents might amount to about a thousand men; + but of these there were scarce a hundred cavalry, nor were the half of + them even tolerably armed. The strength of their position, however, the + sense of their having taken a desperate step, the superiority of their + numbers, but, above all, the ardour of their enthusiasm, were the means + on which their leaders reckoned, for supplying the want of arms, + equipage, and military discipline. +</p> +<p> + On the side of the hill that rose above the array of battle which they + had adopted, were seen the women and even the children, whom zeal, + opposed to persecution, had driven into the wilderness. They seemed + stationed there to be spectators of the engagement, by which their own + fate, as well as that of their parents, husbands, and sons, was to be + decided. Like the females of the ancient German tribes, the shrill cries + which they raised, when they beheld the glittering ranks of their enemy + appear on the brow of the opposing eminence, acted as an incentive to + their relatives to fight to the last in defence of that which was dearest + to them. Such exhortations seemed to have their full and emphatic effect; + for a wild halloo, which went from rank to rank on the appearance of the + soldiers, intimated the resolution of the insurgents to fight to the + uttermost. +</p> +<p> + As the horsemen halted their lines on the ridge of the hill, their + trumpets and kettle-drums sounded a bold and warlike flourish of menace + and defiance, that rang along the waste like the shrill summons of a + destroying angel. The wanderers, in answer, united their voices, and sent + forth, in solemn modulation, the two first verses of the seventy-sixth + Psalm, according to the metrical version of the Scottish Kirk: +</p> +<pre> + "In Judah's land God is well known, + His name's in Israel great: + In Salem is his tabernacle, + In Zion is his seat. + There arrows of the bow he brake, + The shield, the sword, the war. + More glorious thou than hills of prey, + More excellent art far." +</pre> +<p> + A shout, or rather a solemn acclamation, attended the close of the + stanza; and after a dead pause, the second verse was resumed by the + insurgents, who applied the destruction of the Assyrians as prophetical + of the issue of their own impending contest:— +</p> +<pre> + "Those that were stout of heart are spoil'd, + They slept their sleep outright; + And none of those their hands did find, + That were the men of might. + + When thy rebuke, O Jacob's God, + Had forth against them past, + Their horses and their chariots both + Were in a deep sleep cast." +</pre> +<p> + There was another acclamation, which was followed by the most profound + silence. +</p> +<p> + While these solemn sounds, accented by a thousand voices, were prolonged + amongst the waste hills, Claverhouse looked with great attention on the + ground, and on the order of battle which the wanderers had adopted, and + in which they determined to await the assault. +</p> +<p> + "The churls," he said, "must have some old soldiers with them; it was no + rustic that made choice of that ground." +</p> +<p> + "Burley is said to be with them for certain," answered Lord Evandale, + "and also Hackston of Rathillet, Paton of Meadowhead, Cleland, and some + other men of military skill." +</p> +<p> + "I judged as much," said Claverhouse, "from the style in which these + detached horsemen leapt their horses over the ditch, as they returned to + their position. It was easy to see that there were a few roundheaded + troopers amongst them, the true spawn of the old Covenant. We must manage + this matter warily as well as boldly. Evandale, let the officers come to + this knoll." +</p> +<p> + He moved to a small moss-grown cairn, probably the resting-place of some + Celtic chief of other times, and the call of "Officers to the front," + soon brought them around their commander. +</p> +<p> + "I do not call you around me, gentlemen," said Claverhouse, "in the + formal capacity of a council of war, for I will never turn over on others + the responsibility which my rank imposes on myself. I only want the + benefit of your opinions, reserving to myself, as most men do when they + ask advice, the liberty of following my own.—What say you, Cornet + Grahame? Shall we attack these fellows who are bellowing younder? You are + youngest and hottest, and therefore will speak first whether I will or + no." +</p> +<p> + "Then," said Cornet Grahame, "while I have the honour to carry the + standard of the Life-Guards, it shall never, with my will, retreat before + rebels. I say, charge, in God's name and the King's!" +</p> +<p> + "And what say you, Allan?" continued Claverhouse, "for Evandale is so + modest, we shall never get him to speak till you have said what you have + to say." +</p> +<p> + "These fellows," said Major Allan, an old cavalier officer of experience, + "are three or four to one—I should not mind that much upon a fair field, + but they are posted in a very formidable strength, and show no + inclination to quit it. I therefore think, with deference to Cornet + Grahame's opinion, that we should draw back to Tillietudlem, occupy the + pass between the hills and the open country, and send for reinforcements + to my Lord Ross, who is lying at Glasgow with a regiment of infantry. In + this way we should cut them off from the Strath of Clyde, and either + compel them to come out of their stronghold, and give us battle on fair + terms, or, if they remain here, we will attack them so soon as our + infantry has joined us, and enabled us to act with effect among these + ditches, bogs, and quagmires." +</p> +<p> + "Pshaw!" said the young Cornet, "what signifies strong ground, when it is + only held by a crew of canting, psalm-singing old women?" +</p> +<p> + "A man may fight never the worse," retorted Major Allan, "for honouring + both his Bible and Psalter. These fellows will prove as stubborn as + steel; I know them of old." +</p> +<p> + "Their nasal psalmody," said the Cornet, "reminds our Major of the race + of Dunbar." +</p> +<p> + "Had you been at that race, young man," retorted Allan, "you would have + wanted nothing to remind you of it for the longest day you have to live." +</p> +<p> + "Hush, hush, gentlemen," said Claverhouse, "these are untimely + repartees.—I should like your advice well, Major Allan, had our rascally + patrols (whom I will see duly punished) brought us timely notice of the + enemy's numbers and position. But having once presented ourselves before + them in line, the retreat of the Life-Guards would argue gross timidity, + and be the general signal for insurrection throughout the west. In which + case, so far from obtaining any assistance from my Lord Ross, I promise + you I should have great apprehensions of his being cut off before we can + join him, or he us. A retreat would have quite the same fatal effect upon + the king's cause as the loss of a battle—and as to the difference of + risk or of safety it might make with respect to ourselves, that, I am + sure, no gentleman thinks a moment about. There must be some gorges or + passes in the morass through which we can force our way; and, were we + once on firm ground, I trust there is no man in the Life-Guards who + supposes our squadrons, though so weak in numbers, are unable to trample + into dust twice the number of these unpractised clowns.—What say you, my + Lord Evandale?" +</p> +<p> + "I humbly think," said Lord Evandale, "that, go the day how it will, it + must be a bloody one; and that we shall lose many brave fellows, and + probably be obliged to slaughter a great number of these misguided men, + who, after all, are Scotchmen and subjects of King Charles as well as we + are." +</p> +<p> + "Rebels! rebels! and undeserving the name either of Scotchmen or of + subjects," said Claverhouse; "but come, my lord, what does your opinion + point at?" +</p> +<p> + "To enter into a treaty with these ignorant and misled men," said the + young nobleman. +</p> +<p> + "A treaty! and with rebels having arms in their hands? Never while I + live," answered his commander. +</p> +<p> + "At least send a trumpet and flag of truce, summoning them to lay down + their weapons and disperse," said Lord Evandale, "upon promise of a free + pardon—I have always heard, that had that been done before the battle of + Pentland hills, much blood might have been saved." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Claverhouse, "and who the devil do you think would carry a + summons to these headstrong and desperate fanatics? They acknowledge no + laws of war. Their leaders, who have been all most active in the murder + of the Archbishop of St Andrews, fight with a rope round their necks, and + are likely to kill the messenger, were it but to dip their followers in + loyal blood, and to make them as desperate of pardon as themselves." +</p> +<p> + "I will go myself," said Evandale, "if you will permit me. I have often + risked my blood to spill that of others, let me do so now in order to + save human lives." +</p> +<p> + "You shall not go on such an errand, my lord," said Claverhouse; "your + rank and situation render your safety of too much consequence to the + country in an age when good principles are so rare.—Here's my brother's + son Dick Grahame, who fears shot or steel as little as if the devil had + given him armour of proof against it, as the fanatics say he has given to + his uncle. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Cornet Grahame. There was actually a young cornet of the + Life-Guards named Grahame, and probably some relation of + Claverhouse, slain in the skirmish of Drumclog. In the old ballad on + the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, Claverhouse is said to have continued + the slaughter of the fugitives in revenge of this gentleman's death. + + "Haud up your hand," then Monmouth said; "Gie quarters to these men + for me;" But bloody Claver'se swore an oath, His kinsman's death + avenged should be. + + The body of this young man was found shockingly mangled after the + battle, his eyes pulled out, and his features so much defaced, that + it was impossible to recognise him. The Tory writers say that this + was done by the Whigs; because, finding the name Grahame wrought in + the young gentleman's neckcloth, they took the corpse for that of + Claver'se himself. The Whig authorities give a different account, + from tradition, of the cause of Cornet Grahame's body being thus + mangled. He had, say they, refused his own dog any food on the + morning of the battle, affirming, with an oath, that he should have + no breakfast but upon the flesh of the Whigs. The ravenous animal, + it is said, flew at his master as soon as he fell, and lacerated his + face and throat. + + These two stories are presented to the reader, leaving it to him to + judge whether it is most likely that a party of persecuted and + insurgent fanatics should mangle a body supposed to be that of their + chief enemy, in the same manner as several persons present at + Drumclog had shortly before treated the person of Archbishop Sharpe; + or that a domestic dog should, for want of a single breakfast, + become so ferocious as to feed on his own master, selecting his body + from scores that were lying around, equally accessible to his + ravenous appetite.] +</pre> +<p> + He shall take a flag of truce and a trumpet, and ride down to the edge of + the morass to summon them to lay down their arms and disperse." +</p> +<p> + "With all my soul, Colonel," answered the Cornet; "and I'll tie my cravat + on a pike to serve for a white flag—the rascals never saw such a pennon + of Flanders lace in their lives before." +</p> +<p> + "Colonel Grahame," said Evandale, while the young officer prepared for + his expedition, "this young gentleman is your nephew and your apparent + heir; for God's sake, permit me to go. It was my counsel, and I ought to + stand the risk." +</p> +<p> + "Were he my only son," said Claverhouse, "this is no cause and no time to + spare him. I hope my private affections will never interfere with my + public duty. If Dick Grahame falls, the loss is chiefly mine; were your + lordship to die, the King and country would be the sufferers.—Come, + gentlemen, each to his post. If our summons is unfavourably received, we + will instantly attack; and, as the old Scottish blazon has it, God shaw + the right!" +</p> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> +<pre> + With many a stout thwack and many a bang, + Hard crab-tree and old iron rang. + Hudibras. +</pre> +<p> + Cornet Richard Grahame descended the hill, bearing in his hand the + extempore flag of truce, and making his managed horse keep time by bounds + and curvets to the tune which he whistled. The trumpeter followed. Five + or six horsemen, having something the appearance of officers, detached + themselves from each flank of the Presbyterian army, and, meeting in the + centre, approached the ditch which divided the hollow as near as the + morass would permit. Towards this group, but keeping the opposite side of + the swamp, Cornet Grahame directed his horse, his motions being now the + conspicuous object of attention to both armies; and, without + disparagement to the courage of either, it is probable there was a + general wish on both sides that this embassy might save the risks and + bloodshed of the impending conflict. +</p> +<p> + When he had arrived right opposite to those, who, by their advancing to + receive his message, seemed to take upon themselves as the leaders of the + enemy, Cornet Grahame commanded his trumpeter to sound a parley. The + insurgents having no instrument of martial music wherewith to make the + appropriate reply, one of their number called out with a loud, strong + voice, demanding to know why he approached their leaguer. +</p> +<p> + "To summon you in the King's name, and in that of Colonel John Grahame of + Claverhouse, specially commissioned by the right honourable Privy Council + of Scotland," answered the Cornet, "to lay down your arms, and dismiss + the followers whom ye have led into rebellion, contrary to the laws of + God, of the King, and of the country." +</p> +<p> + "Return to them that sent thee," said the insurgent leader, "and tell + them that we are this day in arms for a broken Covenant and a persecuted + Kirk; tell them that we renounce the licentious and perjured Charles + Stewart, whom you call king, even as he renounced the Covenant, after + having once and again sworn to prosecute to the utmost of his power all + the ends thereof, really, constantly, and sincerely, all the days of his + life, having no enemies but the enemies of the Covenant, and no friends + but its friends. Whereas, far from keeping the oath he had called God and + angels to witness, his first step, after his incoming into these + kingdoms, was the fearful grasping at the prerogative of the Almighty, by + that hideous Act of Supremacy, together with his expulsing, without + summons, libel, or process of law, hundreds of famous faithful preachers, + thereby wringing the bread of life out of the mouth of hungry, poor + creatures, and forcibly cramming their throats with the lifeless, + saltless, foisonless, lukewarm drammock of the fourteen false prelates, + and their sycophantic, formal, carnal, scandalous creature-curates." +</p> +<p> + "I did not come to hear you preach," answered the officer, "but to know, + in one word, if you will disperse yourselves, on condition of a free + pardon to all but the murderers of the late Archbishop of St Andrews; or + whether you will abide the attack of his majesty's forces, which will + instantly advance upon you." +</p> +<p> + "In one word, then," answered the spokesman, "we are here with our swords + on our thighs, as men that watch in the night. We will take one part and + portion together, as brethren in righteousness. Whosoever assails us in + our good cause, his blood be on his own head. So return to them that sent + thee, and God give them and thee a sight of the evil of your ways!" +</p> +<p> + "Is not your name," said the Cornet, who began to recollect having seen + the person whom he was now speaking with, "John Balfour of Burley?" +</p> +<p> + "And if it be," said the spokesman, "hast thou aught to say against it?" +</p> +<p> + "Only," said the Cornet, "that, as you are excluded from pardon in the + name of the King and of my commanding officer, it is to these country + people, and not to you, that I offer it; and it is not with you, or such + as you, that I am sent to treat." +</p> +<p> + "Thou art a young soldier, friend," said Burley, "and scant well learned + in thy trade, or thou wouldst know that the bearer of a flag of truce + cannot treat with the army but through their officers; and that if he + presume to do otherwise, he forfeits his safe conduct." +</p> +<p> + While speaking these words, Burley unslung his carabine, and held it in + readiness. +</p> +<p> + "I am not to be intimidated from the discharge of my duty by the menaces + of a murderer," said Cornet Grahame.—"Hear me, good people; I proclaim, + in the name of the King and of my commanding officer, full and free + pardon to all, excepting"— +</p> +<p> + "I give thee fair warning," said Burley, presenting his piece. +</p> +<p> + "A free pardon to all," continued the young officer, still addressing the + body of the insurgents—"to all but"— +</p> +<p> + "Then the Lord grant grace to thy soul—amen!" said Burley. +</p> +<p> + With these words he fired, and Cornet Richard Grahame dropped from his + horse. The shot was mortal. The unfortunate young gentleman had only + strength to turn himself on the ground and mutter forth, "My poor + mother!" when life forsook him in the effort. His startled horse fled + back to the regiment at the gallop, as did his scarce less affrighted + attendant. +</p> +<p> + "What have you done?" said one of Balfour's brother officers. +</p> +<p> + "My duty," said Balfour, firmly. "Is it not written, Thou shalt be + zealous even to slaying? Let those, who dare, now venture to speak of + truce or pardon!" +</p> +<p> + Claverhouse saw his nephew fall. He turned his eye on Evandale, while a + transitory glance of indescribable emotion disturbed, for a second's + space, the serenity of his features, and briefly said, "You see the + event." +</p> +<p> + "I will avenge him, or die!" exclaimed Evandale; and, putting his horse + into motion, rode furiously down the hill, followed by his own troop, and + that of the deceased Cornet, which broke down without orders; and, each + striving to be the foremost to revenge their young officer, their ranks + soon fell into confusion. These forces formed the first line of the + royalists. It was in vain that Claverhouse exclaimed, "Halt! halt! this + rashness will undo us." It was all that he could accomplish, by galloping + along the second line, entreating, commanding, and even menacing the men + with his sword, that he could restrain them from following an example so + contagious. +</p> +<p> + "Allan," he said, as soon as he had rendered the men in some degree more + steady, "lead them slowly down the hill to support Lord Evandale, who is + about to need it very much.—Bothwell, thou art a cool and a daring + fellow"— +</p> +<p> + "Ay," muttered Bothwell, "you can remember that in a moment like this." +</p> +<p> + "Lead ten file up the hollow to the right," continued his commanding + officer, "and try every means to get through the bog; then form and + charge the rebels in flank and rear, while they are engaged with us in + front." +</p> +<p> + Bothwell made a signal of intelligence and obedience, and moved off with + his party at a rapid pace. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, the disaster which Claverhouse had apprehended, did not fail to + take place. The troopers, who, with Lord Evandale, had rushed down upon + the enemy, soon found their disorderly career interrupted by the + impracticable character of the ground. Some stuck fast in the morass as + they attempted to struggle through, some recoiled from the attempt and + remained on the brink, others dispersed to seek a more favourable place + to pass the swamp. In the midst of this confusion, the first line of the + enemy, of which the foremost rank knelt, the second stooped, and the + third stood upright, poured in a close and destructive fire that emptied + at least a score of saddles, and increased tenfold the disorder into + which the horsemen had fallen. Lord Evandale, in the meantime, at the + head of a very few well-mounted men, had been able to clear the ditch, + but was no sooner across than he was charged by the left body of the + enemy's cavalry, who, encouraged by the small number of opponents that + had made their way through the broken ground, set upon them with the + utmost fury, crying, "Woe, woe to the uncircumcised Philistines! down + with Dagon and all his adherents!" +</p> +<p> + The young nobleman fought like a lion; but most of his followers were + killed, and he himself could not have escaped the same fate but for a + heavy fire of carabines, which Claverhouse, who had now advanced with the + second line near to the ditch, poured so effectually upon the enemy, that + both horse and foot for a moment began to shrink, and Lord Evandale, + disengaged from his unequal combat, and finding himself nearly alone, + took the opportunity to effect his retreat through the morass. But + notwithstanding the loss they had sustained by Claverhouse's first fire, + the insurgents became soon aware that the advantage of numbers and of + position were so decidedly theirs, that, if they could but persist in + making a brief but resolute defence, the Life-Guards must necessarily be + defeated. Their leaders flew through their ranks, exhorting them to stand + firm, and pointing out how efficacious their fire must be where both men + and horse were exposed to it; for the troopers, according to custom, + fired without having dismounted. Claverhouse, more than once, when he + perceived his best men dropping by a fire which they could not + effectually return, made desperate efforts to pass the bog at various + points, and renew the battle on firm ground and fiercer terms. But the + close fire of the insurgents, joined to the natural difficulties of the + pass, foiled his attempts in every point. +</p> +<p> + "We must retreat," he said to Evandale, "unless Bothwell can effect a + diversion in our favour. In the meantime, draw the men out of fire, and + leave skirmishers behind these patches of alderbushes to keep the enemy + in check." +</p> +<p> + These directions being accomplished, the appearance of Bothwell with his + party was earnestly expected. But Bothwell had his own disadvantages to + struggle with. His detour to the right had not escaped the penetrating + observation of Burley, who made a corresponding movement with the left + wing of the mounted insurgents, so that when Bothwell, after riding a + considerable way up the valley, found a place at which the bog could be + passed, though with some difficulty, he perceived he was still in front + of a superior enemy. His daring character was in no degree checked by + this unexpected opposition. +</p> +<p> + "Follow me, my lads!" he called to his men; "never let it be said that we + turned our backs before these canting roundheads!" +</p> +<p> + With that, as if inspired by the spirit of his ancestors, he shouted, + "Bothwell! Bothwell!" and throwing himself into the morass, he struggled + through it at the head of his party, and attacked that of Burley with + such fury, that he drove them back above a pistol-shot, killing three men + with his own hand. Burley, perceiving the consequences of a defeat on + this point, and that his men, though more numerous, were unequal to the + regulars in using their arms and managing their horses, threw himself + across Bothwell's way, and attacked him hand to hand. Each of the + combatants was considered as the champion of his respective party, and a + result ensued more usual in romance than in real story. Their followers, + on either side, instantly paused, and looked on as if the fate of the day + were to be decided by the event of the combat between these two redoubted + swordsmen. The combatants themselves seemed of the same opinion; for, + after two or three eager cuts and pushes had been exchanged, they paused, + as if by joint consent, to recover the breath which preceding exertions + had exhausted, and to prepare for a duel in which each seemed conscious + he had met his match. +</p> +<a name="image-0011"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa230.jpg" height="778" width="532" +alt="The Duel +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "You are the murdering villain, Burley," said Bothwell, griping his sword + firmly, and setting his teeth close—"you escaped me once, but"—(he + swore an oath too tremendous to be written down)—"thy head is worth its + weight of silver, and it shall go home at my saddle-bow, or my saddle + shall go home empty for me." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied Burley, with stern and gloomy deliberation, "I am that + John Balfour, who promised to lay thy head where thou shouldst never lift + it again; and God do so unto me, and more also, if I do not redeem my + word!" +</p> +<p> + "Then a bed of heather, or a thousand merks!" said Bothwell, striking at + Burley with his full force. +</p> +<p> + "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" answered Balfour, as he parried + and returned the blow. +</p> +<p> + There have seldom met two combatants more equally matched in strength of + body, skill in the management of their weapons and horses, determined + courage, and unrelenting hostility. After exchanging many desperate + blows, each receiving and inflicting several wounds, though of no great + consequence, they grappled together as if with the desperate impatience + of mortal hate, and Bothwell, seizing his enemy by the shoulder-belt, + while the grasp of Balfour was upon his own collar, they came headlong to + the ground. The companions of Burley hastened to his assistance, but were + repelled by the dragoons, and the battle became again general. But + nothing could withdraw the attention of the combatants from each other, + or induce them to unclose the deadly clasp in which they rolled together + on the ground, tearing, struggling, and foaming, with the inveteracy of + thorough-bred bull-dogs. +</p> +<p> + Several horses passed over them in the melee without their quitting hold + of each other, until the sword-arm of Bothwell was broken by the kick of + a charger. He then relinquished his grasp with a deep and suppressed + groan, and both combatants started to their feet. Bothwell's right hand + dropped helpless by his side, but his left griped to the place where his + dagger hung; it had escaped from the sheath in the struggle,—and, with a + look of mingled rage and despair, he stood totally defenceless, as + Balfour, with a laugh of savage joy, flourished his sword aloft, and then + passed it through his adversary's body. Bothwell received the thrust + without falling—it had only grazed on his ribs. He attempted no farther + defence, but, looking at Burley with a grin of deadly hatred, + exclaimed—"Base peasant churl, thou hast spilt the blood of a line + of kings!" +</p> +<p> + "Die, wretch!—die!" said Balfour, redoubling the thrust with better aim; + and, setting his foot on Bothwell's body as he fell, he a third time + transfixed him with his sword.—"Die, bloodthirsty dog! die as thou hast + lived!—die, like the beasts that perish—hoping nothing—believing + nothing—" +</p> +<p> + "And fearing nothing!" said Bothwell, collecting the last effort of + respiration to utter these desperate words, and expiring as soon as they + were spoken. +</p> +<p> + To catch a stray horse by the bridle, throw himself upon it, and rush to + the assistance of his followers, was, with Burley, the affair of a + moment. And as the fall of Bothwell had given to the insurgents all the + courage of which it had deprived his comrades, the issue of this partial + contest did not remain long undecided. Several soldiers were slain, the + rest driven back over the morass and dispersed, and the victorious + Burley, with his party, crossed it in their turn, to direct against + Claverhouse the very manoeuvre which he had instructed Bothwell to + execute. He now put his troop in order, with the view of attacking the + right wing of the royalists; and, sending news of his success to the main + body, exhorted them, in the name of Heaven, to cross the marsh, and work + out the glorious work of the Lord by a general attack upon the enemy. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile, Claverhouse, who had in some degree remedied the confusion + occasioned by the first irregular and unsuccessful attack, and reduced + the combat in front to a distant skirmish with firearms, chiefly + maintained by some dismounted troopers whom he had posted behind the + cover of the shrub-by copses of alders, which in some places covered the + edge of the morass, and whose close, cool, and well-aimed fire + greatly annoyed the enemy, and concealed their own deficiency of + numbers,—Claverhouse, while he maintained the contest in this manner, + still expecting that a diversion by Bothwell and his party might + facilitate a general attack, was accosted by one of the dragoons, whose + bloody face and jaded horse bore witness he was come from hard service. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter, Halliday?" said Claverhouse, for he knew every man + in his regiment by name—"Where is Bothwell?" +</p> +<p> + "Bothwell is down," replied Halliday, "and many a pretty fellow with + him." +</p> +<p> + "Then the king," said Claverhouse, with his usual composure, "has lost a + stout soldier.—The enemy have passed the marsh, I suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "With a strong body of horse, commanded by the devil incarnate that + killed Bothwell," answered the terrified soldier. +</p> +<p> + "Hush! hush!" said Claverhouse, putting his finger on his lips, "not a + word to any one but me.—Lord Evandale, we must retreat. The fates will + have it so. Draw together the men that are dispersed in the skirmishing + work. Let Allan form the regiment, and do you two retreat up the hill in + two bodies, each halting alternately as the other falls back. I'll keep + the rogues in check with the rear-guard, making a stand and facing from + time to time. They will be over the ditch presently, for I see their + whole line in motion and preparing to cross; therefore lose no time." +</p> +<p> + "Where is Bothwell with his party?" said Lord Evandale, astonished at the + coolness of his commander. +</p> +<p> + "Fairly disposed of," said Claverhouse, in his ear—"the king has lost a + servant, and the devil has got one. But away to business, Evandale—ply + your spurs and get the men together. Allan and you must keep them steady. + This retreating is new work for us all; but our turn will come round + another day." +</p> +<p> + Evandale and Allan betook themselves to their task; but ere they had + arranged the regiment for the purpose of retreating in two alternate + bodies, a considerable number of the enemy had crossed the marsh. + Claverhouse, who had retained immediately around his person a few of his + most active and tried men, charged those who had crossed in person, while + they were yet disordered by the broken ground. Some they killed, others + they repulsed into the morass, and checked the whole so as to enable the + main body, now greatly diminished, as well as disheartened by the loss + they had sustained, to commence their retreat up the hill. +</p> +<p> + But the enemy's van being soon reinforced and supported, compelled + Claverhouse to follow his troops. Never did man, however, better maintain + the character of a soldier than he did that day. Conspicuous by his black + horse and white feather, he was first in the repeated charges which he + made at every favourable opportunity, to arrest the progress of the + pursuers, and to cover the retreat of his regiment. The object of aim to + every one, he seemed as if he were impassive to their shot. The + superstitious fanatics, who looked upon him as a man gifted by the Evil + Spirit with supernatural means of defence, averred that they saw the + bullets recoil from his jack-boots and buff-coat like hailstones from a + rock of granite, as he galloped to and fro amid the storm of the battle. + Many a whig that day loaded his musket with a dollar cut into slugs, in + order that a silver bullet (such was their belief) might bring down the + persecutor of the holy kirk, on whom lead had no power. +</p> +<p> + "Try him with the cold steel," was the cry at every renewed + charge—"powder is wasted on him. Ye might as weel shoot at the Auld + Enemy himsell." +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Proof against Shot given by Satan. The belief of the + Covenanters that their principal enemies, and Claverhouse in + particular, had obtained from the Devil a charm which rendered them + proof against leaden bullets, led them to pervert even the + circumstances of his death. Howie of Lochgoin, after giving some + account of the battle of Killicrankie, adds: + + "The battle was very bloody, and by Mackay's third fire, Claverhouse + fell, of whom historians give little account; but it has been said + for certain, that his own waiting-servant, taking a resolution to + rid the world of this truculent bloody monster, and knowing he had + proof of lead, shot him with a silver button he had before taken off + his own coat for that purpose. However, he fell, and with him + Popery, and King James's interest in Scotland."—God's Judgment on + Persecutors, p. xxxix. + + Original note.—"Perhaps some may think this anent proof of a shot a + paradox, and be ready to object here, as formerly, concerning Bishop + Sharpe and Dalziel—'How can the Devil have or give a power to save + life?' Without entering upon the thing in its reality, I shall only + observe, 1st, That it is neither in his power, or of his nature, to + be a saviour of men's lives; he is called Apollyon the destroyer. + 2d, That even in this case he is said only to give enchantment + against one kind of metal, and this does not save life: for the lead + would not take Sharpe or Claverhouse's lives, yet steel and silver + would do it; and for Dalziel, though he died not on the field, he + did not escape the arrows of the Almighty."—Ibidem.] +</pre> +<p> + But though this was loudly shouted, yet the awe on the insurgents' minds + was such, that they gave way before Claverhouse as before a supernatural + being, and few men ventured to cross swords with him. Still, however, he + was fighting in retreat, and with all the disadvantages attending that + movement. The soldiers behind him, as they beheld the increasing number + of enemies who poured over the morass, became unsteady; and, at every + successive movement, Major Allan and Lord Evandale found it more and more + difficult to bring them to halt and form line regularly, while, on the + other hand, their motions in the act of retreating became, by degrees, + much more rapid than was consistent with good order. As the retiring + soldiers approached nearer to the top of the ridge, from which in so + luckless an hour they had descended, the panic began to increase. Every + one became impatient to place the brow of the hill between him and the + continued fire of the pursuers; nor could any individual think it + reasonable that he should be the last in the retreat, and thus sacrifice + his own safety for that of others. In this mood, several troopers set + spurs to their horses and fled outright, and the others became so + unsteady in their movements and formations, that their officers every + moment feared they would follow the same example. +</p> +<p> + Amid this scene of blood and confusion, the trampling of the horses, the + groans of the wounded, the continued fire of the enemy, which fell in a + succession of unintermitted musketry, while loud shouts accompanied each + bullet which the fall of a trooper showed to have been successfully + aimed—amid all the terrors and disorders of such a scene, and when it + was dubious how soon they might be totally deserted by their dispirited + soldiery, Evandale could not forbear remarking the composure of his + commanding officer. Not at Lady Margaret's breakfast-table that morning + did his eye appear more lively, or his demeanour more composed. He had + closed up to Evandale for the purpose of giving some orders, and picking + out a few men to reinforce his rear-guard. +</p> +<p> + "If this bout lasts five minutes longer," he said, in a whisper, "our + rogues will leave you, my lord, old Allan, and myself, the honour of + fighting this battle with our own hands. I must do something to disperse + the musketeers who annoy them so hard, or we shall be all shamed. Don't + attempt to succour me if you see me go down, but keep at the head of your + men; get off as you can, in God's name, and tell the king and the council + I died in my duty!" +</p> +<p> + So saying, and commanding about twenty stout men to follow him, he gave, + with this small body, a charge so desperate and unexpected, that he drove + the foremost of the pursuers back to some distance. In the confusion of + the assault he singled out Burley, and, desirous to strike terror into + his followers, he dealt him so severe a blow on the head, as cut through + his steel head-piece, and threw him from his horse, stunned for the + moment, though unwounded. A wonderful thing it was afterwards thought, + that one so powerful as Balfour should have sunk under the blow of a man, + to appearance so slightly made as Claverhouse; and the vulgar, of course, + set down to supernatural aid the effect of that energy, which a + determined spirit can give to a feebler arm. Claverhouse had, in this + last charge, however, involved himself too deeply among the insurgents, + and was fairly surrounded. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale saw the danger of his commander, his body of dragoons being + then halted, while that commanded by Allan was in the act of retreating. + Regardless of Claverhouse's disinterested command to the contrary, he + ordered the party which he headed to charge down hill and extricate their + Colonel. Some advanced with him—most halted and stood uncertain—many + ran away. With those who followed Evandale, he disengaged Claverhouse. + His assistance just came in time, for a rustic had wounded his horse in a + most ghastly manner by the blow of a scythe, and was about to repeat the + stroke when Lord Evandale cut him down. As they got out of the press, + they looked round them. Allan's division had ridden clear over the hill, + that officer's authority having proved altogether unequal to halt them. + Evandale's troop was scattered and in total confusion. +</p> +<p> + "What is to be done, Colonel?" said Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "We are the last men in the field, I think," said Claverhouse; "and when + men fight as long as they can, there is no shame in flying. Hector + himself would say, 'Devil take the hindmost,' when there are but twenty + against a thousand.—Save yourselves, my lads, and rally as soon as you + can.—Come, my lord, we must e'en ride for it." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he put spurs to his wounded horse; and the generous animal, as + if conscious that the life of his rider depended on his exertions, + pressed forward with speed, unabated either by pain or loss of blood. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Claverhouse's Charger. It appears, from the letter of + Claverhouse afterwards quoted, that the horse on which he rode at + Drumclog was not black, but sorrel. The author has been misled as to + the colour by the many extraordinary traditions current in Scotland + concerning Claverhouse's famous black charger, which was generally + believed to have been a gift to its rider from the Author of Evil, + who is said to have performed the Caesarean operation upon its dam. + This horse was so fleet, and its rider so expert, that they are said + to have outstripped and coted, or turned, a hare upon the Bran-Law, + near the head of Moffat Water, where the descent is so precipitous, + that no merely earthly horse could keep its feet, or merely mortal + rider could keep the saddle. + + There is a curious passage in the testimony of John Dick, one of the + suffering Presbyterians, in which the author, by describing each of + the persecutors by their predominant qualities or passions, shows + how little their best-loved attributes would avail them in the great + day of judgment. When he introduces Claverhouse, it is to reproach + him with his passion for horses in general, and for that steed in + particular, which was killed at Drumclog, in the manner described in + the text: + + "As for that bloodthirsty wretch, Claverhouse, how thinks he to + shelter himself that day? Is it possible the pitiful thing can be so + mad as to think to secure himself by the fleetness of his horse, (a + creature he has so much respect for, that he regarded more the loss + of his horse at Drumclog, than all the men that fell there, and sure + there fell prettier men on either side than himself?) No, + sure—could he fall upon a chemist that could extract the spirit + out of all the horses in the world, and infuse them into his one, + though he were on that horse never so well mounted, he need not + dream of escaping."—The Testimony to the Doctrine, Worship, + Discipline, and Government of the Church of Scotland, as it was + left in write by that truly pious and eminently faithful, and now + glorified Martyr, Mr John Dick. To which is added, his last Speech + and Behaviour on the Scaffold, on 5th March, 1684, which day he + sealed this testimony. 57 pp. 4to. No year or place of publication. + + The reader may perhaps receive some farther information on the + subject of Cornet Grahame's death and the flight of Claverhouse, + from the following Latin lines, a part of a poem entitled, Bellum + Bothuellianum, by Andrew Guild, which exists in manuscript in the + Advocates' Library.] +</pre> +<p> + A few officers and soldiers followed him, but in a very irregular and + tumultuary manner. The flight of Claverhouse was the signal for all the + stragglers, who yet offered desultory resistance, to fly as fast as they + could, and yield up the field of battle to the victorious insurgents. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> +<pre> + But see! through the fast-flashing lightnings of war, + What steed to the desert flies frantic and far? + Campbell. +</pre> +<p> + During the severe skirmish of which we have given the details, Morton, + together with Cuddie and his mother, and the Reverend Gabriel + Kettledrummle, remained on the brow of the hill, near to the small cairn, + or barrow, beside which Claverhouse had held his preliminary council of + war, so that they had a commanding view of the action which took place in + the bottom. They were guarded by Corporal Inglis and four soldiers, who, + as may readily be supposed, were much more intent on watching the + fluctuating fortunes of the battle, than in attending to what passed + among their prisoners. +</p> +<p> + "If you lads stand to their tackle," said Cuddie, "we'll hae some chance + o' getting our necks out o' the brecham again; but I misdoubt them—they + hae little skeel o' arms." +</p> +<p> + "Much is not necessary, Cuddie," answered Morton; "they have a strong + position, and weapons in their hands, and are more than three times the + number of their assailants. If they cannot fight for their freedom now, + they and theirs deserve to lose it for ever." +</p> +<p> + "O, sirs," exclaimed Mause, "here's a goodly spectacle indeed! My spirit + is like that of the blessed Elihu, it burns within me—my bowels are as + wine which lacketh vent—they are ready to burst like new bottles. O, + that He may look after His ain people in this day of judgment and + deliverance!—And now, what ailest thou, precious Mr Gabriel + Kettledrummle? I say, what ailest thou, that wert a Nazarite purer than + snow, whiter than milk, more ruddy than sulphur," (meaning, perhaps, + sapphires,)—"I say, what ails thee now, that thou art blacker than a + coal, that thy beauty is departed, and thy loveliness withered like a dry + potsherd? Surely it is time to be up and be doing, to cry loudly and to + spare not, and to wrestle for the puir lads that are yonder testifying + with their ain blude and that of their enemies." +</p> +<p> + This expostulation implied a reproach on Mr Kettledrummle, who, though an + absolute Boanerges, or son of thunder, in the pulpit, when the enemy were + afar, and indeed sufficiently contumacious, as we have seen, when in + their power, had been struck dumb by the firing, shouts, and shrieks, + which now arose from the valley, and—as many an honest man might have + been, in a situation where he could neither fight nor fly—was too much + dismayed to take so favourable an opportunity to preach the terrors of + presbytery, as the courageous Mause had expected at his hand, or even to + pray for the successful event of the battle. His presence of mind was + not, however, entirely lost, any more than his jealous respect for his + reputation as a pure and powerful preacher of the word. +</p> +<p> + "Hold your peace, woman!" he said, "and do not perturb my inward + meditations and the wrestlings wherewith I wrestle.—But of a verity the + shooting of the foemen doth begin to increase! peradventure, some pellet + may attain unto us even here. Lo! I will ensconce me behind the cairn, as + behind a strong wall of defence." +</p> +<p> + "He's but a coward body after a'," said Cuddie, who was himself by no + means deficient in that sort of courage which consists in insensibility + to danger; "he's but a daidling coward body. He'll never fill + Rumbleberry's bonnet.—Odd! Rumbleberry fought and flyted like a fleeing + dragon. It was a great pity, puir man, he couldna cheat the woodie. But + they say he gaed singing and rejoicing till't, just as I wad gang to a + bicker o' brose, supposing me hungry, as I stand a gude chance to be.— + Eh, sirs! yon's an awfu' sight, and yet ane canna keep their een aff frae + it!" +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, strong curiosity on the part of Morton and Cuddie, together + with the heated enthusiasm of old Mause, detained them on the spot from + which they could best hear and see the issue of the action, leaving to + Kettledrummle to occupy alone his place of security. The vicissitudes of + combat, which we have already described, were witnessed by our spectators + from the top of the eminence, but without their being able positively to + determine to what they tended. That the presbyterians defended themselves + stoutly was evident from the heavy smoke, which, illumined by frequent + flashes of fire, now eddied along the valley, and hid the contending + parties in its sulphureous shade. On the other hand, the continued firing + from the nearer side of the morass indicated that the enemy persevered in + their attack, that the affair was fiercely disputed, and that every thing + was to be apprehended from a continued contest in which undisciplined + rustics had to repel the assaults of regular troops, so completely + officered and armed. +</p> +<p> + At length horses, whose caparisons showed that they belonged to the + Life-Guards, began to fly masterless out of the confusion. Dismounted + soldiers next appeared, forsaking the conflict, and straggling over the + side of the hill, in order to escape from the scene of action. As the + numbers of these fugitives increased, the fate of the day seemed no + longer doubtful. A large body was then seen emerging from the smoke, + forming irregularly on the hill-side, and with difficulty kept stationary + by their officers, until Evandale's corps also appeared in full retreat. + The result of the conflict was then apparent, and the joy of the + prisoners was corresponding to their approaching deliverance. +</p> +<p> + "They hae dune the job for anes," said Cuddie, "an they ne'er do't + again." +</p> +<p> + "They flee!—they flee!" exclaimed Mause, in ecstasy. "O, the truculent + tyrants! they are riding now as they never rode before. O, the false + Egyptians—the proud Assyrians—the Philistines—the Moabites—the + Edomites—the Ishmaelites!—The Lord has brought sharp swords upon them, + to make them food for the fowls of heaven and the beasts of the field. + See how the clouds roll, and the fire flashes ahint them, and goes forth + before the chosen of the Covenant, e'en like the pillar o' cloud and the + pillar o' flame that led the people of Israel out o' the land of Egypt! + This is indeed a day of deliverance to the righteous, a day of pouring + out of wrath to the persecutors and the ungodly!" +</p> +<p> + "Lord save us, mither," said Cuddie, "haud the clavering tongue o' ye, + and lie down ahint the cairn, like Kettledrummle, honest man! The + whigamore bullets ken unco little discretion, and will just as sune knock + out the harns o' a psalm-singing auld wife as a swearing dragoon." +</p> +<p> + "Fear naething for me, Cuddie," said the old dame, transported to ecstasy + by the success of her party; "fear naething for me! I will stand, like + Deborah, on the tap o' the cairn, and tak up my sang o' reproach against + these men of Harosheth of the Gentiles, whose horse-hoofs are broken by + their prancing." +</p> +<p> + The enthusiastic old woman would, in fact, have accomplished her purpose, + of mounting on the cairn, and becoming, as she said, a sign and a banner + to the people, had not Cuddie, with more filial tenderness than respect, + detained her by such force as his shackled arms would permit him to + exert. +</p> +<p> + "Eh, sirs!" he said, having accomplished this task, "look out yonder, + Milnwood; saw ye ever mortal fight like the deevil Claver'se?—Yonder + he's been thrice doun amang them, and thrice cam free aff.—But I think + we'll soon be free oursells, Milnwood. Inglis and his troopers look ower + their shouthers very aften, as if they liked the road ahint them better + than the road afore." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie was not mistaken; for, when the main tide of fugitives passed at a + little distance from the spot where they were stationed, the corporal and + his party fired their carabines at random upon the advancing insurgents, + and, abandoning all charge of their prisoners, joined the retreat of + their comrades. Morton and the old woman, whose hands were at liberty, + lost no time in undoing the bonds of Cuddie and of the clergyman, both of + whom had been secured by a cord tied round their arms above the elbows. + By the time this was accomplished, the rear-guard of the dragoons, which + still preserved some order, passed beneath the hillock or rising ground + which was surmounted by the cairn already repeatedly mentioned. They + exhibited all the hurry and confusion incident to a forced retreat, but + still continued in a body. Claverhouse led the van, his naked sword + deeply dyed with blood, as were his face and clothes. His horse was all + covered with gore, and now reeled with weakness. Lord Evandale, in not + much better plight, brought up the rear, still exhorting the soldiers to + keep together and fear nothing. Several of the men were wounded, and one + or two dropped from their horses as they surmounted the hill. +</p> +<p> + Mause's zeal broke forth once more at this spectacle, while she stood on + the heath with her head uncovered, and her grey hairs streaming in the + wind, no bad representation of a superannuated bacchante, or Thessalian + witch in the agonies of incantation. She soon discovered Claverhouse at + the head of the fugitive party, and exclaimed with bitter irony, "Tarry, + tarry, ye wha were aye sae blithe to be at the meetings of the saints, + and wad ride every muir in Scotland to find a conventicle! Wilt thou not + tarry, now thou hast found ane? Wilt thou not stay for one word mair? + Wilt thou na bide the afternoon preaching?—Wae betide ye!" she said, + suddenly changing her tone, "and cut the houghs of the creature whase + fleetness ye trust in!—Sheugh—sheugh!—awa wi'ye, that hae spilled sae + muckle blude, and now wad save your ain—awa wi'ye for a railing + Rabshakeh, a cursing Shimei, a bloodthirsty Doeg!—The swords drawn now + that winna be lang o' o'ertaking ye, ride as fast as ye will." +</p> +<p> + Claverhouse, it may be easily supposed, was too busy to attend to her + reproaches, but hastened over the hill, anxious to get the remnant of his + men out of gun-shot, in hopes of again collecting the fugitives round his + standard. But as the rear of his followers rode over the ridge, a shot + struck Lord Evandale's horse, which instantly sunk down dead beneath him. + Two of the whig horsemen, who were the foremost in the pursuit, hastened + up with the purpose of killing him, for hitherto there had been no + quarter given. Morton, on the other hand, rushed forward to save his + life, if possible, in order at once to indulge his natural generosity, + and to requite the obligation which Lord Evandale had conferred on him + that morning, and under which circumstances had made him wince so + acutely. Just as he had assisted Evandale, who was much wounded, to + extricate himself from his dying horse, and to gain his feet, the two + horsemen came up, and one of them exclaiming, "Have at the red-coated + tyrant!" made a blow at the young nobleman, which Morton parried with + difficulty, exclaiming to the rider, who was no other than Burley + himself, "Give quarter to this gentleman, for my sake—for the sake," he + added, observing that Burley did not immediately recognise him, "of Henry + Morton, who so lately sheltered you." +</p> +<p> + "Henry Morton?" replied Burley, wiping his bloody brow with his bloodier + hand; "did I not say that the son of Silas Morton would come forth out of + the land of bondage, nor be long an indweller in the tents of Ham? Thou + art a brand snatched out of the burning—But for this booted apostle of + prelacy, he shall die the death!—We must smite them hip and thigh, even + from the rising to the going down of the sun. It is our commission to + slay them like Amalek, and utterly destroy all they have, and spare + neither man nor woman, infant nor suckling; therefore, hinder me not," he + continued, endeavouring again to cut down Lord Evandale, "for this work + must not be wrought negligently." +</p> +<p> + "You must not, and you shall not, slay him, more especially while + incapable of defence," said Morton, planting himself before Lord Evandale + so as to intercept any blow that should be aimed at him; "I owed my life + to him this morning—my life, which was endangered solely by my having + sheltered you; and to shed his blood when he can offer no effectual + resistance, were not only a cruelty abhorrent to God and man, but + detestable ingratitude both to him and to me." +</p> +<p> + Burley paused.—"Thou art yet," he said, "in the court of the Gentiles, + and I compassionate thy human blindness and frailty. Strong meat is not + fit for babes, nor the mighty and grinding dispensation under which I + draw my sword, for those whose hearts are yet dwelling in huts of clay, + whose footsteps are tangled in the mesh of mortal sympathies, and who + clothe themselves in the righteousness that is as filthy rags. But to + gain a soul to the truth is better than to send one to Tophet; therefore + I give quarter to this youth, providing the grant is confirmed by the + general council of God's army, whom he hath this day blessed with so + signal a deliverance.—Thou art unarmed—Abide my return here. I must yet + pursue these sinners, the Amalekites, and destroy them till they be + utterly consumed from the face of the land, even from Havilah unto Shur." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he set spurs to his horse, and continued to pursue the chase. +</p> +<p> + "Cuddie," said Morton, "for God's sake catch a horse as quickly as you + can. I will not trust Lord Evandale's life with these obdurate men.—You + are wounded, my lord.—Are you able to continue your retreat?" he + continued, addressing himself to his prisoner, who, half-stunned by the + fall, was but beginning to recover himself. +</p> +<p> + "I think so," replied Lord Evandale. "But is it possible?—Do I owe my + life to Mr Morton?" +</p> +<p> + "My interference would have been the same from common humanity," replied + Morton; "to your lordship it was a sacred debt of gratitude." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie at this instant returned with a horse. +</p> +<p> + "God-sake, munt—munt, and ride like a fleeing hawk, my lord," said the + good-natured fellow, "for ne'er be in me, if they arena killing every ane + o' the wounded and prisoners!" +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale mounted the horse, while Cuddie officiously held the + stirrup. +</p> +<p> + "Stand off, good fellow, thy courtesy may cost thy life.—Mr Morton," he + continued, addressing Henry, "this makes us more than even—rely on it, I + will never forget your generosity—Farewell." +</p> +<p> + He turned his horse, and rode swiftly away in the direction which seemed + least exposed to pursuit. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale had just rode off, when several of the insurgents, who were + in the front of the pursuit, came up, denouncing vengeance on Henry + Morton and Cuddie for having aided the escape of a Philistine, as they + called the young nobleman. +</p> +<p> + "What wad ye hae had us to do?" cried Cuddie. "Had we aught to stop a man + wi' that had twa pistols and a sword? Sudna ye hae come faster up + yoursells, instead of flyting at huz?" +</p> +<p> + This excuse would hardly have passed current; but Kettledrummle, who now + awoke from his trance of terror, and was known to, and reverenced by, + most of the wanderers, together with Mause, who possessed their + appropriate language as well as the preacher himself, proved active and + effectual intercessors. +</p> +<p> + "Touch them not, harm them not," exclaimed Kettledrummle, in his very + best double-bass tones; "this is the son of the famous Silas Morton, by + whom the Lord wrought great things in this land at the breaking forth of + the reformation from prelacy, when there was a plentiful pouring forth of + the Word and a renewing of the Covenant; a hero and champion of those + blessed days, when there was power and efficacy, and convincing and + converting of sinners, and heart-exercises, and fellowships of saints, + and a plentiful flowing forth of the spices of the garden of Eden." +</p> +<p> + "And this is my son Cuddie," exclaimed Mause, in her turn, "the son of + his father, Judden Headrigg, wha was a douce honest man, and of me, Mause + Middlemas, an unworthy professor and follower of the pure gospel, and ane + o' your ain folk. Is it not written, 'Cut ye not off the tribe of the + families of the Kohathites from among the Levites?' Numbers, fourth and + aughteenth—O! sirs! dinna be standing here prattling wi' honest folk, + when ye suld be following forth your victory with which Providence has + blessed ye." +</p> +<p> + This party having passed on, they were immediately beset by another, to + whom it was necessary to give the same explanation. Kettledrummle, whose + fear was much dissipated since the firing had ceased, again took upon him + to be intercessor, and grown bold, as he felt his good word necessary for + the protection of his late fellow-captives, he laid claim to no small + share of the merit of the victory, appealing to Morton and Cuddie, + whether the tide of battle had not turned while he prayed on the Mount of + Jehovah-Nissi, like Moses, that Israel might prevail over Amalek; but + granting them, at the same time, the credit of holding up his hands when + they waxed heavy, as those of the prophet were supported by Aaron and + Hur. It seems probable that Kettledrummle allotted this part in the + success to his companions in adversity, lest they should be tempted to + disclose his carnal self-seeking and falling away, in regarding too + closely his own personal safety. These strong testimonies in favour of + the liberated captives quickly flew abroad, with many exaggerations, + among the victorious army. The reports on the subject were various; but + it was universally agreed, that young Morton of Milnwood, the son of the + stout soldier of the Covenant, Silas Morton, together with the precious + Gabriel Kettledrummle, and a singular devout Christian woman, whom many + thought as good as himself at extracting a doctrine or an use, whether of + terror or consolation, had arrived to support the good old cause, with a + reinforcement of a hundred well-armed men from the Middle Ward. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Skirmish at Drumclog. This affair, the only one in which + Claverhouse was defeated, or the insurgent Cameronians successful, + was fought pretty much in the manner mentioned in the text. The + Royalists lost about thirty or forty men. The commander of the + Presbyterian, or rather Convenanting party, was Mr Robert Hamilton, + of the honourable House of Preston, brother of Sir William Hamilton, + to whose title and estate he afterwards succeeded; but, according to + his biographer, Howie of Lochgoin, he never took possession of + either, as he could not do so without acknowledging the right of + King William (an uncovenanted monarch) to the crown. Hamilton had + been bred by Bishop Burnet, while the latter lived at Glasgow; his + brother, Sir Thomas, having married a sister of that historian. "He + was then," says the Bishop, "a lively, hopeful young man; but + getting into that company, and into their notions, he became a + crack-brained enthusiast." + + Several well-meaning persons have been much scandalized at the + manner in which the victors are said to have conducted themselves + towards the prisoners at Drumclog. But the principle of these poor + fanatics, (I mean the high-flying, or Cameronian party,) was to + obtain not merely toleration for their church, but the same + supremacy which Presbytery had acquired in Scotland after the treaty + of Rippon, betwixt Charles I. and his Scottish subjects, in 1640. + + The fact is, that they conceived themselves a chosen people, sent + forth to extirpate the heathen, like the Jews of old, and under a + similar charge to show no quarter. + + The historian of the Insurrection of Bothwell makes the following + explicit avowal of the principles on which their General acted:— + + "Mr Hamilton discovered a great deal of bravery and valour, both in + the conflict with, and pursuit of, the enemy; but when he and some + other were pursuing the enemy, others flew too greedily upon the + spoil, small as it was, instead of pursuing the victory; and some, + without Mr Hamilton's knowledge, and directly contrary to his + express command, gave five of those bloody enemies quarter, and then + let them go; this greatly grieved Mr Hamilton when he saw some of + Babel's brats spared, after that the Lord had delivered them into + their hands, that they might dash them against the stones. Psalm + cxxxvii., 9. In his own account of this, he reckons the sparing of + these enemies, and letting them go, to be among their first + steppings aside, for which he feared that the Lord would not honour + them to do much more for him; and says, that he was neither for + taking favours from, nor giving favours to, the Lord's enemies." See + A true and impartial Account of the persecuted Presbyterians in + Scotland, their being in arms, and defeat at Bothwell Brigg, in + 1679, by William Wilson, late Schoolmaster in the parish of Douglas. + The reader who would authenticate the quotation, must not consult + any other edition than that of 1697; for somehow or other the + publisher of the last edition has omitted this remarkable part of + the narrative. + + Sir Robert Hamilton himself felt neither remorse nor shame for + having put to death one of the prisoners after the battle with his + own hand, which appears to have been a charge against him, by some + whose fanaticism was less exalted than his own. + + "As for that accusation they bring against me of killing that poor + man (as they call him) at Drumclog, I may easily guess that my + accusers can be no other but some of the house of Saul or Shimei, or + some such risen again to espouse that poor gentleman (Saul) his + quarrel against honest Samuel, for his offering to kill that poor + man Agag, after the king's giving him quarter. But I, being to + command that day, gave out the word that no quarter should be given; + and returning from pursuing Claverhouse, one or two of these fellows + were standing in the midst of a company of our friends, and some + were debating for quarter, others against it. None could blame me to + decide the controversy, and I bless the Lord for it to this day. + There were five more that without my knowledge got quarter, who were + brought to me after we were a mile from the place as having got + quarter, which I reckoned among the first steppings aside; and + seeing that spirit amongst us at that time, I then told it to some + that were with me, (to my best remembrance, it was honest old John + Nisbet,) that I feared the Lord would not honour us to do much more + for him. I shall only say this,—I desire to bless his holy name, + that since ever he helped me to set my face to his work, I never + had, nor would take, a favour from enemies, either on right or left + hand, and desired to give as few." + + The preceding passage is extracted from a long vindication of his + own conduct, sent by Sir Robert Hamilton, 7th December, 1685, + addressed to the anti-Popish, anti-Prelatic, anti-Erastian, + anti-sectarian true Presbyterian remnant of the Church of Scotland; + and the substance is to be found in the work or collection, called, + "Faithful Contendings Displayed, collected and transcribed by John + Howie." + + As the skirmish of Drumclog has been of late the subject of some + enquiry, the reader may be curious to see Claverhouse's own account + of the affair, in a letter to the Earl of Linlithgow, written + immediately after the action. This gazette, as it may be called, + occurs in the volume called Dundee's Letters, printed by Mr Smythe + of Methven, as a contribution to the Bannatyne Club. The original is + in the library of the Duke of Buckingham. Claverhouse, it may be + observed, spells like a chambermaid. + + "FOR THE EARLE OF LINLITHGOW. [COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF KING CHARLES + II.'s FORCES IN SCOTLAND.] + + "Glaskow, Jun. the 1, 1679. + + "My Lord,—Upon Saturday's night, when my Lord Rosse came into this + place, I marched out, and because of the insolency that had been + done tue nights before at Ruglen, I went thither and inquyred for + the names. So soon as I got them, I sent our partys to sease on + them, and found not only three of those rogues, but also ane + intercomend minister called King. We had them at Strevan about six + in the morning yesterday, and resolving to convey them to this, I + thought that we might make a little tour to see if we could fall + upon a conventicle; which we did, little to our advantage; for when + we came in sight of them, we found them drawn up in batell, upon a + most adventageous ground, to which there was no coming but through + mosses and lakes. They wer not preaching, and had got away all there + women and shildring. They consisted of four battaillons of foot, and + all well armed with fusils and pitchforks, and three squadrons of + horse. We sent both partys to skirmish, they of foot and we of + dragoons; they run for it, and sent down a battaillon of foot + against them; we sent threescore of dragoons, who made them run + again shamfully; but in end they percaiving that we had the better + of them in skirmish, they resolved a generall engadgment, and + imediately advanced with there foot, the horse folowing; they came + throght the lotche; the greatest body of all made up against my + troupe; we keeped our fyre till they wer within ten pace of us: they + recaived our fyr, and advanced to shok; the first they gave us + broght down the Coronet Mr Crafford and Captain Bleith, besides that + with a pitchfork they made such an openeing in my rone horse's + belly, that his guts hung out half an elle, and yet he caryed me af + an myl; which so discoraged our men, that they sustained not the + shok, but fell into disorder. There horse took the occasion of this, + and purseued us so hotly that we had no tym to rayly. I saved the + standarts, but lost on the place about aight or ten men, besides + wounded; but he dragoons lost many mor. They ar not com esily af on + the other side, for I sawe severall of them fall befor we cam to the + shok. I mad the best retraite the confusion of our people would + suffer, and I am now laying with my Lord Rosse. The toun of Streven + drew up as we was making our retrait, and thoght of a pass to cut us + off, but we took courage and fell to them, made them run, leaving a + dousain on the place. What these rogues will dou yet I know not, but + the contry was flocking to them from all hands. This may be counted + the begining of the rebellion, in my opinion. + + "I am, my lord, + + "Your lordship's most humble servant, + + "J. Grahame. + + "My lord, I am so wearied, and so sleapy, that I have wryton this + very confusedly."] +</pre> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> +<pre> + When pulpit, drum ecclesiastic, + Was beat with fist instead of a stick. + Hudibras. +</pre> +<p> + In the meantime, the insurgent cavalry returned from the pursuit, jaded + and worn out with their unwonted efforts, and the infantry assembled on + the ground which they had won, fatigued with toil and hunger. Their + success, however, was a cordial to every bosom, and seemed even to serve + in the stead of food and refreshment. It was, indeed, much more brilliant + than they durst have ventured to anticipate; for, with no great loss on + their part, they had totally routed a regiment of picked men, commanded + by the first officer in Scotland, and one whose very name had long been a + terror to them. Their success seemed even to have upon their spirits the + effect of a sudden and violent surprise, so much had their taking up arms + been a measure of desperation rather than of hope. Their meeting was also + casual, and they had hastily arranged themselves under such commanders as + were remarkable for zeal and courage, without much respect to any other + qualities. It followed, from this state of disorganization, that the + whole army appeared at once to resolve itself into a general committee + for considering what steps were to be taken in consequence of their + success, and no opinion could be started so wild that it had not some + favourers and advocates. Some proposed they should march to Glasgow, some + to Hamilton, some to Edinburgh, some to London. Some were for sending a + deputation of their number to London to convert Charles II. to a sense of + the error of his ways; and others, less charitable, proposed either to + call a new successor to the crown, or to declare Scotland a free + republic. A free parliament of the nation, and a free assembly of the + Kirk, were the objects of the more sensible and moderate of the party. In + the meanwhile, a clamour arose among the soldiers for bread and other + necessaries, and while all complained of hardship and hunger, none took + the necessary measures to procure supplies. In short, the camp of the + Covenanters, even in the very moment of success, seemed about to dissolve + like a rope of sand, from want of the original principles of combination + and union. +</p> +<p> + Burley, who had now returned from the pursuit, found his followers in + this distracted state. With the ready talent of one accustomed to + encounter exigences, he proposed, that one hundred of the freshest men + should be drawn out for duty—that a small number of those who had + hitherto acted as leaders, should constitute a committee of direction + until officers should be regularly chosen—and that, to crown the + victory, Gabriel Kettledrummle should be called upon to improve the + providential success which they had obtained, by a word in season + addressed to the army. He reckoned very much, and not without reason, on + this last expedient, as a means of engaging the attention of the bulk of + the insurgents, while he himself, and two or three of their leaders, held + a private council of war, undisturbed by the discordant opinions, or + senseless clamour, of the general body. +</p> +<p> + Kettledrummle more than answered the expectations of Burley. Two mortal + hours did he preach at a breathing; and certainly no lungs, or doctrine, + excepting his own, could have kept up, for so long a time, the attention + of men in such precarious circumstances. But he possessed in perfection a + sort of rude and familiar eloquence peculiar to the preachers of that + period, which, though it would have been fastidiously rejected by an + audience which possessed any portion of taste, was a cake of the right + leaven for the palates of those whom he now addressed. His text was from + the forty-ninth chapter of Isaiah, "Even the captives of the mighty shall + be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I + will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy + children. +</p> +<p> + "And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they + shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh + shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty + One of Jacob." +</p> +<p> + The discourse which he pronounced upon this subject was divided into + fifteen heads, each of which was garnished with seven uses of + application, two of consolation, two of terror, two declaring the causes + of backsliding and of wrath, and one announcing the promised and expected + deliverance. The first part of his text he applied to his own deliverance + and that of his companions; and took occasion to speak a few words in + praise of young Milnwood, of whom, as of a champion of the Covenant, he + augured great things. The second part he applied to the punishments which + were about to fall upon the persecuting government. At times he + was familiar and colloquial; now he was loud, energetic, and + boisterous;—some parts of his discourse might be called sublime, and + others sunk below burlesque. Occasionally he vindicated with great + animation the right of every freeman to worship God according to his own + conscience; and presently he charged the guilt and misery of the people + on the awful negligence of their rulers, who had not only failed to + establish presbytery as the national religion, but had tolerated + sectaries of various descriptions, Papists, Prelatists, Erastians, + assuming the name of Presbyterians, Independents, Socinians, and + Quakers: all of whom Kettledrummle proposed, by one sweeping act, to + expel from the land, and thus re-edify in its integrity the beauty of + the sanctuary. He next handled very pithily the doctrine of defensive + arms and of resistance to Charles II., observing, that, instead of a + nursing father to the Kirk, that monarch had been a nursing father to + none but his own bastards. He went at some length through the life and + conversation of that joyous prince, few parts of which, it must be + owned, were qualified to stand the rough handling of so uncourtly an + orator, who conferred on him the hard names of Jeroboam, Omri, Ahab, + Shallum, Pekah, and every other evil monarch recorded in the Chronicles, + and concluded with a round application of the Scripture, "Tophet is + ordained of old; yea, for the King it is provided: he hath made it deep + and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood: the breath of the + Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." +</p> +<p> + Kettledrummle had no sooner ended his sermon, and descended from the huge + rock which had served him for a pulpit, than his post was occupied by a + pastor of a very different description. The reverend Gabriel was advanced + in years, somewhat corpulent, with a loud voice, a square face, and a set + of stupid and unanimated features, in which the body seemed more to + predominate over the spirit than was seemly in a sound divine. The youth + who succeeded him in exhorting this extraordinary convocation, Ephraim + Macbriar by name, was hardly twenty years old; yet his thin features + already indicated, that a constitution, naturally hectic, was worn out by + vigils, by fasts, by the rigour of imprisonment, and the fatigues + incident to a fugitive life. Young as he was, he had been twice + imprisoned for several months, and suffered many severities, which gave + him great influence with those of his own sect. He threw his faded eyes + over the multitude and over the scene of battle; and a light of triumph + arose in his glance, his pale yet striking features were coloured with a + transient and hectic blush of joy. He folded his hands, raised his face + to heaven, and seemed lost in mental prayer and thanksgiving ere he + addressed the people. When he spoke, his faint and broken voice seemed at + first inadequate to express his conceptions. But the deep silence of the + assembly, the eagerness with which the ear gathered every word, as the + famished Israelites collected the heavenly manna, had a corresponding + effect upon the preacher himself. His words became more distinct, his + manner more earnest and energetic; it seemed as if religious zeal was + triumphing over bodily weakness and infirmity. His natural eloquence was + not altogether untainted with the coarseness of his sect; and yet, by the + influence of a good natural taste, it was freed from the grosser and more + ludicrous errors of his contemporaries; and the language of Scripture, + which, in their mouths, was sometimes degraded by misapplication, gave, + in Macbriar's exhortation, a rich and solemn effect, like that which is + produced by the beams of the sun streaming through the storied + representation of saints and martyrs on the Gothic window of some ancient + cathedral. +</p> +<p> + He painted the desolation of the church, during the late period of her + distresses, in the most affecting colours. He described her, like Hagar + watching the waning life of her infant amid the fountainless desert; like + Judah, under her palm-tree, mourning for the devastation of her temple; + like Rachel, weeping for her children and refusing comfort. But he + chiefly rose into rough sublimity when addressing the men yet reeking + from battle. He called on them to remember the great things which God had + done for them, and to persevere in the career which their victory had + opened. +</p> +<p> + "Your garments are dyed—but not with the juice of the wine-press; your + swords are filled with blood," he exclaimed, "but not with the blood of + goats or lambs; the dust of the desert on which ye stand is made fat with + gore, but not with the blood of bullocks, for the Lord hath a sacrifice + in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. These were not + the firstlings of the flock, the small cattle of burnt-offerings, whose + bodies lie like dung on the ploughed field of the husbandman; this is not + the savour of myrrh, of frankincense, or of sweet herbs, that is steaming + in your nostrils; but these bloody trunks are the carcasses of those who + held the bow and the lance, who were cruel and would show no mercy, whose + voice roared like the sea, who rode upon horses, every man in array as if + to battle—they are the carcasses even of the mighty men of war that came + against Jacob in the day of his deliverance, and the smoke is that of the + devouring fires that have consumed them. And those wild hills that + surround you are not a sanctuary planked with cedar and plated with + silver; nor are ye ministering priests at the altar, with censers and + with torches; but ye hold in your hands the sword, and the bow, and the + weapons of death. And yet verily, I say unto you, that not when the + ancient Temple was in its first glory was there offered sacrifice more + acceptable than that which you have this day presented, giving to the + slaughter the tyrant and the oppressor, with the rocks for your altars, + and the sky for your vaulted sanctuary, and your own good swords for the + instruments of sacrifice. Leave not, therefore, the plough in the + furrow—turn not back from the path in which you have entered like the + famous worthies of old, whom God raised up for the glorifying of his + name and the deliverance of his afflicted people—halt not in the race + you are running, lest the latter end should be worse than the beginning. + Wherefore, set up a standard in the land; blow a trumpet upon the + mountains; let not the shepherd tarry by his sheepfold, or the seedsman + continue in the ploughed field; but make the watch strong, sharpen the + arrows, burnish the shields, name ye the captains of thousands, and + captains of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens; call the footmen like the + rushing of winds, and cause the horsemen to come up like the sound of + many waters; for the passages of the destroyers are stopped, their rods + are burned, and the face of their men of battle hath been turned to + flight. Heaven has been with you, and has broken the bow of the mighty; + then let every man's heart be as the heart of the valiant Maccabeus, + every man's hand as the hand of the mighty Sampson, every man's sword as + that of Gideon, which turned not back from the slaughter; for the banner + of Reformation is spread abroad on the mountains in its first + loveliness, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. +</p> +<p> + "Well is he this day that shall barter his house for a helmet, and sell + his garment for a sword, and cast in his lot with the children of the + Covenant, even to the fulfilling of the promise; and woe, woe unto him + who, for carnal ends and self-seeking, shall withhold himself from the + great work, for the curse shall abide with him, even the bitter curse of + Meroz, because he came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty. + Up, then, and be doing; the blood of martyrs, reeking upon scaffolds, is + crying for vengeance; the bones of saints, which lie whitening in the + highways, are pleading for retribution; the groans of innocent captives + from desolate isles of the sea, and from the dungeons of the tyrants' + high places, cry for deliverance; the prayers of persecuted Christians, + sheltering themselves in dens and deserts from the sword of their + persecutors, famished with hunger, starving with cold, lacking fire, + food, shelter, and clothing, because they serve God rather than man—all + are with you, pleading, watching, knocking, storming the gates of heaven + in your behalf. Heaven itself shall fight for you, as the stars in their + courses fought against Sisera. Then whoso will deserve immortal fame in + this world, and eternal happiness in that which is to come, let them + enter into God's service, and take arles at the hand of his servant,—a + blessing, namely, upon him and his household, and his children, to the + ninth generation, even the blessing of the promise, for ever and ever! + Amen." +</p> +<p> + The eloquence of the preacher was rewarded by the deep hum of stern + approbation which resounded through the armed assemblage at the + conclusion of an exhortation, so well suited to that which they had done, + and that which remained for them to do. The wounded forgot their pain, + the faint and hungry their fatigues and privations, as they listened to + doctrines which elevated them alike above the wants and calamities of the + world, and identified their cause with that of the Deity. Many crowded + around the preacher, as he descended from the eminence on which he stood, + and, clasping him with hands on which the gore was not yet hardened, + pledged their sacred vow that they would play the part of Heaven's true + soldiers. Exhausted by his own enthusiasm, and by the animated fervour + which he had exerted in his discourse, the preacher could only reply, in + broken accents,—"God bless you, my brethren—it is his cause.—Stand + strongly up and play the men—the worst that can befall us is but a brief + and bloody passage to heaven." +</p> +<p> + Balfour, and the other leaders, had not lost the time which was employed + in these spiritual exercises. Watch-fires were lighted, sentinels were + posted, and arrangements were made to refresh the army with such + provisions as had been hastily collected from the nearest farm-houses and + villages. The present necessity thus provided for, they turned their + thoughts to the future. They had dispatched parties to spread the news of + their victory, and to obtain, either by force or favour, supplies of what + they stood most in need of. In this they had succeeded beyond their + hopes, having at one village seized a small magazine of provisions, + forage, and ammunition, which had been provided for the royal forces. + This success not only gave them relief at the time, but such hopes for + the future, that whereas formerly some of their number had begun to + slacken in their zeal, they now unanimously resolved to abide together in + arms, and commit themselves and their cause to the event of war. +</p> +<p> + And whatever may be thought of the extravagance or narrow-minded bigotry + of many of their tenets, it is impossible to deny the praise of devoted + courage to a few hundred peasants, who, without leaders, without money, + without magazines, without any fixed plan of action, and almost without + arms, borne out only by their innate zeal, and a detestation of the + oppression of their rulers, ventured to declare open war against an + established government, supported by a regular army and the whole force + of three kingdoms. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> +<pre> + Why, then, say an old man can do somewhat. + Henry IV. Part II. +</pre> +<p> + We must now return to the tower of Tillietudlem, which the march of the + Life-Guards, on the morning of this eventful day, had left to silence and + anxiety. The assurances of Lord Evandale had not succeeded in quelling + the apprehensions of Edith. She knew him generous, and faithful to his + word; but it seemed too plain that he suspected the object of her + intercession to be a successful rival; and was it not expecting from him + an effort above human nature, to suppose that he was to watch over + Morton's safety, and rescue him from all the dangers to which his state + of imprisonment, and the suspicions which he had incurred, must + repeatedly expose him? She therefore resigned herself to the most + heart-rending apprehensions, without admitting, and indeed almost without + listening to, the multifarious grounds of consolation which Jenny + Dennison brought forward, one after another, like a skilful general who + charges with the several divisions of his troops in regular succession. +</p> +<p> + First, Jenny was morally positive that young Milnwood would come to no + harm—then, if he did, there was consolation in the reflection, that Lord + Evandale was the better and more appropriate match of the two—then, + there was every chance of a battle, in which the said Lord Evandale might + be killed, and there wad be nae mair fash about that job—then, if the + whigs gat the better, Milnwood and Cuddie might come to the Castle, and + carry off the beloved of their hearts by the strong hand. +</p> +<p> + "For I forgot to tell ye, madam," continued the damsel, putting her + handkerchief to her eyes, "that puir Cuddie's in the hands of the + Philistines as weel as young Milnwood, and he was brought here a prisoner + this morning, and I was fain to speak Tam Halliday fair, and fleech him + to let me near the puir creature; but Cuddie wasna sae thankfu' as he + needed till hae been neither," she added, and at the same time changed + her tone, and briskly withdrew the handkerchief from her face; "so I will + ne'er waste my een wi' greeting about the matter. There wad be aye enow + o' young men left, if they were to hang the tae half o' them." +</p> +<p> + The other inhabitants of the Castle were also in a state of + dissatisfaction and anxiety. Lady Margaret thought that Colonel Grahame, + in commanding an execution at the door of her house, and refusing to + grant a reprieve at her request, had fallen short of the deference due to + her rank, and had even encroached on her seignorial rights. +</p> +<p> + "The Colonel," she said, "ought to have remembered, brother, that the + barony of Tillietudlem has the baronial privilege of pit and gallows; and + therefore, if the lad was to be executed on my estate, (which I consider + as an unhandsome thing, seeing it is in the possession of females, to + whom such tragedies cannot be acceptable,) he ought, at common law, to + have been delivered up to my bailie, and justified at his sight." +</p> +<p> + "Martial law, sister," answered Major Bellenden, "supersedes every other. + But I must own I think Colonel Grahame rather deficient in attention to + you; and I am not over and above pre-eminently flattered by his granting + to young Evandale (I suppose because he is a lord, and has interest with + the privy-council) a request which he refused to so old a servant of the + king as I am. But so long as the poor young fellow's life is saved, I can + comfort myself with the fag-end of a ditty as old as myself." And + therewithal, he hummed a stanza: +</p> +<p> + 'And what though winter will pinch severe Through locks of grey and a + cloak that's old? Yet keep up thy heart, bold cavalier, For a cup of sack + shall fence the cold.' +</p> +<p> + "I must be your guest here to-day, sister. I wish to hear the issue of + this gathering on Loudon-hill, though I cannot conceive their standing a + body of horse appointed like our guests this morning.—Woe's me, the time + has been that I would have liked ill to have sate in biggit wa's waiting + for the news of a skirmish to be fought within ten miles of me! But, as + the old song goes, +</p> +<pre> + 'For time will rust the brightest blade, + And years will break the strongest bow; + Was ever wight so starkly made, + But time and years would overthrow?'" +</pre> +<p> + "We are well pleased you will stay, brother," said Lady Margaret; "I will + take my old privilege to look after my household, whom this collation has + thrown into some disorder, although it is uncivil to leave you alone." +</p> +<p> + "O, I hate ceremony as I hate a stumbling horse," replied the Major. + "Besides, your person would be with me, and your mind with the cold meat + and reversionary pasties.—Where is Edith?" +</p> +<p> + "Gone to her room a little evil-disposed, I am informed, and laid down in + her bed for a gliff," said her grandmother; "as soon as she wakes, she + shall take some drops." +</p> +<p> + "Pooh! pooh! she's only sick of the soldiers," answered Major Bellenden. + "She's not accustomed to see one acquaintance led out to be shot, and + another marching off to actual service, with some chance of not finding + his way back again. She would soon be used to it, if the civil war were + to break out again." +</p> +<p> + "God forbid, brother!" said Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "Ay, Heaven forbid, as you say—and, in the meantime, I'll take a hit at + trick-track with Harrison." +</p> +<p> + "He has ridden out, sir," said Gudyill, "to try if he can hear any + tidings of the battle." +</p> +<p> + "D—n the battle," said the Major; "it puts this family as much out of + order as if there had never been such a thing in the country before—and + yet there was such a place as Kilsythe, John." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, and as Tippermuir, your honour," replied Gudyill, "where I was his + honour my late master's rear-rank man." +</p> +<p> + "And Alford, John," pursued the Major, "where I commanded the horse; and + Innerlochy, where I was the Great Marquis's aid-de-camp; and Auld Earn, + and Brig o' Dee." +</p> +<p> + "And Philiphaugh, your honour," said John. +</p> +<p> + "Umph!" replied the Major; "the less, John, we say about that matter, the + better." +</p> +<p> + However, being once fairly embarked on the subject of Montrose's + campaigns, the Major and John Gudyill carried on the war so stoutly, as + for a considerable time to keep at bay the formidable enemy called Time, + with whom retired veterans, during the quiet close of a bustling life, + usually wage an unceasing hostility. +</p> +<p> + It has been frequently remarked, that the tidings of important events fly + with a celerity almost beyond the power of credibility, and that reports, + correct in the general point, though inaccurate in details, precede the + certain intelligence, as if carried by the birds of the air. Such rumours + anticipate the reality, not unlike to the "shadows of coming events," + which occupy the imagination of the Highland Seer. Harrison, in his ride, + encountered some such report concerning the event of the battle, and + turned his horse back to Tillietudlem in great dismay. He made it his + first business to seek out the Major, and interrupted him in the midst of + a prolix account of the siege and storm of Dundee, with the ejaculation, + "Heaven send, Major, that we do not see a siege of Tillietudlem before we + are many days older!" +</p> +<p> + "How is that, Harrison?—what the devil do you mean?" exclaimed the + astonished veteran. +</p> +<p> + "Troth, sir, there is strong and increasing belief that Claver'se is + clean broken, some say killed; that the soldiers are all dispersed, and + that the rebels are hastening this way, threatening death and devastation + to a' that will not take the Covenant." +</p> +<p> + "I will never believe that," said the Major, starting on his feet—"I + will never believe that the Life-Guards would retreat before rebels;—and + yet why need I say that," he continued, checking himself, "when I have + seen such sights myself?—Send out Pike, and one or two of the servants, + for intelligence, and let all the men in the Castle and in the village + that can be trusted take up arms. This old tower may hold them play a + bit, if it were but victualled and garrisoned, and it commands the pass + between the high and low countries.—It's lucky I chanced to be + here.—Go, muster men, Harrison.—You, Gudyill, look what provisions you + have, or can get brought in, and be ready, if the news be confirmed, to + knock down as many bullocks as you have salt for.—The well never goes + dry.—There are some old-fashioned guns on the battlements; if we had + but ammunition, we should do well enough." +</p> +<p> + "The soldiers left some casks of ammunition at the Grange this morning, + to bide their return," said Harrison. +</p> +<p> + "Hasten, then," said the Major, "and bring it into the Castle, with every + pike, sword, pistol, or gun, that is within our reach; don't leave so + much as a bodkin—Lucky that I was here!—I will speak to my sister + instantly." +</p> +<p> + Lady Margaret Bellenden was astounded at intelligence so unexpected and + so alarming. It had seemed to her that the imposing force which had that + morning left her walls, was sufficient to have routed all the disaffected + in Scotland, if collected in a body; and now her first reflection was + upon the inadequacy of their own means of resistance, to an army strong + enough to have defeated Claverhouse and such select troops. "Woe's me! + woe's me!" said she; "what will all that we can do avail us, brother?— + What will resistance do but bring sure destruction on the house, and on + the bairn Edith! for, God knows, I thinkna on my ain auld life." +</p> +<p> + "Come, sister," said the Major, "you must not be cast down; the place is + strong, the rebels ignorant and ill-provided: my brother's house shall + not be made a den of thieves and rebels while old Miles Bellenden is in + it. My hand is weaker than it was, but I thank my old grey hairs that I + have some knowledge of war yet. Here comes Pike with intelligence.—What + news, Pike? Another Philiphaugh job, eh?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay," said Pike, composedly; "a total scattering.—I thought this + morning little gude would come of their newfangled gate of slinging their + carabines." +</p> +<p> + "Whom did you see?—Who gave you the news?" asked the Major. +</p> +<p> + "O, mair than half-a-dozen dragoon fellows that are a' on the spur whilk + to get first to Hamilton. They'll win the race, I warrant them, win the + battle wha like." +</p> +<p> + "Continue your preparations, Harrison," said the alert veteran; "get your + ammunition in, and the cattle killed. Send down to the borough-town for + what meal you can gather. We must not lose an instant.—Had not Edith and + you, sister, better return to Charnwood, while we have the means of + sending you there?" +</p> +<p> + "No, brother," said Lady Margaret, looking very pale, but speaking with + the greatest composure; "since the auld house is to be held out, I will + take my chance in it. I have fled twice from it in my days, and I have + aye found it desolate of its bravest and its bonniest when I returned; + sae that I will e'en abide now, and end my pilgrimage in it." +</p> +<p> + "It may, on the whole, be the safest course both for Edith and you," said + the Major; "for the whigs will rise all the way between this and Glasgow, + and make your travelling there, or your dwelling at Charnwood, very + unsafe." +</p> +<p> + "So be it then," said Lady Margaret; "and, dear brother, as the nearest + blood-relation of my deceased husband, I deliver to you, by this + symbol,"—(here she gave into his hand the venerable goldheaded staff of + the deceased Earl of Torwood,)—"the keeping and government and + seneschalship of my Tower of Tillietudlem, and the appurtenances thereof, + with full power to kill, slay, and damage those who shall assail the + same, as freely as I might do myself. And I trust you will so defend it, + as becomes a house in which his most sacred majesty has not disdained"— +</p> +<p> + "Pshaw! sister," interrupted the Major, "we have no time to speak about + the king and his breakfast just now." +</p> +<p> + And, hastily leaving the room, he hurried, with all the alertness of a + young man of twenty-five, to examine the state of his garrison, and + superintend the measures which were necessary for defending the place. +</p> +<p> + The Tower of Tillietudlem, having very thick walls, and very narrow + windows, having also a very strong court-yard wall, with flanking turrets + on the only accessible side, and rising on the other from the very verge + of a precipice, was fully capable of defence against any thing but a + train of heavy artillery. +</p> +<p> + Famine or escalade was what the garrison had chiefly to fear. For + artillery, the top of the Tower was mounted with some antiquated + wall-pieces, and small cannons, which bore the old-fashioned names of + culverins, sakers, demi-sakers, falcons, and falconets. These, the Major, + with the assistance of John Gudyill, caused to be scaled and loaded, and + pointed them so as to command the road over the brow of the opposite hill + by which the rebels must advance, causing, at the same time, two or three + trees to be cut down, which would have impeded the effect of the + artillery when it should be necessary to use it. With the trunks of these + trees, and other materials, he directed barricades to be constructed upon + the winding avenue which rose to the Tower along the high-road, taking + care that each should command the other. The large gate of the court-yard + he barricadoed yet more strongly, leaving only a wicket open for the + convenience of passage. What he had most to apprehend, was the + slenderness of his garrison; for all the efforts of the steward were + unable to get more than nine men under arms, himself and Gudyill + included, so much more popular was the cause of the insurgents than that + of the government Major Bellenden, and his trusty servant Pike, made the + garrison eleven in number, of whom one-half were old men. The round dozen + might indeed have been made up, would Lady Margaret have consented that + Goose Gibbie should again take up arms. But she recoiled from the + proposal, when moved by Gudyill, with such abhorrent recollection of the + former achievements of that luckless cavalier, that she declared she + would rather the Castle were lost than that he were to be enrolled in the + defence of it. With eleven men, however, himself included, Major + Bellenden determined to hold out the place to the uttermost. +</p> +<p> + The arrangements for defence were not made without the degree of fracas + incidental to such occasions. Women shrieked, cattle bellowed, dogs + howled, men ran to and fro, cursing and swearing without intermission, + the lumbering of the old guns backwards and forwards shook the + battlements, the court resounded with the hasty gallop of messengers who + went and returned upon errands of importance, and the din of warlike + preparation was mingled with the sound of female laments. +</p> +<p> + Such a Babel of discord might have awakened the slumbers of the very + dead, and, therefore, was not long ere it dispelled the abstracted + reveries of Edith Bellenden. She sent out Jenny to bring her the cause of + the tumult which shook the castle to its very basis; but Jenny, once + engaged in the bustling tide, found so much to ask and to hear, that she + forgot the state of anxious uncertainty in which she had left her young + mistress. Having no pigeon to dismiss in pursuit of information when her + raven messenger had failed to return with it, Edith was compelled to + venture in quest of it out of the ark of her own chamber into the deluge + of confusion which overflowed the rest of the Castle. Six voices speaking + at once, informed her, in reply to her first enquiry, that Claver'se and + all his men were killed, and that ten thousand whigs were marching to + besiege the castle, headed by John Balfour of Burley, young Milnwood, and + Cuddie Headrigg. This strange association of persons seemed to infer the + falsehood of the whole story, and yet the general bustle in the Castle + intimated that danger was certainly apprehended. +</p> +<p> + "Where is Lady Margaret?" was Edith's second question. +</p> +<p> + "In her oratory," was the reply: a cell adjoining to the chapel, in which + the good old lady was wont to spend the greater part of the days destined + by the rules of the Episcopal Church to devotional observances, as also + the anniversaries of those on which she had lost her husband and her + children, and, finally, those hours, in which a deeper and more solemn + address to Heaven was called for, by national or domestic calamity. +</p> +<p> + "Where, then," said Edith, much alarmed, "is Major Bellenden?" +</p> +<p> + "On the battlements of the Tower, madam, pointing the cannon," was the + reply. +</p> +<p> + To the battlements, therefore, she made her way, impeded by a thousand + obstacles, and found the old gentleman in the midst of his natural + military element, commanding, rebuking, encouraging, instructing, and + exercising all the numerous duties of a good governor. +</p> +<p> + "In the name of God, what is the matter, uncle?" exclaimed Edith. +</p> +<p> + "The matter, my love?" answered the Major coolly, as, with spectacles on + his nose, he examined the position of a gun—"The matter? Why,—raise her + breech a thought more, John Gudyill—the matter? Why, Claver'se is + routed, my dear, and the whigs are coming down upon us in force, that's + all the matter." +</p> +<p> + "Gracious powers!" said Edith, whose eye at that instant caught a glance + of the road which ran up the river, "and yonder they come!" +</p> +<p> + "Yonder? where?" said the veteran; and, his eyes taking the same + direction, he beheld a large body of horsemen coming down the path. + "Stand to your guns, my lads!" was the first exclamation; "we'll make + them pay toll as they pass the heugh.—But stay, stay, these are + certainly the Life-Guards." +</p> +<p> + "O no, uncle, no," replied Edith; "see how disorderly they ride, and how + ill they keep their ranks; these cannot be the fine soldiers who left us + this morning." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, my dear girl!" answered the Major, "you do not know the difference + between men before a battle and after a defeat; but the Life-Guards it + is, for I see the red and blue and the King's colours. I am glad they + have brought them off, however." +</p> +<p> + His opinion was confirmed as the troopers approached nearer, and finally + halted on the road beneath the Tower; while their commanding officer, + leaving them to breathe and refresh their horses, hastily rode up the + hill. +</p> +<p> + "It is Claverhouse, sure enough," said the Major; "I am glad he has + escaped, but he has lost his famous black horse. Let Lady Margaret know, + John Gudyill; order some refreshments; get oats for the soldiers' horses; + and let us to the hall, Edith, to meet him. I surmise we shall hear but + indifferent news." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX. +</h2> +<pre> + With careless gesture, mind unmoved, + On rade he north the plain, + His seem in thrang of fiercest strife, + When winner aye the same. + Hardyknute. +</pre> +<p> + Colonel Grahame of Claverhouse met the family, assembled in the hall of + the Tower, with the same serenity and the same courtesy which had graced + his manners in the morning. He had even had the composure to rectify in + part the derangement of his dress, to wash the signs of battle from his + face and hands, and did not appear more disordered in his exterior than + if returned from a morning ride. +</p> +<p> + "I am grieved, Colonel Grahame," said the reverend old lady, the tears + trickling down her face, "deeply grieved." +</p> +<p> + "And I am grieved, my dear Lady Margaret," replied Claverhouse, "that + this misfortune may render your remaining at Tillietudlem dangerous for + you, especially considering your recent hospitality to the King's troops, + and your well-known loyalty. And I came here chiefly to request Miss + Bellenden and you to accept my escort (if you will not scorn that of a + poor runaway) to Glasgow, from whence I will see you safely sent either + to Edinburgh or to Dunbarton Castle, as you shall think best." +</p> +<p> + "I am much obliged to you, Colonel Grahame," replied Lady Margaret; "but + my brother, Major Bellenden, has taken on him the responsibility of + holding out this house against the rebels; and, please God, they shall + never drive Margaret Bellenden from her ain hearth-stane while there's a + brave man that says he can defend it." +</p> +<p> + "And will Major Bellenden undertake this?" said Claverhouse hastily, a + joyful light glancing from his dark eye as he turned it on the + veteran,—"Yet why should I question it? it is of a piece with the rest + of his life.—But have you the means, Major?" +</p> +<p> + "All, but men and provisions, with which we are ill supplied," answered + the Major. +</p> +<p> + "As for men," said Claverhouse, "I will leave you a dozen or twenty + fellows who will make good a breach against the devil. It will be of the + utmost service, if you can defend the place but a week, and by that time + you must surely be relieved." +</p> +<p> + "I will make it good for that space, Colonel," replied the Major, "with + twenty-five good men and store of ammunition, if we should gnaw the soles + of our shoes for hunger; but I trust we shall get in provisions from the + country." +</p> +<p> + "And, Colonel Grahame, if I might presume a request," said Lady Margaret, + "I would entreat that Sergeant Francis Stewart might command the + auxiliaries whom you are so good as to add to the garrison of our people; + it may serve to legitimate his promotion, and I have a prejudice in + favour of his noble birth." +</p> +<p> + "The sergeant's wars are ended, madam," said Grahame, in an unaltered + tone, "and he now needs no promotion that an earthly master can give." +</p> +<p> + "Pardon me," said Major Bellenden, taking Claverhouse by the arm, and + turning him away from the ladies, "but I am anxious for my friends; I + fear you have other and more important loss. I observe another officer + carries your nephew's standard." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, Major Bellenden," answered Claverhouse firmly; "my nephew + is no more. He has died in his duty, as became him." +</p> +<p> + "Great God!" exclaimed the Major, "how unhappy!—the handsome, gallant, + high-spirited youth!" +</p> +<p> + "He was indeed all you say," answered Claverhouse; "poor Richard was to + me as an eldest son, the apple of my eye, and my destined heir; but he + died in his duty, and I—I—Major Bellenden"—(he wrung the Major's hand + hard as he spoke)—"I live to avenge him." +</p> +<p> + "Colonel Grahame," said the affectionate veteran, his eyes filling with + tears, "I am glad to see you bear this misfortune with such fortitude." +</p> +<p> + "I am not a selfish man," replied Claverhouse, "though the world will + tell you otherwise; I am not selfish either in my hopes or fears, my joys + or sorrows. I have not been severe for myself, or grasping for myself, or + ambitious for myself. The service of my master and the good of the + country are what I have tried to aim at. I may, perhaps, have driven + severity into cruelty, but I acted for the best; and now I will not yield + to my own feelings a deeper sympathy than I have given to those of + others." +</p> +<p> + "I am astonished at your fortitude under all the unpleasant circumstances + of this affair," pursued the Major. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied Claverhouse, "my enemies in the council will lay this + misfortune to my charge—I despise their accusations. They will + calumniate me to my sovereign—I can repel their charge. The public enemy + will exult in my flight—I shall find a time to show them that they exult + too early. This youth that has fallen stood betwixt a grasping kinsman + and my inheritance, for you know that my marriage-bed is barren; yet, + peace be with him! the country can better spare him than your friend Lord + Evandale, who, after behaving very gallantly, has, I fear, also fallen." +</p> +<p> + "What a fatal day!" ejaculated the Major. "I heard a report of this, but + it was again contradicted; it was added, that the poor young nobleman's + impetuosity had occasioned the loss of this unhappy field." +</p> +<p> + "Not so, Major," said Grahame; "let the living officers bear the blame, + if there be any; and let the laurels flourish untarnished on the grave of + the fallen. I do not, however, speak of Lord Evandale's death as certain; + but killed, or prisoner, I fear he must be. Yet he was extricated from + the tumult the last time we spoke together. We were then on the point of + leaving the field with a rear-guard of scarce twenty men; the rest of the + regiment were almost dispersed." +</p> +<p> + "They have rallied again soon," said the Major, looking from the window + on the dragoons, who were feeding their horses and refreshing themselves + beside the brook. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," answered Claverhouse, "my blackguards had little temptation either + to desert, or to straggle farther than they were driven by their first + panic. There is small friendship and scant courtesy between them and the + boors of this country; every village they pass is likely to rise on them, + and so the scoundrels are driven back to their colours by a wholesome + terror of spits, pike-staves, hay-forks, and broomsticks.—But now let us + talk about your plans and wants, and the means of corresponding with you. + To tell you the truth, I doubt being able to make a long stand at + Glasgow, even when I have joined my Lord Ross; for this transient and + accidental success of the fanatics will raise the devil through all the + western counties." +</p> +<p> + They then discussed Major Bellenden's means of defence, and settled a + plan of correspondence, in case a general insurrection took place, as was + to be expected. Claverhouse renewed his offer to escort the ladies to a + place of safety; but, all things considered, Major Bellenden thought they + would be in equal safety at Tillietudlem. +</p> +<p> + The Colonel then took a polite leave of Lady Margaret and Miss Bellenden, + assuring them, that, though he was reluctantly obliged to leave them for + the present in dangerous circumstances, yet his earliest means should be + turned to the redemption of his character as a good knight and true, and + that they might speedily rely on hearing from or seeing him. +</p> +<p> + Full of doubt and apprehension, Lady Margaret was little able to reply to + a speech so much in unison with her usual expressions and feelings, but + contented herself with bidding Claverhouse farewell, and thanking him for + the succours which he had promised to leave them. Edith longed to enquire + the fate of Henry Morton, but could find no pretext for doing so, and + could only hope that it had made a subject of some part of the long + private communication which her uncle had held with Claverhouse. On this + subject, however, she was disappointed; for the old cavalier was so + deeply immersed in the duties of his own office, that he had scarce said + a single word to Claverhouse, excepting upon military matters, and most + probably would have been equally forgetful, had the fate of his own son, + instead of his friend's, lain in the balance. +</p> +<p> + Claverhouse now descended the bank on which the castle is founded, in + order to put his troops again in motion, and Major Bellenden accompanied + him to receive the detachment who were to be left in the tower. +</p> +<p> + "I shall leave Inglis with you," said Claverhouse, "for, as I am + situated, I cannot spare an officer of rank; it is all we can do, by our + joint efforts, to keep the men together. But should any of our missing + officers make their appearance, I authorize you to detain them; for my + fellows can with difficulty be subjected to any other authority." +</p> +<p> + His troops being now drawn up, he picked out sixteen men by name, and + committed them to the command of Corporal Inglis, whom he promoted to the + rank of sergeant on the spot. +</p> +<p> + "And hark ye, gentlemen," was his concluding harangue, "I leave you to + defend the house of a lady, and under the command of her brother, Major + Bellenden, a faithful servant to the king. You are to behave bravely, + soberly, regularly, and obediently, and each of you shall be handsomely + rewarded on my return to relieve the garrison. In case of mutiny, + cowardice, neglect of duty, or the slightest excess in the family, the + provost-marshal and cord—you know I keep my word for good and evil." +</p> +<p> + He touched his hat as he bade them farewell, and shook hands cordially + with Major Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + "Adieu," he said, "my stout-hearted old friend! Good luck be with you, + and better times to us both." +</p> +<p> + The horsemen whom he commanded had been once more reduced to tolerable + order by the exertions of Major Allan; and, though shorn of their + splendour, and with their gilding all besmirched, made a much more + regular and military appearance on leaving, for the second time, the + tower of Tillietudlem, than when they returned to it after their rout. +</p> +<p> + Major Bellenden, now left to his own resources sent out several videttes, + both to obtain supplies of provisions, and especially of meal, and to get + knowledge of the motions of the enemy. All the news he could collect on + the second subject tended to prove that the insurgents meant to remain on + the field of battle for that night. But they, also, had abroad their + detachments and advanced guards to collect supplies, and great was the + doubt and distress of those who received contrary orders, in the name of + the King and in that of the Kirk; the one commanding them to send + provisions to victual the Castle of Tillietudlem, and the other enjoining + them to forward supplies to the camp of the godly professors of true + religion, now in arms for the cause of covenanted reformation, presently + pitched at Drumclog, nigh to Loudon-hill. Each summons closed with a + denunciation of fire and sword if it was neglected; for neither party + could confide so far in the loyalty or zeal of those whom they addressed, + as to hope they would part with their property upon other terms. So that + the poor people knew not what hand to turn themselves to; and, to say + truth, there were some who turned themselves to more than one. +</p> +<p> + "Thir kittle times will drive the wisest o' us daft," said Niel Blane, + the prudent host of the Howff; "but I'se aye keep a calm sough.—Jenny, + what meal is in the girnel?" +</p> +<p> + "Four bows o' aitmeal, twa bows o' bear, and twa bows o' pease," was + Jenny's reply. +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, hinny," continued Niel Blane, sighing deeply, "let Bauldy drive + the pease and bear meal to the camp at Drumclog—he's a whig, and was the + auld gudewife's pleughman—the mashlum bannocks will suit their muirland + stamachs weel. He maun say it's the last unce o' meal in the house, or, + if he scruples to tell a lie, (as it's no likely he will when it's for + the gude o' the house,) he may wait till Duncan Glen, the auld drucken + trooper, drives up the aitmeal to Tillietudlem, wi' my dutifu' service to + my Leddy and the Major, and I haena as muckle left as will mak my + parritch; and if Duncan manage right, I'll gie him a tass o' whisky shall + mak the blue low come out at his mouth." +</p> +<p> + "And what are we to eat oursells then, father," asked Jenny, "when we hae + sent awa the haill meal in the ark and the girnel?" +</p> +<p> + "We maun gar wheat-flour serve us for a blink," said Niel, in a tone of + resignation; "it's no that ill food, though far frae being sae hearty or + kindly to a Scotchman's stamach as the curney aitmeal is; the Englishers + live amaist upon't; but, to be sure, the pock-puddings ken nae better." +</p> +<p> + While the prudent and peaceful endeavoured, like Niel Blane, to make fair + weather with both parties, those who had more public (or party) spirit + began to take arms on all sides. The royalists in the country were not + numerous, but were respectable from their fortune and influence, being + chiefly landed proprietors of ancient descent, who, with their brothers, + cousins, and dependents to the ninth generation, as well as their + domestic servants, formed a sort of militia, capable of defending their + own peel-houses against detached bodies of the insurgents, of resisting + their demand of supplies, and intercepting those which were sent to the + presbyterian camp by others. The news that the Tower of Tillietudlem was + to be defended against the insurgents, afforded great courage and support + to these feudal volunteers, who considered it as a stronghold to which + they might retreat, in case it should become impossible for them to + maintain the desultory war they were now about to wage. +</p> +<p> + On the other hand, the towns, the villages, the farm-houses, the + properties of small heritors, sent forth numerous recruits to the + presbyterian interest. These men had been the principal sufferers during + the oppression of the time. Their minds were fretted, soured, and driven + to desperation, by the various exactions and cruelties to which they had + been subjected; and, although by no means united among themselves, either + concerning the purpose of this formidable insurrection, or the means by + which that purpose was to be obtained, most of them considered it as a + door opened by Providence to obtain the liberty of conscience of which + they had been long deprived, and to shake themselves free of a tyranny, + directed both against body and soul. Numbers of these men, therefore, + took up arms; and, in the phrase of their time and party, prepared to + cast in their lot with the victors of Loudon-hill. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> +<pre> + Ananias. I do not like the man: He is a heathen, + And speaks the language of Canaan truly. + + Tribulation. You must await his calling, and the coming + Of the good spirit. You did ill to upbraid him. + The Alchemist. +</pre> +<p> + We return to Henry Morton, whom we left on the field of battle. He was + eating, by one of the watch-fires, his portion of the provisions which + had been distributed to the army, and musing deeply on the path which he + was next to pursue, when Burley suddenly came up to him, accompanied by + the young minister, whose exhortation after the victory had produced such + a powerful effect. +</p> +<p> + "Henry Morton," said Balfour abruptly, "the council of the army of the + Covenant, confiding that the son of Silas Morton can never prove a + lukewarm Laodicean, or an indifferent Gallio, in this great day, have + nominated you to be a captain of their host, with the right of a vote in + their council, and all authority fitting for an officer who is to command + Christian men." +</p> +<p> + "Mr Balfour," replied Morton, without hesitation, "I feel this mark of + confidence, and it is not surprising that a natural sense of the injuries + of my country, not to mention those I have sustained in my own person, + should make me sufficiently willing to draw my sword for liberty and + freedom of conscience. But I will own to you, that I must be better + satisfied concerning the principles on which you bottom your cause ere I + can agree to take a command amongst you." +</p> +<p> + "And can you doubt of our principles," answered Burley, "since we have + stated them to be the reformation both of church and state, the + rebuilding of the decayed sanctuary, the gathering of the dispersed + saints, and the destruction of the man of sin?" +</p> +<p> + "I will own frankly, Mr Balfour," replied Morton, "much of this sort of + language, which, I observe, is so powerful with others, is entirely lost + on me. It is proper you should be aware of this before we commune further + together." (The young clergyman here groaned deeply.) "I distress you, + sir," said Morton; "but, perhaps, it is because you will not hear me out. + I revere the Scriptures as deeply as you or any Christian can do. I look + into them with humble hope of extracting a rule of conduct and a law of + salvation. But I expect to find this by an examination of their general + tenor, and of the spirit which they uniformly breathe, and not by + wresting particular passages from their context, or by the application of + Scriptural phrases to circumstances and events with which they have often + very slender relation." +</p> +<p> + The young divine seemed shocked and thunderstruck with this declaration, + and was about to remonstrate. +</p> +<p> + "Hush, Ephraim!" said Burley, "remember he is but as a babe in swaddling + clothes.—Listen to me, Morton. I will speak to thee in the worldly + language of that carnal reason, which is, for the present, thy blind and + imperfect guide. What is the object for which thou art content to draw + thy sword? Is it not that the church and state should be reformed by the + free voice of a free parliament, with such laws as shall hereafter + prevent the executive government from spilling the blood, torturing and + imprisoning the persons, exhausting the estates, and trampling upon the + consciences of men, at their own wicked pleasure?" +</p> +<p> + "Most certainly," said Morton; "such I esteem legitimate causes of + warfare, and for such I will fight while I can wield a sword." +</p> +<p> + "Nay, but," said Macbriar, "ye handle this matter too tenderly; nor will + my conscience permit me to fard or daub over the causes of divine wrath." +</p> +<p> + "Peace, Ephraim Macbriar!" again interrupted Burley. +</p> +<p> + "I will not peace," said the young man. "Is it not the cause of my Master + who hath sent me? Is it not a profane and Erastian destroying of his + authority, usurpation of his power, denial of his name, to place either + King or Parliament in his place as the master and governor of his + household, the adulterous husband of his spouse?" +</p> +<p> + "You speak well," said Burley, dragging him aside, "but not wisely; your + own ears have heard this night in council how this scattered remnant are + broken and divided, and would ye now make a veil of separation between + them? Would ye build a wall with unslaked mortar?—if a fox go up, it + will breach it." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said the young clergyman, in reply, "that thou art faithful, + honest, and zealous, even unto slaying; but, believe me, this worldly + craft, this temporizing with sin and with infirmity, is in itself a + falling away; and I fear me Heaven will not honour us to do much more for + His glory, when we seek to carnal cunning and to a fleshly arm. The + sanctified end must be wrought by sanctified means." +</p> +<p> + "I tell thee," answered Balfour, "thy zeal is too rigid in this matter; + we cannot yet do without the help of the Laodiceans and the Erastians; we + must endure for a space the indulged in the midst of the council—the + sons of Zeruiah are yet too strong for us." +</p> +<p> + "I tell thee I like it not," said Macbriar; "God can work deliverance by + a few as well as by a multitude. The host of the faithful that was broken + upon Pentland-hills, paid but the fitting penalty of acknowledging the + carnal interest of that tyrant and oppressor, Charles Stewart." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then," said Balfour, "thou knowest the healing resolution that the + council have adopted,—to make a comprehending declaration, that may suit + the tender consciences of all who groan under the yoke of our present + oppressors. Return to the council if thou wilt, and get them to recall + it, and send forth one upon narrower grounds. But abide not here to + hinder my gaining over this youth, whom my soul travails for; his name + alone will call forth hundreds to our banners." +</p> +<p> + "Do as thou wilt, then," said Macbriar; "but I will not assist to mislead + the youth, nor bring him into jeopardy of life, unless upon such grounds + as will ensure his eternal reward." +</p> +<p> + The more artful Balfour then dismissed the impatient preacher, and + returned to his proselyte. +</p> +<p> + That we may be enabled to dispense with detailing at length the arguments + by which he urged Morton to join the insurgents, we shall take this + opportunity to give a brief sketch of the person by whom they were used, + and the motives which he had for interesting himself so deeply in the + conversion of young Morton to his cause. +</p> +<p> + John Balfour of Kinloch, or Burley, for he is designated both ways in the + histories and proclamations of that melancholy period, was a gentleman of + some fortune, and of good family, in the county of Fife, and had been a + soldier from his youth upwards. In the younger part of his life he had + been wild and licentious, but had early laid aside open profligacy, and + embraced the strictest tenets of Calvinism. Unfortunately, habits of + excess and intemperance were more easily rooted out of his dark, + saturnine, and enterprising spirit, than the vices of revenge and + ambition, which continued, notwithstanding his religious professions, to + exercise no small sway over his mind. Daring in design, precipitate and + violent in execution, and going to the very extremity of the most rigid + recusancy, it was his ambition to place himself at the head of the + presbyterian interest. +</p> +<p> + To attain this eminence among the whigs, he had been active in attending + their conventicles, and more than once had commanded them when they + appeared in arms, and beaten off the forces sent to disperse them. At + length, the gratification of his own fierce enthusiasm, joined, as some + say, with motives of private revenge, placed him at the head of that + party who assassinated the Primate of Scotland, as the author of the + sufferings of the presbyterians. The violent measures adopted by + government to revenge this deed, not on the perpetrators only, but on the + whole professors of the religion to which they belonged, together with + long previous sufferings, without any prospect of deliverance, except by + force of arms, occasioned the insurrection, which, as we have already + seen, commenced by the defeat of Claverhouse in the bloody skirmish of + Loudon-hill. +</p> +<p> + But Burley, notwithstanding the share he had in the victory, was far from + finding himself at the summit which his ambition aimed at. This was + partly owing to the various opinions entertained among the insurgents + concerning the murder of Archbishop Sharpe. The more violent among them + did, indeed, approve of this act as a deed of justice, executed upon a + persecutor of God's church through the immediate inspiration of the + Deity; but the greater part of the presbyterians disowned the deed as a + crime highly culpable, although they admitted, that the Archbishop's + punishment had by no means exceeded his deserts. The insurgents differed + in another main point, which has been already touched upon. The more warm + and extravagant fanatics condemned, as guilty of a pusillanimous + abandonment of the rights of the church, those preachers and + congregations who were contented, in any manner, to exercise their + religion through the permission of the ruling government. This, they + said, was absolute Erastianism, or subjection of the church of God to the + regulations of an earthly government, and therefore but one degree better + than prelacy or popery.—Again, the more moderate party were content to + allow the king's title to the throne, and in secular affairs to + acknowledge his authority, so long as it was exercised with due regard to + the liberties of the subject, and in conformity to the laws of the realm. + But the tenets of the wilder sect, called, from their leader Richard + Cameron, by the name of Cameronians, went the length of disowning the + reigning monarch, and every one of his successors, who should not + acknowledge the Solemn League and Covenant. The seeds of disunion were, + therefore, thickly sown in this ill-fated party; and Balfour, however + enthusiastic, and however much attached to the most violent of those + tenets which we have noticed, saw nothing but ruin to the general cause, + if they were insisted on during this crisis, when unity was of so much + consequence. Hence he disapproved, as we have seen, of the honest, + downright, and ardent zeal of Macbriar, and was extremely desirous to + receive the assistance of the moderate party of presbyterians in the + immediate overthrow of the government, with the hope of being hereafter + able to dictate to them what should be substituted in its place. +</p> +<p> + He was, on this account, particularly anxious to secure the accession of + Henry Morton to the cause of the insurgents. The memory of his father was + generally esteemed among the presbyterians; and as few persons of any + decent quality had joined the insurgents, this young man's family and + prospects were such as almost ensured his being chosen a leader. Through + Morton's means, as being the son of his ancient comrade, Burley conceived + he might exercise some influence over the more liberal part of the army, + and ultimately, perhaps, ingratiate himself so far with them, as to be + chosen commander-in-chief, which was the mark at which his ambition + aimed. He had, therefore, without waiting till any other person took up + the subject, exalted to the council the talents and disposition of + Morton, and easily obtained his elevation to the painful rank of a leader + in this disunited and undisciplined army. +</p> +<p> + The arguments by which Balfour pressed Morton to accept of this dangerous + promotion, as soon as he had gotten rid of his less wary and + uncompromising companion, Macbriar, were sufficiently artful and urgent. + He did not affect either to deny or to disguise that the sentiments which + he himself entertained concerning church government, went as far as those + of the preacher who had just left them; but he argued, that when the + affairs of the nation were at such a desperate crisis, minute difference + of opinion should not prevent those who, in general, wished well to their + oppressed country, from drawing their swords in its behalf. Many of the + subjects of division, as, for example, that concerning the Indulgence + itself, arose, he observed, out of circumstances which would cease to + exist, provided their attempt to free the country should be successful, + seeing that the presbytery, being in that case triumphant, would need to + make no such compromise with the government, and, consequently, with the + abolition of the Indulgence all discussion of its legality would be at + once ended. He insisted much and strongly upon the necessity of taking + advantage of this favourable crisis, upon the certainty of their being + joined by the force of the whole western shires, and upon the gross guilt + which those would incur, who, seeing the distress of the country, and the + increasing tyranny with which it was governed, should, from fear or + indifference, withhold their active aid from the good cause. +</p> +<p> + Morton wanted not these arguments to induce him to join in any + insurrection, which might appear to have a feasible prospect of freedom + to the country. He doubted, indeed, greatly, whether the present attempt + was likely to be supported by the strength sufficient to ensure success, + or by the wisdom and liberality of spirit necessary to make a good use of + the advantages that might be gained. Upon the whole, however, considering + the wrongs he had personally endured, and those which he had seen daily + inflicted on his fellow-subjects; meditating also upon the precarious and + dangerous situation in which he already stood with relation to the + government, he conceived himself, in every point of view, called upon to + join the body of presbyterians already in arms. +</p> +<p> + But while he expressed to Burley his acquiescence in the vote which had + named him a leader among the insurgents, and a member of their council of + war, it was not without a qualification. +</p> +<p> + "I am willing," he said, "to contribute every thing within my limited + power to effect the emancipation of my country. But do not mistake me. I + disapprove, in the utmost degree, of the action in which this rising + seems to have originated; and no arguments should induce me to join it, + if it is to be carried on by such measures as that with which it has + commenced." +</p> +<p> + Burley's blood rushed to his face, giving a ruddy and dark glow to his + swarthy brow. +</p> +<p> + "You mean," he said, in a voice which he designed should not betray any + emotion—"You mean the death of James Sharpe?" +</p> +<p> + "Frankly," answered Morton, "such is my meaning." +</p> +<p> + "You imagine, then," said Burley, "that the Almighty, in times of + difficulty, does not raise up instruments to deliver his church from her + oppressors? You are of opinion that the justice of an execution consists, + not in the extent of the sufferer's crime, or in his having merited + punishment, or in the wholesome and salutary effect which that example is + likely to produce upon other evil-doers, but hold that it rests solely in + the robe of the judge, the height of the bench, and the voice of the + doomster? Is not just punishment justly inflicted, whether on the + scaffold or the moor? And where constituted judges, from cowardice, or + from having cast in their lot with transgressors, suffer them not only to + pass at liberty through the land, but to sit in the high places, and dye + their garments in the blood of the saints, is it not well done in any + brave spirits who shall draw their private swords in the public cause?" +</p> +<p> + "I have no wish to judge this individual action," replied Morton, + "further than is necessary to make you fully aware of my principles. I + therefore repeat, that the case you have supposed does not satisfy my + judgment. That the Almighty, in his mysterious providence, may bring a + bloody man to an end deservedly bloody, does not vindicate those who, + without authority of any kind, take upon themselves to be the instruments + of execution, and presume to call them the executors of divine + vengeance." +</p> +<p> + "And were we not so?" said Burley, in a tone of fierce enthusiasm. "Were + not we—was not every one who owned the interest of the Covenanted Church + of Scotland, bound by that covenant to cut off the Judas who had sold the + cause of God for fifty thousand merks a-year? Had we met him by the way + as he came down from London, and there smitten him with the edge of the + sword, we had done but the duty of men faithful to our cause, and to our + oaths recorded in heaven. Was not the execution itself a proof of our + warrant? Did not the Lord deliver him into our hands, when we looked out + but for one of his inferior tools of persecution? Did we not pray to be + resolved how we should act, and was it not borne in on our hearts as if + it had been written on them with the point of a diamond, 'Ye shall surely + take him and slay him?'—Was not the tragedy full half an hour in acting + ere the sacrifice was completed, and that in an open heath, and within + the patrols of their garrisons—and yet who interrupted the great work?— + What dog so much as bayed us during the pursuit, the taking, the slaying, + and the dispersing? Then, who will say—who dare say, that a mightier arm + than ours was not herein revealed?" +</p> +<p> + "You deceive yourself, Mr Balfour," said Morton; "such circumstances of + facility of execution and escape have often attended the commission of + the most enormous crimes.—But it is not mine to judge you. I have not + forgotten that the way was opened to the former liberation of Scotland by + an act of violence which no man can justify,—the slaughter of Cumming by + the hand of Robert Bruce; and, therefore, condemning this action, as I do + and must, I am not unwilling to suppose that you may have motives + vindicating it in your own eyes, though not in mine, or in those of sober + reason. I only now mention it, because I desire you to understand, that I + join a cause supported by men engaged in open war, which it is proposed + to carry on according to the rules of civilized nations, without, in any + respect, approving of the act of violence which gave immediate rise to + it." +</p> +<p> + Balfour bit his lip, and with difficulty suppressed a violent answer. He + perceived, with disappointment, that, upon points of principle, his young + brother-in-arms possessed a clearness of judgment, and a firmness of + mind, which afforded but little hope of his being able to exert that + degree of influence over him which he had expected to possess. After a + moment's pause, however, he said, with coolness, "My conduct is open to + men and angels. The deed was not done in a corner; I am here in arms to + avow it, and care not where, or by whom, I am called on to do so; whether + in the council, the field of battle, the place of execution, or the day + of the last great trial. I will not now discuss it further with one who + is yet on the other side of the veil. But if you will cast in your lot + with us as a brother, come with me to the council, who are still sitting, + to arrange the future march of the army, and the means of improving our + victory." +</p> +<p> + Morton arose and followed him in silence; not greatly delighted with his + associate, and better satisfied with the general justice of the cause + which he had espoused, than either with the measures or the motives of + many of those who were embarked in it. +</p> +<a name="image-0012"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa295.jpg" height="578" width="874" +alt="Abbotsford +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Next Volume</a> +</td><td> + <a href="6941-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/old/orig6941-h/p2.htm b/old/orig6941-h/p2.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a5eea1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig6941-h/p2.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10633 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<meta content="pg2html (binary v0.16)" + name="generator"> +<title>OLD MORTALITY, Volume 2, + by Walter Scott +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY <br>Volume 2 +</h2> + +<h2> + By Walter Scott +</h2> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Volume</a> +</td><td> + <a href="6941-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1061" width="724" +alt="Bookcover +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/spines.jpg" height="1066" width="457" +alt="Spines +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<h2> + OLD MORTALITY +</h2> +<br> +<h2> + By Walter Scott +</h2> + +<br><br><br> +<h3> + VOLUME II. +</h3> +<br><br> +<br><br><br><br> + +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/titlepage2.jpg" height="1006" width="575" +alt="Titlepage +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0022"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0023"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_GLOS"> +GLOSSARY. +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0004"> +Jenny Dennison +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0005"> +The Battle of Bothwell Bridge +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0006"> +"Whiles—at Brose-time" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0007"> +Morton Awaiting Death—Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0008"> +Uttered a Dismal Shriek, and Fainted +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0009"> +Morton and Black Linn +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0010"> +Interior of Abbotsford +</a></p> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + + +<h2> + CHAPTER I. +</h2> +<pre> + And look how many Grecian tents do stand + Hollow upon this plain—so many hollow factions. + Troilus and Cressida. +</pre> +<p> + In a hollow of the hill, about a quarter of a mile from the field of + battle, was a shepherd's hut; a miserable cottage, which, as the only + enclosed spot within a moderate distance, the leaders of the presbyterian + army had chosen for their council-house. Towards this spot Burley guided + Morton, who was surprised, as he approached it, at the multifarious + confusion of sounds which issued from its precincts. The calm and anxious + gravity which it might be supposed would have presided in councils held + on such important subjects, and at a period so critical, seemed to have + given place to discord wild, and loud uproar, which fell on the ear of + their new ally as an evil augury of their future measures. As they + approached the door, they found it open indeed, but choked up with the + bodies and heads of countrymen, who, though no members of the council, + felt no scruple in intruding themselves upon deliberations in which they + were so deeply interested. By expostulation, by threats, and even by some + degree of violence, Burley, the sternness of whose character maintained a + sort of superiority over these disorderly forces, compelled the intruders + to retire, and, introducing Morton into the cottage, secured the door + behind them against impertinent curiosity. At a less agitating moment, + the young man might have been entertained with the singular scene of + which he now found himself an auditor and a spectator. +</p> +<p> + The precincts of the gloomy and ruinous hut were enlightened partly by + some furze which blazed on the hearth, the smoke whereof, having no legal + vent, eddied around, and formed over the heads of the assembled council a + clouded canopy, as opake as their metaphysical theology, through which, + like stars through mist, were dimly seen to twinkle a few blinking + candles, or rather rushes dipped in tallow, the property of the poor + owner of the cottage, which were stuck to the walls by patches of wet + clay. This broken and dusky light showed many a countenance elated with + spiritual pride, or rendered dark by fierce enthusiasm; and some whose + anxious, wandering, and uncertain looks, showed they felt themselves + rashly embarked in a cause which they had neither courage nor conduct to + bring to a good issue, yet knew not how to abandon, for very shame. They + were, indeed, a doubtful and disunited body. The most active of their + number were those concerned with Burley in the death of the Primate, four + or five of whom had found their way to Loudon-hill, together with other + men of the same relentless and uncompromising zeal, who had, in various + ways, given desperate and unpardonable offence to the government. +</p> +<p> + With them were mingled their preachers, men who had spurned at the + indulgence offered by government, and preferred assembling their flocks + in the wilderness, to worshipping in temples built by human hands, if + their doing the latter should be construed to admit any right on the part + of their rulers to interfere with the supremacy of the Kirk. The other + class of counsellors were such gentlemen of small fortune, and + substantial farmers, as a sense of intolerable oppression had induced to + take arms and join the insurgents. These also had their clergymen with + them, and such divines, having many of them taken advantage of the + indulgence, were prepared to resist the measures of their more violent + brethren, who proposed a declaration in which they should give testimony + against the warrants and instructions for indulgence as sinful and + unlawful acts. This delicate question had been passed over in silence in + the first draught of the manifestos which they intended to publish, of + the reasons of their gathering in arms; but it had been stirred anew + during Balfour's absence, and, to his great vexation, he now found that + both parties had opened upon it in full cry, Macbriar, Kettledrummle, and + other teachers of the wanderers, being at the very spring-tide of + polemical discussion with Peter Poundtext, the indulged pastor of + Milnwood's parish, who, it seems, had e'en girded himself with a + broadsword, but, ere he was called upon to fight for the good cause of + presbytery in the field, was manfully defending his own dogmata in the + council. It was the din of this conflict, maintained chiefly between + Poundtext and Kettledrummle, together with the clamour of their + adherents, which had saluted Morton's ears upon approaching the cottage. + Indeed, as both the divines were men well gifted with words and lungs, + and each fierce, ardent, and intolerant in defence of his own doctrine, + prompt in the recollection of texts wherewith they battered each other + without mercy, and deeply impressed with the importance of the subject of + discussion, the noise of the debate betwixt them fell little short of + that which might have attended an actual bodily conflict. +</p> +<p> + Burley, scandalized at the disunion implied in this virulent strife of + tongues, interposed between the disputants, and, by some general remarks + on the unseasonableness of discord, a soothing address to the vanity of + each party, and the exertion of the authority which his services in that + day's victory entitled him to assume, at length succeeded in prevailing + upon them to adjourn farther discussion of the controversy. But although + Kettledrummle and Poundtext were thus for the time silenced, they + continued to eye each other like two dogs, who, having been separated by + the authority of their masters while fighting, have retreated, each + beneath the chair of his owner, still watching each other's motions, and + indicating, by occasional growls, by the erected bristles of the back and + ears, and by the red glance of the eye, that their discord is unappeased, + and that they only wait the first opportunity afforded by any general + movement or commotion in the company, to fly once more at each other's + throats. +</p> +<p> + Balfour took advantage of the momentary pause to present to the council + Mr Henry Morton of Milnwood, as one touched with a sense of the evils of + the times, and willing to peril goods and life in the precious cause for + which his father, the renowned Silas Morton, had given in his time a + soul-stirring testimony. Morton was instantly received with the right + hand of fellowship by his ancient pastor, Poundtext, and by those among + the insurgents who supported the more moderate principles. The others + muttered something about Erastianism, and reminded each other in + whispers, that Silas Morton, once a stout and worthy servant of the + Covenant, had been a backslider in the day when the resolutioners had led + the way in owning the authority of Charles Stewart, thereby making a gap + whereat the present tyrant was afterwards brought in, to the oppression + both of Kirk and country. They added, however, that, on this great day of + calling, they would not refuse society with any who should put hand to + the plough; and so Morton was installed in his office of leader and + counsellor, if not with the full approbation of his colleagues, at least + without any formal or avowed dissent. They proceeded, on Burley's motion, + to divide among themselves the command of the men who had assembled, and + whose numbers were daily increasing. In this partition, the insurgents of + Poundtext's parish and congregation were naturally placed under the + command of Morton; an arrangement mutually agreeable to both parties, as + he was recommended to their confidence, as well by his personal qualities + as his having been born among them. +</p> +<p> + When this task was accomplished, it became necessary to determine what + use was to be made of their victory. Morton's heart throbbed high when he + heard the Tower of Tillietudlem named as one of the most important + positions to be seized upon. It commanded, as we have often noticed, the + pass between the more wild and the more fertile country, and must + furnish, it was plausibly urged, a stronghold and place of rendezvous to + the cavaliers and malignants of the district, supposing the insurgents + were to march onward and leave it uninvested. This measure was + particularly urged as necessary by Poundtext and those of his immediate + followers, whose habitations and families might be exposed to great + severities, if this strong place were permitted to remain in possession + of the royalists. +</p> +<p> + "I opine," said Poundtext,—for, like the other divines of the period, he + had no hesitation in offering his advice upon military matters of which + he was profoundly ignorant,—"I opine, that we should take in and raze + that stronghold of the woman Lady Margaret Bellenden, even though we + should build a fort and raise a mount against it; for the race is a + rebellious and a bloody race, and their hand has been heavy on the + children of the Covenant, both in the former and the latter times. Their + hook hath been in our noses, and their bridle betwixt our jaws." +</p> +<p> + "What are their means and men of defence?" said Burley. "The place is + strong; but I cannot conceive that two women can make it good against a + host." +</p> +<p> + "There is also," said Poundtext, "Harrison the steward, and John Gudyill, + even the lady's chief butler, who boasteth himself a man of war from his + youth upward, and who spread the banner against the good cause with that + man of Belial, James Grahame of Montrose." +</p> +<p> + "Pshaw!" returned Burley, scornfully, "a butler!" +</p> +<p> + "Also, there is that ancient malignant," replied Poundtext, "Miles + Bellenden of Charnwood, whose hands have been dipped in the blood of the + saints." +</p> +<p> + "If that," said Burley, "be Miles Bellenden, the brother of Sir Arthur, + he is one whose sword will not turn back from battle; but he must now be + stricken in years." +</p> +<p> + "There was word in the country as I rode along," said another of the + council, "that so soon as they heard of the victory which has been given + to us, they caused shut the gates of the tower, and called in men, and + collected ammunition. They were ever a fierce and a malignant house." +</p> +<p> + "We will not, with my consent," said Burley, "engage in a siege which may + consume time. We must rush forward, and follow our advantage by occupying + Glasgow; for I do not fear that the troops we have this day beaten, even + with the assistance of my Lord Ross's regiment, will judge it safe to + await our coming." +</p> +<p> + "Howbeit," said Poundtext, "we may display a banner before the Tower, and + blow a trumpet, and summon them to come forth. It may be that they will + give over the place into our mercy, though they be a rebellious people. + And we will summon the women to come forth of their stronghold, that is, + Lady Margaret Bellenden and her grand-daughter, and Jenny Dennison, which + is a girl of an ensnaring eye, and the other maids, and we will give them + a safe conduct, and send them in peace to the city, even to the town of + Edinburgh. But John Gudyill, and Hugh Harrison, and Miles Bellenden, we + will restrain with fetters of iron, even as they, in times bypast, have + done to the martyred saints." +</p> +<p> + "Who talks of safe conduct and of peace?" said a shrill, broken, and + overstrained voice, from the crowd. +</p> +<p> + "Peace, brother Habakkuk," said Macbriar, in a soothing tone, to the + speaker. +</p> +<p> + "I will not hold my peace," reiterated the strange and unnatural voice; + "is this a time to speak of peace, when the earth quakes, and the + mountains are rent, and the rivers are changed into blood, and the + two-edged sword is drawn from the sheath to drink gore as if it were + water, and devour flesh as the fire devours dry stubble?" +</p> +<p> + While he spoke thus, the orator struggled forward to the inner part of + the circle, and presented to Morton's wondering eyes a figure worthy of + such a voice and such language. The rags of a dress which had once been + black, added to the tattered fragments of a shepherd's plaid, composed a + covering scarce fit for the purposes of decency, much less for those of + warmth or comfort. A long beard, as white as snow, hung down on his + breast, and mingled with bushy, uncombed, grizzled hair, which hung in + elf-locks around his wild and staring visage. The features seemed to be + extenuated by penury and famine, until they hardly retained the likeness + of a human aspect. The eyes, grey, wild, and wandering, evidently + betokened a bewildered imagination. He held in his hand a rusty sword, + clotted with blood, as were his long lean hands, which were garnished at + the extremity with nails like eagle's claws. +</p> +<p> + "In the name of Heaven! who is he?" said Morton, in a whisper to + Poundtext, surprised, shocked, and even startled, at this ghastly + apparition, which looked more like the resurrection of some cannibal + priest, or druid red from his human sacrifice, than like an earthly + mortal. +</p> +<p> + "It is Habakkuk Mucklewrath," answered Poundtext, in the same tone, "whom + the enemy have long detained in captivity in forts and castles, until his + understanding hath departed from him, and, as I fear, an evil demon hath + possessed him. Nevertheless, our violent brethren will have it, that he + speaketh of the spirit, and that they fructify by his pouring forth." +</p> +<p> + Here he was interrupted by Mucklewrath, who cried in a voice that made + the very beams of the roof quiver—"Who talks of peace and safe conduct? + who speaks of mercy to the bloody house of the malignants? I say take the + infants and dash them against the stones; take the daughters and the + mothers of the house and hurl them from the battlements of their trust, + that the dogs may fatten on their blood as they did on that of Jezabel, + the spouse of Ahab, and that their carcasses may be dung to the face of + the field even in the portion of their fathers!" +</p> +<p> + "He speaks right," said more than one sullen voice from behind; "we will + be honoured with little service in the great cause, if we already make + fair weather with Heaven's enemies." +</p> +<p> + "This is utter abomination and daring impiety," said Morton, unable to + contain his indignation. +</p> +<p> + "What blessing can you expect in a cause, in which you listen to the + mingled ravings of madness and atrocity?" +</p> +<p> + "Hush, young man!" said Kettledrummle, "and reserve thy censure for that + for which thou canst render a reason. It is not for thee to judge into + what vessels the spirit may be poured." +</p> +<p> + "We judge of the tree by the fruit," said Poundtext, "and allow not that + to be of divine inspiration that contradicts the divine laws." +</p> +<p> + "You forget, brother Poundtext," said Macbriar, "that these are the + latter days, when signs and wonders shall be multiplied." +</p> +<p> + Poundtext stood forward to reply; but, ere he could articulate a word, + the insane preacher broke in with a scream that drowned all competition. +</p> +<p> + "Who talks of signs and wonders? Am not I Habakkuk Mucklewrath, whose + name is changed to Magor-Missabib, because I am made a terror unto myself + and unto all that are around me?—I heard it—When did I hear it?—Was it + not in the Tower of the Bass, that overhangeth the wide wild sea?—And it + howled in the winds, and it roared in the billows, and it screamed, and + it whistled, and it clanged, with the screams and the clang and the + whistle of the sea-birds, as they floated, and flew, and dropped, and + dived, on the bosom of the waters. I saw it—Where did I see it?—Was it + not from the high peaks of Dunbarton, when I looked westward upon the + fertile land, and northward on the wild Highland hills; when the clouds + gathered and the tempest came, and the lightnings of heaven flashed in + sheets as wide as the banners of an host?—What did I see?—Dead corpses + and wounded horses, the rushing together of battle, and garments rolled + in blood.—What heard I?—The voice that cried, Slay, slay—smite—slay + utterly—let not your eye have pity! slay utterly, old and young, the + maiden, the child, and the woman whose head is grey—Defile the house and + fill the courts with the slain!" +</p> +<p> + "We receive the command," exclaimed more than one of the company. "Six + days he hath not spoken nor broken bread, and now his tongue is + unloosed:—We receive the command; as he hath said, so will we do." +</p> +<p> + Astonished, disgusted, and horror-struck, at what he had seen and heard, + Morton turned away from the circle and left the cottage. He was followed + by Burley, who had his eye on his motions. +</p> +<p> + "Whither are you going?" said the latter, taking him by the arm. +</p> +<p> + "Any where,—I care not whither; but here I will abide no longer." +</p> +<p> + "Art thou so soon weary, young man?" answered Burley. "Thy hand is but + now put to the plough, and wouldst thou already abandon it? Is this thy + adherence to the cause of thy father?" +</p> +<p> + "No cause," replied Morton, indignantly—"no cause can prosper, so + conducted. One party declares for the ravings of a bloodthirsty madman; + another leader is an old scholastic pedant; a third"—he stopped, and his + companion continued the sentence—"Is a desperate homicide, thou wouldst + say, like John Balfour of Burley?—I can bear thy misconstruction without + resentment. Thou dost not consider, that it is not men of sober and + self-seeking minds, who arise in these days of wrath to execute judgment + and to accomplish deliverance. Hadst thou but seen the armies of England, + during her Parliament of 1640, whose ranks were filled with sectaries and + enthusiasts, wilder than the anabaptists of Munster, thou wouldst have + had more cause to marvel; and yet these men were unconquered on the + field, and their hands wrought marvellous things for the liberties of the + land." +</p> +<p> + "But their affairs," replied Morton, "were wisely conducted, and the + violence of their zeal expended itself in their exhortations and sermons, + without bringing divisions into their counsels, or cruelty into their + conduct. I have often heard my father say so, and protest, that he + wondered at nothing so much as the contrast between the extravagance of + their religious tenets, and the wisdom and moderation with which they + conducted their civil and military affairs. But our councils seem all one + wild chaos of confusion." +</p> +<p> + "Thou must have patience, Henry Morton," answered Balfour; "thou must not + leave the cause of thy religion and country either for one wild word, or + one extravagant action. Hear me. I have already persuaded the wiser of + our friends, that the counsellors are too numerous, and that we cannot + expect that the Midianites shall, by so large a number, be delivered into + our hands. They have hearkened to my voice, and our assemblies will be + shortly reduced within such a number as can consult and act together; and + in them thou shalt have a free voice, as well as in ordering our affairs + of war, and protecting those to whom mercy should be shown—Art thou now + satisfied?" +</p> +<p> + "It will give me pleasure, doubtless," answered Morton, "to be the means + of softening the horrors of civil war; and I will not leave the post I + have taken, unless I see measures adopted at which my conscience revolts. + But to no bloody executions after quarter asked, or slaughter without + trial, will I lend countenance or sanction; and you may depend on my + opposing them, with both heart and hand, as constantly and resolutely, if + attempted by our own followers, as when they are the work of the enemy." +</p> +<p> + Balfour waved his hand impatiently. +</p> +<p> + "Thou wilt find," he said, "that the stubborn and hard-hearted generation + with whom we deal, must be chastised with scorpions ere their hearts be + humbled, and ere they accept the punishment of their iniquity. The word + is gone forth against them, 'I will bring a sword upon you that shall + avenge the quarrel of my Covenant.' But what is done shall be done + gravely, and with discretion, like that of the worthy James Melvin, who + executed judgment on the tyrant and oppressor, Cardinal Beaton." +</p> +<p> + "I own to you," replied Morton, "that I feel still more abhorrent at + cold-blooded and premeditated cruelty, than at that which is practised in + the heat of zeal and resentment." +</p> +<p> + "Thou art yet but a youth," replied Balfour, "and hast not learned how + light in the balance are a few drops of blood in comparison to the weight + and importance of this great national testimony. But be not afraid; + thyself shall vote and judge in these matters; it may be we shall see + little cause to strive together anent them." +</p> +<p> + With this concession Morton was compelled to be satisfied for the + present; and Burley left him, advising him to lie down and get some rest, + as the host would probably move in the morning. +</p> +<p> + "And you," answered Morton, "do not you go to rest also?" +</p> +<p> + "No," said Burley; "my eyes must not yet know slumber. This is no work to + be done lightly; I have yet to perfect the choosing of the committee of + leaders, and I will call you by times in the morning to be present at + their consultation." +</p> +<p> + He turned away, and left Morton to his repose. +</p> +<p> + The place in which he found himself was not ill adapted for the purpose, + being a sheltered nook, beneath a large rock, well protected from the + prevailing wind. A quantity of moss with which the ground was overspread, + made a couch soft enough for one who had suffered so much hardship and + anxiety. Morton wrapped himself in the horse-man's cloak which he had + still retained, stretched himself on the ground, and had not long + indulged in melancholy reflections on the state of the country, and upon + his own condition, ere he was relieved from them by deep and sound + slumber. +</p> +<p> + The rest of the army slept on the ground, dispersed in groups, which + chose their beds on the fields as they could best find shelter and + convenience. A few of the principal leaders held wakeful conference with + Burley on the state of their affairs, and some watchmen were appointed + who kept themselves on the alert by chanting psalms, or listening to the + exercises of the more gifted of their number. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II. +</h2> +<pre> + Got with much ease—now merrily to horse. + Henry IV. Part I. +</pre> +<p> + With the first peep of day Henry awoke, and found the faithful Cuddie + standing beside him with a portmanteau in his hand. +</p> +<p> + "I hae been just putting your honour's things in readiness again ye were + waking," said Cuddie, "as is my duty, seeing ye hae been sae gude as to + tak me into your service." +</p> +<p> + "I take you into my service, Cuddie?" said Morton, "you must be + dreaming." +</p> +<p> + "Na, na, stir," answered Cuddie; "didna I say when I was tied on the + horse yonder, that if ever ye gat loose I would be your servant, and ye + didna say no? and if that isna hiring, I kenna what is. Ye gae me nae + arles, indeed, but ye had gien me eneugh before at Milnwood." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Cuddie, if you insist on taking the chance of my unprosperous + fortunes"— +</p> +<p> + "Ou ay, I'se warrant us a' prosper weel eneugh," answered Cuddie, + cheeringly, "an anes my auld mither was weel putten up. I hae begun the + campaigning trade at an end that is easy eneugh to learn." +</p> +<p> + "Pillaging, I suppose?" said Morton, "for how else could you come by that + portmanteau?" +</p> +<p> + "I wotna if it's pillaging, or how ye ca't," said Cuddie, "but it comes + natural to a body, and it's a profitable trade. Our folk had tirled the + dead dragoons as bare as bawbees before we were loose amaist.—But when I + saw the Whigs a' weel yokit by the lugs to Kettledrummle and the other + chield, I set off at the lang trot on my ain errand and your honour's. + Sae I took up the syke a wee bit, away to the right, where I saw the + marks o'mony a horsefoot, and sure eneugh I cam to a place where there + had been some clean leatherin', and a' the puir chields were lying there + buskit wi' their claes just as they had put them on that morning—naebody + had found out that pose o' carcages—and wha suld be in the midst thereof + (as my mither says) but our auld acquaintance, Sergeant Bothwell?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, has that man fallen?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Troth has he," answered Cuddie; "and his een were open and his brow + bent, and his teeth clenched thegither, like the jaws of a trap for + foumarts when the spring's doun—I was amaist feared to look at him; + however, I thought to hae turn about wi' him, and sae I e'en riped his + pouches, as he had dune mony an honester man's; and here's your ain + siller again (or your uncle's, which is the same) that he got at Milnwood + that unlucky night that made us a' sodgers thegither." +</p> +<p> + "There can be no harm, Cuddie," said Morton, "in making use of this + money, since we know how he came by it; but you must divide with me." +</p> +<p> + "Bide a wee, bide a wee," said Cuddie. "Weel, and there's a bit ring he + had hinging in a black ribbon doun on his breast. I am thinking it has + been a love-token, puir fallow—there's naebody sae rough but they hae + aye a kind heart to the lasses—and there's a book wi'a wheen papers, and + I got twa or three odd things, that I'll keep to mysell, forby." +</p> +<p> + "Upon my word, you have made a very successful foray for a beginner," + said his new master. +</p> +<p> + "Haena I e'en now?" said Cuddie, with great exultation. "I tauld ye I + wasna that dooms stupid, if it cam to lifting things.—And forby, I hae + gotten twa gude horse. A feckless loon of a Straven weaver, that has left + his loom and his bein house to sit skirling on a cauld hill-side, had + catched twa dragoon naigs, and he could neither gar them hup nor wind, + sae he took a gowd noble for them baith—I suld hae tried him wi' half + the siller, but it's an unco ill place to get change in—Ye'll find the + siller's missing out o' Bothwell's purse." +</p> +<p> + "You have made a most excellent and useful purchase, Cuddie; but what is + that portmanteau?" +</p> +<p> + "The pockmantle?" answered Cuddie, "it was Lord Evandale's yesterday, and + it's yours the day. I fand it ahint the bush o' broom yonder—ilka dog + has its day—Ye ken what the auld sang says, +</p> +<pre> + 'Take turn about, mither, quo' Tam o' the Linn.' +</pre> +<p> + "And, speaking o' that, I maun gang and see about my mither, puir auld + body, if your honour hasna ony immediate commands." +</p> +<p> + "But, Cuddie," said Morton, "I really cannot take these things from you + without some recompense." +</p> +<p> + "Hout fie, stir," answered Cuddie, "ye suld aye be taking,—for + recompense, ye may think about that some other time—I hae seen gay weel + to mysell wi' some things that fit me better. What could I do wi' Lord + Evandale's braw claes? Sergeant Bothwell's will serve me weel eneugh." +</p> +<p> + Not being able to prevail on the self-constituted and disinterested + follower to accept of any thing for himself out of these warlike spoils, + Morton resolved to take the first opportunity of returning Lord + Evandale's property, supposing him yet to be alive; and, in the + meanwhile, did not hesitate to avail himself of Cuddie's prize, so far as + to appropriate some changes of linen and other triffling articles amongst + those of more value which the portmanteau contained. +</p> +<p> + He then hastily looked over the papers which were found in Bothwell's + pocket-book. These were of a miscellaneous description. The roll of his + troop, with the names of those absent on furlough, memorandums of + tavern-bills, and lists of delinquents who might be made subjects of fine + and persecution, first presented themselves, along with a copy of a + warrant from the Privy Council to arrest certain persons of distinction + therein named. In another pocket of the book were one or two commissions + which Bothwell had held at different times, and certificates of his + services abroad, in which his courage and military talents were highly + praised. But the most remarkable paper was an accurate account of his + genealogy, with reference to many documents for establishment of its + authenticity; subjoined was a list of the ample possessions of the + forfeited Earls of Bothwell, and a particular account of the proportions + in which King James VI. had bestowed them on the courtiers and nobility + by whose descendants they were at present actually possessed; beneath + this list was written, in red letters, in the hand of the deceased, Haud + Immemor, F. S. E. B. the initials probably intimating Francis Stewart, + Earl of Bothwell. To these documents, which strongly painted the + character and feelings of their deceased proprietor, were added some + which showed him in a light greatly different from that in which we have + hitherto presented him to the reader. +</p> +<p> + In a secret pocket of the book, which Morton did not discover without + some trouble, were one or two letters, written in a beautiful female + hand. They were dated about twenty years back, bore no address, and were + subscribed only by initials. Without having time to peruse them + accurately, Morton perceived that they contained the elegant yet fond + expressions of female affection directed towards an object whose jealousy + they endeavoured to soothe, and of whose hasty, suspicious, and impatient + temper, the writer seemed gently to complain. The ink of these + manuscripts had faded by time, and, notwithstanding the great care which + had obviously been taken for their preservation, they were in one or two + places chafed so as to be illegible. +</p> +<p> + "It matters not," these words were written on the envelope of that which + had suffered most, "I have them by heart." +</p> +<p> + With these letters was a lock of hair wrapped in a copy of verses, + written obviously with a feeling, which atoned, in Morton's opinion, for + the roughness of the poetry, and the conceits with which it abounded, + according to the taste of the period: +</p> +<p> + Thy hue, dear pledge, is pure and bright, As in that well-remember'd + night, When first thy mystic braid was wove, And first my Agnes whisper'd + love. Since then, how often hast thou press'd The torrid zone of this + wild breast, Whose wrath and hate have sworn to dwell With the first sin + which peopled hell; A breast whose blood's a troubled ocean, Each throb + the earthquake's wild commotion!—O, if such clime thou canst endure, Yet + keep thy hue unstain'd and pure, What conquest o'er each erring thought + Of that fierce realm had Agnes wrought! I had not wander'd wild and wide, + With such an angel for my guide; Nor heaven nor earth could then reprove + me, If she had lived, and lived to love me. Not then this world's wild + joys had been To me one savage hunting-scene, My sole delight the + headlong race, And frantic hurry of the chase, To start, pursue, and + bring to bay, Rush in, drag down, and rend my prey, Then from the carcass + turn away; Mine ireful mood had sweetness tamed, And soothed each wound + which pride inflamed;—Yes, God and man might now approve me, If thou + hadst lived, and lived to love me! +</p> +<p> + As he finished reading these lines, Morton could not forbear reflecting + with compassion on the fate of this singular and most unhappy being, who, + it appeared, while in the lowest state of degradation, and almost of + contempt, had his recollections continually fixed on the high station to + which his birth seemed to entitle him; and, while plunged in gross + licentiousness, was in secret looking back with bitter remorse to the + period of his youth, during which he had nourished a virtuous, though + unfortunate attachment. +</p> +<p> + "Alas! what are we," said Morton, "that our best and most praiseworthy + feelings can be thus debased and depraved—that honourable pride can sink + into haughty and desperate indifference for general opinion, and the + sorrow of blighted affection inhabit the same bosom which license, + revenge, and rapine, have chosen for their citadel? But it is the same + throughout; the liberal principles of one man sink into cold and + unfeeling indifference, the religious zeal of another hurries him into + frantic and savage enthusiasm. Our resolutions, our passions, are like + the waves of the sea, and, without the aid of Him who formed the human + breast, we cannot say to its tides, 'Thus far shall ye come, and no + farther."' +</p> +<p> + While he thus moralized, he raised his eyes, and observed that Burley + stood before him. +</p> +<p> + "Already awake?" said that leader—"It is well, and shows zeal to tread + the path before you.—What papers are these?" he continued. +</p> +<p> + Morton gave him some brief account of Cuddie's successful marauding + party, and handed him the pocket-book of Bothwell, with its contents. The + Cameronian leader looked with some attention on such of the papers as + related to military affairs, or public business; but when he came to the + verses, he threw them from him with contempt. +</p> +<p> + "I little thought," he said, "when, by the blessing of God, I passed my + sword three times through the body of that arch tool of cruelty and + persecution, that a character so desperate and so dangerous could have + stooped to an art as trifling as it is profane. But I see that Satan can + blend the most different qualities in his well-beloved and chosen agents, + and that the same hand which can wield a club or a slaughter-weapon + against the godly in the valley of destruction, can touch a tinkling + lute, or a gittern, to soothe the ears of the dancing daughters of + perdition in their Vanity Fair." +</p> +<p> + "Your ideas of duty, then," said Morton, "exclude love of the fine arts, + which have been supposed in general to purify and to elevate the mind?" +</p> +<p> + "To me, young man," answered Burley, "and to those who think as I do, the + pleasures of this world, under whatever name disguised, are vanity, as + its grandeur and power are a snare. We have but one object on earth, and + that is to build up the temple of the Lord." +</p> +<p> + "I have heard my father observe," replied Morton, "that many who assumed + power in the name of Heaven, were as severe in its exercise, and as + unwilling to part with it, as if they had been solely moved by the + motives of worldly ambition—But of this another time. Have you succeeded + in obtaining a committee of the council to be nominated?" +</p> +<p> + "I have," answered Burley. "The number is limited to six, of which you + are one, and I come to call you to their deliberations." +</p> +<p> + Morton accompanied him to a sequestered grassplot, where their colleagues + awaited them. In this delegation of authority, the two principal factions + which divided the tumultuary army had each taken care to send three of + their own number. On the part of the Cameronians, were Burley, Macbriar, + and Kettledrummle; and on that of the moderate party, Poundtext, Henry + Morton, and a small proprietor, called the Laird of Langcale. Thus the + two parties were equally balanced by their representatives in the + committee of management, although it seemed likely that those of the most + violent opinions were, as is usual in such cases, to possess and exert + the greater degree of energy. Their debate, however, was conducted more + like men of this world than could have been expected from their conduct + on the preceding evening. After maturely considering their means and + situation, and the probable increase of their numbers, they agreed that + they would keep their position for that day, in order to refresh their + men, and give time to reinforcements to join them, and that, on the next + morning, they would direct their march towards Tillietudlem, and summon + that stronghold, as they expressed it, of malignancy. If it was not + surrendered to their summons, they resolved to try the effect of a brisk + assault; and, should that miscarry, it was settled that they should leave + a part of their number to blockade the place, and reduce it, if possible, + by famine, while their main body should march forward to drive + Claverhouse and Lord Ross from the town of Glasgow. Such was the + determination of the council of management; and thus Morton's first + enterprise in active life was likely to be the attack of a castle + belonging to the parent of his mistress, and defended by her relative, + Major Bellenden, to whom he personally owed many obligations! He felt + fully the embarrassment of his situation, yet consoled himself with the + reflection, that his newly-acquired power in the insurgent army would + give him, at all events, the means of extending to the inmates of + Tillietudlem a protection which no other circumstance could have afforded + them; and he was not without hope that he might be able to mediate such + an accommodation betwixt them and the presbyterian army, as should secure + them a safe neutrality during the war which was about to ensue. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III. +</h2> +<pre> + There came a knight from the field of slain, + His steed was drench'd in blood and rain. + Finlay. +</pre> +<p> + We must now return to the fortress of Tillietudlem and its inhabitants. + The morning, being the first after the battle of Loudon-hill, had dawned + upon its battlements, and the defenders had already resumed the labours + by which they proposed to render the place tenable, when the watchman, + who was placed in a high turret, called the Warder's Tower, gave the + signal that a horseman was approaching. As he came nearer, his dress + indicated an officer of the Life-Guards; and the slowness of his horse's + pace, as well as the manner in which the rider stooped on the saddle-bow, + plainly showed that he was sick or wounded. The wicket was instantly + opened to receive him, and Lord Evandale rode into the court-yard, so + reduced by loss of blood, that he was unable to dismount without + assistance. As he entered the hall, leaning upon a servant, the ladies + shrieked with surprise and terror; for, pale as death, stained with + blood, his regimentals soiled and torn, and his hair matted and + disordered, he resembled rather a spectre than a human being. But their + next exclamation was that of joy at his escape. +</p> +<p> + "Thank God!" exclaimed Lady Margaret, "that you are here, and have + escaped the hands of the bloodthirsty murderers who have cut off so many + of the king's loyal servants!" +</p> +<p> + "Thank God!" added Edith, "that you are here and in safety! We have + dreaded the worst. But you are wounded, and I fear we have little the + means of assisting you." +</p> +<p> + "My wounds are only sword-cuts," answered the young nobleman, as he + reposed himself on a seat; "the pain is not worth mentioning, and I + should not even feel exhausted but for the loss of blood. But it was not + my purpose to bring my weakness to add to your danger and distress, but + to relieve them, if possible. What can I do for you?—Permit me," he + added, addressing Lady Margaret—"permit me to think and act as your son, + my dear madam—as your brother, Edith!" +</p> +<p> + He pronounced the last part of the sentence with some emphasis, as if he + feared that the apprehension of his pretensions as a suitor might render + his proffered services unacceptable to Miss Bellenden. She was not + insensible to his delicacy, but there was no time for exchange of + sentiments. +</p> +<p> + "We are preparing for our defence," said the old lady with great dignity; + "my brother has taken charge of our garrison, and, by the grace of God, + we will give the rebels such a reception as they deserve." +</p> +<p> + "How gladly," said Evandale, "would I share in the defence of the Castle! + But in my present state, I should be but a burden to you, nay, something + worse; for, the knowledge that an officer of the Life-Guards was in the + Castle would be sufficient to make these rogues more desperately earnest + to possess themselves of it. If they find it defended only by the family, + they may possibly march on to Glasgow rather than hazard an assault." +</p> +<p> + "And can you think so meanly of us, my lord," said Edith, with the + generous burst of feeling which woman so often evinces, and which becomes + her so well, her voice faltering through eagerness, and her brow + colouring with the noble warmth which dictated her language—"Can you + think so meanly of your friends, as that they would permit such + considerations to interfere with their sheltering and protecting you at a + moment when you are unable to defend yourself, and when the whole country + is filled with the enemy? Is there a cottage in Scotland whose owners + would permit a valued friend to leave it in such circumstances? And can + you think we will allow you to go from a castle which we hold to be + strong enough for our own defence?" +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale need never think of it," said Lady Margaret. "I will dress + his wounds myself; it is all an old wife is fit for in war time; but to + quit the Castle of Tillietudlem when the sword of the enemy is drawn to + slay him,—the meanest trooper that ever wore the king's coat on his back + should not do so, much less my young Lord Evandale.—Ours is not a house + that ought to brook such dishonour. The tower of Tillietudlem has been + too much distinguished by the visit of his most sacred"— +</p> +<p> + Here she was interrupted by the entrance of the Major. +</p> +<p> + "We have taken a prisoner, my dear uncle," said Edith—"a wounded + prisoner, and he wants to escape from us. You must help us to keep him by + force." +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale!" exclaimed the veteran. "I am as much pleased as when I + got my first commission. Claverhouse reported you were killed, or missing + at least." +</p> +<p> + "I should have been slain, but for a friend of yours," said Lord + Evandale, speaking with some emotion, and bending his eyes on the ground, + as if he wished to avoid seeing the impression that what he was about to + say would make upon Miss Bellenden. "I was unhorsed and defenceless, and + the sword raised to dispatch me, when young Mr Morton, the prisoner for + whom you interested yourself yesterday morning, interposed in the most + generous manner, preserved my life, and furnished me with the means of + escaping." +</p> +<p> + As he ended the sentence, a painful curiosity overcame his first + resolution; he raised his eyes to Edith's face, and imagined he could + read in the glow of her cheek and the sparkle of her eye, joy at hearing + of her lover's safety and freedom, and triumph at his not having been + left last in the race of generosity. Such, indeed, were her feelings; but + they were also mingled with admiration of the ready frankness with which + Lord Evandale had hastened to bear witness to the merit of a favoured + rival, and to acknowledge an obligation which, in all probability, he + would rather have owed to any other individual in the world. +</p> +<p> + Major Bellenden, who would never have observed the emotions of either + party, even had they been much more markedly expressed, contented himself + with saying, "Since Henry Morton has influence with these rascals, I am + glad he has so exerted it; but I hope he will get clear of them as soon + as he can. Indeed, I cannot doubt it. I know his principles, and that he + detests their cant and hypocrisy. I have heard him laugh a thousand times + at the pedantry of that old presbyterian scoundrel, Poundtext, who, after + enjoying the indulgence of the government for so many years, has now, + upon the very first ruffle, shown himself in his own proper colours, and + set off, with three parts of his cropeared congregation, to join the host + of the fanatics.—But how did you escape after leaving the field, my + lord?" +</p> +<p> + "I rode for my life, as a recreant knight must," answered Lord Evandale, + smiling. "I took the route where I thought I had least chance of meeting + with any of the enemy, and I found shelter for several hours—you will + hardly guess where." +</p> +<p> + "At Castle Bracklan, perhaps," said Lady Margaret, "or in the house of + some other loyal gentleman?" +</p> +<p> + "No, madam. I was repulsed, under one mean pretext or another, from more + than one house of that description, for fear of the enemy following my + traces; but I found refuge in the cottage of a poor widow, whose husband + had been shot within these three months by a party of our corps, and + whose two sons are at this very moment with the insurgents." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" said Lady Margaret Bellenden; "and was a fanatic woman capable + of such generosity?—but she disapproved, I suppose, of the tenets of her + family?" +</p> +<p> + "Far from it, madam," continued the young nobleman; "she was in principle + a rigid recusant, but she saw my danger and distress, considered me as a + fellow-creature, and forgot that I was a cavalier and a soldier. She + bound my wounds, and permitted me to rest upon her bed, concealed me from + a party of the insurgents who were seeking for stragglers, supplied me + with food, and did not suffer me to leave my place of refuge until she + had learned that I had every chance of getting to this tower without + danger." +</p> +<p> + "It was nobly done," said Miss Bellenden; "and I trust you will have an + opportunity of rewarding her generosity." +</p> +<p> + "I am running up an arrear of obligation on all sides, Miss Bellenden, + during these unfortunate occurrences," replied Lord Evandale; "but when I + can attain the means of showing my gratitude, the will shall not be + wanting." +</p> +<p> + All now joined in pressing Lord Evandale to relinquish his intention of + leaving the Castle; but the argument of Major Bellenden proved the most + effectual. +</p> +<p> + "Your presence in the Castle will be most useful, if not absolutely + necessary, my lord, in order to maintain, by your authority, proper + discipline among the fellows whom Claverhouse has left in garrison here, + and who do not prove to be of the most orderly description of inmates; + and, indeed, we have the Colonel's authority, for that very purpose, to + detain any officer of his regiment who might pass this way." +</p> +<p> + "That," said Lord Evandale, "is an unanswerable argument, since it shows + me that my residence here may be useful, even in my present disabled + state." +</p> +<p> + "For your wounds, my lord," said the Major, "if my sister, Lady + Bellenden, will undertake to give battle to any feverish symptom, if such + should appear, I will answer that my old campaigner, Gideon Pike, shall + dress a flesh-wound with any of the incorporation of Barber-Surgeons. He + had enough of practice in Montrose's time, for we had few regularly-bred + army chirurgeons, as you may well suppose.—You agree to stay with us, + then?" +</p> +<p> + "My reasons for leaving the Castle," said Lord Evandale, glancing a look + towards Edith, "though they evidently seemed weighty, must needs give way + to those which infer the power of serving you. May I presume, Major, to + enquire into the means and plan of defence which you have prepared? or + can I attend you to examine the works?" +</p> +<p> + It did not escape Miss Bellenden, that Lord Evandale seemed much + exhausted both in body and mind. "I think, sir," she said, addressing the + Major, "that since Lord Evandale condescends to become an officer of our + garrison, you should begin by rendering him amenable to your authority, + and ordering him to his apartment, that he may take some refreshment ere + he enters on military discussions." +</p> +<p> + "Edith is right," said the old lady; "you must go instantly to bed, my + lord, and take some febrifuge, which I will prepare with my own hand; and + my lady-in-waiting, Mistress Martha Weddell, shall make some friar's + chicken, or something very light. I would not advise wine.—John Gudyill, + let the housekeeper make ready the chamber of dais. Lord Evandale must + lie down instantly. Pike will take off the dressings, and examine the + state of the wounds." +</p> +<p> + "These are melancholy preparations, madam," said Lord Evandale, as he + returned thanks to Lady Margaret, and was about to leave the hall,—"but + I must submit to your ladyship's directions; and I trust that your skill + will soon make me a more able defender of your castle than I am at + present. You must render my body serviceable as soon as you can, for you + have no use for my head while you have Major Bellenden." +</p> +<p> + With these words he left the apartment. +</p> +<p> + "An excellent young man, and a modest," said the Major. +</p> +<p> + "None of that conceit," said Lady Margaret, "that often makes young folk + suppose they know better how their complaints should be treated than + people that have had experience." +</p> +<p> + "And so generous and handsome a young nobleman," said Jenny Dennison, who + had entered during the latter part of this conversation, and was now left + alone with her mistress in the hall, the Major returning to his military + cares, and Lady Margaret to her medical preparations. +</p> +<p> + Edith only answered these encomiums with a sigh; but, although silent, + she felt and knew better than any one how much they were merited by the + person on whom they were bestowed. Jenny, however, failed not to follow + up her blow. +</p> +<p> + "After a', it's true that my lady says—there's nae trusting a + presbyterian; they are a' faithless man-sworn louns. Whae wad hae thought + that young Milnwood and Cuddie Headrigg wad hae taen on wi' thae rebel + blackguards?" +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean by such improbable nonsense, Jenny?" said her young + mistress, very much displeased. +</p> +<p> + "I ken it's no pleasing for you to hear, madam," answered Jenny hardily; + "and it's as little pleasant for me to tell; but as gude ye suld ken a' + about it sune as syne, for the haill Castle's ringing wi't." +</p> +<p> + "Ringing with what, Jenny? Have you a mind to drive me mad?" answered + Edith, impatiently. +</p> +<p> + "Just that Henry Morton of Milnwood is out wi' the rebels, and ane o' + their chief leaders." +</p> +<p> + "It is a falsehood!" said Edith—"a most base calumny! and you are very + bold to dare to repeat it to me. Henry Morton is incapable of such + treachery to his king and country—such cruelty to me—to—to all the + innocent and defenceless victims, I mean, who must suffer in a civil + war—I tell you he is utterly incapable of it, in every sense." +</p> +<p> + "Dear! dear! Miss Edith," replied Jenny, still constant to her text, + "they maun be better acquainted wi' young men than I am, or ever wish to + be, that can tell preceesely what they're capable or no capable o'. But + there has been Trooper Tam, and another chield, out in bonnets and grey + plaids, like countrymen, to recon—reconnoitre—I think John Gudyill ca'd + it; and they hae been amang the rebels, and brought back word that they + had seen young Milnwood mounted on ane o' the dragoon horses that was + taen at Loudon-hill, armed wi' swords and pistols, like wha but him, and + hand and glove wi' the foremost o' them, and dreeling and commanding the + men; and Cuddie at the heels o' him, in ane o' Sergeant Bothwell's laced + waistcoats, and a cockit hat with a bab o' blue ribbands at it for the + auld cause o' the Covenant, (but Cuddie aye liked a blue ribband,) and a + ruffled sark, like ony lord o' the land—it sets the like o' him, + indeed!" +</p> +<p> + "Jenny," said her young mistress hastily, "it is impossible these men's + report can be true; my uncle has heard nothing of it at this instant." +</p> +<p> + "Because Tam Halliday," answered the handmaiden, "came in just five + minutes after Lord Evandale; and when he heard his lordship was in the + Castle, he swore (the profane loon!) he would be d—d ere he would make + the report, as he ca'd it, of his news to Major Bellenden, since there + was an officer of his ain regiment in the garrison. Sae he wad have said + naething till Lord Evandale wakened the next morning; only he tauld me + about it," (here Jenny looked a little down,) "just to vex me about + Cuddie." +</p> +<p> + "Poh, you silly girl," said Edith, assuming some courage, "it is all a + trick of that fellow to teaze you." +</p> +<p> + "Na, madam, it canna be that, for John Gudyill took the other dragoon + (he's an auld hard-favoured man, I wotna his name) into the cellar, and + gae him a tass o' brandy to get the news out o' him, and he said just the + same as Tam Halliday, word for word; and Mr Gudyill was in sic a rage, + that he tauld it a' ower again to us, and says the haill rebellion is + owing to the nonsense o' my Leddy and the Major, and Lord Evandale, that + begged off young Milnwood and Cuddie yesterday morning, for that, if they + had suffered, the country wad hae been quiet—and troth I am muckle o' + that opinion mysell." +</p> +<p> + This last commentary Jenny added to her tale, in resentment of her + mistress's extreme and obstinate incredulity. She was instantly alarmed, + however, by the effect which her news produced upon her young lady, an + effect rendered doubly violent by the High-church principles and + prejudices in which Miss Bellenden had been educated. Her complexion + became as pale as a corpse, her respiration so difficult that it was on + the point of altogether failing her, and her limbs so incapable of + supporting her, that she sunk, rather than sat, down upon one of the + seats in the hall, and seemed on the eve of fainting. Jenny tried cold + water, burnt feathers, cutting of laces, and all other remedies usual in + hysterical cases, but without any immediate effect. +</p> +<p> + "God forgie me! what hae I done?" said the repentant fille-de-chambre. "I + wish my tongue had been cuttit out!—Wha wad hae thought o' her taking on + that way, and a' for a young lad?—O, Miss Edith—dear Miss Edith, haud + your heart up about it, it's maybe no true for a' that I hae said—O, I + wish my mouth had been blistered! A' body tells me my tongue will do me a + mischief some day. What if my Leddy comes? or the Major?—and she's + sitting in the throne, too, that naebody has sate in since that weary + morning the King was here!—O, what will I do! O, what will become o' + us!" +</p> +<p> + While Jenny Dennison thus lamented herself and her mistress, Edith slowly + returned from the paroxysm into which she had been thrown by this + unexpected intelligence. +</p> +<p> + "If he had been unfortunate," she said, "I never would have deserted him. + I never did so, even when there was danger and disgrace in pleading his + cause. If he had died, I would have mourned him—if he had been + unfaithful, I would have forgiven him; but a rebel to his King,—a + traitor to his country,—the associate and colleague of cut-throats and + common stabbers,—the persecutor of all that is noble,—the professed and + blasphemous enemy of all that is sacred,—I will tear him from my heart, + if my life-blood should ebb in the effort!" +</p> +<p> + She wiped her eyes, and rose hastily from the great chair, (or throne, as + Lady Margaret used to call it,) while the terrified damsel hastened to + shake up the cushion, and efface the appearance of any one having + occupied that sacred seat; although King Charles himself, considering the + youth and beauty as well as the affliction of the momentary usurper of + his hallowed chair, would probably have thought very little of the + profanation. She then hastened officiously to press her support on Edith, + as she paced the hall apparently in deep meditation. +</p> +<p> + "Tak my arm, madam; better just tak my arm; sorrow maun hae its vent, and + doubtless"— +</p> +<p> + "No, Jenny," said Edith, with firmness; "you have seen my weakness, and + you shall see my strength." +</p> +<p> + "But ye leaned on me the other morning. Miss Edith, when ye were sae sair + grieved." +</p> +<p> + "Misplaced and erring affection may require support, Jenny—duty can + support itself; yet I will do nothing rashly. I will be aware of the + reasons of his conduct—and then—cast him off for ever," was the firm + and determined answer of her young lady. +</p> +<p> + Overawed by a manner of which she could neither conceive the motive, nor + estimate the merit, Jenny muttered between her teeth, "Odd, when the + first flight's ower, Miss Edith taks it as easy as I do, and muckle + easier, and I'm sure I ne'er cared half sae muckle about Cuddie Headrigg + as she did about young Milnwood. Forby that, it's maybe as weel to hae a + friend on baith sides; for, if the whigs suld come to tak the Castle, as + it's like they may, when there's sae little victual, and the dragoons + wasting what's o't, ou, in that case, Milnwood and Cuddie wad hae the + upper hand, and their freendship wad be worth siller—I was thinking sae + this morning or I heard the news." +</p> +<p> + With this consolatory reflection the damsel went about her usual + occupations, leaving her mistress to school her mind as she best might, + for eradicating the sentiments which she had hitherto entertained towards + Henry Morton. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV. +</h2> +<pre> + Once more into the breach—dear friends, once more! + Henry V. +</pre> +<p> + On the evening of this day, all the information which they could procure + led them to expect, that the insurgent army would be with early dawn on + their march against Tillietudlem. Lord Evandale's wounds had been + examined by Pike, who reported them in a very promising state. They were + numerous, but none of any consequence; and the loss of blood, as much + perhaps as the boasted specific of Lady Margaret, had prevented any + tendency to fever; so that, notwithstanding he felt some pain and great + weakness, the patient maintained that he was able to creep about with the + assistance of a stick. In these circumstances he refused to be confined + to his apartment, both that he might encourage the soldiers by his + presence, and suggest any necessary addition to the plan of defence, + which the Major might be supposed to have arranged upon something of an + antiquated fashion of warfare. Lord Evandale was well qualified to give + advice on such subjects, having served, during his early youth, both in + France and in the Low Countries. There was little or no occasion, + however, for altering the preparations already made; and, excepting on + the article of provisions, there seemed no reason to fear for the defence + of so strong a place against such assailants as those by whom it was + threatened. +</p> +<p> + With the peep of day, Lord Evandale and Major Bellenden were on the + battlements again, viewing and re-viewing the state of their + preparations, and anxiously expecting the approach of the enemy. I ought + to observe, that the report of the spies had now been regularly made and + received; but the Major treated the report that Morton was in arms + against the government with the most scornful incredulity. +</p> +<p> + "I know the lad better," was the only reply he deigned to make; "the + fellows have not dared to venture near enough, and have been deceived by + some fanciful resemblance, or have picked up some story." +</p> +<p> + "I differ from you, Major," answered Lord Evandale; "I think you will see + that young gentleman at the head of the insurgents; and, though I shall + be heartily sorry for it, I shall not be greatly surprised." +</p> +<p> + "You are as bad as Claverhouse," said the Major, "who contended yesterday + morning down my very throat, that this young fellow, who is as + high-spirited and gentleman-like a boy as I have ever known, wanted but + an opportunity to place himself at the head of the rebels." +</p> +<p> + "And considering the usage which he has received, and the suspicions + under which he lies," said Lord Evandale, "what other course is open to + him? For my own part, I should hardly know whether he deserved most blame + or pity." +</p> +<p> + "Blame, my lord?—Pity!" echoed the Major, astonished at hearing such + sentiments; "he would deserve to be hanged, that's all; and, were he my + own son, I should see him strung up with pleasure—Blame, indeed! But + your lordship cannot think as you are pleased to speak?" +</p> +<p> + "I give you my honour, Major Bellenden, that I have been for some time of + opinion, that our politicians and prelates have driven matters to a + painful extremity in this country, and have alienated, by violence of + various kinds, not only the lower classes, but all those in the upper + ranks, whom strong party-feeling, or a desire of court-interest, does not + attach to their standard." +</p> +<p> + "I am no politician," answered the Major, "and I do not understand nice + distinctions. My sword is the King's, and when he commands, I draw it in + his cause." +</p> +<p> + "I trust," replied the young lord, "you will not find me more backward + than yourself, though I heartily wish that the enemy were foreigners. It + is, however, no time to debate that matter, for yonder they come, and we + must defend ourselves as well as we can." +</p> +<p> + As Lord Evandale spoke, the van of the insurgents began to make their + appearance on the road which crossed the top of the hill, and thence + descended opposite to the Tower. They did not, however, move downwards, + as if aware that, in doing so, their columns would be exposed to the fire + of the artillery of the place. But their numbers, which at first seemed + few, appeared presently so to deepen and concentrate themselves, that, + judging of the masses which occupied the road behind the hill from the + closeness of the front which they presented on the top of it, their force + appeared very considerable. There was a pause of anxiety on both sides; + and, while the unsteady ranks of the Covenanters were agitated, as if by + pressure behind, or uncertainty as to their next movement, their arms, + picturesque from their variety, glanced in the morning sun, whose beams + were reflected from a grove of pikes, muskets, halberds, and battle-axes. + The armed mass occupied, for a few minutes, this fluctuating position, + until three or four horsemen, who seemed to be leaders, advanced from the + front, and occupied the height a little nearer to the Castle. John + Gudyill, who was not without some skill as an artilleryman, brought a gun + to bear on this detached group. +</p> +<p> + "I'll flee the falcon,"—(so the small cannon was called,)—"I'll flee + the falcon whene'er your honour gies command; my certie, she'll ruffle + their feathers for them!" +</p> +<p> + The Major looked at Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "Stay a moment," said the young nobleman, "they send us a flag of truce." +</p> +<p> + In fact, one of the horsemen at that moment dismounted, and, displaying a + white cloth on a pike, moved forward towards the Tower, while the Major + and Lord Evandale, descending from the battlement of the main fortress, + advanced to meet him as far as the barricade, judging it unwise to admit + him within the precincts which they designed to defend. At the same time + that the ambassador set forth, the group of horsemen, as if they had + anticipated the preparations of John Gudyill for their annoyance, + withdrew from the advanced station which they had occupied, and fell back + to the main body. +</p> +<p> + The envoy of the Covenanters, to judge by his mien and manner, seemed + fully imbued with that spiritual pride which distinguished his sect. His + features were drawn up to a contemptuous primness, and his half-shut eyes + seemed to scorn to look upon the terrestial objects around, while, at + every solemn stride, his toes were pointed outwards with an air that + appeared to despise the ground on which they trode. Lord Evandale could + not suppress a smile at this singular figure. +</p> +<p> + "Did you ever," said he to Major Bellenden, "see such an absurd + automaton? One would swear it moves upon springs—Can it speak, think + you?" +</p> +<p> + "O, ay," said the Major; "that seems to be one of my old acquaintance, a + genuine puritan of the right pharisaical leaven.—Stay—he coughs and + hems; he is about to summon the Castle with the but-end of a sermon, + instead of a parley on the trumpet." +</p> +<p> + The veteran, who in his day had had many an opportunity to become + acquainted with the manners of these religionists, was not far mistaken + in his conjecture; only that, instead of a prose exordium, the Laird of + Langcale—for it was no less a personage—uplifted, with a Stentorian + voice, a verse of the twenty-fourth Psalm: +</p> +<p> + "Ye gates lift up your heads! ye doors, Doors that do last for aye, Be + lifted up"— +</p> +<p> + "I told you so," said the Major to Evandale, and then presented himself + at the entrance of the barricade, demanding to know for what purpose or + intent he made that doleful noise, like a hog in a high wind, beneath the + gates of the Castle. +</p> +<p> + "I come," replied the ambassador, in a high and shrill voice, and without + any of the usual salutations or deferences,—"I come from the godly army + of the Solemn League and Covenant, to speak with two carnal malignants, + William Maxwell, called Lord Evandale, and Miles Bellenden of Charnwood." +</p> +<p> + "And what have you to say to Miles Bellenden and Lord Evandale?" answered + the Major. +</p> +<p> + "Are you the parties?" said the Laird of Langcale, in the same sharp, + conceited, disrespectful tone of voice. +</p> +<p> + "Even so, for fault of better," said the Major. +</p> +<p> + "Then there is the public summons," said the envoy, putting a paper into + Lord Evandale's hand, "and there is a private letter for Miles Bellenden + from a godly youth, who is honoured with leading a part of our host. Read + them quickly, and God give you grace to fructify by the contents, though + it is muckle to be doubted." +</p> +<p> + The summons ran thus: "We, the named and constituted leaders of the + gentlemen, ministers, and others, presently in arms for the cause of + liberty and true religion, do warn and summon William Lord Evandale and + Miles Bellenden of Charnwood, and others presently in arms, and keeping + garrison in the Tower of Tillietudlem, to surrender the said Tower upon + fair conditions of quarter, and license to depart with bag and baggage, + otherwise to suffer such extremity of fire and sword as belong by the + laws of war to those who hold out an untenable post. And so may God + defend his own good cause!" +</p> +<p> + This summons was signed by John Balfour of Burley, as quarter-master + general of the army of the Covenant, for himself, and in name of the + other leaders. +</p> +<p> + The letter to Major Bellenden was from Henry Morton. It was couched in + the following language: +</p> +<p> + "I have taken a step, my venerable friend, which, among many painful + consequences, will, I am afraid, incur your very decided disapprobation. + But I have taken my resolution in honour and good faith, and with the + full approval of my own conscience. I can no longer submit to have my own + rights and those of my fellow-subjects trampled upon, our freedom + violated, our persons insulted, and our blood spilt, without just cause + or legal trial. Providence, through the violence of the oppressors + themselves, seems now to have opened a way of deliverance from this + intolerable tyranny, and I do not hold him deserving of the name and + rights of a freeman, who, thinking as I do, shall withold his arm from + the cause of his country. But God, who knows my heart, be my witness, + that I do not share the angry or violent passions of the oppressed and + harassed sufferers with whom I am now acting. My most earnest and anxious + desire is, to see this unnatural war brought to a speedy end, by the + union of the good, wise, and moderate of all parties, and a peace + restored, which, without injury to the King's constitutional rights, may + substitute the authority of equal laws to that of military violence, and, + permitting to all men to worship God according to their own consciences, + may subdue fanatical enthusiasm by reason and mildness, instead of + driving it to frenzy by persecution and intolerance. +</p> +<p> + "With these sentiments, you may conceive with what pain I appear in arms + before the house of your venerable relative, which we understand you + propose to hold out against us. Permit me to press upon you the + assurance, that such a measure will only lead to the effusion of + blood—that, if repulsed in the assault, we are yet strong enough to + invest the place, and reduce it by hunger, being aware of your + indifferent preparations to sustain a protracted siege. It would grieve + me to the heart to think what would be the sufferings in such a case, + and upon whom they would chiefly fall. +</p> +<pre> +"Do not suppose, my respected friend, that I would propose to you any +terms which could compromise the high and honourable character which you +have so deservedly won, and so long borne. If the regular soldiers (to +whom I will ensure a safe retreat) are dismissed from the place, I trust +no more will be required than your parole to remain neuter during this +unhappy contest; and I will take care that Lady Margaret's property, as +well as yours, shall be duly respected, and no garrison intruded upon +you. I could say much in favour of this proposal; but I fear, as I must +in the present instance appear criminal in your eyes, good arguments +would lose their influence when coming from an unwelcome quarter. I will, +therefore, break off with assuring you, that whatever your sentiments may +be hereafter towards me, my sense of gratitude to you can never be +diminished or erased; and it would be the happiest moment of my life that +should give me more effectual means than mere words to assure you of it. +Therefore, although in the first moment of resentment you may reject the +proposal I make to you, let not that prevent you from resuming the topic, +if future events should render it more acceptable; for whenever, or +howsoever, I can be of service to you, it will always afford the greatest +satisfaction to + "Henry Morton." +</pre> +<p> + Having read this long letter with the most marked indignation, Major + Bellenden put it into the hands of Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "I would not have believed this," he said, "of Henry Morton, if half + mankind had sworn it! The ungrateful, rebellious traitor! rebellious in + cold blood, and without even the pretext of enthusiasm, that warms the + liver of such a crack-brained fop as our friend the envoy there. But I + should have remembered he was a presbyterian—I ought to have been aware + that I was nursing a wolf-cub, whose diabolical nature would make him + tear and snatch at me on the first opportunity. Were Saint Paul on earth + again, and a presbyterian, he would be a rebel in three months—it is in + the very blood of them." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Lord Evandale, "I will be the last to recommend surrender; + but, if our provisions fail, and we receive no relief from Edinburgh or + Glasgow, I think we ought to avail ourselves of this opening, to get the + ladies, at least, safe out of the Castle." +</p> +<p> + "They will endure all, ere they would accept the protection of such a + smooth-tongued hypocrite," answered the Major indignantly; "I would + renounce them for relatives were it otherwise. But let us dismiss the + worthy ambassador.—My friend," he said, turning to Langcale, "tell your + leaders, and the mob they have gathered yonder, that, if they have not a + particular opinion of the hardness of their own skulls, I would advise + them to beware how they knock them against these old walls. And let them + send no more flags of truce, or we will hang up the messenger in + retaliation of the murder of Cornet Grahame." +</p> +<p> + With this answer the ambassador returned to those by whom he had been + sent. He had no sooner reached the main body than a murmur was heard + amongst the multitude, and there was raised in front of their ranks an + ample red flag, the borders of which were edged with blue. As the signal + of war and defiance spread out its large folds upon the morning wind, the + ancient banner of Lady Margaret's family, together with the royal ensign, + were immediately hoisted on the walls of the Tower, and at the same time, + a round of artillery was discharged against the foremost ranks of the + insurgents, by which they sustained some loss. Their leaders instantly + withdrew them to the shelter of the brow of the hill. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said John Gudyill, while he busied himself in re-charging his + guns, "they hae fund the falcon's neb a bit ower hard for them—It's no + for nought that the hawk whistles." +</p> +<p> + But as he uttered these words, the ridge was once more crowded with the + ranks of the enemy. A general discharge of their fire-arms was directed + against the defenders upon the battlements. Under cover of the smoke, a + column of picked men rushed down the road with determined courage, and, + sustaining with firmness a heavy fire from the garrison, they forced + their way, in spite of opposition, to the first barricade by which the + avenue was defended. They were led on by Balfour in person, who displayed + courage equal to his enthusiasm; and, in spite of every opposition, + forced the barricade, killing and wounding several of the defenders, and + compelling the rest to retreat to their second position. The precautions, + however, of Major Bellenden rendered this success unavailing; for no + sooner were the Covenanters in possession of the post, than a close and + destructive fire was poured into it from the Castle, and from those + stations which commanded it in the rear. Having no means of protecting + themselves from this fire, or of returning it with effect against men who + were under cover of their barricades and defences, the Covenanters were + obliged to retreat; but not until they had, with their axes, destroyed + the stockade, so as to render it impossible for the defenders to + re-occupy it. +</p> +<p> + Balfour was the last man that retired. He even remained for a short space + almost alone, with an axe in his hand, labouring like a pioneer amid the + storm of balls, many of which were specially aimed against him. The + retreat of the party he commanded was not effected without heavy loss, + and served as a severe lesson concerning the local advantages possessed + by the garrison. +</p> +<p> + The next attack of the Covenanters was made with more caution. A strong + party of marksmen, (many of them competitors at the game of the + popinjay,) under the command of Henry Morton, glided through the woods + where they afforded them the best shelter, and, avoiding the open road, + endeavoured, by forcing their way through the bushes and trees, and up + the rocks which surrounded it on either side, to gain a position, from + which, without being exposed in an intolerable degree, they might annoy + the flank of the second barricade, while it was menaced in front by a + second attack from Burley. The besieged saw the danger of this movement, + and endeavoured to impede the approach of the marksmen, by firing upon + them at every point where they showed themselves. The assailants, on the + other hand, displayed great coolness, spirit, and judgment, in the manner + in which they approached the defences. This was, in a great measure, to + be ascribed to the steady and adroit manner in which they were conducted + by their youthful leader, who showed as much skill in protecting his own + followers as spirit in annnoying the enemy. +</p> +<p> + He repeatedly enjoined his marksmen to direct their aim chiefly upon the + red-coats, and to save the others engaged in the defence of the Castle; + and, above all, to spare the life of the old Major, whose anxiety made + him more than once expose himself in a manner, that, without such + generosity on the part of the enemy, might have proved fatal. A dropping + fire of musketry now glanced from every part of the precipitous mount on + which the Castle was founded. From bush to bush—from crag to crag—from + tree to tree, the marksmen continued to advance, availing themselves of + branches and roots to assist their ascent, and contending at once with + the disadvantages of the ground and the fire of the enemy. At length they + got so high on the ascent, that several of them possessed an opportunity + of firing into the barricade against the defenders, who then lay exposed + to their aim, and Burley, profiting by the confusion of the moment, moved + forward to the attack in front. His onset was made with the same + desperation and fury as before, and met with less resistance, the + defenders being alarmed at the progress which the sharp-shooters had made + in turning the flank of their position. Determined to improve his + advantage, Burley, with his axe in his hand, pursued the party whom he + had dislodged even to the third and last barricade, and entered it along + with them. +</p> +<p> + "Kill, kill—down with the enemies of God and his people!—No + quarter—The Castle is ours!" were the cries by which he animated his + friends; the most undaunted of whom followed him close, whilst the + others, with axes, spades, and other implements, threw up earth, cut + down trees, hastily labouring to establish such a defensive cover in the + rear of the second barricade as might enable them to retain possession + of it, in case the Castle was not carried by this coup-de-main. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale could no longer restrain his impatience. He charged with a + few soldiers who had been kept in reserve in the court-yard of the + Castle; and, although his arm was in a sling, encouraged them, by voice + and gesture, to assist their companions who were engaged with Burley. The + combat now assumed an air of desperation. The narrow road was crowded + with the followers of Burley, who pressed forward to support their + companions. The soldiers, animated by the voice and presence of Lord + Evandale, fought with fury, their small numbers being in some measure + compensated by their greater skill, and by their possessing the upper + ground, which they defended desperately with pikes and halberds, as well + as with the but of the carabines and their broadswords. Those within the + Castle endeavoured to assist their companions, whenever they could so + level their guns as to fire upon the enemy without endangering their + friends. The sharp-shooters, dispersed around, were firing incessantly on + each object that was exposed upon the battlement. The Castle was + enveloped with smoke, and the rocks rang to the cries of the combatants. + In the midst of this scene of confusion, a singular accident had nearly + given the besiegers possession of the fortress. +</p> +<p> + Cuddie Headrigg, who had advanced among the marksmen, being well + acquainted with every rock and bush in the vicinity of the Castle, where + he had so often gathered nuts with Jenny Dennison, was enabled, by such + local knowledge, to advance farther, and with less danger, than most of + his companions, excepting some three or four who had followed him close. + Now Cuddie, though a brave enough fellow upon the whole, was by no means + fond of danger, either for its own sake, or for that of the glory which + attends it. In his advance, therefore, he had not, as the phrase goes, + taken the bull by the horns, or advanced in front of the enemy's fire. On + the contrary, he had edged gradually away from the scene of action, and, + turning his line of ascent rather to the left, had pursued it until it + brought him under a front of the Castle different from that before which + the parties were engaged, and to which the defenders had given no + attention, trusting to the steepness of the precipice. There was, + however, on this point, a certain window belonging to a certain pantry, + and communicating with a certain yew-tree, which grew out of a steep + cleft of the rock, being the very pass through which Goose Gibbie was + smuggled out of the Castle in order to carry Edith's express to + Charnwood, and which had probably, in its day, been used for other + contraband purposes. Cuddie, resting upon the but of his gun, and looking + up at this window, observed to one of his companions,—"There's a place I + ken weel; mony a time I hae helped Jenny Dennison out o' the winnock, + forby creeping in whiles mysell to get some daffin, at e'en after the + pleugh was loosed." +</p> +<p> + "And what's to hinder us to creep in just now?" said the other, who was a + smart enterprising young fellow. +</p> +<p> + "There's no muckle to hinder us, an that were a'," answered Cuddie; "but + what were we to do neist?" +</p> +<p> + "We'll take the Castle," cried the other; "here are five or six o' us, + and a' the sodgers are engaged at the gate." +</p> +<p> + "Come awa wi' you, then," said Cuddie; "but mind, deil a finger ye maun + lay on Lady Margaret, or Miss Edith, or the auld Major, or, aboon a', on + Jenny Dennison, or ony body but the sodgers—cut and quarter amang them + as ye like, I carena." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay," said the other, "let us once in, and we will make our ain terms + with them a'." +</p> +<p> + Gingerly, and as if treading upon eggs, Cuddie began to ascend the + well-known pass, not very willingly; for, besides that he was something + apprehensive of the reception he might meet with in the inside, his + conscience insisted that he was making but a shabby requital for Lady + Margaret's former favours and protection. He got up, however, into the + yew-tree, followed by his companions, one after another. The window was + small, and had been secured by stancheons of iron; but these had been + long worn away by time, or forced out by the domestics to possess a free + passage for their own occasional convenience. Entrance was therefore + easy, providing there was no one in the pantry, a point which Cuddie + endeavoured to discover before he made the final and perilous step. While + his companions, therefore, were urging and threatening him behind, and he + was hesitating and stretching his neck to look into the apartment, his + head became visible to Jenny Dennison, who had ensconced herself in said + pantry as the safest place in which to wait the issue of the assault. So + soon as this object of terror caught her eye, she set up a hysteric + scream, flew to the adjacent kitchen, and, in the desperate agony of + fear, seized on a pot of kailbrose which she herself had hung on the fire + before the combat began, having promised to Tam Halliday to prepare his + breakfast for him. Thus burdened, she returned to the window of the + pantry, and still exclaiming, "Murder! murder!—we are a' harried and + ravished—the Castle's taen—tak it amang ye!" she discharged the whole + scalding contents of the pot, accompanied with a dismal yell, upon the + person of the unfortunate Cuddie. However welcome the mess might have + been, if Cuddie and it had become acquainted in a regular manner, the + effects, as administered by Jenny, would probably have cured him of + soldiering for ever, had he been looking upwards when it was thrown upon + him. But, fortunately for our man of war, he had taken the alarm upon + Jenny's first scream, and was in the act of looking down, expostulating + with his comrades, who impeded the retreat which he was anxious to + commence; so that the steel cap and buff coat which formerly belonged to + Sergeant Bothwell, being garments of an excellent endurance, protected + his person against the greater part of the scalding brose. Enough, + however, reached him to annoy him severely, so that in the pain and + surprise he jumped hastily out of the tree, oversetting his followers, to + the manifest danger of their limbs, and, without listening to arguments, + entreaties, or authority, made the best of his way by the most safe road + to the main body of the army whereunto he belonged, and could neither by + threats nor persuasion be prevailed upon to return to the attack. +</p> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pb050.jpg" height="803" width="553" +alt="Jenny Dennison +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + As for Jenny, when she had thus conferred upon one admirer's outward man + the viands which her fair hands had so lately been in the act of + preparing for the stomach of another, she continued her song of alarm, + running a screaming division upon all those crimes, which the lawyers + call the four pleas of the crown, namely, murder, fire, rape, and + robbery. These hideous exclamations gave so much alarm, and created such + confusion within the Castle, that Major Bellenden and Lord Evandale + judged it best to draw off from the conflict without the gates, and, + abandoning to the enemy all the exterior defences of the avenue, confine + themselves to the Castle itself, for fear of its being surprised on some + unguarded point. Their retreat was unmolested; for the panic of Cuddie + and his companions had occasioned nearly as much confusion on the side + of the besiegers, as the screams of Jenny had caused to the defenders. +</p> +<p> + There was no attempt on either side to renew the action that day. The + insurgents had suffered most severely; and, from the difficulty which + they had experienced in carrying the barricadoed positions without the + precincts of the Castle, they could have but little hope of storming the + place itself. On the other hand, the situation of the besieged was + dispiriting and gloomy. In the skirmishing they had lost two or three + men, and had several wounded; and though their loss was in proportion + greatly less than that of the enemy, who had left twenty men dead on the + place, yet their small number could much worse spare it, while the + desperate attacks of the opposite party plainly showed how serious the + leaders were in the purpose of reducing the place, and how well seconded + by the zeal of their followers. But, especially, the garrison had to fear + for hunger, in case blockade should be resorted to as the means of + reducing them. The Major's directions had been imperfectly obeyed in + regard to laying in provisions; and the dragoons, in spite of all warning + and authority, were likely to be wasteful in using them. It was, + therefore, with a heavy heart, that Major Bellenden gave directions for + guarding the window through which the Castle had so nearly been + surprised, as well as all others which offered the most remote facility + for such an enterprise. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER V. +</h2> +<pre> + The King hath drawn + The special head of all the land together. + Henry IV. Part II. +</pre> +<p> + The leaders of the presbyterian army had a serious consultation upon the + evening of the day in which they had made the attack on Tillietudlem. + They could not but observe that their followers were disheartened by the + loss which they had sustained, and which, as usual in such cases, had + fallen upon the bravest and most forward. It was to be feared, that if + they were suffered to exhaust their zeal and efforts in an object so + secondary as the capture of this petty fort, their numbers would melt + away by degrees, and they would lose all the advantages arising out of + the present unprepared state of the government. Moved by these arguments, + it was agreed that the main body of the army should march against + Glasgow, and dislodge the soldiers who were lying in that town. The + council nominated Henry Morton, with others, to this last service, and + appointed Burley to the command of a chosen body of five hundred men, who + were to remain behind, for the purpose of blockading the Tower of + Tillietudlem. Morton testified the greatest repugnance to this + arrangement. +</p> +<p> + "He had the strongest personal motives," he said, "for desiring to remain + near Tillietudlem; and if the management of the siege were committed to + him, he had little doubt but that he would bring it to such an + accommodation, as, without being rigorous to the besieged, would fully + answer the purpose of the besiegers." +</p> +<p> + Burley readily guessed the cause of his young colleague's reluctance to + move with the army; for, interested as he was in appreciating the + characters with whom he had to deal, he had contrived, through the + simplicity of Cuddie, and the enthusiasm of old Mause, to get much + information concerning Morton's relations with the family of + Tillietudlem. He therefore took the advantage of Poundtext's arising to + speak to business, as he said, for some short space of time, (which + Burley rightly interpreted to mean an hour at the very least), and seized + that moment to withdraw Morton from the hearing of their colleagues, and + to hold the following argument with him: +</p> +<p> + "Thou art unwise, Henry Morton, to desire to sacrifice this holy cause to + thy friendship for an uncircumcised Philistine, or thy lust for a + Moabitish woman." +</p> +<p> + "I neither understand your meaning, Mr Balfour, nor relish your + allusions," replied Morton, indignantly; "and I know no reason you have + to bring so gross a charge, or to use such uncivil language." +</p> +<p> + "Confess, however, the truth," said Balfour, "and own that there are + those within yon dark Tower, over whom thou wouldst rather be watching + like a mother over her little ones, than thou wouldst bear the banner of + the Church of Scotland over the necks of her enemies." +</p> +<p> + "If you mean, that I would willingly terminate this war without any + bloody victory, and that I am more anxious to do this than to acquire any + personal fame or power, you may be," replied Morton, "perfectly right." +</p> +<p> + "And not wholly wrong," answered Burley, "in deeming that thou wouldst + not exclude from so general a pacification thy friends in the garrison of + Tillietudlem." +</p> +<p> + "Certainly," replied Morton; "I am too much obliged to Major Bellenden + not to wish to be of service to him, as far as the interest of the cause + I have espoused will permit. I never made a secret of my regard for him." +</p> +<p> + "I am aware of that," said Burley; "but, if thou hadst concealed it, I + should, nevertheless, have found out thy riddle. Now, hearken to my + words. This Miles Bellenden hath means to subsist his garrison for a + month." +</p> +<p> + "This is not the case," answered Morton; "we know his stores are hardly + equal to a week's consumption." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, but," continued Burley, "I have since had proof, of the strongest + nature, that such a report was spread in the garrison by that wily and + grey-headed malignant, partly to prevail on the soldiers to submit to a + diminution of their daily food, partly to detain us before the walls of + his fortress until the sword should be whetted to smite and destroy us." +</p> +<p> + "And why was not the evidence of this laid before the council of war?" + said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "To what purpose?" said Balfour. "Why need we undeceive Kettledrummle, + Macbriar, Poundtext, and Langcale, upon such a point? Thyself must own, + that whatever is told to them escapes to the host out of the mouth of the + preachers at their next holding-forth. They are already discouraged by + the thoughts of lying before the fort a week. What would be the + consequence were they ordered to prepare for the leaguer of a month?" +</p> +<p> + "But why conceal it, then, from me? or why tell it me now? and, above + all, what proofs have you got of the fact?" continued Morton. +</p> +<p> + "There are many proofs," replied Burley; and he put into his hands a + number of requisitions sent forth by Major Bellenden, with receipts on + the back to various proprietors, for cattle, corn, meal, to such an + amount, that the sum total seemed to exclude the possibility of the + garrison being soon distressed for provisions. But Burley did not inform + Morton of a fact which he himself knew full well, namely, that most of + these provisions never reached the garrison, owing to the rapacity of the + dragoons sent to collect them, who readily sold to one man what they took + from another, and abused the Major's press for stores, pretty much as Sir + John Falstaff did that of the King for men. +</p> +<p> + "And now," continued Balfour, observing that he had made the desired + impression, "I have only to say, that I concealed this from thee no + longer than it was concealed from myself, for I have only received these + papers this morning; and I tell it unto thee now, that thou mayest go on + thy way rejoicing, and work the great work willingly at Glasgow, being + assured that no evil can befall thy friends in the malignant party, since + their fort is abundantly victualled, and I possess not numbers sufficient + to do more against them than to prevent their sallying forth." +</p> +<p> + "And why," continued Morton, who felt an inexpressible reluctance to + acquiesce in Balfour's reasoning—"why not permit me to remain in the + command of this smaller party, and march forward yourself to Glasgow? It + is the more honourable charge." +</p> +<p> + "And therefore, young man," answered Burley, "have I laboured that it + should be committed to the son of Silas Morton. I am waxing old, and this + grey head has had enough of honour where it could be gathered by danger. + I speak not of the frothy bubble which men call earthly fame, but the + honour belonging to him that doth not the work negligently. But thy + career is yet to run. Thou hast to vindicate the high trust which has + been bestowed on thee through my assurance that it was dearly + well-merited. At Loudon-hill thou wert a captive, and at the last assault + it was thy part to fight under cover, whilst I led the more open and + dangerous attack; and, shouldst thou now remain before these walls when + there is active service elsewhere, trust me, that men will say, that the + son of Silas Morton hath fallen away from the paths of his father." +</p> +<p> + Stung by this last observation, to which, as a gentleman and soldier, he + could offer no suitable reply, Morton hastily acquiesced in the proposed + arrangement. Yet he was unable to divest himself of certain feelings of + distrust which he involuntarily attached to the quarter from which he + received this information. +</p> +<p> + "Mr Balfour," he said, "let us distinctly understand each other. You have + thought it worth your while to bestow particular attention upon my + private affairs and personal attachments; be so good as to understand, + that I am as constant to them as to my political principles. It is + possible, that, during my absence, you may possess the power of soothing + or of wounding those feelings. Be assured, that whatever may be the + consequences to the issue of our present adventure, my eternal gratitude, + or my persevering resentment, will attend the line of conduct you may + adopt on such an occasion; and, however young and inexperienced I am, I + have no doubt of finding friends to assist me in expressing my sentiments + in either case." +</p> +<p> + "If there be a threat implied in that denunciation," replied Burley, + coldly and haughtily, "it had better have been spared. I know how to + value the regard of my friends, and despise, from my soul, the threats of + my enemies. But I will not take occasion of offence. Whatever happens + here in your absence shall be managed with as much deference to your + wishes, as the duty I owe to a higher power can possibly permit." +</p> +<p> + With this qualified promise Morton was obliged to rest satisfied. +</p> +<p> + "Our defeat will relieve the garrison," said he, internally, "ere they + can be reduced to surrender at discretion; and, in case of victory, I + already see, from the numbers of the moderate party, that I shall have a + voice as powerful as Burley's in determining the use which shall be made + of it." +</p> +<p> + He therefore followed Balfour to the council, where they found + Kettledrummle adding to his lastly a few words of practical application. + When these were expended, Morton testified his willingness to accompany + the main body of the army, which was destined to drive the regular troops + from Glasgow. His companions in command were named, and the whole + received a strengthening exhortation from the preachers who were present. + Next morning, at break of day, the insurgent army broke up from their + encampment, and marched towards Glasgow. +</p> +<p> + It is not our intention to detail at length incidents which may be found + in the history of the period. It is sufficient to say, that Claverhouse + and Lord Ross, learning the superior force which was directed against + them, intrenched, or rather barricadoed themselves, in the centre of the + city, where the town-house and old jail were situated, with the + determination to stand the assault of the insurgents rather than to + abandon the capital of the west of Scotland. The presbyterians made their + attack in two bodies, one of which penetrated into the city in the line + of the College and Cathedral Church, while the other marched up the + Gallowgate, or principal access from the south-east. Both divisions were + led by men of resolution, and behaved with great spirit. But the + advantages of military skill and situation were too great for their + undisciplined valour. +</p> +<p> + Ross and Claverhouse had carefully disposed parties of their soldiers in + houses, at the heads of the streets, and in the entrances of closes, as + they are called, or lanes, besides those who were intrenched behind + breast-works which reached across the streets. The assailants found their + ranks thinned by a fire from invisible opponents, which they had no means + of returning with effect. It was in vain that Morton and other leaders + exposed their persons with the utmost gallantry, and endeavoured to bring + their antagonists to a close action; their followers shrunk from them in + every direction. And yet, though Henry Morton was one of the very last to + retire, and exerted himself in bringing up the rear, maintaining order in + the retreat, and checking every attempt which the enemy made to improve + the advantage they had gained by the repulse, he had still the + mortification to hear many of those in his ranks muttering to each other, + that "this came of trusting to latitudinarian boys; and that, had honest, + faithful Burley led the attack, as he did that of the barricades of + Tillietudlem, the issue would have been as different as might be." +</p> +<p> + It was with burning resentment that Morton heard these reflections thrown + out by the very men who had soonest exhibited signs of discouragement. + The unjust reproach, however, had the effect of firing his emulation, and + making him sensible that, engaged as he was in a perilous cause, it was + absolutely necessary that he should conquer or die. +</p> +<p> + "I have no retreat," he said to himself. "All shall allow—even Major + Bellenden—even Edith—that in courage, at least, the rebel Morton was + not inferior to his father." +</p> +<p> + The condition of the army after the repulse was so undisciplined, and in + such disorganization, that the leaders thought it prudent to draw off + some miles from the city to gain time for reducing them once more into + such order as they were capable of adopting. Recruits, in the meanwhile, + came fast in, more moved by the extreme hardships of their own condition, + and encouraged by the advantage obtained at Loudon-hill, than deterred by + the last unfortunate enterprise. Many of these attached themselves + particularly to Morton's division. He had, however, the mortification to + see that his unpopularity among the more intolerant part of the + Covenanters increased rapidly. The prudence beyond his years, which he + exhibited in improving the discipline and arrangement of his followers, + they termed a trusting in the arm of flesh, and his avowed tolerance for + those of religious sentiments and observances different from his own, + obtained him, most unjustly, the nickname of Gallio, who cared for none + of those things. What was worse than these misconceptions, the mob of the + insurgents, always loudest in applause of those who push political or + religious opinions to extremity, and disgusted with such as endeavour to + reduce them to the yoke of discipline, preferred avowedly the more + zealous leaders, in whose ranks enthusiasm in the cause supplied the want + of good order and military subjection, to the restraints which Morton + endeavoured to bring them under. In short, while bearing the principal + burden of command, (for his colleagues willingly relinquished in his + favour every thing that was troublesome and obnoxious in the office of + general,) Morton found himself without that authority, which alone could + render his regulations effectual. [Note: These feuds, which tore to + pieces the little army of insurgents, turned merely on the point whether + the king's interest or royal authority was to be owned or not, and + whether the party in arms were to be contented with a free exercise of + their own religion, or insist upon the re-establishment of Presbytery in + its supreme authority, and with full power to predominate over all other + forms of worship. The few country gentlemen who joined the insurrection, + with the most sensible part of the clergy, thought it best to limit their + demands to what it might be possible to attain. But the party who urged + these moderate views were termed by the more zealous bigots, the Erastian + party, men, namely, who were willing to place the church under the + influence of the civil government, and therefore they accounted them, "a + snare upon Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor." See the Life of Sir + Robert Hamilton in the Scottish Worthies, and his account of the Battle + of Both-well-bridge, passim.] +</p> +<p> + Yet, notwithstanding these obstacles, he had, during the course of a few + days, laboured so hard to introduce some degree of discipline into the + army, that he thought he might hazard a second attack upon Glasgow with + every prospect of success. +</p> +<p> + It cannot be doubted that Morton's anxiety to measure himself with + Colonel Grahame of Claverhouse, at whose hands he had sustained such + injury, had its share in giving motive to his uncommon exertions. But + Claverhouse disappointed his hopes; for, satisfied with having the + advantage in repulsing the first attack upon Glasgow, he determined that + he would not, with the handful of troops under his command, await a + second assault from the insurgents, with more numerous and better + disciplined forces than had supported their first enterprise. He + therefore evacuated the place, and marched at the head of his troops + towards Edinburgh. The insurgents of course entered Glasgow without + resistance, and without Morton having the opportunity, which he so deeply + coveted, of again encountering Claverhouse personally. But, although he + had not an opportunity of wiping away the disgrace which had befallen his + division of the army of the Covenant, the retreat of Claverhouse, and the + possession of Glasgow, tended greatly to animate the insurgent army, and + to increase its numbers. The necessity of appointing new officers, of + organizing new regiments and squadrons, of making them acquainted with at + least the most necessary points of military discipline, were labours, + which, by universal consent, seemed to be devolved upon Henry Morton, and + which he the more readily undertook, because his father had made him + acquainted with the theory of the military art, and because he plainly + saw, that, unless he took this ungracious but absolutely necessary + labour, it was vain to expect any other to engage in it. +</p> +<p> + In the meanwhile, fortune appeared to favour the enterprise of the + insurgents more than the most sanguine durst have expected. The Privy + Council of Scotland, astonished at the extent of resistance which their + arbitrary measures had provoked, seemed stupified with terror, and + incapable of taking active steps to subdue the resentment which these + measures had excited. There were but very few troops in Scotland, and + these they drew towards Edinburgh, as if to form an army for protection + of the metropolis. The feudal array of the crown vassals in the various + counties, was ordered to take the field, and render to the King the + military service due for their fiefs. But the summons was very slackly + obeyed. The quarrel was not generally popular among the gentry; and even + those who were not unwilling themselves to have taken arms, were deterred + by the repugnance of their wives, mothers, and sisters, to their engaging + in such a cause. +</p> +<p> + Meanwhile, the inadequacy of the Scottish government to provide for their + own defence, or to put down a rebellion of which the commencement seemed + so trifling, excited at the English court doubts at once of their + capacity, and of the prudence of the severities they had exerted against + the oppressed presbyterians. It was, therefore, resolved to nominate to + the command of the army of Scotland, the unfortunate Duke of Monmouth, + who had by marriage a great interest, large estate, and a numerous + following, as it was called, in the southern parts of that kingdom. The + military skill which he had displayed on different occasions abroad, was + supposed more than adequate to subdue the insurgents in the field; while + it was expected that his mild temper, and the favourable disposition + which he showed to presbyterians in general, might soften men's minds, + and tend to reconcile them to the government. The Duke was, therefore, + invested with a commission, containing high powers for settling the + distracted affairs of Scotland, and dispatched from London with strong + succours to take the principal military command in that country. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> +<pre> + I am bound to Bothwell-hill, + Where I maun either do or die. + Old Ballad. +</pre> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pb128.jpg" height="519" width="824" +alt="The Battle of Bothwell Bridge--128 +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + There was now a pause in the military movements on both sides. The + government seemed contented to prevent the rebels advancing towards the + capital, while the insurgents were intent upon augmenting and + strengthening their forces. For this purpose, they established a sort of + encampment in the park belonging to the ducal residence at Hamilton, a + centrical situation for receiving their recruits, and where they were + secured from any sudden attack, by having the Clyde, a deep and rapid + river, in front of their position, which is only passable by a long and + narrow bridge, near the castle and village of Bothwell. +</p> +<p> + Morton remained here for about a fortnight after the attack on Glasgow, + actively engaged in his military duties. He had received more than one + communication from Burley, but they only stated, in general, that the + Castle of Tillietudlem continued to hold out. Impatient of suspense upon + this most interesting subject, he at length intimated to his colleagues + in command his desire, or rather his intention,—for he saw no reason why + he should not assume a license which was taken by every one else in this + disorderly army,—to go to Milnwood for a day or two to arrange some + private affairs of consequence. The proposal was by no means approved of; + for the military council of the insurgents were sufficiently sensible of + the value of his services to fear to lose them, and felt somewhat + conscious of their own inability to supply his place. They could not, + however, pretend to dictate to him laws more rigid than they submitted to + themselves, and he was suffered to depart on his journey without any + direct objection being stated. The Reverend Mr Poundtext took the same + opportunity to pay a visit to his own residence in the neighbourhood of + Milnwood, and favoured Morton with his company on the journey. As the + country was chiefly friendly to their cause, and in possession of their + detached parties, excepting here and there the stronghold of some old + cavaliering Baron, they travelled without any other attendant than the + faithful Cuddie. +</p> +<p> + It was near sunset when they reached Milnwood, where Poundtext bid adieu + to his companions, and travelled forward alone to his own manse, which + was situated half a mile's march beyond Tillietudlem. When Morton was + left alone to his own reflections, with what a complication of feelings + did he review the woods, banks, and fields, that had been familiar to + him! His character, as well as his habits, thoughts, and occupations, had + been entirely changed within the space of little more than a fortnight, + and twenty days seemed to have done upon him the work of as many years. A + mild, romantic, gentle-tempered youth, bred up in dependence, and + stooping patiently to the control of a sordid and tyrannical relation, + had suddenly, by the rod of oppression and the spur of injured feeling, + been compelled to stand forth a leader of armed men, was earnestly + engaged in affairs of a public nature, had friends to animate and enemies + to contend with, and felt his individual fate bound up in that of a + national insurrection and revolution. It seemed as if he had at once + experienced a transition from the romantic dreams of youth to the labours + and cares of active manhood. All that had formerly interested him was + obliterated from his memory, excepting only his attachment to Edith; and + even his love seemed to have assumed a character more manly and + disinterested, as it had become mingled and contrasted with other duties + and feelings. As he revolved the particulars of this sudden change, the + circumstances in which it originated, and the possible consequences of + his present career, the thrill of natural anxiety which passed along his + mind was immediately banished by a glow of generous and high-spirited + confidence. +</p> +<p> + "I shall fall young," he said, "if fall I must, my motives misconstrued, + and my actions condemned, by those whose approbation is dearest to me. + But the sword of liberty and patriotism is in my hand, and I will neither + fall meanly nor unavenged. They may expose my body, and gibbet my limbs; + but other days will come, when the sentence of infamy will recoil against + those who may pronounce it. And that Heaven, whose name is so often + profaned during this unnatural war, will bear witness to the purity of + the motives by which I have been guided." +</p> +<p> + Upon approaching Milnwood, Henry's knock upon the gate no longer + intimated the conscious timidity of a stripling who has been out of + bounds, but the confidence of a man in full possession of his own rights, + and master of his own actions,—bold, free, and decided. The door was + cautiously opened by his old acquaintance, Mrs Alison Wilson, who started + back when she saw the steel cap and nodding plume of the martial visitor. +</p> +<p> + "Where is my uncle, Alison?" said Morton, smiling at her alarm. +</p> +<p> + "Lordsake, Mr Harry! is this you?" returned the old lady. "In troth, ye + garr'd my heart loup to my very mouth—But it canna be your ainsell, for + ye look taller and mair manly-like than ye used to do." +</p> +<p> + "It is, however, my own self," said Henry, sighing and smiling at the + same time; "I believe this dress may make me look taller, and these + times, Ailie, make men out of boys." +</p> +<p> + "Sad times indeed!" echoed the old woman; "and O that you suld be + endangered wi'them! but wha can help it?—ye were ill eneugh guided, and, + as I tell your uncle, if ye tread on a worm it will turn." +</p> +<p> + "You were always my advocate, Ailie," said he, and the housekeeper no + longer resented the familiar epithet, "and would let no one blame me but + yourself, I am aware of that,—Where is my uncle?" +</p> +<p> + "In Edinburgh," replied Alison; "the honest man thought it was best to + gang and sit by the chimley when the reek rase—a vex'd man he's been and + a feared—but ye ken the Laird as weel as I do." +</p> +<p> + "I hope he has suffered nothing in health?" said Henry. +</p> +<p> + "Naething to speak of," answered the housekeeper, "nor in gudes + neither—we fended as weel as we could; and, though the troopers of + Tillietudlem took the red cow and auld Hackie, (ye'll mind them weel;) + yet they sauld us a gude bargain o' four they were driving to the + Castle." +</p> +<p> + "Sold you a bargain?" said Morton; "how do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "Ou, they cam out to gather marts for the garrison," answered the + housekeeper; "but they just fell to their auld trade, and rade through + the country couping and selling a' that they gat, like sae mony + west-country drovers. My certie, Major Bellenden was laird o' the least + share o' what they lifted, though it was taen in his name." +</p> +<p> + "Then," said Morton, hastily, "the garrison must be straitened for + provisions?" +</p> +<p> + "Stressed eneugh," replied Ailie—"there's little doubt o' that." +</p> +<p> + A light instantly glanced on Morton's mind. +</p> +<p> + "Burley must have deceived me—craft as well as cruelty is permitted by + his creed." Such was his inward thought; he said aloud, "I cannot stay, + Mrs Wilson, I must go forward directly." +</p> +<p> + "But, oh! bide to eat a mouthfu'," entreated the affectionate + housekeeper, "and I'll mak it ready for you as I used to do afore thae + sad days," "It is impossible," answered Morton.—"Cuddie, get our horses + ready." +</p> +<p> + "They're just eating their corn," answered the attendant. +</p> +<p> + "Cuddie!" exclaimed Ailie; "what garr'd ye bring that ill-faur'd, unlucky + loon alang wi' ye?—It was him and his randie mother began a' the + mischief in this house." +</p> +<p> + "Tut, tut," replied Cuddie, "ye should forget and forgie, mistress. + Mither's in Glasgow wi' her tittie, and sall plague ye nae mair; and I'm + the Captain's wallie now, and I keep him tighter in thack and rape than + ever ye did;—saw ye him ever sae weel put on as he is now?" +</p> +<p> + "In troth and that's true," said the old housekeeper, looking with great + complacency at her young master, whose mien she thought much improved by + his dress. "I'm sure ye ne'er had a laced cravat like that when ye were + at Milnwood; that's nane o' my sewing." +</p> +<p> + "Na, na, mistress," replied Cuddie, "that's a cast o' my hand—that's ane + o' Lord Evandale's braws." +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale?" answered the old lady, "that's him that the whigs are + gaun to hang the morn, as I hear say." +</p> +<p> + "The whigs about to hang Lord Evandale?" said Morton, in the greatest + surprise. +</p> +<p> + "Ay, troth are they," said the housekeeper. "Yesterday night he made a + sally, as they ca't, (my mother's name was Sally—I wonder they gie + Christian folk's names to sic unchristian doings,)—but he made an + outbreak to get provisions, and his men were driven back and he was taen, + 'an' the whig Captain Balfour garr'd set up a gallows, and swore, (or + said upon his conscience, for they winna swear,) that if the garrison was + not gien ower the morn by daybreak, he would hing up the young lord, poor + thing, as high as Haman.—These are sair times!—but folk canna help + them—sae do ye sit down and tak bread and cheese until better meat's + made ready. Ye suldna hae kend a word about it, an I had thought it was + to spoil your dinner, hinny." +</p> +<p> + "Fed, or unfed," exclaimed Morton, "saddle the horses instantly, Cuddie. + We must not rest until we get before the Castle." +</p> +<p> + And, resisting all Ailie's entreaties, they instantly resumed their + journey. +</p> +<p> + Morton failed not to halt at the dwelling of Poundtext, and summon him to + attend him to the camp. That honest divine had just resumed for an + instant his pacific habits, and was perusing an ancient theological + treatise, with a pipe in his mouth, and a small jug of ale beside him, to + assist his digestion of the argument. It was with bitter ill-will that he + relinquished these comforts (which he called his studies) in order to + recommence a hard ride upon a high-trotting horse. However, when he knew + the matter in hand, he gave up, with a deep groan, the prospect of + spending a quiet evening in his own little parlour; for he entirely + agreed with Morton, that whatever interest Burley might have in rendering + the breach between the presbyterians and the government irreconcilable, + by putting the young nobleman to death, it was by no means that of the + moderate party to permit such an act of atrocity. And it is but doing + justice to Mr Poundtext to add, that, like most of his own persuasion, he + was decidedly adverse to any such acts of unnecessary violence; besides, + that his own present feelings induced him to listen with much complacence + to the probability held out by Morton, of Lord Evandale's becoming a + mediator for the establishment of peace upon fair and moderate terms. + With this similarity of views, they hastened their journey, and arrived + about eleven o'clock at night at a small hamlet adjacent to the Castle at + Tillietudlem, where Burley had established his head-quarters. +</p> +<p> + They were challenged by the sentinel, who made his melancholy walk at the + entrance of the hamlet, and admitted upon declaring their names and + authority in the army. Another soldier kept watch before a house, which + they conjectured to be the place of Lord Evandale's confinement, for a + gibbet of such great height as to be visible from the battlements of the + Castle, was erected before it, in melancholy confirmation of the truth of + Mrs Wilson's report. [Note: The Cameronians had suffered persecution, but + it was without learning mercy. We are informed by Captain Crichton, that + they had set up in their camp a huge gibbet, or gallows, having many + hooks upon it, with a coil of new ropes lying beside it, for the + execution of such royalists as they might make prisoners. Guild, in his + Bellum Bothuellianum, describes this machine particularly.] Morton + instantly demanded to speak with Burley, and was directed to his + quarters. They found him reading the Scriptures, with his arms lying + beside him, as if ready for any sudden alarm. He started upon the + entrance of his colleagues in office. +</p> +<p> + "What has brought ye hither?" said Burley, hastily. "Is there bad news + from the army?" +</p> +<p> + "No," replied Morton; "but we understand that there are measures adopted + here in which the safety of the army is deeply concerned—Lord Evandale + is your prisoner?" +</p> +<p> + "The Lord," replied Burley, "hath delivered him into our hands." +</p> +<p> + "And you will avail yourself of that advantage, granted you by Heaven, to + dishonour our cause in the eyes of all the world, by putting a prisoner + to an ignominious death?" +</p> +<p> + "If the house of Tillietudlem be not surrendered by daybreak," replied + Burley, "God do so to me and more also, if he shall not die that death to + which his leader and patron, John Grahame of Claverhouse, hath put so + many of God's saints." +</p> +<p> + "We are in arms," replied Morton, "to put down such cruelties, and not to + imitate them, far less to avenge upon the innocent the acts of the + guilty. By what law can you justify the atrocity you would commit?" +</p> +<p> + "If thou art ignorant of it," replied Burley, "thy companion is well + aware of the law which gave the men of Jericho to the sword of Joshua, + the son of Nun." +</p> +<p> + "But we," answered the divine, "live under a better dispensation, which + instructeth us to return good for evil, and to pray for those who + despitefully use us and persecute us." +</p> +<p> + "That is to say," said Burley, "that thou wilt join thy grey hairs to his + green youth to controvert me in this matter?" +</p> +<p> + "We are," rejoined Poundtext, "two of those to whom, jointly with + thyself, authority is delegated over this host, and we will not permit + thee to hurt a hair of the prisoner's head. It may please God to make him + a means of healing these unhappy breaches in our Israel." +</p> +<p> + "I judged it would come to this," answered Burley, "when such as thou + wert called into the council of the elders." +</p> +<p> + "Such as I?" answered Poundtext,—"And who am I, that you should name me + with such scorn?—Have I not kept the flock of this sheep-fold from the + wolves for thirty years? Ay, even while thou, John Balfour, wert fighting + in the ranks of uncircumcision, a Philistine of hardened brow and bloody + hand—Who am I, say'st thou?" +</p> +<p> + "I will tell thee what thou art, since thou wouldst so fain know," said + Burley. "Thou art one of those, who would reap where thou hast not sowed, + and divide the spoil while others fight the battle—thou art one of those + that follow the gospel for the loaves and for the fishes—that love their + own manse better than the Church of God, and that would rather draw their + stipends under prelatists or heathens, than be a partaker with those + noble spirits who have cast all behind them for the sake of the + Covenant." +</p> +<p> + "And I will tell thee, John Balfour," returned Poundtext, deservedly + incensed, "I will tell thee what thou art. Thou art one of those, for + whose bloody and merciless disposition a reproach is flung upon the whole + church of this suffering kingdom, and for whose violence and + blood-guiltiness, it is to be feared, this fair attempt to recover our + civil and religious rights will never be honoured by Providence with the + desired success." +</p> +<p> + "Gentlemen," said Morton, "cease this irritating and unavailing + recrimination; and do you, Mr Balfour, inform us, whether it is your + purpose to oppose the liberation of Lord Evandale, which appears to us a + profitable measure in the present position of our affairs?" +</p> +<p> + "You are here," answered Burley, "as two voices against one; but you will + not refuse to tarry until the united council shall decide upon this + matter?" +</p> +<p> + "This," said Morton, "we would not decline, if we could trust the hands + in whom we are to leave the prisoner.—But you know well," he added, + looking sternly at Burley, "that you have already deceived me in this + matter." +</p> +<p> + "Go to," said Burley, disdainfully,—"thou art an idle inconsiderate boy, + who, for the black eyebrows of a silly girl, would barter thy own faith + and honour, and the cause of God and of thy country." +</p> +<p> + "Mr Balfour," said Morton, laying his hand on his sword, "this language + requires satisfaction." +</p> +<p> + "And thou shalt have it, stripling, when and where thou darest," said + Burley; "I plight thee my good word on it." +</p> +<p> + Poundtext, in his turn, interfered to remind them of the madness of + quarrelling, and effected with difficulty a sort of sullen + reconciliation. +</p> +<p> + "Concerning the prisoner," said Burley, "deal with him as ye think fit. I + wash my hands free from all consequences. He is my prisoner, made by my + sword and spear, while you, Mr Morton, were playing the adjutant at + drills and parades, and you, Mr Poundtext, were warping the Scriptures + into Erastianism. Take him unto you, nevertheless, and dispose of him as + ye think meet.—Dingwall," he continued, calling a sort of aid-de-camp, + who slept in the next apartment, "let the guard posted on the malignant + Evandale give up their post to those whom Captain Morton shall appoint to + relieve them.—The prisoner," he said, again addressing Poundtext and + Morton, "is now at your disposal, gentlemen. But remember, that for all + these things there will one day come a term of heavy accounting." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he turned abruptly into an inner apartment, without bidding + them good evening. His two visitors, after a moment's consideration, + agreed it would be prudent to ensure the prisoner's personal safety, by + placing over him an additional guard, chosen from their own parishioners. + A band of them happened to be stationed in the hamlet, having been + attached, for the time, to Burley's command, in order that the men might + be gratified by remaining as long as possible near to their own homes. + They were, in general, smart, active young fellows, and were usually + called by their companions, the Marksmen of Milnwood. By Morton's desire, + four of these lads readily undertook the task of sentinels, and he left + with them Headrigg, on whose fidelity he could depend, with instructions + to call him, if any thing remarkable happened. +</p> +<p> + This arrangement being made, Morton and his colleague took possession, + for the night, of such quarters as the over-crowded and miserable hamlet + could afford them. They did not, however, separate for repose till they + had drawn up a memorial of the grievances of the moderate presbyterians, + which was summed up with a request of free toleration for their religion + in future, and that they should be permitted to attend gospel ordinances + as dispensed by their own clergymen, without oppression or molestation. + Their petition proceeded to require that a free parliament should be + called for settling the affairs of church and state, and for redressing + the injuries sustained by the subject; and that all those who either now + were, or had been, in arms, for obtaining these ends, should be + indemnified. Morton could not but strongly hope that these terms, which + comprehended all that was wanted, or wished for, by the moderate party + among the insurgents, might, when thus cleared of the violence of + fanaticism, find advocates even among the royalists, as claiming only the + ordinary rights of Scottish freemen. +</p> +<p> + He had the more confidence of a favourable reception, that the Duke of + Monmouth, to whom Charles had intrusted the charge of subduing this + rebellion, was a man of gentle, moderate, and accessible disposition, + well known to be favourable to the presbyterians, and invested by the + king with full powers to take measures for quieting the disturbances in + Scotland. It seemed to Morton, that all that was necessary for + influencing him in their favour was to find a fit and sufficiently + respectable channel of communication, and such seemed to be opened + through the medium of Lord Evandale. He resolved, therefore, to visit the + prisoner early in the morning, in order to sound his dispositions to + undertake the task of mediator; but an accident happened which led him to + anticipate his purpose. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VII. +</h2> +<pre> + Gie ower your house, lady, he said,— + Gie ower your house to me. + Edom of Gordon. +</pre> +<p> + Morton had finished the revisal and the making out of a fair copy of the + paper on which he and Poundtext had agreed to rest as a full statement of + the grievances of their party, and the conditions on which the greater + part of the insurgents would be contented to lay down their arms; and he + was about to betake himself to repose, when there was a knocking at the + door of his apartment. +</p> +<p> + "Enter," said Morton; and the round bullethead of Cuddie Headrigg was + thrust into the room. "Come in," said Morton, "and tell me what you want. + Is there any alarm?" +</p> +<p> + "Na, stir; but I hae brought ane to speak wi' you." +</p> +<p> + "Who is that, Cuddie?" enquired Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Ane o' your auld acquaintance," said Cuddie; and, opening the door more + fully, he half led, half dragged in a woman, whose face was muffled in + her plaid.—"Come, come, ye needna be sae bashfu' before auld + acquaintance, Jenny," said Cuddie, pulling down the veil, and discovering + to his master the well-remembered countenance of Jenny Dennison. "Tell + his honour, now—there's a braw lass—tell him what ye were wanting to + say to Lord Evandale, mistress." +</p> +<p> + "What was I wanting to say," answered Jenny, "to his honour himsell the + other morning, when I visited him in captivity, ye muckle hash?—D'ye + think that folk dinna want to see their friends in adversity, ye dour + crowdy-eater?" +</p> +<p> + This reply was made with Jenny's usual volubility; but her voice + quivered, her cheek was thin and pale, the tears stood in her eyes, her + hand trembled, her manner was fluttered, and her whole presence bore + marks of recent suffering and privation, as well as nervous and + hysterical agitation. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter, Jenny?" said Morton, kindly. "You know how much I + owe you in many respects, and can hardly make a request that I will not + grant, if in my power." +</p> +<p> + "Many thanks, Milnwood," said the weeping damsel; "but ye were aye a kind + gentleman, though folk say ye hae become sair changed now." +</p> +<p> + "What do they say of me?" answered Morton. +</p> +<p> + "A' body says," replied Jenny, "that you and the whigs hae made a vow to + ding King Charles aff the throne, and that neither he, nor his posteriors + from generation to generation, shall sit upon it ony mair; and John + Gudyill threeps ye're to gie a' the church organs to the pipers, and burn + the Book o' Common-prayer by the hands of the common hangman, in revenge + of the Covenant that was burnt when the king cam hame." +</p> +<p> + "My friends at Tillietudlem judge too hastily and too ill of me," + answered Morton. "I wish to have free exercise of my own religion, + without insulting any other; and as to your family, I only desire an + opportunity to show them I have the same friendship and kindness as + ever." +</p> +<p> + "Bless your kind heart for saying sae," said Jenny, bursting into a flood + of tears; "and they never needed kindness or friendship mair, for they + are famished for lack o' food." +</p> +<p> + "Good God!" replied Morton, "I have heard of scarcity, but not of famine! + It is possible?—Have the ladies and the Major"— +</p> +<p> + "They hae suffered like the lave o' us," replied Jenny; "for they shared + every bit and sup wi' the whole folk in the Castle—I'm sure my poor een + see fifty colours wi' faintness, and my head's sae dizzy wi' the + mirligoes that I canna stand my lane." +</p> +<p> + The thinness of the poor girl's cheek, and the sharpness of her features, + bore witness to the truth of what she said. Morton was greatly shocked. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down," he said, "for God's sake!" forcing her into the only chair + the apartment afforded, while he himself strode up and down the room in + horror and impatience. "I knew not of this," he exclaimed in broken + ejaculations,—"I could not know of it.—Cold-blooded, iron-hearted + fanatic—deceitful villain!—Cuddie, fetch refreshments—food—wine, if + possible—whatever you can find." +</p> +<p> + "Whisky is gude eneugh for her," muttered Cuddie; "ane wadna hae thought + that gude meal was sae scant amang them, when the quean threw sae muckle + gude kail-brose scalding het about my lugs." +</p> +<p> + Faint and miserable as Jenny seemed to be, she could not hear the + allusion to her exploit during the storm of the Castle, without bursting + into a laugh which weakness soon converted into a hysterical giggle. + Confounded at her state, and reflecting with horror on the distress which + must have been in the Castle, Morton repeated his commands to Headrigg in + a peremptory manner; and when he had departed, endeavoured to soothe his + visitor. +</p> +<p> + "You come, I suppose, by the orders of your mistress, to visit Lord + Evandale?—Tell me what she desires; her orders shall be my law." +</p> +<p> + Jenny appeared to reflect a moment, and then said, "Your honour is sae + auld a friend, I must needs trust to you, and tell the truth." +</p> +<p> + "Be assured, Jenny," said Morton, observing that she hesitated, "that you + will best serve your mistress by dealing sincerely with me." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, then, ye maun ken we're starving, as I said before, and have been + mair days than ane; and the Major has sworn that he expects relief daily, + and that he will not gie ower the house to the enemy till we have eaten + up his auld boots,—and they are unco thick in the soles, as ye may weel + mind, forby being teugh in the upper-leather. The dragoons, again, they + think they will be forced to gie up at last, and they canna bide hunger + weel, after the life they led at free quarters for this while bypast; and + since Lord Evandale's taen, there's nae guiding them; and Inglis says + he'll gie up the garrison to the whigs, and the Major and the leddies + into the bargain, if they will but let the troopers gang free themsells." +</p> +<p> + "Scoundrels!" said Morton; "why do they not make terms for all in the + Castle?" +</p> +<p> + "They are fear'd for denial o' quarter to themsells, having dune sae + muckle mischief through the country; and Burley has hanged ane or twa o' + them already—sae they want to draw their ain necks out o' the collar at + hazard o' honest folk's." +</p> +<p> + "And you were sent," continued Morton, "to carry to Lord Evandale the + unpleasant news of the men's mutiny?" +</p> +<p> + "Just e'en sae," said Jenny; "Tam Halliday took the rue, and tauld me a' + about it, and gat me out o' the Castle to tell Lord Evandale, if possibly + I could win at him." +</p> +<p> + "But how can he help you?" said Morton; "he is a prisoner." +</p> +<p> + "Well-a-day, ay," answered the afflicted damsel; "but maybe he could mak + fair terms for us—or, maybe, he could gie us some good advice—or, + maybe, he might send his orders to the dragoons to be civil—or"— +</p> +<p> + "Or, maybe," said Morton, "you were to try if it were possible to set him + at liberty?" +</p> +<p> + "If it were sae," answered Jenny with spirit, "it wadna be the first time + I hae done my best to serve a friend in captivity." +</p> +<p> + "True, Jenny," replied Morton, "I were most ungrateful to forget it. But + here comes Cuddie with refreshments—I will go and do your errand to Lord + Evandale, while you take some food and wine." +</p> +<p> + "It willna be amiss ye should ken," said Cuddie to his master, "that this + Jenny—this Mrs Dennison, was trying to cuittle favour wi' Tam Rand, the + miller's man, to win into Lord Evandale's room without ony body kennin'. + She wasna thinking, the gipsy, that I was at her elbow." +</p> +<p> + "And an unco fright ye gae me when ye cam ahint and took a grip o' me," + said Jenny, giving him a sly twitch with her finger and her thumb—"if ye + hadna been an auld acquaintance, ye daft gomeril"— +</p> +<p> + Cuddie, somewhat relenting, grinned a smile on his artful mistress, while + Morton wrapped himself up in his cloak, took his sword under his arm, and + went straight to the place of the young nobleman's confinement. He asked + the sentinels if any thing extraordinary had occurred. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing worth notice," they said, "excepting the lass that Cuddie took + up, and two couriers that Captain Balfour had dispatched, one to the + Reverend Ephraim Macbriar, another to Kettledrummle," both of whom were + beating the drum ecclesiastic in different towns between the position of + Burley and the head-quarters of the main army near Hamilton. +</p> +<p> + "The purpose, I presume," said Morton, with an affectation of + indifference, "was to call them hither." +</p> +<p> + "So I understand," answered the sentinel, who had spoke with the + messengers. +</p> +<p> + He is summoning a triumphant majority of the council, thought Morton to + himself, for the purpose of sanctioning whatever action of atrocity he + may determine upon, and thwarting opposition by authority. I must be + speedy, or I shall lose my opportunity. +</p> +<p> + When he entered the place of Lord Evandale's confinement, he found him + ironed, and reclining on a flock bed in the wretched garret of a + miserable cottage. He was either in a slumber, or in deep meditation, + when Morton entered, and turned on him, when aroused, a countenance so + much reduced by loss of blood, want of sleep, and scarcity of food, that + no one could have recognised in it the gallant soldier who had behaved + with so much spirit at the skirmish of Loudon-hill. He displayed some + surprise at the sudden entrance of Morton. +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry to see you thus, my lord," said that youthful leader. +</p> +<p> + "I have heard you are an admirer of poetry," answered the prisoner; "in + that case, Mr Morton, you may remember these lines,— +</p> +<pre> + 'Stone walls do not a prison make, + Or iron bars a cage; + A free and quiet mind can take + These for a hermitage.' +</pre> +<p> + But, were my imprisonment less endurable, I am given to expect to-morrow + a total enfranchisement." +</p> +<p> + "By death?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Surely," answered Lord Evandale; "I have no other prospect. Your + comrade, Burley, has already dipped his hand in the blood of men whose + meanness of rank and obscurity of extraction might have saved them. I + cannot boast such a shield from his vengeance, and I expect to meet its + extremity." +</p> +<p> + "But Major Bellenden," said Morton, "may surrender, in order to preserve + your life." +</p> +<p> + "Never, while there is one man to defend the battlement, and that man has + one crust to eat. I know his gallant resolution, and grieved should I be + if he changed it for my sake." +</p> +<p> + Morton hastened to acquaint him with the mutiny among the dragoons, and + their resolution to surrender the Castle, and put the ladies of the + family, as well as the Major, into the hands of the enemy. Lord Evandale + seemed at first surprised, and something incredulous, but immediately + afterwards deeply affected. +</p> +<p> + "What is to be done?" he said—"How is this misfortune to be averted?" +</p> +<p> + "Hear me, my lord," said Morton. "I believe you may not be unwilling to + bear the olive branch between our master the King, and that part of his + subjects which is now in arms, not from choice, but necessity." +</p> +<p> + "You construe me but justly," said Lord Evandale; "but to what does this + tend?" +</p> +<p> + "Permit me, my lord"—continued Morton. "I will set you at liberty upon + parole; nay, you may return to the Castle, and shall have a safe conduct + for the ladies, the Major, and all who leave it, on condition of its + instant surrender. In contributing to bring this about you will only + submit to circumstances; for, with a mutiny in the garrison, and without + provisions, it will be found impossible to defend the place twenty-four + hours longer. Those, therefore, who refuse to accompany your lordship, + must take their fate. You and your followers shall have a free pass to + Edinburgh, or where-ever the Duke of Monmouth may be. In return for your + liberty, we hope that you will recommend to the notice of his Grace, as + Lieutenant-General of Scotland, this humble petition and remonstrance, + containing the grievances which have occasioned this insurrection, a + redress of which being granted, I will answer with my head, that the + great body of the insurgents will lay down their arms." +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale read over the paper with attention. +</p> +<p> + "Mr Morton," he said, "in my simple judgment, I see little objection that + can be made to the measure here recommended; nay, farther, I believe, in + many respects, they may meet the private sentiments of the Duke of + Monmouth: and yet, to deal frankly with you, I have no hopes of their + being granted, unless, in the first place, you were to lay down your + arms." +</p> +<p> + "The doing so," answered Morton, "would be virtually conceding that we + had no right to take them up; and that, for one, I will never agree to." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps it is hardly to be expected you should," said Lord Evandale; + "and yet on that point I am certain the negotiations will be wrecked. I + am willing, however, having frankly told you my opinion, to do all in my + power to bring about a reconciliation." +</p> +<p> + "It is all we can wish or expect," replied Morton; "the issue is in God's + hands, who disposes the hearts of princes.—You accept, then, the safe + conduct?" +</p> +<p> + "Certainly," answered Lord Evandale; "and if I do not enlarge upon the + obligation incurred by your having saved my life a second time, believe + that I do not feel it the less." +</p> +<p> + "And the garrison of Tillietudlem?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Shall be withdrawn as you propose," answered the young nobleman. "I am + sensible the Major will be unable to bring the mutineers to reason; and I + tremble to think of the consequences, should the ladies and the brave old + man be delivered up to this bloodthirsty ruffian, Burley." +</p> +<p> + "You are in that case free," said Morton. "Prepare to mount on horseback; + a few men whom I can trust shall attend you till you are in safety from + our parties." +</p> +<p> + Leaving Lord Evandale in great surprise and joy at this unexpected + deliverance, Morton hastened to get a few chosen men under arms and on + horseback, each rider holding the rein of a spare horse. Jenny, who, + while she partook of her refreshment, had contrived to make up her breach + with Cuddie, rode on the left hand of that valiant cavalier. The tramp of + their horses was soon heard under the window of Lord Evandale's prison. + Two men, whom he did not know, entered the apartment, disencumbered him + of his fetters, and, conducting him down stairs, mounted him in the + centre of the detachment. They set out at a round trot towards + Tillietudlem. +</p> +<p> + The moonlight was giving way to the dawn when they approached that + ancient fortress, and its dark massive tower had just received the first + pale colouring of the morning. The party halted at the Tower barrier, not + venturing to approach nearer for fear of the fire of the place. Lord + Evandale alone rode up to the gate, followed at a distance by Jenny + Dennison. As they approached the gate, there was heard to arise in the + court-yard a tumult, which accorded ill with the quiet serenity of a + summer dawn. Cries and oaths were heard, a pistol-shot or two were + discharged, and every thing announced that the mutiny had broken out. At + this crisis Lord Evandale arrived at the gate where Halliday was + sentinel. On hearing Lord Evandale's voice, he instantly and gladly + admitted him, and that nobleman arrived among the mutinous troopers like + a man dropped from the clouds. They were in the act of putting their + design into execution, of seizing the place into their own hands, and + were about to disarm and overpower Major Bellenden and Harrison, and + others of the Castle, who were offering the best resistance in their + power. +</p> +<p> + The appearance of Lord Evandale changed the scene. He seized Inglis by + the collar, and, upbraiding him with his villainy, ordered two of his + comrades to seize and bind him, assuring the others, that their only + chance of impunity consisted in instant submission. He then ordered the + men into their ranks. They obeyed. He commanded them to ground their + arms. They hesitated; but the instinct of discipline, joined to their + persuasion that the authority of their officer, so boldly exerted, must + be supported by some forces without the gate, induced them to submit. +</p> +<p> + "Take away those arms," said Lord Evandale to the people of the Castle; + "they shall not be restored until these men know better the use for which + they are intrusted with them.—And now," he continued, addressing the + mutineers, "begone!—Make the best use of your time, and of a truce of + three hours, which the enemy are contented to allow you. Take the road to + Edinburgh, and meet me at the House-of-Muir. I need not bid you beware of + committing violence by the way; you will not, in your present condition, + provoke resentment for your own sakes. Let your punctuality show that you + mean to atone for this morning's business." +</p> +<p> + The disarmed soldiers shrunk in silence from the presence of their + officer, and, leaving the Castle, took the road to the place of + rendezvous, making such haste as was inspired by the fear of meeting with + some detached party of the insurgents, whom their present defenceless + condition, and their former violence, might inspire with thoughts of + revenge. Inglis, whom Evandale destined for punishment, remained in + custody. Halliday was praised for his conduct, and assured of succeeding + to the rank of the culprit. These arrangements being hastily made, Lord + Evandale accosted the Major, before whose eyes the scene had seemed to + pass like the change of a dream. +</p> +<p> + "My dear Major, we must give up the place." +</p> +<p> + "Is it even so?" said Major Bellenden. "I was in hopes you had brought + reinforcements and supplies." +</p> +<p> + "Not a man—not a pound of meal," answered Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "Yet I am blithe to see you," returned the honest Major; "we were + informed yesterday that these psalm-singing rascals had a plot on your + life, and I had mustered the scoundrelly dragoons ten minutes ago in + order to beat up Burley's quarters and get you out of limbo, when the dog + Inglis, instead of obeying me, broke out into open mutiny.—But what is + to be done now?" +</p> +<p> + "I have, myself, no choice," said Lord Evandale; "I am a prisoner, + released on parole, and bound for Edinburgh. You and the ladies must take + the same route. I have, by the favour of a friend, a safe conduct and + horses for you and your retinue—for God's sake make haste—you cannot + propose to hold out with seven or eight men, and without provisions— + Enough has been done for honour, and enough to render the defence of the + highest consequence to government. More were needless, as well as + desperate. The English troops are arrived at Edinburgh, and will speedily + move upon Hamilton. The possession of Tillietudlem by the rebels will be + but temporary." +</p> +<p> + "If you think so, my lord," said the veteran, with a reluctant sigh,—"I + know you only advise what is honourable—if, then, you really think the + case inevitable, I must submit; for the mutiny of these scoundrels would + render it impossible to man the walls.—Gudyill, let the women call up + their mistresses, and all be ready to march—But if I could believe that + my remaining in these old walls, till I was starved to a mummy, could do + the King's cause the least service, old Miles Bellenden would not leave + them while there was a spark of life in his body!" +</p> +<p> + The ladies, already alarmed by the mutiny, now heard the determination of + the Major, in which they readily acquiesced, though not without some + groans and sighs on the part of Lady Margaret, which referred, as usual, + to the <i>dejeune</i>; of his Most Sacred Majesty in the halls which were now + to be abandoned to rebels. Hasty preparations were made for evacuating + the Castle; and long ere the dawn was distinct enough for discovering + objects with precision, the ladies, with Major Bellenden, Harrison, + Gudyill, and the other domestics, were mounted on the led horses, and + others which had been provided in the neighbourhood, and proceeded + towards the north, still escorted by four of the insurgent horsemen. The + rest of the party who had accompanied Lord Evandale from the hamlet, took + possession of the deserted Castle, carefully forbearing all outrage or + acts of plunder. And when the sun arose, the scarlet and blue colours of + the Scottish Covenant floated from the Keep of Tillietudlem. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> +<pre> + And, to my breast, a bodkin in her hand + Were worth a thousand daggers. + Marlow. +</pre> +<p> + The cavalcade which left the Castle of Tillietudlem, halted for a few + minutes at the small town of Bothwell, after passing the outposts of the + insurgents, to take some slight refreshments which their attendants had + provided, and which were really necessary to persons who had suffered + considerably by want of proper nourishment. They then pressed forward + upon the road towards Edinburgh, amid the lights of dawn which were now + rising on the horizon. It might have been expected, during the course of + the journey, that Lord Evandale would have been frequently by the side of + Miss Edith Bellenden. Yet, after his first salutations had been + exchanged, and every precaution solicitously adopted which could serve + for her accommodation, he rode in the van of the party with Major + Bellenden, and seemed to abandon the charge of immediate attendance upon + his lovely niece to one of the insurgent cavaliers, whose dark military + cloak, with the large flapped hat and feather, which drooped over his + face, concealed at once his figure and his features. They rode side by + side in silence for more than two miles, when the stranger addressed Miss + Bellenden in a tremulous and suppressed voice. +</p> +<p> + "Miss Bellenden," he said, "must have friends wherever she is known; even + among those whose conduct she now disapproves. Is there any thing that + such can do to show their respect for her, and their regret for her + sufferings?" +</p> +<p> + "Let them learn for their own sakes," replied Edith, "to venerate the + laws, and to spare innocent blood. Let them return to their allegiance, + and I can forgive them all that I have suffered, were it ten times more." +</p> +<p> + "You think it impossible, then," rejoined the cavalier, "for any one to + serve in our ranks, having the weal of his country sincerely at heart, + and conceiving himself in the discharge of a patriotic duty?" +</p> +<p> + "It might be imprudent, while so absolutely in your power," replied Miss + Bellenden, "to answer that question." +</p> +<p> + "Not in the present instance, I plight you the word of a soldier," + replied the horseman. +</p> +<p> + "I have been taught candour from my birth," said Edith; "and, if I am to + speak at all, I must utter my real sentiments. God only can judge the + heart—men must estimate intentions by actions. Treason, murder by the + sword and by gibbet, the oppression of a private family such as ours, who + were only in arms for the defence of the established government, and of + our own property, are actions which must needs sully all that have + accession to them, by whatever specious terms they may be gilded over." +</p> +<p> + "The guilt of civil war," rejoined the horseman—"the miseries which it + brings in its train, lie at the door of those who provoked it by illegal + oppression, rather than of such as are driven to arms in order to assert + their natural rights as freemen." +</p> +<p> + "That is assuming the question," replied Edith, "which ought to be + proved. Each party contends that they are right in point of principle, + and therefore the guilt must lie with them who first drew the sword; as, + in an affray, law holds those to be the criminals who are the first to + have recourse to violence." +</p> +<p> + "Alas!" said the horseman, "were our vindication to rest there, how easy + would it be to show that we have suffered with a patience which almost + seemed beyond the power of humanity, ere we were driven by oppression + into open resistance!—But I perceive," he continued, sighing deeply, + "that it is vain to plead before Miss Bellenden a cause which she has + already prejudged, perhaps as much from her dislike of the persons as of + the principles of those engaged in it." +</p> +<p> + "Pardon me," answered Edith; "I have stated with freedom my opinion + of the principles of the insurgents; of their persons I know + nothing—excepting in one solitary instance." +</p> +<p> + "And that instance," said the horseman, "has influenced your opinion of + the whole body?" +</p> +<p> + "Far from it," said Edith; "he is—at least I once thought him—one in + whose scale few were fit to be weighed—he is—or he seemed—one of early + talent, high faith, pure morality, and warm affections. Can I approve of + a rebellion which has made such a man, formed to ornament, to enlighten, + and to defend his country, the companion of gloomy and ignorant fanatics, + or canting hypocrites,—the leader of brutal clowns,—the brother-in-arms + to banditti and highway murderers?—Should you meet such an one in your + camp, tell him that Edith Bellenden has wept more over his fallen + character, blighted prospects, and dishonoured name, than over the + distresses of her own house,—and that she has better endured that famine + which has wasted her cheek and dimmed her eye, than the pang of heart + which attended the reflection by and through whom these calamities were + inflicted." +</p> +<p> + As she thus spoke, she turned upon her companion a countenance, whose + faded cheek attested the reality of her sufferings, even while it glowed + with the temporary animation which accompanied her language. The horseman + was not insensible to the appeal; he raised his hand to his brow with the + sudden motion of one who feels a pang shoot along his brain, passed it + hastily over his face, and then pulled the shadowing hat still deeper on + his forehead. The movement, and the feelings which it excited, did not + escape Edith, nor did she remark them without emotion. +</p> +<p> + "And yet," she said, "should the person of whom I speak seem to you too + deeply affected by the hard opinion of—of—an early friend, say to him, + that sincere repentance is next to innocence;—that, though fallen from a + height not easily recovered, and the author of much mischief, because + gilded by his example, he may still atone in some measure for the evil he + has done." +</p> +<p> + "And in what manner?" asked the cavalier, in the same suppressed, and + almost choked voice. +</p> +<p> + "By lending his efforts to restore the blessings of peace to his + distracted countrymen, and to induce the deluded rebels to lay down their + arms. By saving their blood, he may atone for that which has been already + spilt;—and he that shall be most active in accomplishing this great end, + will best deserve the thanks of this age, and an honoured remembrance in + the next." +</p> +<p> + "And in such a peace," said her companion, with a firm voice, "Miss + Bellenden would not wish, I think, that the interests of the people were + sacrificed unreservedly to those of the crown?" +</p> +<p> + "I am but a girl," was the young lady's reply; "and I scarce can speak on + the subject without presumption. But, since I have gone so far, I will + fairly add, I would wish to see a peace which should give rest to all + parties, and secure the subjects from military rapine, which I detest as + much as I do the means now adopted to resist it." +</p> +<p> + "Miss Bellenden," answered Henry Morton, raising his face, and speaking + in his natural tone, "the person who has lost such a highly-valued place + in your esteem, has yet too much spirit to plead his cause as a criminal; + and, conscious that he can no longer claim a friend's interest in your + bosom, he would be silent under your hard censure, were it not that he + can refer to the honoured testimony of Lord Evandale, that his earnest + wishes and most active exertions are, even now, directed to the + accomplishment of such a peace as the most loyal cannot censure." +</p> +<p> + He bowed with dignity to Miss Bellenden, who, though her language + intimated that she well knew to whom she had been speaking, probably had + not expected that he would justify himself with so much animation. She + returned his salute, confused and in silence. Morton then rode forward to + the head of the party. +</p> +<p> + "Henry Morton!" exclaimed Major Bellenden, surprised at the sudden + apparition. +</p> +<p> + "The same," answered Morton; "who is sorry that he labours under the + harsh construction of Major Bellenden and his family. He commits to my + Lord Evandale," he continued, turning towards the young nobleman, and + bowing to him, "the charge of undeceiving his friends, both regarding the + particulars of his conduct and the purity of his motives. Farewell, Major + Bellenden—All happiness attend you and yours—May we meet again in + happier and better times!" +</p> +<p> + "Believe me," said Lord Evandale, "your confidence, Mr Morton, is not + misplaced; I will endeavour to repay the great services I have received + from you by doing my best to place your character on its proper footing + with Major Bellenden, and all whose esteem you value." +</p> +<p> + "I expected no less from your generosity, my lord," said Morton. +</p> +<p> + He then called his followers, and rode off along the heath in the + direction of Hamilton, their feathers waving and their steel caps + glancing in the beams of the rising sun. Cuddie Headrigg alone remained + an instant behind his companions to take an affectionate farewell of + Jenny Dennison, who had contrived, during this short morning's ride, to + re-establish her influence over his susceptible bosom. A straggling tree + or two obscured, rather than concealed, their <i>tete-a-tete</i>, as they + halted their horses to bid adieu. +</p> +<p> + "Fare ye weel, Jenny," said Cuddie, with a loud exertion of his lungs, + intended perhaps to be a sigh, but rather resembling the intonation of a + groan,—"Ye'll think o' puir Cuddie sometimes—an honest lad that lo'es + ye, Jenny; ye'll think o' him now and then?" +</p> +<p> + "Whiles—at brose-time," answered the malicious damsel, unable either to + suppress the repartee, or the arch smile which attended it. +</p> +<a name="image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa098.jpg" height="462" width="734" +alt="'Whiles--at Brose-time' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Cuddie took his revenge as rustic lovers are wont, and as Jenny probably + expected,—caught his mistress round the neck, kissed her cheeks and lips + heartily, and then turned his horse and trotted after his master. +</p> +<p> + "Deil's in the fallow," said Jenny, wiping her lips and adjusting her + head-dress, "he has twice the spunk o' Tam Halliday, after a'.—Coming, + my leddy, coming—Lord have a care o' us, I trust the auld leddy didna + see us!" +</p> +<p> + "Jenny," said Lady Margaret, as the damsel came up, "was not that young + man who commanded the party the same that was captain of the popinjay, + and who was afterwards prisoner at Tillietudlem on the morning + Claverhouse came there?" +</p> +<p> + Jenny, happy that the query had no reference to her own little matters, + looked at her young mistress, to discover, if possible, whether it was + her cue to speak truth or not. Not being able to catch any hint to guide + her, she followed her instinct as a lady's maid, and lied. +</p> +<p> + "I dinna believe it was him, my leddy," said Jenny, as confidently as if + she had been saying her catechism; "he was a little black man, that." +</p> +<p> + "You must have been blind, Jenny," said the Major: "Henry Morton is tall + and fair, and that youth is the very man." +</p> +<p> + "I had ither thing ado than be looking at him," said Jenny, tossing her + head; "he may be as fair as a farthing candle, for me." +</p> +<p> + "Is it not," said Lady Margaret, "a blessed escape which we have made, + out of the hands of so desperate and bloodthirsty a fanatic?" +</p> +<p> + "You are deceived, madam," said Lord Evandale; "Mr Morton merits such a + title from no one, but least from us. That I am now alive, and that you + are now on your safe retreat to your friends, instead of being prisoners + to a real fanatical homicide, is solely and entirely owing to the prompt, + active, and energetic humanity of this young gentleman." +</p> +<p> + He then went into a particular narrative of the events with which the + reader is acquainted, dwelling upon the merits of Morton, and expatiating + on the risk at which he had rendered them these important services, as if + he had been a brother instead of a rival. +</p> +<p> + "I were worse than ungrateful," he said, "were I silent on the merits of + the man who has twice saved my life." +</p> +<p> + "I would willingly think well of Henry Morton, my lord," replied Major + Bellenden; "and I own he has behaved handsomely to your lordship and to + us; but I cannot have the same allowances which it pleases your lordship + to entertain for his present courses." +</p> +<p> + "You are to consider," replied Lord Evandale, "that he has been partly + forced upon them by necessity; and I must add, that his principles, + though differing in some degree from my own, are such as ought to command + respect. Claverhouse, whose knowledge of men is not to be disputed, spoke + justly of him as to his extraordinary qualities, but with prejudice, and + harshly, concerning his principles and motives." +</p> +<p> + "You have not been long in learning all his extraordinary qualities, my + lord," answered Major Bellenden. "I, who have known him from boyhood, + could, before this affair, have said much of his good principles and + good-nature; but as to his high talents"— +</p> +<p> + "They were probably hidden, Major," replied the generous Lord Evandale, + "even from himself, until circumstances called them forth; and, if I have + detected them, it was only because our intercourse and conversation + turned on momentous and important subjects. He is now labouring to bring + this rebellion to an end, and the terms he has proposed are so moderate, + that they shall not want my hearty recommendation." +</p> +<p> + "And have you hopes," said Lady Margaret, "to accomplish a scheme so + comprehensive?" +</p> +<p> + "I should have, madam, were every whig as moderate as Morton, and every + loyalist as disinterested as Major Bellenden. But such is the fanaticism + and violent irritation of both parties, that I fear nothing will end this + civil war save the edge of the sword." +</p> +<p> + It may be readily supposed, that Edith listened with the deepest interest + to this conversation. While she regretted that she had expressed herself + harshly and hastily to her lover, she felt a conscious and proud + satisfaction that his character was, even in the judgment of his + noble-minded rival, such as her own affection had once spoke it. +</p> +<p> + "Civil feuds and domestic prejudices," she said, "may render it necessary + for me to tear his remembrance from my heart; but it is not small relief + to know assuredly, that it is worthy of the place it has so long retained + there." +</p> +<p> + While Edith was thus retracting her unjust resentment, her lover arrived + at the camp of the insurgents, near Hamilton, which he found in + considerable confusion. Certain advices had arrived that the royal army, + having been recruited from England by a large detachment of the King's + Guards, were about to take the field. Fame magnified their numbers and + their high state of equipment and discipline, and spread abroad other + circumstances, which dismayed the courage of the insurgents. What favour + they might have expected from Monmouth, was likely to be intercepted by + the influence of those associated with him in command. His + lieutenant-general was the celebrated General Thomas Dalzell, who, having + practised the art of war in the then barbarous country of Russia, was as + much feared for his cruelty and indifference to human life and human + sufferings, as respected for his steady loyalty and undaunted valour. + This man was second in command to Monmouth, and the horse were commanded + by Claverhouse, burning with desire to revenge the death of his nephew, + and his defeat at Drumclog. To these accounts was added the most + formidable and terrific description of the train of artillery and the + cavalry force with which the royal army took the field. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Royal Army at Bothwell Bridge. A Cameronian muse was + awakened from slumber on this doleful occasion, and gave the + following account of the muster of the royal forces, in poetry + nearly as melancholy as the subject:— + + They marched east through Lithgow-town + For to enlarge their forces; + And sent for all the north-country + To come, both foot and horses. + + Montrose did come and Athole both, + And with them many more; + And all the Highland Amorites + That had been there before. + + The Lowdien Mallisha—Lothian Militia they + Came with their coats of blew; + Five hundred men from London came, + Claid in a reddish hue. + + When they were assembled one and all, + A full brigade were they; + Like to a pack of hellish hounds, + Roreing after their prey. + + When they were all provided well, + In armour and amonition, + Then thither wester did they come, + Most cruel of intention. + + The royalists celebrated their victory in stanzas of equal merit. + Specimens of both may be found in the curious collection of Fugitive + Scottish Poetry, principally of the Seventeenth Century, printed for + the Messrs Laing, Edinburgh.] +</pre> +<p> + Large bodies, composed of the Highland clans, having in language, + religion, and manners, no connexion with the insurgents, had been + summoned to join the royal army under their various chieftains; and these + Amorites, or Philistines, as the insurgents termed them, came like eagles + to the slaughter. In fact, every person who could ride or run at the + King's command, was summoned to arms, apparently with the purpose of + forfeiting and fining such men of property whom their principles might + deter from joining the royal standard, though prudence prevented them + from joining that of the insurgent Presbyterians. In short, everyrumour + tended to increase the apprehension among the insurgents, that the King's + vengeance had only been delayed in order that it might fall more certain + and more heavy. +</p> +<p> + Morton endeavoured to fortify the minds of the common people by pointing + out the probable exaggeration of these reports, and by reminding them of + the strength of their own situation, with an unfordable river in front, + only passable by a long and narrow bridge. He called to their remembrance + their victory over Claverhouse when their numbers were few, and then much + worse disciplined and appointed for battle than now; showed them that the + ground on which they lay afforded, by its undulation, and the thickets + which intersected it, considerable protection against artillery, and even + against cavalry, if stoutly defended; and that their safety, in fact, + depended on their own spirit and resolution. +</p> +<p> + But while Morton thus endeavoured to keep up the courage of the army at + large, he availed himself of those discouraging rumours to endeavour to + impress on the minds of the leaders the necessity of proposing to the + government moderate terms of accommodation, while they were still + formidable as commanding an unbroken and numerous army. He pointed out to + them, that, in the present humour of their followers, it could hardly be + expected that they would engage, with advantage, the well-appointed and + regular force of the Duke of Monmouth; and that if they chanced, as was + most likely, to be defeated and dispersed, the insurrection in which they + had engaged, so far from being useful to the country, would be rendered + the apology for oppressing it more severely. +</p> +<p> + Pressed by these arguments, and feeling it equally dangerous to remain + together, or to dismiss their forces, most of the leaders readily agreed, + that if such terms could be obtained as had been transmitted to the Duke + of Monmouth by the hands of Lord Evandale, the purpose for which they had + taken up arms would be, in a great measure, accomplished. They then + entered into similar resolutions, and agreed to guarantee the petition + and remonstrance which had been drawn up by Morton. On the contrary, + there were still several leaders, and those men whose influence with the + people exceeded that of persons of more apparent consequence, who + regarded every proposal of treaty which did not proceed on the basis of + the Solemn League and Covenant of 1640, as utterly null and void, + impious, and unchristian. These men diffused their feelings among the + multitude, who had little foresight, and nothing to lose, and persuaded + many that the timid counsellors who recommended peace upon terms short of + the dethronement of the royal family, and the declared independence of + the church with respect to the state, were cowardly labourers, who were + about to withdraw their hands from the plough, and despicable trimmers, + who sought only a specious pretext for deserting their brethren in arms. + These contradictory opinions were fiercely argued in each tent of the + insurgent army, or rather in the huts or cabins which served in the place + of tents. Violence in language often led to open quarrels and blows, and + the divisions into which the army of sufferers was rent served as too + plain a presage of their future fate. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX. +</h2> +<pre> + The curse of growing factions and divisions + Still vex your councils! + Venice Preserved. +</pre> +<p> + The prudence of Morton found sufficient occupation in stemming the + furious current of these contending parties, when, two days after his + return to Hamilton, he was visited by his friend and colleague, the + Reverend Mr Poundtext, flying, as he presently found, from the face of + John Balfour of Burley, whom he left not a little incensed at the share + he had taken in the liberation of Lord Evandale. When the worthy divine + had somewhat recruited his spirits, after the hurry and fatigue of his + journey, he proceeded to give Morton an account of what had passed in the + vicinity of Tillietudlem after the memorable morning of his departure. +</p> +<p> + The night march of Morton had been accomplished with such dexterity, + and the men were so faithful to their trust, that Burley received no + intelligence of what had happened until the morning was far advanced. + His first enquiry was, whether Macbriar and Kettledrummle had arrived, + agreeably to the summons which he had dispatched at midnight. Macbriar + had come, and Kettledrummle, though a heavy traveller, might, he was + informed, be instantly expected. Burley then dispatched a messenger to + Morton's quarters to summon him to an immediate council. The messenger + returned with news that he had left the place. Poundtext was next + summoned; but he thinking, as he said himself, that it was ill dealing + with fractious folk, had withdrawn to his own quiet manse, preferring a + dark ride, though he had been on horseback the whole preceding day, to a + renewal in the morning of a controversy with Burley, whose ferocity + overawed him when unsupported by the firmness of Morton. Burley's next + enquiries were directed after Lord Evandale; and great was his rage when + he learned that he had been conveyed away over night by a party of the + marksmen of Milnwood, under the immediate command of Henry Morton + himself. +</p> +<p> + "The villain!" exclaimed Burley, addressing himself to Macbriar; "the + base, mean-spirited traitor, to curry favour for himself with the + government, hath set at liberty the prisoner taken by my own right hand, + through means of whom, I have little doubt, the possession of the place + of strength which hath wrought us such trouble, might now have been in + our hands!" +</p> +<p> + "But is it not in our hands?" said Macbriar, looking up towards the Keep + of the Castle; "and are not these the colours of the Covenant that float + over its walls?" +</p> +<p> + "A stratagem—a mere trick," said Burley, "an insult over our + disappointment, intended to aggravate and embitter our spirits." +</p> +<p> + He was interrupted by the arrival of one of Morton's followers, sent to + report to him the evacuation of the place, and its occupation by the + insurgent forces. Burley was rather driven to fury than reconciled by the + news of this success. +</p> +<p> + "I have watched," he said—"I have fought—I have plotted—I have striven + for the reduction of this place—I have forborne to seek to head + enterprises of higher command and of higher honour—I have narrowed their + outgoings, and cut off the springs, and broken the staff of bread within + their walls; and when the men were about to yield themselves to my hand, + that their sons might be bondsmen, and their daughters a laughing-stock + to our whole camp, cometh this youth, without a beard on his chin, and + takes it on him to thrust his sickle into the harvest, and to rend the + prey from the spoiler! Surely the labourer is worthy of his hire, and the + city, with its captives, should be given to him that wins it?" +</p> +<p> + "Nay," said Macbriar, who was surprised at the degree of agitation which + Balfour displayed, "chafe not thyself because of the ungodly. Heaven will + use its own instruments; and who knows but this youth"— +</p> +<p> + "Hush! hush!" said Burley; "do not discredit thine own better judgment. + It was thou that first badest me beware of this painted sepulchre—this + lacquered piece of copper, that passed current with me for gold. It fares + ill, even with the elect, when they neglect the guidance of such pious + pastors as thou. But our carnal affections will mislead us—this + ungrateful boy's father was mine ancient friend. They must be as earnest + in their struggles as thou, Ephraim Macbriar, that would shake themselves + clear of the clogs and chains of humanity." +</p> +<p> + This compliment touched the preacher in the most sensible part; and + Burley deemed, therefore, he should find little difficulty in moulding + his opinions to the support of his own views, more especially as they + agreed exactly in their high-strained opinions of church government. +</p> +<p> + "Let us instantly," he said, "go up to the Tower; there is that among the + records in yonder fortress, which, well used as I can use it, shall be + worth to us a valiant leader and an hundred horsemen." +</p> +<p> + "But will such be the fitting aids of the children of the Covenant?" said + the preacher. "We have already among us too many who hunger after lands, + and silver and gold, rather than after the Word; it is not by such that + our deliverance shall be wrought out." +</p> +<p> + "Thou errest," said Burley; "we must work by means, and these worldly men + shall be our instruments. At all events, the Moabitish woman shall be + despoiled of her inheritance, and neither the malignant Evandale, nor the + erastian Morton, shall possess yonder castle and lands, though they may + seek in marriage the daughter thereof." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he led the way to Tillietudlem, where he seized upon the plate + and other valuables for the use of the army, ransacked the charter-room, + and other receptacles for family papers, and treated with contempt the + remonstrances of those who reminded him, that the terms granted to the + garrison had guaranteed respect to private property. +</p> +<p> + Burley and Macbriar, having established themselves in their new + acquisition, were joined by Kettledrummle in the course of the day, and + also by the Laird of Langcale, whom that active divine had contrived to + seduce, as Poundtext termed it, from the pure light in which he had been + brought up. Thus united, they sent to the said Poundtext an invitation, + or rather a summons, to attend a council at Tillietudlem. He remembered, + however, that the door had an iron grate, and the Keep a dungeon, and + resolved not to trust himself with his incensed colleagues. He therefore + retreated, or rather fled, to Hamilton, with the tidings, that Burley, + Macbriar, and Kettledrummle, were coming to Hamilton as soon as they + could collect a body of Cameronians sufficient to overawe the rest of the + army. +</p> +<p> + "And ye see," concluded Poundtext, with a deep sigh, "that they will then + possess a majority in the council; for Langcale, though he has always + passed for one of the honest and rational party, cannot be suitably or + preceesely termed either fish, or flesh, or gude red-herring—whoever has + the stronger party has Langcale." +</p> +<p> + Thus concluded the heavy narrative of honest Poundtext, who sighed + deeply, as he considered the danger in which he was placed betwixt + unreasonable adversaries amongst themselves and the common enemy from + without. Morton exhorted him to patience, temper, and composure; informed + him of the good hope he had of negotiating for peace and indemnity + through means of Lord Evandale, and made out to him a very fair prospect + that he should again return to his own parchment-bound Calvin, his + evening pipe of tobacco, and his noggin of inspiring ale, providing + always he would afford his effectual support and concurrence to the + measures which he, Morton, had taken for a general pacification. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Moderate Presbyterians. The author does not, by any means, + desire that Poundtext should be regarded as a just representation of + the moderate presbyterians, among whom were many ministers whose + courage was equal to their good sense and sound views of religion. + Were he to write the tale anew, he would probably endeavour to give + the character a higher turn. It is certain, however, that the + Cameronians imputed to their opponents in opinion concerning the + Indulgence, or others of their strained and fanatical notions, a + disposition not only to seek their own safety, but to enjoy + themselves. Hamilton speaks of three clergymen of this description + as follows:— + + "They pretended great zeal against the Indulgence; but alas! that + was all their practice, otherwise being but very gross, which I + shall but hint at in short. When great Cameron and those with him + were taking many a cold blast and storm in the fields and among the + cot-houses in Scotland, these three had for the most part their + residence in Glasgow, where they found good quarter and a full + table, which I doubt not but some bestowed upon them from real + affection to the Lord's cause; and when these three were together, + their greatest work was who should make the finest and sharpest + roundel, and breathe the quickest jests upon one another, and to + tell what valiant acts they were to do, and who could laugh loudest + and most heartily among them; and when at any time they came out to + the country, whatever other things they had, they were careful each + of them to have a great flask of brandy with them, which was very + heavy to some, particularly to Mr Cameron, Mr Cargill, and Henry + Hall—I shall name no more."—Faithful Contendings, p. 198.] +</pre> +<p> + Thus backed and comforted, Poundtext resolved magnanimously to await the + coming of the Cameronians to the general rendezvous. +</p> +<p> + Burley and his confederates had drawn together a considerable body of + these sectaries, amounting to a hundred horse and about fifteen hundred + foot, clouded and severe in aspect, morose and jealous in communication, + haughty of heart, and confident, as men who believed that the pale of + salvation was open for them exclusively; while all other Christians, + however slight were the shades of difference of doctrine from their own, + were in fact little better than outcasts or reprobates. These men entered + the presbyterian camp, rather as dubious and suspicious allies, or + possibly antagonists, than as men who were heartily embarked in the same + cause, and exposed to the same dangers, with their more moderate brethren + in arms. Burley made no private visits to his colleagues, and held no + communication with them on the subject of the public affairs, otherwise + than by sending a dry invitation to them to attend a meeting of the + general council for that evening. +</p> +<p> + On the arrival of Morton and Poundtext at the place of assembly, they + found their brethren already seated. Slight greeting passed between them, + and it was easy to see that no amicable conference was intended by those + who convoked the council. The first question was put by Macbriar, the + sharp eagerness of whose zeal urged him to the van on all occasions. He + desired to know by whose authority the malignant, called Lord Evandale, + had been freed from the doom of death, justly denounced against him. +</p> +<p> + "By my authority and Mr Morton's," replied Poundtext; who, besides being + anxious to give his companion a good opinion of his courage, confided + heartily in his support, and, moreover, had much less fear of + encountering one of his own profession, and who confined himself to the + weapons of theological controversy, in which Poundtext feared no man, + than of entering into debate with the stern homicide Balfour. +</p> +<p> + "And who, brother," said Kettledrummle, "who gave you authority to + interpose in such a high matter?" +</p> +<p> + "The tenor of our commission," answered Poundtext, "gives us authority to + bind and to loose. If Lord Evandale was justly doomed to die by the voice + of one of our number, he was of a surety lawfully redeemed from death by + the warrant of two of us." +</p> +<p> + "Go to, go to," said Burley; "we know your motives; it was to send that + silkworm—that gilded trinket—that embroidered trifle of a lord, to bear + terms of peace to the tyrant." +</p> +<p> + "It was so," replied Morton, who saw his companion begin to flinch before + the fierce eye of Balfour—"it was so; and what then?—Are we to plunge + the nation in endless war, in order to pursue schemes which are equally + wild, wicked, and unattainable?" +</p> +<p> + "Hear him!" said Balfour; "he blasphemeth." +</p> +<p> + "It is false," said Morton; "they blaspheme who pretend to expect + miracles, and neglect the use of the human means with which Providence + has blessed them. I repeat it—Our avowed object is the re-establishment + of peace on fair and honourable terms of security to our religion and our + liberty. We disclaim any desire to tyrannize over those of others." +</p> +<p> + The debate would now have run higher than ever, but they were interrupted + by intelligence that the Duke of Monmouth had commenced his march towards + the west, and was already advanced half way from Edinburgh. This news + silenced their divisions for the moment, and it was agreed that the next + day should be held as a fast of general humiliation for the sins of the + land; that the Reverend Mr Poundtext should preach to the army in the + morning, and Kettledrummle in the afternoon; that neither should touch + upon any topics of schism or of division, but animate the soldiers to + resist to the blood, like brethren in a good cause. This healing overture + having been agreed to, the moderate party ventured upon another proposal, + confiding that it would have the support of Langcale, who looked + extremely blank at the news which they had just received, and might be + supposed reconverted to moderate measures. It was to be presumed, they + said, that since the King had not intrusted the command of his forces + upon the present occasion to any of their active oppressors, but, on the + contrary, had employed a nobleman distinguished by gentleness of temper, + and a disposition favourable to their cause, there must be some better + intention entertained towards them than they had yet experienced. They + contended, that it was not only prudent but necessary to ascertain, from + a communication with the Duke of Monmouth, whether he was not charged + with some secret instructions in their favour. This could only be learned + by dispatching an envoy to his army. +</p> +<p> + "And who will undertake the task?" said Burley, evading a proposal too + reasonable to be openly resisted—"Who will go up to their camp, knowing + that John Grahame of Claverhouse hath sworn to hang up whomsoever we + shall dispatch towards them, in revenge of the death of the young man his + nephew?" +</p> +<p> + "Let that be no obstacle," said Morton; "I will with pleasure encounter + any risk attached to the bearer of your errand." +</p> +<p> + "Let him go," said Balfour, apart to Macbriar; "our councils will be well + rid of his presence." +</p> +<p> + The motion, therefore, received no contradiction even from those who were + expected to have been most active in opposing it; and it was agreed that + Henry Morton should go to the camp of the Duke of Monmouth, in order to + discover upon what terms the insurgents would be admitted to treat with + him. As soon as his errand was made known, several of the more moderate + party joined in requesting him to make terms upon the footing of the + petition intrusted to Lord Evandale's hands; for the approach of the + King's army spread a general trepidation, by no means allayed by the high + tone assumed by the Cameronians, which had so little to support it, + excepting their own headlong zeal. With these instructions, and with + Cuddie as his attendant, Morton set forth towards the royal camp, at all + the risks which attend those who assume the office of mediator during the + heat of civil discord. +</p> +<p> + Morton had not proceeded six or seven miles, before he perceived that he + was on the point of falling in with the van of the royal forces; and, as + he ascended a height, saw all the roads in the neighbourhood occupied by + armed men marching in great order towards Bothwell-muir, an open common, + on which they proposed to encamp for that evening, at the distance of + scarcely two miles from the Clyde, on the farther side of which river the + army of the insurgents was encamped. He gave himself up to the first + advanced-guard of cavalry which he met, as bearer of a flag of truce, and + communicated his desire to obtain access to the Duke of Monmouth. The + non-commissioned officer who commanded the party made his report to his + superior, and he again to another in still higher command, and both + immediately rode to the spot where Morton was detained. +</p> +<p> + "You are but losing your time, my friend, and risking your life," said + one of them, addressing Morton; "the Duke of Monmouth will receive no + terms from traitors with arms in their hands, and your cruelties have + been such as to authorize retaliation of every kind. Better trot your nag + back and save his mettle to-day, that he may save your life to-morrow." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot think," said Morton, "that even if the Duke of Monmouth should + consider us as criminals, he would condemn so large a body of his + fellow-subjects without even hearing what they have to plead for + themselves. On my part I fear nothing. I am conscious of having consented + to, or authorized, no cruelty, and the fear of suffering innocently for + the crimes of others shall not deter me from executing my commission." +</p> +<p> + The two officers looked at each other. +</p> +<p> + "I have an idea," said the younger, "that this is the young man of whom + Lord Evandale spoke." +</p> +<p> + "Is my Lord Evandale in the army?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "He is not," replied the officer; "we left him at Edinburgh, too much + indisposed to take the field.—Your name, sir, I presume, is Henry + Morton?" +</p> +<p> + "It is, sir," answered Morton. +</p> +<p> + "We will not oppose your seeing the Duke, sir," said the officer, with + more civility of manner; "but you may assure yourself it will be to no + purpose; for, were his Grace disposed to favour your people, others are + joined in commission with him who will hardly consent to his doing so." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be sorry to find it thus," said Morton; "but my duty requires + that I should persevere in my desire to have an interview with him." +</p> +<p> + "Lumley," said the superior officer, "let the Duke know of Mr Morton's + arrival, and remind his Grace that this is the person of whom Lord + Evandale spoke so highly." +</p> +<p> + The officer returned with a message that the General could not see Mr + Morton that evening, but would receive him by times in the ensuing + morning. He was detained in a neighbouring cottage all night, but treated + with civility, and every thing provided for his accommodation. Early on + the next morning the officer he had first seen came to conduct him to his + audience. +</p> +<p> + The army was drawn out, and in the act of forming column for march, or + attack. The Duke was in the centre, nearly a mile from the place where + Morton had passed the night. In riding towards the General, he had an + opportunity of estimating the force which had been assembled for the + suppression of the hasty and ill-concerted insurrection. There were three + or four regiments of English, the flower of Charles's army—there were + the Scottish Life-Guards, burning with desire to revenge their late + defeat—other Scottish regiments of regulars were also assembled, and a + large body of cavalry, consisting partly of gentlemen-volunteers, partly + of the tenants of the crown who did military duty for their fiefs. Morton + also observed several strong parties of Highlanders drawn from the points + nearest to the Lowland frontiers, a people, as already mentioned, + particularly obnoxious to the western whigs, and who hated and despised + them in the same proportion. These were assembled under their chiefs, and + made part of this formidable array. A complete train of field-artillery + accompanied these troops; and the whole had an air so imposing, that it + seemed nothing short of an actual miracle could prevent the ill-equipped, + ill-modelled, and tumultuary army of the insurgents from being utterly + destroyed. The officer who accompanied Morton endeavoured to gather from + his looks the feelings with which this splendid and awful parade of + military force had impressed him. But, true to the cause he had espoused, + he laboured successfully to prevent the anxiety which he felt from + appearing in his countenance, and looked around him on the warlike + display as on a sight which he expected, and to which he was indifferent. +</p> +<p> + "You see the entertainment prepared for you," said the officers. +</p> +<p> + "If I had no appetite for it," replied Morton, "I should not have been + accompanying you at this moment. But I shall be better pleased with a + more peaceful regale, for the sake of all parties." +</p> +<p> + As they spoke thus, they approached the commander-in-chief, who, + surrounded by several officers, was seated upon a knoll commanding an + extensive prospect of the distant country, and from which could be easily + discovered the windings of the majestic Clyde, and the distant camp of + the insurgents on the opposite bank. The officers of the royal army + appeared to be surveying the ground, with the purpose of directing an + immediate attack. When Captain Lumley, the officer who accompanied + Morton, had whispered in Monmouth's ear his name and errand, the Duke + made a signal for all around him to retire, excepting only two general + officers of distinction. While they spoke together in whispers for a few + minutes before Morton was permitted to advance, he had time to study the + appearance of the persons with whom he was to treat. +</p> +<p> + It was impossible for any one to look upon the Duke of Monmouth without + being captivated by his personal graces and accomplishments, of which the + great High-Priest of all the Nine afterwards recorded— +</p> +<p> + "Whate'er he did was done with so much ease, In him alone 'twas natural + to please; His motions all accompanied with grace, And Paradise was + open'd in his face." Yet to a strict observer, the manly beauty of + Monmouth's face was occasionally rendered less striking by an air of + vacillation and uncertainty, which seemed to imply hesitation and doubt + at moments when decisive resolution was most necessary. +</p> +<p> + Beside him stood Claverhouse, whom we have already fully described, and + another general officer whose appearance was singularly striking. His + dress was of the antique fashion of Charles the First's time, and + composed of shamoy leather, curiously slashed, and covered with antique + lace and garniture. His boots and spurs might be referred to the same + distant period. He wore a breastplate, over which descended a grey beard + of venerable length, which he cherished as a mark of mourning for Charles + the First, having never shaved since that monarch was brought to the + scaffold. His head was uncovered, and almost perfectly bald. His high and + wrinkled forehead, piercing grey eyes, and marked features, evinced age + unbroken by infirmity, and stern resolution unsoftened by humanity. Such + is the outline, however feebly expressed, of the celebrated General + Thomas Dalzell, +</p> +<pre> + [Note: Usually called Tom Dalzell. In Crichton's Memoirs, edited by + Swift, where a particular account of this remarkable person's dress + and habits is given, he is said never to have worn boots. The + following account of his rencounter with John Paton of Meadowhead, + showed, that in action at least he wore pretty stout ones, unless + the reader be inclined to believe in the truth of his having a + charm, which made him proof against lead. + + "Dalzell," says Paton's biographer, "advanced the whole left wing of + his army on Colonel Wallace's right. Here Captain Paton behaved with + great courage and gallantry. Dalzell, knowing him in the former + wars, advanced upon him himself, thinking to take him prisoner. Upon + his approach, each presented his pistol. On their first discharge, + Captain Paton, perceiving his pistol ball to hop upon Dalzell's + boots, and knowing what was the cause, (he having proof,) put his + hand in his pocket for some small pieces of silver he had there for + the purpose, and put one of them into his other pistol. But Dalzell, + having his eye upon him in the meanwhile, retired behind his own + man, who by that means was slain."] +</pre> +<p> + a man more feared and hated by the whigs than even Claverhouse himself, + and who executed the same violences against them out of a detestation of + their persons, or perhaps an innate severity of temper, which Grahame + only resorted to on political accounts, as the best means of intimidating + the followers of presbytery, and of destroying that sect entirely. +</p> +<p> + The presence of these two generals, one of whom he knew by person, and + the other by description, seemed to Morton decisive of the fate of his + embassy. But, notwithstanding his youth and inexperience, and the + unfavourable reception which his proposals seemed likely to meet with, he + advanced boldly towards them upon receiving a signal to that purpose, + determined that the cause of his country, and of those with whom he had + taken up arms, should suffer nothing from being intrusted to him. + Monmouth received him with the graceful courtesy which attended even his + slightest actions; Dalzell regarded him with a stern, gloomy, and + impatient frown; and Claverhouse, with a sarcastic smile and inclination + of his head, seemed to claim him as an old acquaintance. +</p> +<p> + "You come, sir, from these unfortunate people, now assembled in arms," + said the Duke of Monmouth, "and your name, I believe, is Morton; will you + favour us with the pupport of your errand?" +</p> +<p> + "It is contained, my lord," answered Morton, "in a paper, termed a + Remonstrance and Supplication, which my Lord Evandale has placed, I + presume, in your Grace's hands?" +</p> +<p> + "He has done so, sir," answered the Duke; "and I understand, from Lord + Evandale, that Mr Morton has behaved in these unhappy matters with much + temperance and generosity, for which I have to request his acceptance of + my thanks." +</p> +<p> + Here Morton observed Dalzell shake his head indignantly, and whisper + something into Claverhouse's ear, who smiled in return, and elevated his + eyebrows, but in a degree so slight as scarce to be perceptible. The + Duke, taking the petition from his pocket, proceeded, obviously + struggling between the native gentleness of his own disposition, and + perhaps his conviction that the petitioners demanded no more than their + rights, and the desire, on the other hand, of enforcing the king's + authority, and complying with the sterner opinions of the colleagues in + office, who had been assigned for the purpose of controlling as well as + advising him. +</p> +<p> + "There are, Mr Morton, in this paper, proposals, as to the abstract + propriety of which I must now waive delivering any opinion. Some of them + appear to me reasonable and just; and, although I have no express + instructions from the King upon the subject, yet I assure you, Mr Morton, + and I pledge my honour, that I will interpose in your behalf, and use my + utmost influence to procure you satisfaction from his Majesty. But you + must distinctly understand, that I can only treat with supplicants, not + with rebels; and, as a preliminary to every act of favour on my side, I + must insist upon your followers laying down their arms and dispersing + themselves." +</p> +<p> + "To do so, my Lord Duke," replied Morton, undauntedly, "were to + acknowledge ourselves the rebels that our enemies term us. Our swords are + drawn for recovery of a birthright wrested from us; your Grace's + moderation and good sense has admitted the general justice of our + demand,—a demand which would never have been listened to had it not been + accompanied with the sound of the trumpet. We cannot, therefore, and dare + not, lay down our arms, even on your Grace's assurance of indemnity, + unless it were accompanied with some reasonable prospect of the redress + of the wrongs which we complain of." +</p> +<p> + "Mr Morton," replied the Duke, "you are young, but you must have seen + enough of the world to perceive, that requests, by no means dangerous or + unreasonable in themselves, may become so by the way in which they are + pressed and supported." +</p> +<p> + "We may reply, my lord," answered Morton, "that this disagreeable mode + has not been resorted to until all others have failed." +</p> +<p> + "Mr Morton," said the Duke, "I must break this conference short. We are + in readiness to commence the attack; yet I will suspend it for an hour, + until you can communicate my answer to the insurgents. If they please to + disperse their followers, lay down their arms, and send a peaceful + deputation to me, I will consider myself bound in honour to do all I can + to procure redress of their grievances; if not, let them stand on their + guard and expect the consequences.—I think, gentlemen," he added, + turning to his two colleagues, "this is the utmost length to which I can + stretch my instructions in favour of these misguided persons?" +</p> +<p> + "By my faith," answered Dalzell, suddenly, "and it is a length to which + my poor judgment durst not have stretched them, considering I had both + the King and my conscience to answer to! But, doubtless, your Grace knows + more of the King's private mind than we, who have only the letter of our + instructions to look to." +</p> +<p> + Monmouth blushed deeply. "You hear," he said, addressing Morton, "General + Dalzell blames me for the length which I am disposed to go in your + favour." +</p> +<p> + "General Dalzell's sentiments, my lord," replied Morton, "are such as we + expected from him; your Grace's such as we were prepared to hope you + might please to entertain. Indeed I cannot help adding, that, in the case + of the absolute submission upon which you are pleased to insist, it might + still remain something less than doubtful how far, with such counsellors + around the King, even your Grace's intercession might procure us + effectual relief. But I will communicate to our leaders your Grace's + answer to our supplication; and, since we cannot obtain peace, we must + bid war welcome as well as we may." +</p> +<p> + "Good morning, sir," said the Duke; "I suspend the movements of attack + for one hour, and for one hour only. If you have an answer to return + within that space of time, I will receive it here, and earnestly entreat + it may be such as to save the effusion of blood." +</p> +<p> + At this moment another smile of deep meaning passed between Dalzell and + Claverhouse. The Duke observed it, and repeated his words with great + dignity. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, gentlemen, I said I trusted the answer might be such as would save + the effusion of blood. I hope the sentiment neither needs your scorn, nor + incurs your displeasure." +</p> +<p> + Dalzell returned the Duke's frown with a stern glance, but made no + answer. Claverhouse, his lip just curled with an ironical smile, bowed, + and said, "It was not for him to judge the propriety of his Grace's + sentiments." +</p> +<p> + The Duke made a signal to Morton to withdraw. He obeyed; and, accompanied + by his former escort, rode slowly through the army to return to the camp + of the non-conformists. As he passed the fine corps of Life-Guards, he + found Claverhouse was already at their head. That officer no sooner saw + Morton, than he advanced and addressed him with perfect politeness of + manner. +</p> +<p> + "I think this is not the first time I have seen Mr Morton of Milnwood?" +</p> +<p> + "It is not Colonel Grahame's fault," said Morton, smiling sternly, "that + he or any one else should be now incommoded by my presence." +</p> +<p> + "Allow me at least to say," replied Claverhouse, "that Mr Morton's + present situation authorizes the opinion I have entertained of him, and + that my proceedings at our last meeting only squared to my duty." +</p> +<p> + "To reconcile your actions to your duty, and your duty to your + conscience, is your business, Colonel Grahame, not mine," said Morton, + justly offended at being thus, in a manner, required to approve of the + sentence under which he had so nearly suffered. +</p> +<p> + "Nay, but stay an instant," said Claverhouse; "Evandale insists that I + have some wrongs to acquit myself of in your instance. I trust I shall + always make some difference between a high-minded gentleman, who, though + misguided, acts upon generous principles, and the crazy fanatical clowns + yonder, with the bloodthirsty assassins who head them. Therefore, if they + do not disperse upon your return, let me pray you instantly come over to + our army and surrender yourself, for, be assured, they cannot stand our + assault for half an hour. If you will be ruled and do this, be sure to + enquire for me. Monmouth, strange as it may seem, cannot protect + you—Dalzell will not—I both can and will; and I have promised to + Evandale to do so if you will give me an opportunity." +</p> +<p> + "I should owe Lord Evandale my thanks," answered Morton, coldly, "did not + his scheme imply an opinion that I might be prevailed on to desert those + with whom I am engaged. For you, Colonel Grahame, if you will honour me + with a different species of satisfaction, it is probable, that, in an + hour's time, you will find me at the west end of Bothwell Bridge with my + sword in my hand." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be happy to meet you there," said Claverhouse, "but still more + so should you think better on my first proposal." +</p> +<p> + They then saluted and parted. +</p> +<p> + "That is a pretty lad, Lumley," said Claverhouse, addressing himself to + the other officer; "but he is a lost man—his blood be upon his head." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he addressed himself to the task of preparation for instant + battle. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X. +</h2> +<pre> + But, hark! the tent has changed its voice, + There's peace and rest nae langer. + Burns. + + The Lowdien Mallisha they + Came with their coats of blew; + Five hundred men from London came, + Claid in a reddish hue. + Bothwell Lines. +</pre> +<p> + When Morton had left the well-ordered outposts of the regular army, and + arrived at those which were maintained by his own party, he could not but + be peculiarly sensible of the difference of discipline, and entertain a + proportional degree of fear for the consequences. The same discords which + agitated the counsels of the insurgents, raged even among their meanest + followers; and their picquets and patrols were more interested and + occupied in disputing the true occasion and causes of wrath, and defining + the limits of Erastian heresy, than in looking out for and observing the + motions of their enemies, though within hearing of the royal drums and + trumpets. +</p> +<p> + There was a guard, however, of the insurgent army, posted at the long and + narrow bridge of Bothwell, over which the enemy must necessarily advance + to the attack; but, like the others, they were divided and disheartened; + and, entertaining the idea that they were posted on a desperate service, + they even meditated withdrawing themselves to the main body. This would + have been utter ruin; for, on the defence or loss of this pass the + fortune of the day was most likely to depend. All beyond the bridge was a + plain open field, excepting a few thickets of no great depth, and, + consequently, was ground on which the undisciplined forces of the + insurgents, deficient as they were in cavalry, and totally unprovided + with artillery, were altogether unlikely to withstand the shock of + regular troops. +</p> +<p> + Morton, therefore, viewed the pass carefully, and formed the hope, that + by occupying two or three houses on the left bank of the river, with the + copse and thickets of alders and hazels that lined its side, and by + blockading the passage itself, and shutting the gates of a portal, which, + according to the old fashion, was built on the central arch of the bridge + of Bothwell, it might be easily defended against a very superior force. + He issued directions accordingly, and commanded the parapets of the + bridge, on the farther side of the portal, to be thrown down, that they + might afford no protection to the enemy when they should attempt the + passage. Morton then conjured the party at this important post to be + watchful and upon their guard, and promised them a speedy and strong + reinforcement. He caused them to advance videttes beyond the river to + watch the progress of the enemy, which outposts he directed should be + withdrawn to the left bank as soon as they approached; finally, he + charged them to send regular information to the main body of all that + they should observe. Men under arms, and in a situation of danger, are + usually sufficiently alert in appreciating the merit of their officers. + Morton's intelligence and activity gained the confidence of these men, + and with better hope and heart than before, they began to fortify their + position in the manner he recommended, and saw him depart with three loud + cheers. +</p> +<p> + Morton now galloped hastily towards the main body of the insurgents, but + was surprised and shocked at the scene of confusion and clamour which it + exhibited, at the moment when good order and concord were of such + essential consequence. Instead of being drawn up in line of battle, and + listening to the commands of their officers, they were crowding together + in a confused mass, that rolled and agitated itself like the waves of the + sea, while a thousand tongues spoke, or rather vociferated, and not a + single ear was found to listen. Scandalized at a scene so extraordinary, + Morton endeavoured to make his way through the press to learn, and, if + possible, to remove, the cause of this so untimely disorder. While he is + thus engaged, we shall make the reader acquainted with that which he was + some time in discovering. +</p> +<p> + The insurgents had proceeded to hold their day of humiliation, which, + agreeably to the practice of the puritans during the earlier civil war, + they considered as the most effectual mode of solving all difficulties, + and waiving all discussions. It was usual to name an ordinary week-day + for this purpose, but on this occasion the Sabbath itself was adopted, + owing to the pressure of the time and the vicinity of the enemy. A + temporary pulpit, or tent, was erected in the middle of the encampment; + which, according to the fixed arrangement, was first to be occupied by + the Reverend Peter Poundtext, to whom the post of honour was assigned, as + the eldest clergyman present. But as the worthy divine, with slow and + stately steps, was advancing towards the rostrum which had been prepared + for him, he was prevented by the unexpected apparition of Habakkuk + Mucklewrath, the insane preacher, whose appearance had so much startled + Morton at the first council of the insurgents after their victory at + Loudon-hill. It is not known whether he was acting under the influence + and instigation of the Cameronians, or whether he was merely compelled by + his own agitated imagination, and the temptation of a vacant pulpit + before him, to seize the opportunity of exhorting so respectable a + congregation. It is only certain that he took occasion by the forelock, + sprung into the pulpit, cast his eyes wildly round him, and, undismayed + by the murmurs of many of the audience, opened the Bible, read forth as + his text from the thirteenth chapter of Deuteronomy, "Certain men, the + children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the + inhabitants of their city, saying, let us go and serve other gods, which + you have not known;" and then rushed at once into the midst of his + subject. +</p> +<p> + The harangue of Mucklewrath was as wild and extravagant as his intrusion + was unauthorized and untimely; but it was provokingly coherent, in so far + as it turned entirely upon the very subjects of discord, of which it had + been agreed to adjourn the consideration until some more suitable + opportunity. Not a single topic did he omit which had offence in it; and, + after charging the moderate party with heresy, with crouching to tyranny, + with seeking to be at peace with God's enemies, he applied to Morton, by + name, the charge that he had been one of those men of Belial, who, in the + words of his text, had gone out from amongst them, to withdraw the + inhabitants of his city, and to go astray after false gods. To him, and + all who followed him, or approved of his conduct, Mucklewrath denounced + fury and vengeance, and exhorted those who would hold themselves pure and + undefiled to come up from the midst of them. +</p> +<p> + "Fear not," he said, "because of the neighing of horses, or the + glittering of breastplates. Seek not aid of the Egyptians, because of the + enemy, though they may be numerous as locusts, and fierce as dragons. + Their trust is not as our trust, nor their rock as our rock; how else + shall a thousand fly before one, and two put ten thousand to the flight! + I dreamed it in the visions of the night, and the voice said, 'Habakkuk, + take thy fan and purge the wheat from the chaff, that they be not both + consumed with the fire of indignation and the lightning of fury.' + Wherefore, I say, take this Henry Morton—this wretched Achan, who hath + brought the accursed thing among ye, and made himself brethren in the + camp of the enemy—take him and stone him with stones, and thereafter + burn him with fire, that the wrath may depart from the children of the + Covenant. He hath not taken a Babylonish garment, but he hath sold the + garment of righteousness to the woman of Babylon—he hath not taken two + hundred shekels of fine silver, but he hath bartered the truth, which is + more precious than shekels of silver or wedges of gold." +</p> +<p> + At this furious charge, brought so unexpectedly against one of their most + active commanders, the audience broke out into open tumult, some + demanding that there should instantly be a new election of officers, into + which office none should hereafter be admitted who had, in their phrase, + touched of that which was accursed, or temporized more or less with the + heresies and corruptions of the times. While such was the demand of the + Cameronians, they vociferated loudly, that those who were not with them + were against them,—that it was no time to relinquish the substantial + part of the covenanted testimony of the Church, if they expected a + blessing on their arms and their cause; and that, in their eyes, a + lukewarm Presbyterian was little better than a Prelatist, an + Anti-Covenanter, and a Nullifidian. +</p> +<p> + The parties accused repelled the charge of criminal compliance and + defection from the truth with scorn and indignation, and charged their + accusers with breach of faith, as well as with wrong-headed and + extravagant zeal in introducing such divisions into an army, the joint + strength of which could not, by the most sanguine, be judged more than + sufficient to face their enemies. Poundtext, and one or two others, made + some faint efforts to stem the increasing fury of the factious, + exclaiming to those of the other party, in the words of the + Patriarch,—"Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, + and between thy herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we be brethren." No + pacific overture could possibly obtain audience. It was in vain that + even Burley himself, when he saw the dissension proceed to such ruinous + lengths, exerted his stern and deep voice, commanding silence and + obedience to discipline. The spirit of insubordination had gone forth, + and it seemed as if the exhortation of Habakkuk Mucklewrath had + communicated a part of his frenzy to all who heard him. The wiser, or + more timid part of the assembly, were already withdrawing themselves + from the field, and giving up their cause as lost. Others were + moderating a harmonious call, as they somewhat improperly termed it, to + new officers, and dismissing those formerly chosen, and that with a + tumult and clamour worthy of the deficiency of good sense and good order + implied in the whole transaction. It was at this moment when Morton + arrived in the field and joined the army, in total confusion, and on the + point of dissolving itself. His arrival occasioned loud exclamations of + applause on the one side, and of imprecation on the other. +</p> +<p> + "What means this ruinous disorder at such a moment?" he exclaimed to + Burley, who, exhausted with his vain exertions to restore order, was now + leaning on his sword, and regarding the confusion with an eye of resolute + despair. +</p> +<p> + "It means," he replied, "that God has delivered us into the hands of our + enemies." +</p> +<p> + "Not so," answered Morton, with a voice and gesture which compelled many + to listen; "it is not God who deserts us, it is we who desert him, and + dishonour ourselves by disgracing and betraying the cause of freedom and + religion.—Hear me," he exclaimed, springing to the pulpit which + Mucklewrath had been compelled to evacuate by actual exhaustion—"I bring + from the enemy an offer to treat, if you incline to lay down your arms. I + can assure you the means of making an honourable defence, if you are of + more manly tempers. The time flies fast on. Let us resolve either for + peace or war; and let it not be said of us in future days, that six + thousand Scottish men in arms had neither courage to stand their ground + and fight it out, nor prudence to treat for peace, nor even the coward's + wisdom to retreat in good time and with safety. What signifies + quarrelling on minute points of church-discipline, when the whole edifice + is threatened with total destruction? O, remember, my brethren, that the + last and worst evil which God brought upon the people whom he had once + chosen—the last and worst punishment of their blindness and hardness of + heart, was the bloody dissensions which rent asunder their city, even + when the enemy were thundering at its gates!" +</p> +<p> + Some of the audience testified their feeling of this exhortation, by loud + exclamations of applause; others by hooting, and exclaiming—"To your + tents, O Israel!" +</p> +<p> + Morton, who beheld the columns of the enemy already beginning to appear + on the right bank, and directing their march upon the bridge, raised his + voice to its utmost pitch, and, pointing at the same time with his hand, + exclaimed,—"Silence your senseless clamours, yonder is the enemy! On + maintaining the bridge against him depend our lives, as well as our hope + to reclaim our laws and liberties.—There shall at least one Scottishman + die in their defence.—Let any one who loves his country follow me!" +</p> +<p> + The multitude had turned their heads in the direction to which he + pointed. The sight of the glittering files of the English Foot-Guards, + supported by several squadrons of horse, of the cannon which the + artillerymen were busily engaged in planting against the bridge, of the + plaided clans who seemed to search for a ford, and of the long succession + of troops which were destined to support the attack, silenced at once + their clamorous uproar, and struck them with as much consternation as if + it were an unexpected apparition, and not the very thing which they ought + to have been looking out for. They gazed on each other, and on their + leaders, with looks resembling those that indicate the weakness of a + patient when exhausted by a fit of frenzy. Yet when Morton, springing + from the rostrum, directed his steps towards the bridge, he was followed + by about an hundred of the young men who were particularly attached to + his command. +</p> +<p> + Burley turned to Macbriar—"Ephraim," he said, "it is Providence points + us the way, through the worldly wisdom of this latitudinarian youth.—He + that loves the light, let him follow Burley!" +</p> +<p> + "Tarry," replied Macbriar; "it is not by Henry Morton, or such as he, + that our goings-out and our comings-in are to be meted; therefore tarry + with us. I fear treachery to the host from this nullifidian Achan—Thou + shalt not go with him. Thou art our chariots and our horsemen." +</p> +<p> + "Hinder me not," replied Burley; "he hath well said that all is lost, if + the enemy win the bridge—therefore let me not. Shall the children of + this generation be called wiser or braver than the children of the + sanctuary?—Array yourselves under your leaders—let us not lack supplies + of men and ammunition; and accursed be he who turneth back from the work + on this great day!" +</p> +<p> + Having thus spoken, he hastily marched towards the bridge, and was + followed by about two hundred of the most gallant and zealous of his + party. There was a deep and disheartened pause when Morton and Burley + departed. The commanders availed themselves of it to display their lines + in some sort of order, and exhorted those who were most exposed to throw + themselves upon their faces to avoid the cannonade which they might + presently expect. The insurgents ceased to resist or to remonstrate; but + the awe which had silenced their discords had dismayed their courage. + They suffered themselves to be formed into ranks with the docility of a + flock of sheep, but without possessing, for the time, more resolution or + energy; for they experienced a sinking of the heart, imposed by the + sudden and imminent approach of the danger which they had neglected to + provide against while it was yet distant. They were, however, drawn out + with some regularity; and as they still possessed the appearance of an + army, their leaders had only to hope that some favourable circumstance + would restore their spirits and courage. +</p> +<p> + Kettledrummle, Poundtext, Macbriar, and other preachers, busied + themselves in their ranks, and prevailed on them to raise a psalm. But + the superstitious among them observed, as an ill omen, that their song of + praise and triumph sunk into "a quaver of consternation," and resembled + rather a penitentiary stave sung on the scaffold of a condemned criminal, + than the bold strain which had resounded along the wild heath of + Loudon-hill, in anticipation of that day's victory. The melancholy melody + soon received a rough accompaniment; the royal soldiers shouted, the + Highlanders yelled, the cannon began to fire on one side, and the + musketry on both, and the bridge of Bothwell, with the banks adjacent, + were involved in wreaths of smoke. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI. +</h2> +<pre> + As e'er ye saw the rain doun fa', + Or yet the arrow from the bow, + Sae our Scots lads fell even down, + And they lay slain on every knowe. + Old Ballad. +</pre> +<p> + Ere Morton or Burley had reached the post to be defended, the enemy had + commenced an attack upon it with great spirit. The two regiments of + Foot-Guards, formed into a close column, rushed forward to the river; one + corps, deploying along the right bank, commenced a galling fire on the + defenders of the pass, while the other pressed on to occupy the bridge. + The insurgents sustained the attack with great constancy and courage; and + while part of their number returned the fire across the river, the rest + maintained a discharge of musketry upon the further end of the bridge + itself, and every avenue by which the soldiers endeavoured to approach + it. The latter suffered severely, but still gained ground, and the head + of their column was already upon the bridge, when the arrival of Morton + changed the scene; and his marksmen, commencing upon the pass a fire as + well aimed as it was sustained and regular, compelled the assailants to + retire with much loss. They were a second time brought up to the charge, + and a second time repulsed with still greater loss, as Burley had now + brought his party into action. The fire was continued with the utmost + vehemence on both sides, and the issue of the action seemed very dubious. +</p> +<p> + Monmouth, mounted on a superb white charger, might be discovered on the + top of the right bank of the river, urging, entreating, and animating the + exertions of his soldiers. By his orders, the cannon, which had hitherto + been employed in annoying the distant main body of the presbyterians, + were now turned upon the defenders of the bridge. But these tremendous + engines, being wrought much more slowly than in modern times, did not + produce the effect of annoying or terrifying the enemy to the extent + proposed. The insurgents, sheltered by copsewood along the bank of the + river, or stationed in the houses already mentioned, fought under cover, + while the royalists, owing to the precautions of Morton, were entirely + exposed. The defence was so protracted and obstinate, that the royal + generals began to fear it might be ultimately successful. While Monmouth + threw himself from his horse, and, rallying the Foot-Guards, brought them + on to another close and desperate attack, he was warmly seconded + by Dalzell, who, putting himself at the head of a body of + Lennox-Highlanders, rushed forward with their tremendous war-cry of + Loch-sloy. +</p> +<pre> + [Note: This was the slogan or war-cry of the MacFarlanes, taken from + a lake near the head of Loch Lomond, in the centre of their ancient + possessions on the western banks of that beautiful inland sea.] +</pre> +<p> + The ammunition of the defenders of the bridge began to fail at this + important crisis; messages, commanding and imploring succours and + supplies, were in vain dispatched, one after the other, to the main body + of the presbyterian army, which remained inactively drawn up on the open + fields in the rear. Fear, consternation, and misrule, had gone abroad + among them, and while the post on which their safety depended required + to be instantly and powerfully reinforced, there remained none either to + command or to obey. +</p> +<p> + As the fire of the defenders of the bridge began to slacken, that of the + assailants increased, and in its turn became more fatal. Animated by the + example and exhortations of their generals, they obtained a footing upon + the bridge itself, and began to remove the obstacles by which it was + blockaded. The portal-gate was broke open, the beams, trunks of trees, + and other materials of the barricade, pulled down and thrown into the + river. This was not accomplished without opposition. Morton and Burley + fought in the very front of their followers, and encouraged them with + their pikes, halberds, and partisans, to encounter the bayonets of the + Guards, and the broadswords of the Highlanders. But those behind the + leaders began to shrink from the unequal combat, and fly singly, or in + parties of two or three, towards the main body, until the remainder were, + by the mere weight of the hostile column as much as by their weapons, + fairly forced from the bridge. The passage being now open, the enemy + began to pour over. But the bridge was long and narrow, which rendered + the manoeuvre slow as well as dangerous; and those who first passed had + still to force the houses, from the windows of which the Covenanters + continued to fire. Burley and Morton were near each other at this + critical moment. +</p> +<p> + "There is yet time," said the former, "to bring down horse to attack + them, ere they can get into order; and, with the aid of God, we may thus + regain the bridge—hasten thou to bring them down, while I make the + defence good with this old and wearied body." +</p> +<p> + Morton saw the importance of the advice, and, throwing himself on the + horse which cuddie held in readiness for him behind the thicket, galloped + towards a body of cavalry which chanced to be composed entirely of + Cameronians. Ere he could speak his errand, or utter his orders, he was + saluted by the execrations of the whole body. +</p> +<p> + "He flies!" they exclaimed—"the cowardly traitor flies like a hart from + the hunters, and hath left valiant Burley in the midst of the slaughter!" +</p> +<p> + "I do not fly," said Morton. "I come to lead you to the attack. Advance + boldly, and we shall yet do well." +</p> +<p> + "Follow him not!—Follow him not!"—such were the tumultuous exclamations + which resounded from the ranks;—"he hath sold you to the sword of the + enemy!" +</p> +<p> + And while Morton argued, entreated, and commanded in vain, the moment was + lost in which the advance might have been useful; and the outlet from the + bridge, with all its defences, being in complete possession of the enemy, + Burley and his remaining followers were driven back upon the main body, + to whom the spectacle of their hurried and harassed retreat was far from + restoring the confidence which they so much wanted. +</p> +<p> + In the meanwhile, the forces of the King crossed the bridge at their + leisure, and, securing the pass, formed in line of battle; while + Claverhouse, who, like a hawk perched on a rock, and eyeing the time to + pounce on its prey, had watched the event of the action from the opposite + bank, now passed the bridge at the head of his cavalry, at full trot, + and, leading them in squadrons through the intervals and round the flanks + of the royal infantry, formed them in line on the moor, and led them to + the charge, advancing in front with one large body, while other two + divisions threatened the flanks of the Covenanters. Their devoted army + was now in that situation when the slightest demonstration towards an + attack was certain to inspire panic. Their broken spirits and + disheartened courage were unable to endure the charge of the cavalry, + attended with all its terrible accompaniments of sight and sound;—the + rush of the horses at full speed, the shaking of the earth under their + feet, the glancing of the swords, the waving of the plumes, and the + fierce shouts of the cavaliers. The front ranks hardly attempted one + ill-directed and disorderly fire, and their rear were broken and flying + in confusion ere the charge had been completed; and in less than five + minutes the horsemen were mixed with them, cutting and hewing without + mercy. The voice of Claverhouse was heard, even above the din of + conflict, exclaiming to his soldiers—"Kill, kill—no quarter—think on + Richard Grahame!" The dragoons, many of whom had shared the disgrace of + Loudon-hill, required no exhortations to vengeance as easy as it was + complete. Their swords drank deep of slaughter among the unresisting + fugitives. Screams for quarter were only answered by the shouts with + which the pursuers accompanied their blows, and the whole field presented + one general scene of confused slaughter, flight, and pursuit. +</p> +<p> + About twelve hundred of the insurgents who remained in a body a little + apart from the rest, and out of the line of the charge of cavalry, threw + down their arms and surrendered at discretion, upon the approach of the + Duke of Monmouth at the head of the infantry. That mild-tempered nobleman + instantly allowed them the quarter which they prayed for; and, galloping + about through the field, exerted himself as much to stop the slaughter as + he had done to obtain the victory. While busied in this humane task he + met with General Dalzell, who was encouraging the fierce Highlanders and + royal volunteers to show their zeal for King and country, by quenching + the flame of the rebellion with the blood of the rebels. +</p> +<p> + "Sheathe your sword, I command you, General!" exclaimed the Duke, "and + sound the retreat. Enough of blood has been shed; give quarter to the + King's misguided subjects." +</p> +<p> + "I obey your Grace," said the old man, wiping his bloody sword and + returning it to the scabbard; "but I warn you, at the same time, that + enough has not been done to intimidate these desperate rebels. Has not + your Grace heard that Basil Olifant has collected several gentlemen and + men of substance in the west, and is in the act of marching to join + them?" +</p> +<p> + "Basil Olifant?" said the Duke; "who, or what is he?" +</p> +<p> + "The next male heir to the last Earl of Torwood. He is disaffected to + government from his claim to the estate being set aside in favour of Lady + Margaret Bellenden; and I suppose the hope of getting the inheritance has + set him in motion." +</p> +<p> + "Be his motives what they will," replied Monmouth, "he must soon disperse + his followers, for this army is too much broken to rally again. + Therefore, once more, I command that the pursuit be stopped." +</p> +<p> + "It is your Grace's province to command, and to be responsible for your + commands," answered Dalzell, as he gave reluctant orders for checking the + pursuit. +</p> +<p> + But the fiery and vindictive Grahame was already far out of hearing of + the signal of retreat, and continued with his cavalry an unwearied and + bloody pursuit, breaking, dispersing, and cutting to pieces all the + insurgents whom they could come up with. +</p> +<p> + Burley and Morton were both hurried off the field by the confused tide of + fugitives. They made some attempt to defend the streets of the town of + Hamilton; but, while labouring to induce the fliers to face about and + stand to their weapons. Burley received a bullet which broke his + sword-arm. +</p> +<p> + "May the hand be withered that shot the shot!" he exclaimed, as the sword + which he was waving over his head fell powerless to his side. "I can + fight no longer." [Note: This incident, and Burley's exclamation, are + taken from the records.] +</p> +<p> + Then turning his horse's head, he retreated out of the confusion. Morton + also now saw that the continuing his unavailing efforts to rally the + fliers could only end in his own death or captivity, and, followed by the + faithful Cuddie, he extricated himself from the press, and, being well + mounted, leaped his horse over one or two enclosures, and got into the + open country. +</p> +<p> + From the first hill which they gained in their flight, they looked back, + and beheld the whole country covered with their fugitive companions, and + with the pursuing dragoons, whose wild shouts and halloo, as they did + execution on the groups whom they overtook, mingled with the groans and + screams of their victims, rose shrilly up the hill. +</p> +<p> + "It is impossible they can ever make head again," said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "The head's taen aff them, as clean as I wad bite it aff a sybo!" + rejoined Cuddie. "Eh, Lord! see how the broadswords are flashing! war's + a fearsome thing. They'll be cunning that catches me at this wark + again.—But, for God's sake, sir, let us mak for some strength!" +</p> +<p> + Morton saw the necessity of following the advice of his trusty squire. + They resumed a rapid pace, and continued it without intermission, + directing their course towards the wild and mountainous country, where + they thought it likely some part of the fugitives might draw together, + for the sake either of making defence, or of obtaining terms. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII. +</h2> +<pre> + They require + Of Heaven the hearts of lions, breath of tigers, + Yea and the fierceness too. + Fletcher. +</pre> +<p> + Evening had fallen; and, for the last two hours, they had seen none of + their ill-fated companions, when Morton and his faithful attendant gained + the moorland, and approached a large and solitary farmhouse, situated in + the entrance of a wild glen, far remote from any other habitation. +</p> +<p> + "Our horses," said Morton, "will carry us no farther without rest or + food, and we must try to obtain them here, if possible." +</p> +<p> + So speaking, he led the way to the house. The place had every appearance + of being inhabited. There was smoke issuing from the chimney in a + considerable volume, and the marks of recent hoofs were visible around + the door. They could even hear the murmuring of human voices within the + house. But all the lower windows were closely secured; and when they + knocked at the door, no answer was returned. After vainly calling and + entreating admittance, they withdrew to the stable, or shed, in order to + accommodate their horses, ere they used farther means of gaining + admission. In this place they found ten or twelve horses, whose state of + fatigue, as well as the military yet disordered appearance of their + saddles and accoutrements, plainly indicated that their owners were + fugitive insurgents in their own circumstances. +</p> +<p> + "This meeting bodes luck," said Cuddie; "and they hae walth o' beef, + that's ae thing certain, for here's a raw hide that has been about the + hurdies o' a stot not half an hour syne—it's warm yet." +</p> +<p> + Encouraged by these appearances, they returned again to the house, and, + announcing themselves as men in the same predicament with the inmates, + clamoured loudly for admittance. +</p> +<p> + "Whoever ye be," answered a stern voice from the window, after a long and + obdurate silence, "disturb not those who mourn for the desolation and + captivity of the land, and search out the causes of wrath and of + defection, that the stumbling-blocks may be removed over which we have + stumbled." +</p> +<p> + "They are wild western whigs," said Cuddie, in a whisper to his master, + "I ken by their language. Fiend hae me, if I like to venture on them!" +</p> +<p> + Morton, however, again called to the party within, and insisted on + admittance; but, finding his entreaties still disregarded, he opened one + of the lower windows, and pushing asunder the shutters, which were but + slightly secured, stepped into the large kitchen from which the voice had + issued. Cuddie followed him, muttering betwixt his teeth, as he put his + head within the window, "That he hoped there was nae scalding brose on + the fire;" and master and servant both found themselves in the company of + ten or twelve armed men, seated around the fire, on which refreshments + were preparing, and busied apparently in their devotions. +</p> +<p> + In the gloomy countenances, illuminated by the fire-light, Morton had no + difficulty in recognising several of those zealots who had most + distinguished themselves by their intemperate opposition to all moderate + measures, together with their noted pastor, the fanatical Ephraim + Macbriar, and the maniac, Habakkuk Mucklewrath. The Cameronians neither + stirred tongue nor hand to welcome their brethren in misfortune, but + continued to listen to the low murmured exercise of Macbriar, as he + prayed that the Almighty would lift up his hand from his people, and not + make an end in the day of his anger. That they were conscious of the + presence of the intruders only appeared from the sullen and indignant + glances which they shot at them, from time to time, as their eyes + encountered. +</p> +<p> + Morton, finding into what unfriendly society he had unwittingly intruded, + began to think of retreating; but, on turning his head, observed with + some alarm, that two strong men had silently placed themselves beside the + window, through which they had entered. One of these ominous sentinels + whispered to Cuddie, "Son of that precious woman, Mause Headrigg, do not + cast thy lot farther with this child of treachery and perdition—Pass on + thy way, and tarry not, for the avenger of blood is behind thee." +</p> +<p> + With this he pointed to the window, out of which Cuddie jumped without + hesitation; for the intimation he had received plainly implied the + personal danger he would otherwise incur. +</p> +<p> + "Winnocks are no lucky wi' me," was his first reflection when he was in + the open air; his next was upon the probable fate of his master. "They'll + kill him, the murdering loons, and think they're doing a gude turn! but + I'se tak the back road for Hamilton, and see if I canna get some o' our + ain folk to bring help in time of needcessity." +</p> +<p> + So saying, Cuddie hastened to the stable, and taking the best horse he + could find instead of his own tired animal, he galloped off in the + direction he proposed. +</p> +<p> + The noise of his horse's tread alarmed for an instant the devotion of the + fanatics. As it died in the distance, Macbriar brought his exercise to a + conclusion, and his audience raised themselves from the stooping posture, + and louring downward look, with which they had listened to it, and all + fixed their eyes sternly on Henry Morton. +</p> +<p> + "You bend strange countenances on me, gentlemen," said he, addressing + them. "I am totally ignorant in what manner I can have deserved them." +</p> +<p> + "Out upon thee! out upon thee!" exclaimed Mucklewrath, starting up: "the + word that thou hast spurned shall become a rock to crush and to bruise + thee; the spear which thou wouldst have broken shall pierce thy side; we + have prayed, and wrestled, and petitioned for an offering to atone the + sins of the congregation, and lo! the very head of the offence is + delivered into our hand. He hath burst in like a thief through the + window; he is a ram caught in the thicket, whose blood shall be a + drink-offering to redeem vengeance from the church, and the place shall + from henceforth be called Jehovah-Jireh, for the sacrifice is provided. + Up then, and bind the victim with cords to the horns of the altar!" +</p> +<p> + There was a movement among the party; and deeply did Morton regret at + that moment the incautious haste with which he had ventured into their + company. He was armed only with his sword, for he had left his pistols at + the bow of his saddle; and, as the whigs were all provided with + fire-arms, there was little or no chance of escaping from them by + resistance. The interposition, however, of Macbriar protected him for the + moment. +</p> +<p> + "Tarry yet a while, brethren—let us not use the sword rashly, lest the + load of innocent blood lie heavy on us.—Come," he said, addressing + himself to Morton, "we will reckon with thee ere we avenge the cause thou + hast betrayed.—Hast thou not," he continued, "made thy face as hard as + flint against the truth in all the assemblies of the host?" +</p> +<p> + "He has—he has," murmured the deep voices of the assistants. +</p> +<p> + "He hath ever urged peace with the malignants," said one. +</p> +<p> + "And pleaded for the dark and dismal guilt of the Indulgence," said + another. +</p> +<p> + "And would have surrendered the host into the hands of Monmouth," echoed + a third; "and was the first to desert the honest and manly Burley, while + he yet resisted at the pass. I saw him on the moor, with his horse bloody + with spurring, long ere the firing had ceased at the bridge." +</p> +<p> + "Gentlemen," said Morton, "if you mean to bear me down by clamour, and + take my life without hearing me, it is perhaps a thing in your power; but + you will sin before God and man by the commission of such a murder." +</p> +<p> + "I say, hear the youth," said Macbriar; "for Heaven knows our bowels have + yearned for him, that he might be brought to see the truth, and exert his + gifts in its defence. But he is blinded by his carnal knowledge, and has + spurned the light when it blazed before him." +</p> +<p> + Silence being obtained, Morton proceeded to assert the good faith which + he had displayed in the treaty with Monmouth, and the active part he had + borne in the subsequent action. +</p> +<p> + "I may not, gentlemen," he said, "be fully able to go the lengths you + desire, in assigning to those of my own religion the means of tyrannizing + over others; but none shall go farther in asserting our own lawful + freedom. And I must needs aver, that had others been of my mind in + counsel, or disposed to stand by my side in battle, we should this + evening, instead of being a defeated and discordant remnant, have + sheathed our weapons in an useful and honourable peace, or brandished + them triumphantly after a decisive victory." +</p> +<p> + "He hath spoken the word," said one of the assembly—"he hath avowed his + carnal self-seeking and Erastianism; let him die the death!" +</p> +<p> + "Peace yet again," said Macbriar, "for I will try him further.—Was it + not by thy means that the malignant Evandale twice escaped from death and + captivity? Was it not through thee that Miles Bellenden and his garrison + of cut-throats were saved from the edge of the sword?" +</p> +<p> + "I am proud to say, that you have spoken the truth in both instances," + replied Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Lo! you see," said Macbriar, "again hath his mouth spoken it.—And didst + thou not do this for the sake of a Midianitish woman, one of the spawn of + prelacy, a toy with which the arch-enemy's trap is baited? Didst thou not + do all this for the sake of Edith Bellenden?" +</p> +<p> + "You are incapable," answered Morton, boldly, "of appreciating my + feelings towards that young lady; but all that I have done I would have + done had she never existed." +</p> +<p> + "Thou art a hardy rebel to the truth," said another dark-brow'd man; "and + didst thou not so act, that, by conveying away the aged woman, Margaret + Bellenden, and her grand-daughter, thou mightest thwart the wise and + godly project of John Balfour of Burley for bringing forth to battle + Basil Olifant, who had agreed to take the field if he were insured + possession of these women's worldly endowments?" +</p> +<p> + "I never heard of such a scheme," said Morton, "and therefore I could not + thwart it.—But does your religion permit you to take such uncreditable + and immoral modes of recruiting?" +</p> +<p> + "Peace," said Macbriar, somewhat disconcerted; "it is not for thee to + instruct tender professors, or to construe Covenant obligations. For the + rest, you have acknowledged enough of sin and sorrowful defection, to + draw down defeat on a host, were it as numerous as the sands on the + sea-shore. And it is our judgment, that we are not free to let you pass + from us safe and in life, since Providence hath given you into our hands + at the moment that we prayed with godly Joshua, saying, 'What shall we + say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies?'—Then camest + thou, delivered to us as it were by lot, that thou mightest sustain the + punishment of one that hath wrought folly in Israel. Therefore, mark my + words. This is the Sabbath, and our hand shall not be on thee to spill + thy blood upon this day; but, when the twelfth hour shall strike, it is a + token that thy time on earth hath run! Wherefore improve thy span, for it + flitteth fast away.—Seize on the prisoner, brethren, and take his + weapon." +</p> +<p> + The command was so unexpectedly given, and so suddenly executed by those + of the party who had gradually closed behind and around Morton, that he + was overpowered, disarmed, and a horse-girth passed round his arms, + before he could offer any effectual resistance. When this was + accomplished, a dead and stern silence took place. The fanatics ranged + themselves around a large oaken table, placing Morton amongst them bound + and helpless, in such a manner as to be opposite to the clock which was + to strike his knell. Food was placed before them, of which they offered + their intended victim a share; but, it will readily be believed, he had + little appetite. When this was removed, the party resumed their + devotions. Macbriar, whose fierce zeal did not perhaps exclude some + feelings of doubt and compunction, began to expostulate in prayer, as if + to wring from the Deity a signal that the bloody sacrifice they proposed + was an acceptable service. The eyes and ears of his hearers were + anxiously strained, as if to gain some sight or sound which might be + converted or wrested into a type of approbation, and ever and anon dark + looks were turned on the dial-plate of the time-piece, to watch its + progress towards the moment of execution. +</p> +<p> + Morton's eye frequently took the same course, with the sad reflection, + that there appeared no posibility of his life being expanded beyond the + narrow segment which the index had yet to travel on the circle until it + arrived at the fatal hour. Faith in his religion, with a constant + unyielding principle of honour, and the sense of conscious innocence, + enabled him to pass through this dreadful interval with less agitation + than he himself could have expected, had the situation been prophesied to + him. Yet there was a want of that eager and animating sense of right + which supported him in similar circumstances, when in the power of + Claverhouse. Then he was conscious, that, amid the spectators, were many + who were lamenting his condition, and some who applauded his conduct. But + now, among these pale-eyed and ferocious zealots, whose hardened brows + were soon to be bent, not merely with indifference, but with triumph, + upon his execution,—without a friend to speak a kindly word, or give a + look either of sympathy or encouragement,—awaiting till the sword + destined to slay him crept out of the scabbard gradually, and as it were + by strawbreadths, and condemned to drink the bitterness of death drop by + drop,—it is no wonder that his feelings were less composed than they had + been on any former occasion of danger. His destined executioners, as he + gazed around them, seemed to alter their forms and features, like + spectres in a feverish dream; their figures became larger, and their + faces more disturbed; and, as an excited imagination predominated over + the realities which his eyes received, he could have thought himself + surrounded rather by a band of demons than of human beings; the walls + seemed to drop with blood, and the light tick of the clock thrilled on + his ear with such loud, painful distinctness, as if each sound were the + prick of a bodkin inflicted on the naked nerve of the organ. +</p> +<a name="image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/frontispiece2.jpg" height="801" width="531" +alt="Morton Awaiting Death +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + It was with pain that he felt his mind wavering, while on the brink + between this and the future world. He made a strong effort to compose + himself to devotional exercises, and unequal, during that fearful strife + of nature, to arrange his own thoughts into suitable expressions, he had, + instinctively, recourse to the petition for deliverance and for composure + of spirit which is to be found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Church + of England. Macbriar, whose family were of that persuasion, instantly + recognised the words, which the unfortunate prisoner pronounced half + aloud. +</p> +<p> + "There lacked but this," he said, his pale cheek kindling with + resentment, "to root out my carnal reluctance to see his blood spilt. He + is a prelatist, who has sought the camp under the disguise of an + Erastian, and all, and more than all, that has been said of him must + needs be verity. His blood be on his head, the deceiver!—let him go down + to Tophet, with the ill-mumbled mass which he calls a prayer-book, in his + right hand!" +</p> +<p> + "I take up my song against him!" exclaimed the maniac. "As the sun went + back on the dial ten degrees for intimating the recovery of holy + Hezekiah, so shall it now go forward, that the wicked may be taken away + from among the people, and the Covenant established in its purity." +</p> +<p> + He sprang to a chair with an attitude of frenzy, in order to anticipate + the fatal moment by putting the index forward; and several of the party + began to make ready their slaughter-weapons for immediate execution, when + Mucklewrath's hand was arrested by one of his companions. +</p> +<p> + "Hist!" he said—"I hear a distant noise." +</p> +<p> + "It is the rushing of the brook over the pebbles," said one. +</p> +<p> + "It is the sough of the wind among the bracken," said another. +</p> +<p> + "It is the galloping of horse," said Morton to himself, his sense of + hearing rendered acute by the dreadful situation in which he stood; "God + grant they may come as my deliverers!" +</p> +<p> + The noise approached rapidly, and became more and more distinct. +</p> +<p> + "It is horse," cried Macbriar. "Look out and descry who they are." +</p> +<p> + "The enemy are upon us!" cried one who had opened the window, in + obedience to his order. +</p> +<p> + A thick trampling and loud voices were heard immediately round the house. + Some rose to resist, and some to escape; the doors and windows were + forced at once, and the red coats of the troopers appeared in the + apartment. +</p> +<p> + "Have at the bloody rebels!—Remember Cornet Grahame!" was shouted on + every side. +</p> +<p> + The lights were struck down, but the dubious glare of the fire enabled + them to continue the fray. Several pistol-shots were fired; the whig who + stood next to Morton received a shot as he was rising, stumbled against + the prisoner, whom he bore down with his weight, and lay stretched above + him a dying man. This accident probably saved Morton from the damage he + might otherwise have received in so close a struggle, where fire-arms + were discharged and sword-blows given for upwards of five minutes. +</p> +<p> + "Is the prisoner safe?" exclaimed the well-known voice of Claverhouse; + "look about for him, and dispatch the whig dog who is groaning there." +</p> +<p> + Both orders were executed. The groans of the wounded man were silenced by + a thrust with a rapier, and Morton, disencumbered of his weight, was + speedily raised and in the arms of the faithful Cuddie, who blubbered for + joy when he found that the blood with which his master was covered had + not flowed from his own veins. A whisper in Morton's ear, while his + trusty follower relieved him from his bonds, explained the secret of the + very timely appearance of the soldiers. +</p> +<pre> +"I fell into Claverhouse's party when I was seeking for some o' our ain +folk to help ye out o' the hands of the whigs, sae being atween the deil +and the deep sea, I e'en thought it best to bring him on wi' me, for +he'll be wearied wi' felling folk the night, and the morn's a new day, +and Lord Evandale awes ye a day in ha'arst; and Monmouth gies quarter, +the dragoons tell me, for the asking. Sae haud up your heart, an' I'se +warrant we'll do a' weel eneugh yet." + + [Note: NOTE TO CHAPTER XII. The principal incident of the foregoing + Chapter was suggested by an occurrence of a similar kind, told me by + a gentleman, now deceased, who held an important situation in the + Excise, to which he had been raised by active and resolute exertions + in an inferior department. When employed as a supervisor on the + coast of Galloway, at a time when the immunities of the Isle of Man + rendered smuggling almost universal in that district, this gentleman + had the fortune to offend highly several of the leaders in the + contraband trade, by his zeal in serving the revenue. + + This rendered his situation a dangerous one, and, on more than one + occasion, placed his life in jeopardy. At one time in particular, as + he was riding after sunset on a summer evening, he came suddenly + upon a gang of the most desperate smugglers in that part of the + country. They surrounded him, without violence, but in such a manner + as to show that it would be resorted to if he offered resistance, + and gave him to understand he must spend the evening with them, + since they had met so happily. The officer did not attempt + opposition, but only asked leave to send a country lad to tell his + wife and family that he should be detained later than he expected. + As he had to charge the boy with this message in the presence of the + smugglers, he could found no hope of deliverance from it, save what + might arise from the sharpness of the lad's observation, and the + natural anxiety and affection of his wife. But if his errand should + be delivered and received literally, as he was conscious the + smugglers expected, it was likely that it might, by suspending alarm + about his absence from home, postpone all search after him till it + might be useless. Making a merit of necessity, therefore, he + instructed and dispatched his messenger, and went with the + contraband traders, with seeming willingness, to one of their + ordinary haunts. He sat down at table with them, and they began to + drink and indulge themselves in gross jokes, while, like Mirabel in + the "Inconstant," their prisoner had the heavy task of receiving + their insolence as wit, answering their insults with good-humour, + and withholding from them the opportunity which they sought of + engaging him in a quarrel, that they might have a pretence for + misusing him. He succeeded for some time, but soon became satisfied + it was their purpose to murder him out-right, or else to beat him in + such a manner as scarce to leave him with life. A regard for the + sanctity of the Sabbath evening, which still oddly subsisted among + these ferocious men, amidst their habitual violation of divine and + social law, prevented their commencing their intended cruelty until + the Sabbath should be terminated. They were sitting around their + anxious prisoner, muttering to each other words of terrible import, + and watching the index of a clock, which was shortly to strike the + hour at which, in their apprehension, murder would become lawful, + when their intended victim heard a distant rustling like the wind + among withered leaves. It came nearer, and resembled the sound of a + brook in flood chafing within its banks; it came nearer yet, and was + plainly distinguished as the galloping of a party of horse. The + absence of her husband, and the account given by the boy of the + suspicious appearance of those with whom he had remained, had + induced Mrs—to apply to the neighbouring town for a party of + dragoons, who thus providentially arrived in time to save him from + extreme violence, if not from actual destruction.] +</pre> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> +<pre> + Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife! + To all the sensual world proclaim, + One crowded hour of glorious life + Is worth an age without a name. + Anonymous. +</pre> +<p> + When the desperate affray had ceased, Claverhouse commanded his soldiers + to remove the dead bodies, to refresh themselves and their horses, and + prepare for passing the night at the farm-house, and for marching early + in the ensuing morning. He then turned his attention to Morton, and there + was politeness, and even kindness, in the manner in which he addressed + him. +</p> +<p> + "You would have saved yourself risk from both sides, Mr Morton, if you + had honoured my counsel yesterday morning with some attention; but I + respect your motives. You are a prisoner-of-war at the disposal of the + king and council, but you shall be treated with no incivility; and I will + be satisfied with your parole that you will not attempt an escape." +</p> +<p> + When Morton had passed his word to that effect, Claverhouse bowed + civilly, and, turning away from him, called for his sergeant-major. +</p> +<p> + "How many prisoners, Halliday, and how many killed?" +</p> +<p> + "Three killed in the house, sir, two cut down in the court, and one in + the garden—six in all; four prisoners." +</p> +<p> + "Armed or unarmed?" said Claverhouse. +</p> +<p> + "Three of them armed to the teeth," answered Halliday; "one without + arms—he seems to be a preacher." +</p> +<p> + "Ay—the trumpeter to the long-ear'd rout, I suppose," replied + Claverhouse, glancing slightly round upon his victims, "I will talk with + him tomorrow. Take the other three down to the yard, draw out two files, + and fire upon them; and, d'ye hear, make a memorandum in the orderly book + of three rebels taken in arms and shot, with the date and name of the + place—Drumshinnel, I think, they call it.—Look after the preacher till + to-morrow; as he was not armed, he must undergo a short examination. Or + better, perhaps, take him before the Privy Council; I think they should + relieve me of a share of this disgusting drudgery.—Let Mr Morton be + civilly used, and see that the men look well after their horses; and let + my groom wash Wild-blood's shoulder with some vinegar, the saddle has + touched him a little." +</p> +<p> + All these various orders,—for life and death, the securing of his + prisoners, and the washing his charger's shoulder,—were given in the + same unmoved and equable voice, of which no accent or tone intimated that + the speaker considered one direction as of more importance than another. +</p> +<p> + The Cameronians, so lately about to be the willing agents of a bloody + execution, were now themselves to undergo it. They seemed prepared alike + for either extremity, nor did any of them show the least sign of fear, + when ordered to leave the room for the purpose of meeting instant death. + Their severe enthusiasm sustained them in that dreadful moment, and they + departed with a firm look and in silence, excepting that one of them, as + he left the apartment, looked Claverhouse full in the face, and + pronounced, with a stern and steady voice,—"Mischief shall haunt the + violent man!" to which Grahame only answered by a smile of contempt. +</p> +<p> + They had no sooner left the room than Claverhouse applied himself to some + food, which one or two of his party had hastily provided, and invited + Morton to follow his example, observing, it had been a busy day for them + both. Morton declined eating; for the sudden change of circumstances—the + transition from the verge of the grave to a prospect of life, had + occasioned a dizzy revulsion in his whole system. But the same confused + sensation was accompanied by a burning thirst, and he expressed his wish + to drink. +</p> +<p> + "I will pledge you, with all my heart," said Claverhouse; "for here is a + black jack full of ale, and good it must be, if there be good in the + country, for the whigs never miss to find it out.—My service to you, Mr + Morton," he said, filling one horn of ale for himself, and handing + another to his prisoner. +</p> +<p> + Morton raised it to his head, and was just about to drink, when the + discharge of carabines beneath the window, followed by a deep and hollow + groan, repeated twice or thrice, and more faint at each interval, + announced the fate of the three men who had just left them. Morton + shuddered, and set down the untasted cup. +</p> +<p> + "You are but young in these matters, Mr Morton," said Claverhouse, after + he had very composedly finished his draught; "and I do not think the + worse of you as a young soldier for appearing to feel them acutely. But + habit, duty, and necessity, reconcile men to every thing." +</p> +<p> + "I trust," said Morton, "they will never reconcile me to such scenes as + these." +</p> +<p> + "You would hardly believe," said Claverhouse in reply, "that, in the + beginning of my military career, I had as much aversion to seeing blood + spilt as ever man felt; it seemed to me to be wrung from my own heart; + and yet, if you trust one of those whig fellows, he will tell you I drink + a warm cup of it every morning before I breakfast. [Note: The author is + uncertain whether this was ever said of Claverhouse. But it was currently + reported of Sir Robert Grierson of Lagg, another of the persecutors, that + a cup of wine placed in his hand turned to clotted blood.] But in truth, + Mr Morton, why should we care so much for death, light upon us or around + us whenever it may? Men die daily—not a bell tolls the hour but it is + the death-note of some one or other; and why hesitate to shorten the span + of others, or take over-anxious care to prolong our own? It is all a + lottery—when the hour of midnight came, you were to die—it has struck, + you are alive and safe, and the lot has fallen on those fellows who were + to murder you. It is not the expiring pang that is worth thinking of in + an event that must happen one day, and may befall us on any given + moment—it is the memory which the soldier leaves behind him, like the + long train of light that follows the sunken sun—that is all which is + worth caring for, which distinguishes the death of the brave or the + ignoble. When I think of death, Mr Morton, as a thing worth thinking of, + it is in the hope of pressing one day some well-fought and hard-won + field of battle, and dying with the shout of victory in my ear—that + would be worth dying for, and more, it would be worth having lived for!" +</p> +<p> + At the moment when Grahame delivered these sentiments, his eye glancing + with the martial enthusiasm which formed such a prominent feature in his + character, a gory figure, which seemed to rise out of the floor of the + apartment, stood upright before him, and presented the wild person and + hideous features of the maniac so often mentioned. His face, where it was + not covered with blood-streaks, was ghastly pale, for the hand of death + was on him. He bent upon Claverhouse eyes, in which the grey light of + insanity still twinkled, though just about to flit for ever, and + exclaimed, with his usual wildness of ejaculation, "Wilt thou trust in + thy bow and in thy spear, in thy steed and in thy banner? And shall not + God visit thee for innocent blood?—Wilt thou glory in thy wisdom, and in + thy courage, and in thy might? And shall not the Lord judge thee?—Behold + the princes, for whom thou hast sold thy soul to the destroyer, shall be + removed from their place, and banished to other lands, and their names + shall be a desolation, and an astonishment, and a hissing, and a curse. + And thou, who hast partaken of the wine-cup of fury, and hast been + drunken and mad because thereof, the wish of thy heart shall be granted + to thy loss, and the hope of thine own pride shall destroy thee. I summon + thee, John Grahame, to appear before the tribunal of God, to answer for + this innocent blood, and the seas besides which thou hast shed." +</p> +<p> + He drew his right hand across his bleeding face, and held it up to heaven + as he uttered these words, which he spoke very loud, and then added more + faintly, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge + the blood of thy saints!" +</p> +<p> + As he uttered the last word, he fell backwards without an attempt to save + himself, and was a dead man ere his head touched the floor. +</p> +<p> + Morton was much shocked at this extraordinary scene, and the prophecy of + the dying man, which tallied so strangely with the wish which Claverhouse + had just expressed; and he often thought of it afterwards when that wish + seemed to be accomplished. Two of the dragoons who were in the apartment, + hardened as they were, and accustomed to such scenes, showed great + consternation at the sudden apparition, the event, and the words which + preceded it. Claverhouse alone was unmoved. At the first instant of + Mucklewrath's appearance, he had put his hand to his pistol, but on + seeing the situation of the wounded wretch, he immediately withdrew it, + and listened with great composure to his dying exclamation. +</p> +<p> + When he dropped, Claverhouse asked, in an unconcerned tone of voice—"How + came the fellow here?—Speak, you staring fool!" he added, addressing the + nearest dragoon, "unless you would have me think you such a poltroon as + to fear a dying man." +</p> +<p> + The dragoon crossed himself, and replied with a faltering voice,—"That + the dead fellow had escaped their notice when they removed the other + bodies, as he chanced to have fallen where a cloak or two had been flung + aside, and covered him." +</p> +<p> + "Take him away now, then, you gaping idiot, and see that he does not bite + you, to put an old proverb to shame.—This is a new incident, Mr. Morton, + that dead men should rise and push us from our stools. I must see that my + blackguards grind their swords sharper; they used not to do their work so + slovenly.—But we have had a busy day; they are tired, and their blades + blunted with their bloody work; and I suppose you, Mr Morton, as well as + I, are well disposed for a few hours' repose." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he yawned, and taking a candle which a soldier had placed + ready, saluted Morton courteously, and walked to the apartment which had + been prepared for him. +</p> +<p> + Morton was also accommodated, for the evening, with a separate room. + Being left alone, his first occupation was the returning thanks to Heaven + for redeeming him from danger, even through the instrumentality of those + who seemed his most dangerous enemies; he also prayed sincerely for the + Divine assistance in guiding his course through times which held out so + many dangers and so many errors. And having thus poured out his spirit in + prayer before the Great Being who gave it, he betook himself to the + repose which he so much required. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> +<pre> + The charge is prepared, the lawyers are met, + The judges all ranged—a terrible show! + Beggar's Opera. +</pre> +<p> + So deep was the slumber which succeeded the agitation and embarrassment + of the preceding day, that Morton hardly knew where he was when it was + broken by the tramp of horses, the hoarse voice of men, and the wild + sound of the trumpets blowing the <i>reveille</i>. The sergeant-major + immediately afterwards came to summon him, which he did in a very + respectful manner, saying the General (for Claverhouse now held that + rank) hoped for the pleasure of his company upon the road. In some + situations an intimation is a command, and Morton considered that the + present occasion was one of these. He waited upon Claverhouse as speedily + as he could, found his own horse saddled for his use, and Cuddie in + attendance. Both were deprived of their fire-arms, though they seemed, + otherwise, rather to make part of the troop than of the prisoners; and + Morton was permitted to retain his sword, the wearing which was, in those + days, the distinguishing mark of a gentleman. Claverhouse seemed also to + take pleasure in riding beside him, in conversing with him, and in + confounding his ideas when he attempted to appreciate his real character. + The gentleness and urbanity of that officer's general manners, the high + and chivalrous sentiments of military devotion which he occasionally + expressed, his deep and accurate insight into the human bosom, demanded + at once the approbation and the wonder of those who conversed with him; + while, on the other hand, his cold indifference to military violence and + cruelty seemed altogether inconsistent with the social, and even + admirable qualities which he displayed. Morton could not help, in his + heart, contrasting him with Balfour of Burley; and so deeply did the idea + impress him, that he dropped a hint of it as they rode together at some + distance from the troop. +</p> +<p> + "You are right," said Claverhouse, with a smile; "you are very right—we + are both fanatics; but there is some distinction between the fanaticism + of honour and that of dark and sullen superstition." +</p> +<p> + "Yet you both shed blood without mercy or remorse," said Morton, who + could not suppress his feelings. +</p> +<p> + "Surely," said Claverhouse, with the same composure; "but of what + kind?—There is a difference, I trust, between the blood of learned and + reverend prelates and scholars, of gallant soldiers and noble gentlemen, + and the red puddle that stagnates in the veins of psalm-singing + mechanics, crackbrained demagogues, and sullen boors;—some distinction, + in short, between spilling a flask of generous wine, and dashing down a + can full of base muddy ale?" +</p> +<p> + "Your distinction is too nice for my comprehension," replied Morton. "God + gives every spark of life—that of the peasant as well as of the prince; + and those who destroy his work recklessly or causelessly, must answer in + either case. What right, for example, have I to General Grahame's + protection now, more than when I first met him?" +</p> +<p> + "And narrowly escaped the consequences, you would say?" answered + Claverhouse—"why, I will answer you frankly. Then I thought I had to do + with the son of an old roundheaded rebel, and the nephew of a sordid + presbyterian laird; now I know your points better, and there is that + about you which I respect in an enemy as much as I like in a friend. I + have learned a good deal concerning you since our first meeting, and I + trust that you have found that my construction of the information has not + been unfavourable to you." +</p> +<p> + "But yet," said Morton— +</p> +<p> + "But yet," interrupted Grahame, taking up the word, "you would say you + were the same when I first met you that you are now? True; but then, how + could I know that? though, by the by, even my reluctance to suspend your + execution may show you how high your abilities stood in my estimation." +</p> +<p> + "Do you expect, General," said Morton, "that I ought to be particularly + grateful for such a mark of your esteem?" +</p> +<p> + "Poh! poh! you are critical," returned Claverhouse. "I tell you I thought + you a different sort of person. Did you ever read Froissart?" +</p> +<p> + "No," was Morton's answer. +</p> +<p> + "I have half a mind," said Claverhouse, "to contrive you should have six + months' imprisonment in order to procure you that pleasure. His chapters + inspire me with more enthusiasm than even poetry itself. And the noble + canon, with what true chivalrous feeling he confines his beautiful + expressions of sorrow to the death of the gallant and high-bred knight, + of whom it was a pity to see the fall, such was his loyalty to his king, + pure faith to his religion, hardihood towards his enemy, and fidelity to + his lady-love!—Ah, benedicite! how he will mourn over the fall of such a + pearl of knighthood, be it on the side he happens to favour, or on the + other. But, truly, for sweeping from the face of the earth some few + hundreds of villain churls, who are born but to plough it, the high-born + and inquisitive historian has marvellous little sympathy,—as little, or + less, perhaps, than John Grahame of Claverhouse." +</p> +<p> + "There is one ploughman in your possession, General, for whom," said + Morton, "in despite of the contempt in which you hold a profession which + some philosophers have considered as useful as that of a soldier, I would + humbly request your favour." +</p> +<p> + "You mean," said Claverhouse, looking at a memorandum book, "one + Hatherick—Hedderick—or—or—Headrigg. Ay, Cuthbert, or Cuddie + Headrigg—here I have him. O, never fear him, if he will be but + tractable. The ladies of Tillietudlem made interest with me on his + account some time ago. He is to marry their waiting-maid, I think. He + will be allowed to slip off easy, unless his obstinacy spoils his good + fortune." +</p> +<p> + "He has no ambition to be a martyr, I believe," said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis the better for him," said Claverhouse. "But, besides, although the + fellow had more to answer for, I should stand his friend, for the sake of + the blundering gallantry which threw him into the midst of our ranks last + night, when seeking assistance for you. I never desert any man who trusts + me with such implicit confidence. But, to deal sincerely with you, he has + been long in our eye.—Here, Halliday; bring me up the black book." +</p> +<p> + The sergeant, having committed to his commander this ominous record of + the disaffected, which was arranged in alphabetical order, Claverhouse, + turning over the leaves as he rode on, began to read names as they + occurred. +</p> +<p> + "Gumblegumption, a minister, aged 50, indulged, close, sly, and so + forth—Pooh! pooh!—He—He—I have him here—Heathercat; outlawed—a + preacher—a zealous Cameronian—keeps a conventicle among the Campsie + hills—Tush!—O, here is Headrigg—Cuthbert; his mother a bitter + puritan—himself a simple fellow—like to be forward in action, but of + no genius for plots—more for the hand than the head, and might be drawn + to the right side, but for his attachment to"—(Here Claverhouse looked + at Morton, and then shut the book and changed his tone.) "Faithful and + true are words never thrown away upon me, Mr Morton. You may depend on + the young man's safety." +</p> +<p> + "Does it not revolt a mind like yours," said Morton, "to follow a system + which is to be supported by such minute enquiries after obscure + individuals?" +</p> +<p> + "You do not suppose we take the trouble?" said the General, haughtily. + "The curates, for their own sakes, willingly collect all these materials + for their own regulation in each parish; they know best the black sheep + of the flock. I have had your picture for three years." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" replied Morton. "Will you favour me by imparting it?" +</p> +<p> + "Willingly," said Claverhouse; "it can signify little, for you cannot + avenge yourself on the curate, as you will probably leave Scotland for + some time." +</p> +<p> + This was spoken in an indifferent tone. Morton felt an involuntary + shudder at hearing words which implied a banishment from his native land; + but ere he answered, Claverhouse proceeded to read, "Henry Morton, son of + Silas Morton, Colonel of horse for the Scottish Parliament, nephew and + apparent heir of Morton of Milnwood—imperfectly educated, but with + spirit beyond his years—excellent at all exercises—indifferent to forms + of religion, but seems to incline to the presbyterian—has high-flown and + dangerous notions about liberty of thought and speech, and hovers between + a latitudinarian and an enthusiast. Much admired and followed by the + youth of his own age—modest, quiet, and unassuming in manner, but in his + heart peculiarly bold and intractable. He is—Here follow three red + crosses, Mr Morton, which signify triply dangerous. You see how important + a person you are.—But what does this fellow want?" +</p> +<p> + A horseman rode up as he spoke, and gave a letter. Claverhouse glanced it + over, laughed scornfully, bade him tell his master to send his prisoners + to Edinburgh, for there was no answer; and, as the man turned back, said + contemptuously to Morton—"Here is an ally of yours deserted from you, or + rather, I should say, an ally of your good friend Burley—Hear how he + sets forth—'Dear Sir,' (I wonder when we were such intimates,) 'may it + please your Excellency to accept my humble congratulations on the + victory'—hum—hum—'blessed his Majesty's army. I pray you to understand + I have my people under arms to take and intercept all fugitives, and have + already several prisoners,' and so forth. Subscribed Basil Olifant—You + know the fellow by name, I suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "A relative of Lady Margaret Bellenden," replied Morton, "is he not?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay," replied Grahame, "and heir-male of her father's family, though a + distant one, and moreover a suitor to the fair Edith, though discarded as + an unworthy one; but, above all, a devoted admirer of the estate of + Tillietudlem, and all thereunto belonging." +</p> +<p> + "He takes an ill mode of recommending himself," said Morton, suppressing + his feelings, "to the family at Tillietudlem, by corresponding with our + unhappy party." +</p> +<p> + "O, this precious Basil will turn cat in pan with any man!" replied + Claverhouse. "He was displeased with the government, because they would + not overturn in his favour a settlement of the late Earl of Torwood, by + which his lordship gave his own estate to his own daughter; he was + displeased with Lady Margaret, because she avowed no desire for his + alliance, and with the pretty Edith, because she did not like his tall + ungainly person. So he held a close correspondence with Burley, and + raised his followers with the purpose of helping him, providing always he + needed no help, that is, if you had beat us yesterday. And now the rascal + pretends he was all the while proposing the King's service, and, for + aught I know, the council will receive his pretext for current coin, for + he knows how to make friends among them—and a dozen scores of poor + vagabond fanatics will be shot, or hanged, while this cunning scoundrel + lies hid under the double cloak of loyalty, well-lined with the fox-fur + of hypocrisy." +</p> +<p> + With conversation on this and other matters they beguiled the way, + Claverhouse all the while speaking with great frankness to Morton, and + treating him rather as a friend and companion than as a prisoner; so + that, however uncertain of his fate, the hours he passed in the company + of this remarkable man were so much lightened by the varied play of his + imagination, and the depth of his knowledge of human nature, that since + the period of his becoming a prisoner of war, which relieved him at once + from the cares of his doubtful and dangerous station among the + insurgents, and from the consequences of their suspicious resentment, his + hours flowed on less anxiously than at any time since his having + commenced actor in public life. He was now, with respect to his fortune, + like a rider who has flung his reins on the horse's neck, and, while he + abandoned himself to circumstances, was at least relieved from the task + of attempting to direct them. In this mood he journeyed on, the number of + his companions being continually augmented by detached parties of horse + who came in from every quarter of the country, bringing with them, for + the most part, the unfortunate persons who had fallen into their power. + At length they approached Edinburgh. +</p> +<p> + "Our council," said Claverhouse, "being resolved, I suppose, to testify + by their present exultation the extent of their former terror, have + decreed a kind of triumphal entry to us victors and our captives; but as + I do not quite approve the taste of it, I am willing to avoid my own part + in the show, and, at the same time, to save you from yours." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he gave up the command of the forces to Allan, (now a + Lieutenant-colonel,) and, turning his horse into a by-lane, rode into the + city privately, accompanied by Morton and two or three servants. When + Claverhouse arrived at the quarters which he usually occupied in the + Canongate, he assigned to his prisoner a small apartment, with an + intimation, that his parole confined him to it for the present. +</p> +<p> + After about a quarter of an hour spent in solitary musing on the strange + vicissitudes of his late life, the attention of Morton was summoned to + the window by a great noise in the street beneath. Trumpets, drums, and + kettle-drums, contended in noise with the shouts of a numerous rabble, + and apprised him that the royal cavalry were passing in the triumphal + attitude which Claverhouse had mentioned. The magistrates of the city, + attended by their guard of halberds, had met the victors with their + welcome at the gate of the city, and now preceded them as a part of the + procession. The next object was two heads borne upon pikes; and before + each bloody head were carried the hands of the dismembered sufferers, + which were, by the brutal mockery of those who bore them, often + approached towards each other as if in the attitude of exhortation or + prayer. These bloody trophies belonged to two preachers who had fallen at + Bothwell Bridge. After them came a cart led by the executioner's + assistant, in which were placed Macbriar, and other two prisoners, who + seemed of the same profession. They were bareheaded, and strongly bound, + yet looked around them with an air rather of triumph than dismay, and + appeared in no respect moved either by the fate of their companions, of + which the bloody evidences were carried before them, or by dread of their + own approaching execution, which these preliminaries so plainly + indicated. +</p> +<p> + Behind these prisoners, thus held up to public infamy and derision, came + a body of horse, brandishing their broadswords, and filling the wide + street with acclamations, which were answered by the tumultuous outcries + and shouts of the rabble, who, in every considerable town, are too happy + in being permitted to huzza for any thing whatever which calls them + together. In the rear of these troopers came the main body of the + prisoners, at the head of whom were some of their leaders, who were + treated with every circumstance of inventive mockery and insult. Several + were placed on horseback with their faces to the animal's tail; others + were chained to long bars of iron, which they were obliged to support in + their hands, like the galleyslaves in Spain when travelling to the port + where they are to be put on shipboard. The heads of others who had fallen + were borne in triumph before the survivors, some on pikes and halberds, + some in sacks, bearing the names of the slaughtered persons labelled on + the outside. Such were the objects who headed the ghastly procession, who + seemed as effectually doomed to death as if they wore the sanbenitos of + the condemned heretics in an auto-da-fe. [Note: David Hackston of + Rathillet, who was wounded and made prisoner in the skirmish of + Air's-Moss, in which the celebrated Cameron fell, was, on entering + Edinburgh, "by order of the Council, received by the Magistrates at the + Watergate, and set on a horse's bare back with his face to the tail, and + the other three laid on a goad of iron, and carried up the street, Mr + Cameron's head being on a halberd before them."] +</p> +<p> + Behind them came on the nameless crowd to the number of several hundreds, + some retaining under their misfortunes a sense of confidence in the cause + for which they suffered captivity, and were about to give a still more + bloody testimony; others seemed pale, dispirited, dejected, questioning + in their own minds their prudence in espousing a cause which Providence + seemed to have disowned, and looking about for some avenue through which + they might escape from the consequences of their rashness. Others there + were who seemed incapable of forming an opinion on the subject, or of + entertaining either hope, confidence, or fear, but who, foaming with + thirst and fatigue, stumbled along like over-driven oxen, lost to every + thing but their present sense of wretchedness, and without having any + distinct idea whether they were led to the shambles or to the pasture. + These unfortunate men were guarded on each hand by troopers, and behind + them came the main body of the cavalry, whose military music resounded + back from the high houses on each side of the street, and mingled with + their own songs of jubilee and triumph, and the wild shouts of the + rabble. +</p> +<p> + Morton felt himself heart-sick while he gazed on the dismal spectacle, + and recognised in the bloody heads, and still more miserable and agonized + features of the living sufferers, faces which had been familiar to him + during the brief insurrection. He sunk down in a chair in a bewildered + and stupified state, from which he was awakened by the voice of Cuddie. +</p> +<p> + "Lord forgie us, sir!" said the poor fellow, his teeth chattering like a + pair of nut-crackers, his hair erect like boar's bristles, and his face + as pale as that of a corpse—"Lord forgie us, sir! we maun instantly gang + before the Council!—O Lord, what made them send for a puir bodie like + me, sae mony braw lords and gentles!—and there's my mither come on the + lang tramp frae Glasgow to see to gar me testify, as she ca's it, that is + to say, confess and be hanged; but deil tak me if they mak sic a guse o' + Cuddie, if I can do better. But here's Claverhouse himsell—the Lord + preserve and forgie us, I say anes mair!" +</p> +<p> + "You must immediately attend the Council Mr Morton," said Claverhouse, + who entered while Cuddie spoke, "and your servant must go with you. You + need be under no apprehension for the consequences to yourself + personally. But I warn you that you will see something that will give you + much pain, and from which I would willingly have saved you, if I had + possessed the power. My carriage waits us—shall we go?" +</p> +<p> + It will be readily supposed that Morton did not venture to dispute this + invitation, however unpleasant. He rose and accompanied Claverhouse. +</p> +<p> + "I must apprise you," said the latter, as he led the way down stairs, + "that you will get off cheap; and so will your servant, provided he can + keep his tongue quiet." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie caught these last words to his exceeding joy. +</p> +<p> + "Deil a fear o' me," said he, "an my mither disna pit her finger in the + pie." +</p> +<p> + At that moment his shoulder was seized by old Mause, who had contrived to + thrust herself forward into the lobby of the apartment. +</p> +<p> + "O, hinny, hinny!" said she to Cuddie, hanging upon his neck, "glad and + proud, and sorry and humbled am I, a'in ane and the same instant, to see + my bairn ganging to testify for the truth gloriously with his mouth in + council, as he did with his weapon in the field!" +</p> +<p> + "Whisht, whisht, mither!" cried Cuddie impatiently. "Odd, ye daft wife, + is this a time to speak o' thae things? I tell ye I'll testify naething + either ae gate or another. I hae spoken to Mr Poundtext, and I'll tak the + declaration, or whate'er they ca'it, and we're a' to win free off if we + do that—he's gotten life for himsell and a' his folk, and that's a + minister for my siller; I like nane o' your sermons that end in a psalm + at the Grassmarket." [Note: Then the place of public execution.] +</p> +<p> + "O, Cuddie, man, laith wad I be they suld hurt ye," said old Mause, + divided grievously between the safety of her son's soul and that of his + body; "but mind, my bonny bairn, ye hae battled for the faith, and dinna + let the dread o' losing creature-comforts withdraw ye frae the gude + fight." +</p> +<p> + "Hout tout, mither," replied Cuddie, "I hae fought e'en ower muckle + already, and, to speak plain, I'm wearied o'the trade. I hae swaggered + wi' a' thae arms, and muskets, and pistols, buffcoats, and bandoliers, + lang eneugh, and I like the pleughpaidle a hantle better. I ken naething + suld gar a man fight, (that's to say, when he's no angry,) by and + out-taken the dread o'being hanged or killed if he turns back." +</p> +<p> + "But, my dear Cuddie," continued the persevering Mause, "your bridal + garment—Oh, hinny, dinna sully the marriage garment!" +</p> +<p> + "Awa, awa, mither," replied. Cuddie; "dinna ye see the folks waiting for + me?—Never fear me—I ken how to turn this far better than ye do—for + ye're bleezing awa about marriage, and the job is how we are to win by + hanging." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he extricated himself out of his mother's embraces, and + requested the soldiers who took him in charge to conduct him to the place + of examination without delay. He had been already preceded by Claverhouse + and Morton. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV. +</h2> +<pre> + My native land, good night! + Lord Byron. +</pre> +<p> + The Privy Council of Scotland, in whom the practice since the union of + the crowns vested great judicial powers, as well as the general + superintendence of the executive department, was met in the ancient dark + Gothic room, adjoining to the House of Parliament in Edinburgh, when + General Grahame entered and took his place amongst the members at the + council table. +</p> +<p> + "You have brought us a leash of game to-day, General," said a nobleman of + high place amongst them. "Here is a craven to confess—a cock of the game + to stand at bay—and what shall I call the third, General?" +</p> +<p> + "Without further metaphor, I will entreat your Grace to call him a person + in whom I am specially interested," replied Claverhouse. +</p> +<p> + "And a whig into the bargain?" said the nobleman, lolling out a tongue + which was at all times too big for his mouth, and accommodating his + coarse features to a sneer, to which they seemed to be familiar. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, please your Grace, a whig; as your Grace was in 1641," replied + Claverhouse, with his usual appearance of imperturbable civility. +</p> +<p> + "He has you there, I think, my Lord Duke," said one of the Privy + Councillors. +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay," returned the Duke, laughing, "there's no speaking to him since + Drumclog—but come, bring in the prisoners—and do you, Mr Clerk, read + the record." +</p> +<p> + The clerk read forth a bond, in which General Grahame of Claverhouse and + Lord Evandale entered themselves securities, that Henry Morton, younger + of Milnwood, should go abroad and remain in foreign parts, until his + Majesty's pleasure was further known, in respect of the said Henry + Morton's accession to the late rebellion, and that under penalty of life + and limb to the said Henry Morton, and of ten thousand marks to each of + his securities. +</p> +<p> + "Do you accept of the King's mercy upon these terms, Mr Morton?" said the + Duke of Lauderdale, who presided in the Council. +</p> +<p> + "I have no other choice, my lord," replied Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Then subscribe your name in the record." +</p> +<p> + Morton did so without reply, conscious that, in the circumstances of his + case, it was impossible for him to have escaped more easily. Macbriar, + who was at the same instant brought to the foot of the council-table, + bound upon a chair, for his weakness prevented him from standing, beheld + Morton in the act of what he accounted apostasy. +</p> +<p> + "He hath summed his defection by owning the carnal power of the tyrant!" + he exclaimed, with a deep groan—"A fallen star!—a fallen star!" +</p> +<p> + "Hold your peace, sir," said the Duke, "and keep your ain breath to cool + your ain porridge—ye'll find them scalding hot, I promise you.—Call in + the other fellow, who has some common sense. One sheep will leap the + ditch when another goes first." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie was introduced unbound, but under the guard of two halberdiers, + and placed beside Macbriar at the foot of the table. The poor fellow cast + a piteous look around him, in which were mingled awe for the great men in + whose presence he stood, and compassion for his fellow-sufferers, with no + small fear of the personal consequences which impended over himself. He + made his clownish obeisances with a double portion of reverence, and then + awaited the opening of the awful scene. +</p> +<p> + "Were you at the battle of Bothwell Brigg?" was the first question which + was thundered in his ears. +</p> +<p> + Cuddie meditated a denial, but had sense enough, upon reflection, to + discover that the truth would be too strong for him; so he replied, with + true Caledonian indirectness of response, "I'll no say but it may be + possible that I might hae been there." +</p> +<p> + "Answer directly, you knave—yes, or no?—You know you were there." +</p> +<p> + "It's no for me to contradict your Lordship's Grace's honour," said + Cuddie. +</p> +<p> + "Once more, sir, were you there?—yes, or no?" said the Duke, + impatiently. +</p> +<p> + "Dear stir," again replied Cuddie, "how can ane mind preceesely where + they hae been a' the days o' their life?" +</p> +<p> + "Speak out, you scoundrel," said General Dalzell, "or I'll dash your + teeth out with my dudgeonhaft!—Do you think we can stand here all day to + be turning and dodging with you, like greyhounds after a hare?" [Note: + The General is said to have struck one of the captive whigs, when under + examination, with the hilt of his sabre, so that the blood gushed out. + The provocation for this unmanly violence was, that the prisoner had + called the fierce veteran "a Muscovy beast, who used to roast men." + Dalzell had been long in the Russian service, which in those days was no + school of humanity.] +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, then," said Cuddie, "since naething else will please ye, write + down that I cannot deny but I was there." +</p> +<p> + "Well, sir," said the Duke, "and do you think that the rising upon that + occasion was rebellion or not?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm no just free to gie my opinion, stir," said the cautious captive, + "on what might cost my neck; but I doubt it will be very little better." +</p> +<p> + "Better than what?" +</p> +<p> + "Just than rebellion, as your honour ca's it," replied Cuddie. +</p> +<p> + "Well, sir, that's speaking to the purpose," replied his Grace. "And are + you content to accept of the King's pardon for your guilt as a rebel, and + to keep the church, and pray for the King?" +</p> +<p> + "Blithely, stir," answered the unscrupulous Cuddie; "and drink his health + into the bargain, when the ale's gude." +</p> +<p> + "Egad," said the Duke, "this is a hearty cock.—What brought you into + such a scrape, mine honest friend?" +</p> +<p> + "Just ill example, stir," replied the prisoner, "and a daft auld jaud of + a mither, wi' reverence to your Grace's honour." +</p> +<p> + "Why, God-a-mercy, my friend," replied the Duke, "take care of bad advice + another time; I think you are not likely to commit treason on your own + score.—Make out his free pardon, and bring forward the rogue in the + chair." +</p> +<p> + Macbriar was then moved forward to the post of examination. +</p> +<p> + "Were you at the battle of Bothwell Bridge?" was, in like manner, + demanded of him. +</p> +<p> + "I was," answered the prisoner, in a bold and resolute tone. +</p> +<p> + "Were you armed?" +</p> +<p> + "I was not—I went in my calling as a preacher of God's word, to + encourage them that drew the sword in His cause." +</p> +<p> + "In other words, to aid and abet the rebels?" said the Duke. +</p> +<p> + "Thou hast spoken it," replied the prisoner. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then," continued the interrogator, "let us know if you saw John + Balfour of Burley among the party?—I presume you know him?" +</p> +<p> + "I bless God that I do know him," replied Macbriar; "he is a zealous and + a sincere Christian." +</p> +<p> + "And when and where did you last see this pious personage?" was the query + which immediately followed. +</p> +<p> + "I am here to answer for myself," said Macbriar, in the same dauntless + manner, "and not to endanger others." +</p> +<p> + "We shall know," said Dalzell, "how to make you find your tongue." +</p> +<p> + "If you can make him fancy himself in a conventicle," answered + Lauderdale, "he will find it without you.—Come, laddie, speak while the + play is good—you're too young to bear the burden will be laid on you + else." +</p> +<p> + "I defy you," retorted Macbriar. "This has not been the first of my + imprisonments or of my sufferings; and, young as I may be, I have lived + long enough to know how to die when I am called upon." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, but there are some things which must go before an easy death, if you + continue obstinate," said Lauderdale, and rung a small silver bell which + was placed before him on the table. +</p> +<p> + A dark crimson curtain, which covered a sort of niche, or Gothic recess + in the wall, rose at the signal, and displayed the public executioner, a + tall, grim, and hideous man, having an oaken table before him, on which + lay thumb-screws, and an iron case, called the Scottish boot, used in + those tyrannical days to torture accused persons. Morton, who was + unprepared for this ghastly apparition, started when the curtain arose, + but Macbriar's nerves were more firm. He gazed upon the horrible + apparatus with much composure; and if a touch of nature called the blood + from his cheek for a second, resolution sent it back to his brow with + greater energy. +</p> +<p> + "Do you know who that man is?" said Lauderdale, in a low, stern voice, + almost sinking into a whisper. +</p> +<p> + "He is, I suppose," replied Macbriar, "the infamous executioner of your + bloodthirsty commands upon the persons of God's people. He and you are + equally beneath my regard; and, I bless God, I no more fear what he can + inflict than what you can command. Flesh and blood may shrink under the + sufferings you can doom me to, and poor frail nature may shed tears, or + send forth cries; but I trust my soul is anchored firmly on the rock of + ages." +</p> +<p> + "Do your duty," said the Duke to the executioner. +</p> +<p> + The fellow advanced, and asked, with a harsh and discordant voice, upon + which of the prisoner's limbs he should first employ his engine. +</p> +<p> + "Let him choose for himself," said the Duke; "I should like to oblige him + in any thing that is reasonable." +</p> +<p> + "Since you leave it to me," said the prisoner, stretching forth his right + leg, "take the best—I willingly bestow it in the cause for which I + suffer." [Note: This was the reply actually made by James Mitchell when + subjected to the torture of the boot, for an attempt to assassinate + Archbishop Sharpe.] +</p> +<p> + The executioner, with the help of his assistants, enclosed the leg and + knee within the tight iron boot, or case, and then placing a wedge of the + same metal between the knee and the edge of the machine, took a mallet in + his hand, and stood waiting for farther orders. A well-dressed man, by + profession a surgeon, placed himself by the other side of the prisoner's + chair, bared the prisoner's arm, and applied his thumb to the pulse in + order to regulate the torture according to the strength of the patient. + When these preparations were made, the President of the Council repeated + with the same stern voice the question, "When and where did you last see + John Balfour of Burley?" +</p> +<p> + The prisoner, instead of replying to him, turned his eyes to heaven as if + imploring Divine strength, and muttered a few words, of which the last + were distinctly audible, "Thou hast said thy people shall be willing in + the day of thy power!" +</p> +<p> + The Duke of Lauderdale glanced his eye around the council as if to + collect their suffrages, and, judging from their mute signs, gave on his + own part a nod to the executioner, whose mallet instantly descended on + the wedge, and, forcing it between the knee and the iron boot, occasioned + the most exquisite pain, as was evident from the flush which instantly + took place on the brow and on the cheeks of the sufferer. The fellow then + again raised his weapon, and stood prepared to give a second blow. +</p> +<p> + "Will you yet say," repeated the Duke of Lauderdale, "where and when you + last parted from Balfour of Burley?" +</p> +<p> + "You have my answer," said the sufferer resolutely, and the second blow + fell. The third and fourth succeeded; but at the fifth, when a larger + wedge had been introduced, the prisoner set up a scream of agony. +</p> +<p> + Morton, whose blood boiled within him at witnessing such cruelty, could + bear no longer, and, although unarmed and himself in great danger, was + springing forward, when Claverhouse, who observed his emotion, withheld + him by force, laying one hand on his arm and the other on his mouth, + while he whispered, "For God's sake, think where you are!" +</p> +<p> + This movement, fortunately for him, was observed by no other of the + councillors, whose attention was engaged with the dreadful scene before + them. +</p> +<p> + "He is gone," said the surgeon—"he has fainted, my Lords, and human + nature can endure no more." +</p> +<p> + "Release him," said the Duke; and added, turning to Dalzell, "He will + make an old proverb good, for he'll scarce ride to-day, though he has had + his boots on. I suppose we must finish with him?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, dispatch his sentence, and have done with him; we have plenty of + drudgery behind." +</p> +<p> + Strong waters and essences were busily employed to recall the senses of + the unfortunate captive; and, when his first faint gasps intimated a + return of sensation, the Duke pronounced sentence of death upon him, as a + traitor taken in the act of open rebellion, and adjudged him to be + carried from the bar to the common place of execution, and there hanged + by the neck; his head and hands to be stricken off after death, and + disposed of according to the pleasure of the Council, [Note: The pleasure + of the Council respecting the relics of their victims was often as savage + as the rest of their conduct. The heads of the preachers were frequently + exposed on pikes between their two hands, the palms displayed as in the + attitude of prayer. When the celebrated Richard Cameron's head was + exposed in this manner, a spectator bore testimony to it as that of one + who lived praying and preaching, and died praying and fighting.] and all + and sundry his movable goods and gear escheat and inbrought to his + Majesty's use. +</p> +<p> + "Doomster," he continued, "repeat the sentence to the prisoner." +</p> +<p> + The office of Doomster was in those days, and till a much later period, + held by the executioner in commendam, with his ordinary functions. [Note: + See a note on the subject of this office in the Heart of Mid-Lothian.] + The duty consisted in reciting to the unhappy criminal the sentence of + the law as pronounced by the judge, which acquired an additional and + horrid emphasis from the recollection, that the hateful personage by whom + it was uttered was to be the agent of the cruelties he denounced. + Macbriar had scarce understood the purport of the words as first + pronounced by the Lord President of the Council; but he was sufficiently + recovered to listen and to reply to the sentence when uttered by the + harsh and odious voice of the ruffian who was to execute it, and at the + last awful words, "And this I pronounce for doom," he answered boldly—"My Lords, + I thank you for the only favour I looked for, or would accept + at your hands, namely, that you have sent the crushed and maimed carcass, + which has this day sustained your cruelty, to this hasty end. It were + indeed little to me whether I perish on the gallows or in the + prison-house; but if death, following close on what I have this day + suffered, had found me in my cell of darkness and bondage, many might + have lost the sight how a Christian man can suffer in the good cause. For + the rest, I forgive you, my Lords, for what you have appointed and I have + sustained—And why should I not?—Ye send me to a happy exchange—to the + company of angels and the spirits of the just, for that of frail dust + and ashes—Ye send me from darkness into day—from mortality to + immortality—and, in a word, from earth to heaven!—If the thanks, + therefore, and pardon of a dying man can do you good, take them at my + hand, and may your last moments be as happy as mine!" +</p> +<p> + As he spoke thus, with a countenance radiant with joy and triumph, he was + withdrawn by those who had brought him into the apartment, and executed + within half an hour, dying with the same enthusiastic firmness which his + whole life had evinced. +</p> +<p> + The Council broke up, and Morton found himself again in the carriage with + General Grahame. +</p> +<p> + "Marvellous firmness and gallantry!" said Morton, as he reflected upon + Macbriar's conduct; "what a pity it is that with such self-devotion and + heroism should have been mingled the fiercer features of his sect!" +</p> +<p> + "You mean," said Claverhouse, "his resolution to condemn you to death?— + To that he would have reconciled himself by a single text; for example, + 'And Phinehas arose and executed judgment,' or something to the same + purpose.—But wot ye where you are now bound, Mr Morton?" +</p> +<p> + "We are on the road to Leith, I observe," answered Morton. "Can I not be + permitted to see my friends ere I leave my native land?" +</p> +<p> + "Your uncle," replied Grahame, "has been spoken to, and declines visiting + you. The good gentleman is terrified, and not without some reason, that + the crime of your treason may extend itself over his lands and + tenements—he sends you, however, his blessing, and a small sum of money. + Lord Evandale continues extremely indisposed. Major Bellenden is at + Tillietudlem putting matters in order. The scoundrels have made great + havoc there with Lady Margaret's muniments of antiquity, and have + desecrated and destroyed what the good lady called the Throne of his most + Sacred Majesty. Is there any one else whom you would wish to see?" +</p> +<p> + Morton sighed deeply as he answered, "No—it would avail nothing.—But my + preparations,—small as they are, some must be necessary." +</p> +<p> + "They are all ready for you," said the General. "Lord Evandale has + anticipated all you wish. Here is a packet from him with letters of + recommendation for the court of the Stadtholder Prince of Orange, to + which I have added one or two. I made my first campaigns under him, and + first saw fire at the battle of Seneff. [Note: August 1674. Claverhouse + greatly distinguished himself in this action, and was made Captain.] + There are also bills of exchange for your immediate wants, and more will + be sent when you require it." +</p> +<p> + Morton heard all this and received the parcel with an astounded and + confused look, so sudden was the execution of the sentence of banishment. +</p> +<p> + "And my servant?" he said. +</p> +<p> + "He shall be taken care of, and replaced, if it be practicable, in the + service of Lady Margaret Bellenden; I think he will hardly neglect the + parade of the feudal retainers, or go a-whigging a second time.—But here + we are upon the quay, and the boat waits you." +</p> +<p> + It was even as Claverhouse said. A boat waited for Captain Morton, with + the trunks and baggage belonging to his rank. Claverhouse shook him by + the hand, and wished him good fortune, and a happy return to Scotland in + quieter times. +</p> +<p> + "I shall never forget," he said, "the gallantry of your behaviour to my + friend Evandale, in circumstances when many men would have sought to rid + him out of their way." +</p> +<p> + Another friendly pressure, and they parted. As Morton descended the pier + to get into the boat, a hand placed in his a letter folded up in very + small space. He looked round. The person who gave it seemed much muffled + up; he pressed his finger upon his lip, and then disappeared among the + crowd. The incident awakened Morton's curiosity; and when he found + himself on board of a vessel bound for Rotterdam, and saw all his + companions of the voyage busy making their own arrangements, he took an + opportunity to open the billet thus mysteriously thrust upon him. It ran + thus:—"Thy courage on the fatal day when Israel fled before his + enemies, hath, in some measure, atoned for thy unhappy owning of the + Erastian interest. These are not days for Ephraim to strive with Israel. + —I know thy heart is with the daughter of the stranger. But turn from + that folly; for in exile, and in flight, and even in death itself, shall + my hand be heavy against that bloody and malignant house, and Providence + hath given me the means of meting unto them with their own measure of + ruin and confiscation. The resistance of their stronghold was the main + cause of our being scattered at Bothwell Bridge, and I have bound it upon + my soul to visit it upon them. Wherefore, think of her no more, but join + with our brethren in banishment, whose hearts are still towards this + miserable land to save and to relieve her. There is an honest remnant in + Holland whose eyes are looking out for deliverance. Join thyself unto + them like the true son of the stout and worthy Silas Morton, and thou + wilt have good acceptance among them for his sake and for thine own + working. Shouldst thou be found worthy again to labour in the vineyard, + thou wilt at all times hear of my in-comings and out-goings, by enquiring + after Quintin Mackell of Irongray, at the house of that singular + Christian woman, Bessie Maclure, near to the place called the Howff, + where Niel Blane entertaineth guests. So much from him who hopes to hear + again from thee in brotherhood, resisting unto blood, and striving + against sin. Meanwhile, possess thyself in patience. Keep thy sword + girded, and thy lamp burning, as one that wakes in the night; for He who + shall judge the Mount of Esau, and shall make false professors as straw, + and malignants as stubble, will come in the fourth watch with garments + dyed in blood, and the house of Jacob shall be for spoil, and the house + of Joseph for fire. I am he that hath written it, whose hand hath been on + the mighty in the waste field." +</p> +<p> + This extraordinary letter was subscribed J. B. of B.; but the signature + of these initials was not necessary for pointing out to Morton that it + could come from no other than Burley. It gave him new occasion to admire + the indomitable spirit of this man, who, with art equal to his courage + and obstinacy, was even now endeavouring to re-establish the web of + conspiracy which had been so lately torn to pieces. But he felt no sort + of desire, in the present moment, to sustain a correspondence which must + be perilous, or to renew an association, which, in so many ways, had been + nearly fatal to him. The threats which Burley held out against the family + of Bellenden, he considered as a mere expression of his spleen on account + of their defence of Tillietudlem; and nothing seemed less likely than + that, at the very moment of their party being victorious, their fugitive + and distressed adversary could exercise the least influence over their + fortunes. +</p> +<p> + Morton, however, hesitated for an instant, whether he should not send + the Major or Lord Evandale intimation of Burley's threats. Upon + consideration, he thought he could not do so without betraying his + confidential correspondence; for to warn them of his menaces would have + served little purpose, unless he had given them a clew to prevent them, + by apprehending his person; while, by doing so, he deemed he should + commit an ungenerous breach of trust to remedy an evil which seemed + almost imaginary. Upon mature consideration, therefore, he tore the + letter, having first made a memorandum of the name and place where the + writer was to be heard of, and threw the fragments into the sea. +</p> +<p> + While Morton was thus employed the vessel was unmoored, and the white + sails swelled out before a favourable north-west wind. The ship leaned + her side to the gale, and went roaring through the waves, leaving a long + and rippling furrow to track her course. The city and port from which he + had sailed became undistinguishable in the distance; the hills by which + they were surrounded melted finally into the blue sky, and Morton was + separated for several years from the land of his nativity. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> +<pre> + Whom does time gallop withal? + As You Like It. +</pre> +<p> + It is fortunate for tale-tellers that they are not tied down like + theatrical writers to the unities of time and place, but may conduct + their personages to Athens and Thebes at their pleasure, and bring them + back at their convenience. Time, to use Rosalind's simile, has hitherto + paced with the hero of our tale; for betwixt Morton's first appearance as + a competitor for the popinjay and his final departure for Holland hardly + two months elapsed. Years, however, glided away ere we find it possible + to resume the thread of our narrative, and Time must be held to have + galloped over the interval. Craving, therefore, the privilege of my cast, + I entreat the reader's attention to the continuation of the narrative, as + it starts from a new era, being the year immediately subsequent to the + British Revolution. +</p> +<p> + Scotland had just begun to repose from the convulsion occasioned by a + change of dynasty, and, through the prudent tolerance of King William, + had narrowly escaped the horrors of a protracted civil war. Agriculture + began to revive, and men, whose minds had been disturbed by the violent + political concussions, and the general change of government in Church and + State, had begun to recover their ordinary temper, and to give the usual + attention to their own private affairs, in lieu of discussing those of + the public. The Highlanders alone resisted the newly established order of + things, and were in arms in a considerable body under the Viscount of + Dundee, whom our readers have hitherto known by the name of Grahame of + Claverhouse. But the usual state of the Highlands was so unruly that + their being more or less disturbed was not supposed greatly to affect the + general tranquillity of the country, so long as their disorders were + confined within their own frontiers. In the Lowlands, the Jacobites, now + the undermost party, had ceased to expect any immediate advantage by open + resistance, and were, in their turn, driven to hold private meetings, and + form associations for mutual defence, which the government termed + treason, while they cried out persecution. +</p> +<p> + The triumphant Whigs, while they re-established Presbytery as the + national religion, and assigned to the General Assemblies of the Kirk + their natural influence, were very far from going the lengths which the + Cameronians and more extravagant portion of the nonconformists under + Charles and James loudly demanded. They would listen to no proposal for + re-establishing the Solemn League and Covenant; and those who had + expected to find in King William a zealous Covenanted Monarch, were + grievously disappointed when he intimated, with the phlegm peculiar to + his country, his intention to tolerate all forms of religion which were + consistent with the safety of the State. The principles of indulgence + thus espoused and gloried in by the Government gave great offence to the + more violent party, who condemned them as diametrically contrary to + Scripture,—for which narrow-spirited doctrine they cited various texts, + all, as it may well be supposed, detached from their context, and most of + them derived from the charges given to the Jews in the Old Testament + dispensation to extirpate idolaters out of the Promised Land. They also + murmured highly against the influence assumed by secular persons in + exercising the rights of patronage, which they termed a rape upon the + chastity of the Church. They censured and condemned as Erastian many of + the measures by which Government after the Revolution showed an + inclination to interfere with the management of the Church, and they + positively refused to take the oath of allegiance to King William and + Queen Mary until they should, on their part, have sworn to the Solemn + League—and Covenant, the Magna Charta, as they termed it, of the + Presbyterian Church. +</p> +<p> + This party, therefore, remained grumbling and dissatisfied, and made + repeated declarations against defections and causes of wrath, which, had + they been prosecuted as in the two former reigns, would have led to the + same consequence of open rebellion. But as the murmurers were allowed to + hold their meetings uninterrupted, and to testify as much as they pleased + against Socinianism, Erastianism, and all the compliances and defections + of the time, their zeal, unfanned by persecution, died gradually away, + their numbers became diminished, and they sunk into the scattered remnant + of serious, scrupulous, and harmless enthusiasts, of whom Old Mortality, + whose legends have afforded the groundwork of my tale, may be taken as no + bad representative. But in the years which immediately succeeded the + Revolution, the Cameronians continued a sect strong in numbers and + vehement in their political opinions, whom Government wished to + discourage, while they prudently temporised with them. These men formed + one violent party in the State; and the Episcopalian and Jacobite + interest, notwithstanding their ancient and national animosity, yet + repeatedly endeavoured to intrigue among them, and avail themselves of + their discontents, to obtain their assistance in recalling the Stewart + family. The Revolutionary Government in the mean while, was supported by + the great bulk of the Lowland interest, who were chiefly disposed to a + moderate Presbytery, and formed in a great measure the party who in the + former oppressive reigns were stigmatized by the Cameronians for having + exercised that form of worship under the declaration of Indulgence issued + by Charles II. Such was the state of parties in Scotland immediately + subsequent to the Revolution. +</p> +<p> + It was on a delightful summer evening that a stranger, well mounted, and + having the appearance of a military man of rank, rode down a winding + descent which terminated in view of the romantic ruins of Bothwell Castle + and the river Clyde, which winds so beautifully between rocks and woods + to sweep around the towers formerly built by Aymer de Valence. Bothwell + Bridge was at a little distance, and also in sight. The opposite field, + once the scene of slaughter and conflict, now lay as placid and quiet as + the surface of a summer lake. The trees and bushes, which grew around in + romantic variety of shade, were hardly seen to stir under the influence + of the evening breeze. The very murmur of the river seemed to soften + itself into unison with the stillness of the scene around. +</p> +<p> + The path through which the traveller descended was occasionally shaded by + detached trees of great size, and elsewhere by the hedges and boughs of + flourishing orchards, now laden with summer fruits. +</p> +<p> + The nearest object of consequence was a farmhouse, or, it might be, the + abode of a small proprietor, situated on the side of a sunny bank which + was covered by apple and pear trees. At the foot of the path which led up + to this modest mansion was a small cottage, pretty much in the situation + of a porter's lodge, though obviously not designed for such a purpose. + The hut seemed comfortable, and more neatly arranged than is usual in + Scotland. It had its little garden, where some fruit-trees and bushes + were mingled with kitchen herbs; a cow and six sheep fed in a paddock + hard by; the cock strutted and crowed, and summoned his family around him + before the door; a heap of brushwood and turf, neatly made up, indicated + that the winter fuel was provided; and the thin blue smoke which ascended + from the straw-bound chimney, and winded slowly out from among the green + trees, showed that the evening meal was in the act of being made ready. + To complete the little scene of rural peace and comfort, a girl of about + five years old was fetching water in a pitcher from a beautiful fountain + of the purest transparency, which bubbled up at the root of a decayed old + oak-tree about twenty yards from the end of the cottage. +</p> +<p> + The stranger reined up his horse and called to the little nymph, desiring + to know the way to Fairy Knowe. The child set down her water-pitcher, + hardly understanding what was said to her, put her fair flaxen hair apart + on her brows, and opened her round blue eyes with the wondering "What's + your wull?" which is usually a peasant's first answer, if it can be + called one, to all questions whatever. +</p> +<p> + "I wish to know the way to Fairy Knowe." +</p> +<p> + "Mammie, mammie," exclaimed the little rustic, running towards the door + of the hut, "come out and speak to the gentleman." +</p> +<p> + Her mother appeared,—a handsome young country-woman, to whose features, + originally sly and espiegle in expression, matrimony had given that + decent matronly air which peculiarly marks the peasant's wife of + Scotland. She had an infant in one arm, and with the other she smoothed + down her apron, to which hung a chubby child of two years old. The elder + girl, whom the traveller had first seen, fell back behind her mother as + soon as she appeared, and kept that station, occasionally peeping out to + look at the stranger. +</p> +<p> + "What was your pleasure, sir?" said the woman, with an air of respectful + breeding not quite common in her rank of life, but without anything + resembling forwardness. +</p> +<p> + The stranger looked at her with great earnestness for a moment, and then + replied, "I am seeking a place called Fairy Knowe, and a man called + Cuthbert Headrigg. You can probably direct me to him?" +</p> +<p> + "It's my gudeman, sir," said the young woman, with a smile of welcome. + "Will you alight, sir, and come into our puir dwelling?—Cuddie, + Cuddie,"—a white-headed rogue of four years appeared at the door of the + hut—"rin awa, my bonny man, and tell your father a gentleman wants him. + Or, stay,—Jenny, ye'll hae mair sense: rin ye awa and tell him; he's + down at the Four-acres Park.—Winna ye light down and bide a blink, sir? + Or would ye take a mouthfu' o' bread and cheese, or a drink o' ale, till + our gudeman comes. It's gude ale, though I shouldna say sae that brews + it; but ploughmanlads work hard, and maun hae something to keep their + hearts abune by ordinar, sae I aye pit a gude gowpin o' maut to the + browst." +</p> +<p> + As the stranger declined her courteous offers, Cuddie, the reader's old + acquaintance, made his appearance in person. His countenance still + presented the same mixture of apparent dulness with occasional sparkles, + which indicated the craft so often found in the clouted shoe. He looked + on the rider as on one whom he never had before seen, and, like his + daughter and wife, opened the conversation with the regular query, + "What's your wull wi' me, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "I have a curiosity to ask some questions about this country," said the + traveller, "and I was directed to you as an intelligent man who can + answer them." +</p> +<p> + "Nae doubt, sir," said Cuddie, after a moment's hesitation. "But I would + first like to ken what sort of questions they are. I hae had sae mony + questions speered at me in my day, and in sic queer ways, that if ye kend + a', ye wadna wonder at my jalousing a' thing about them. My mother gar 'd + me learn the Single Carritch, whilk was a great vex; then I behoved to + learn about my godfathers and godmothers to please the auld leddy; and + whiles I jumbled them thegether and pleased nane o' them; and when I cam + to man's yestate, cam another kind o' questioning in fashion that I liked + waur than Effectual Calling; and the 'did promise and vow' of the tape + were yokit to the end o' the tother. Sae ye see, sir, I aye like to hear + questions asked befor I answer them." +</p> +<p> + "You have nothing to apprehend from mine, my good friend; they only + relate to the state of the country." +</p> +<p> + "Country?" replied Cuddie; "ou, the country's weel eneugh, an it werena + that dour deevil, Claver'se (they ca' him Dundee now), that's stirring + about yet in the Highlands, they say, wi' a' the Donalds and Duncans and + Dugalds, that ever wore bottomless breeks, driving about wi' him, to set + things asteer again, now we hae gotten them a' reasonably weel settled. + But Mackay will pit him down, there's little doubt o' that; he'll gie him + his fairing, I'll be caution for it." +</p> +<p> + "What makes you so positive of that, my friend?" asked the horseman. +</p> +<p> + "I heard it wi' my ain lugs," answered Cuddie, "foretauld to him by a man + that had been three hours stane dead, and came back to this earth again + just to tell him his mind. It was at a place they ca' Drumshinnel." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" said the stranger. "I can hardly believe you, my friend." +</p> +<p> + "Ye might ask my mither, then, if she were in life," said Cuddie; "it was + her explained it a' to me, for I thought the man had only been wounded. + At ony rate, he spake of the casting out of the Stewarts by their very + names, and the vengeance that was brewing for Claver'se and his dragoons. + They ca'd the man Habakkuk Mucklewrath; his brain was a wee ajee, but he + was a braw preacher for a' that." +</p> +<p> + "You seem," said the stranger, "to live in a rich and peaceful country." +</p> +<p> + "It's no to compleen o', sir, an we get the crap weel in," quoth Cuddie; + "but if ye had seen the blude rinnin' as fast on the tap o' that brigg + yonder as ever the water ran below it, ye wadna hae thought it sae bonnie + a spectacle." +</p> +<p> + "You mean the battle some years since? I was waiting upon Monmouth that + morning, my good friend, and did see some part of the action," said the + stranger. +</p> +<p> + "Then ye saw a bonny stour," said Cuddie, "that sail serve me for + fighting a' the days o' my life. I judged ye wad be a trooper, by your + red scarlet lace-coat and your looped hat." +</p> +<p> + "And which side were you upon, my friend?" continued the inquisitive + stranger. +</p> +<p> + "Aha, lad?" retorted Cuddie, with a knowing look, or what he designed for + such,—"there 's nae use in telling that, unless I kend wha was asking + me." +</p> +<p> + "I commend your prudence, but it is unnecessary; I know you acted on that + occasion as servant to Henry Morton." +</p> +<p> + "Ay!" said Cuddie, in surprise, "how came ye by that secret? No that I + need care a bodee about it, for the sun's on our side o' the hedge now. I + wish my master were living to get a blink o't." +</p> +<p> + "And what became of him?" said the rider. +</p> +<p> + "He was lost in the vessel gaun to that weary Holland,—clean lost; and + a' body perished, and my poor master amang them. Neither man nor mouse + was ever heard o' mair." Then Cuddie uttered a groan. +</p> +<p> + "You had some regard for him, then?" continued the stranger. +</p> +<p> + "How could I help it? His face was made of a fiddle, as they say, for a' + body that looked on him liked him. And a braw soldier he was. Oh, an ye + had but seen him down at the brigg there, fleeing about like a fleeing + dragon to gar folk fight that had unto little will till 't! There was he + and that sour Whigamore they ca'd Burley: if twa men could hae won a + field, we wadna hae gotten our skins paid that day." +</p> +<p> + "You mention Burley: do you know if he yet lives?" +</p> +<p> + "I kenna muckle about him. Folk say he was abroad, and our sufferers wad + hold no communion wi' him, because o' his having murdered the archbishop. + Sae he cam hame ten times dourer than ever, and broke aff wi' mony o' the + Presbyterians; and at this last coming of the Prince of Orange he could + get nae countenance nor command for fear of his deevilish temper, and he + hasna been heard of since; only some folk say that pride and anger hae + driven him clean wud." +</p> +<p> + "And—and," said the traveller, after considerable hesitation,—"do you + know anything of Lord Evan dale?" +</p> +<p> + "Div I ken onything o' Lord Evandale? Div I no? Is not my young leddy up + by yonder at the house, that's as gude as married to him?" +</p> +<p> + "And are they not married, then?" said the rider, hastily. +</p> +<p> + "No, only what they ca' betrothed,—me and my wife were witnesses. It's + no mony months bypast; it was a lang courtship,—few folk kend the reason + by Jenny and mysell. But will ye no light down? I downa bide to see ye + sitting up there, and the clouds are casting up thick in the west ower + Glasgow-ward, and maist skeily folk think that bodes rain." +</p> +<p> + In fact, a deep black cloud had already surmounted the setting sun; a few + large drops of rain fell, and the murmurs of distant thunder were heard. +</p> +<p> + "The deil's in this man," said Cuddie to himself; "I wish he would either + light aff or ride on, that he may quarter himsell in Hamilton or the + shower begin." +</p> +<p> + But the rider sate motionless on his horse for two or three moments after + his last question, like one exhausted by some uncommon effort. At length, + recovering himself as if with a sudden and painful effort, he asked + Cuddie "if Lady Margaret Bellenden still lived." +</p> +<p> + "She does," replied Cuddie, "but in a very sma' way. They hae been a sad + changed family since thae rough times began; they hae suffered eneugh + first and last,—and to lose the auld Tower and a' the bonny barony and + the holms that I hae pleughed sae often, and the Mains, and my kale-yard, + that I suld hae gotten back again, and a' for naething, as 'a body may + say, but just the want o' some bits of sheep-skin that were lost in the + confusion of the taking of Tillietudlem." +</p> +<p> + "I have heard something of this," said the stranger, deepening his voice + and averting his head. "I have some interest in the family, and would + willingly help them if I could. Can you give me a bed in your house + to-night, my friend?" +</p> +<p> + "It's but a corner of a place, sir," said Cuddie, "but we'se try, rather + than ye suld ride on in the rain and thunner; for, to be free wi' ye, + sir, I think ye seem no that ower weel." +</p> +<p> + "I am liable to a dizziness," said the stranger, "but it will soon wear + off." +</p> +<p> + "I ken we can gie ye a decent supper, sir," said Cuddie; "and we'll see + about a bed as weel as we can. We wad be laith a stranger suld lack what + we have, though we are jimply provided for in beds rather; for Jenny has + sae mony bairns (God bless them and her) that troth I maun speak to Lord + Evandale to gie us a bit eik, or outshot o' some sort, to the onstead." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be easily accommodated," said the stranger, as he entered the + house. +</p> +<p> + "And ye may rely on your naig being weel sorted," said Cuddie; "I ken + weel what belangs to suppering a horse, and this is a very gude ane." + Cuddie took the horse to the little cow-house, and called to his wife to + attend in the mean while to the stranger's accommodation. The officer + entered, and threw himself on a settle at some distance from the fire, + and carefully turning his back to the little lattice window. Jenny, or + Mrs. Headrigg, if the reader pleases, requested him to lay aside the + cloak, belt, and flapped hat which he wore upon his journey, but he + excused himself under pretence of feeling cold, and, to divert the time + till Cuddie's return, he entered into some chat with the children, + carefully avoiding, during the interval, the inquisitive glances of his + landlady. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> +<pre> + What tragic tears bedim the eye! + What deaths we suffer ere we die! + Our broken friendships we deplore, + And loves of youth that are no more. + LOGAN. +</pre> +<p> + Cuddie soon returned, assuring the stranger, with a cheerful voice, "that + the horse was properly suppered up, and that the gudewife should make a + bed up for him at the house, mair purpose-like and comfortable than the + like o' them could gie him." +</p> +<p> + "Are the family at the house?" said the stranger, with an interrupted and + broken voice. +</p> +<p> + "No, stir, they're awa wi' a' the servants,—they keep only twa nowadays, + and my gudewife there has the keys and the charge, though she's no a + fee'd servant. She has been born and bred in the family, and has a' trust + and management. If they were there, we behovedna to take sic freedom + without their order; but when they are awa, they will be weel pleased we + serve a stranger gentleman. Miss Bellenden wad help a' the haill warld, + an her power were as gude as her will; and her grandmother, Leddy + Margaret, has an unto respect for the gentry, and she's no ill to the + poor bodies neither.—And now, wife, what for are ye no getting forrit + wi' the sowens?" +</p> +<p> + "Never mind, lad," rejoined Jenny, "ye sall hae them in gude time; I ken + weel that ye like your brose het." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie fidgeted and laughed with a peculiar expression of intelligence at + this repartee, which was followed by a dialogue of little consequence + betwixt his wife and him, in which the stranger took no share. At length + he suddenly interrupted them by the question: "Can you tell me when Lord + Evandale's marriage takes place?" +</p> +<p> + "Very soon, we expect," answered Jenny, before it was possible for her + husband to reply; "it wad hae been ower afore now, but for the death o' + auld Major Bellenden." +</p> +<p> + "The excellent old man!" said the stranger; "I heard at Edinburgh he was + no more. Was he long ill?" +</p> +<p> + "He couldna be said to haud up his head after his brother's wife and his + niece were turned out o' their ain house; and he had himsell sair + borrowing siller to stand the law,—but it was in the latter end o' King + James's days; and Basil Olifant, who claimed the estate, turned a papist + to please the managers, and then naething was to be refused him. Sae the + law gaed again the leddies at last, after they had fought a weary sort o' + years about it; and, as I said before, the major ne'er held up his head + again. And then cam the pitting awa o' the Stewart line; and, though he + had but little reason to like them, he couldna brook that, and it clean + broke the heart o' him; and creditors cam to Charnwood and cleaned out a' + that was there,—he was never rich, the gude auld man, for he dow'd na + see onybody want." +</p> +<p> + "He was indeed," said the stranger, with a faltering voice, "an admirable + man,—that is, I have heard that he was so. So the ladies were left + without fortune, as well as without a protector?" +</p> +<p> + "They will neither want the tane nor the tother while Lord Evandale + lives," said Jenny; "he has been a true friend in their griefs. E'en to + the house they live in is his lordship's; and never man, as my auld + gudemother used to say, since the days of the Patriarch Jacob, served sae + lang and sae sair for a wife as gude Lord Evandale has dune." +</p> +<p> + "And why," said the stranger, with a voice that quivered with emotion, + "why was he not sooner rewarded by the object of his attachment?" +</p> +<p> + "There was the lawsuit to be ended," said Jenny readily, "forby many + other family arrangements." +</p> +<p> + "Na, but," said Cuddie, "there was another reason forby; for the young + leddy—" +</p> +<p> + "Whisht, hand your tongue, and sup your sowens," said his wife; "I see + the gentleman's far frae weel, and downa eat our coarse supper. I wad + kill him a chicken in an instant." +</p> +<p> + "There is no occasion," said the stranger; "I shall want only a glass of + water, and to be left alone." +</p> +<p> + "You'll gie yoursell the trouble then to follow me," said Jenny, lighting + a small lantern, "and I'll show you the way." +</p> +<p> + Cuddie also proffered his assistance; but his wife reminded him, "That + the bairns would be left to fight thegither, and coup ane anither into + the fire," so that he remained to take charge of the menage. + His wife led the way up a little winding path, which, after threading + some thickets of sweetbrier and honeysuckle, conducted to the back-door + of a small garden. Jenny undid the latch, and they passed through an + old-fashioned flower-garden, with its clipped yew hedges and formal + parterres, to a glass-sashed door, which she opened with a master-key, + and lighting a candle, which she placed upon a small work-table, asked + pardon for leaving him there for a few minutes, until she prepared his + apartment. She did not exceed five minutes in these preparations; but + when she returned, was startled to find that the stranger had sunk + forward with his head upon the table, in what she at first apprehended to + be a swoon. As she advanced to him, however, she could discover by his + short-drawn sobs that it was a paroxysm of mental agony. She prudently + drew back until he raised his head, and then showing herself, without + seeming to have observed his agitation, informed him that his bed was + prepared. The stranger gazed at her a moment, as if to collect the sense + of her words. She repeated them; and only bending his head, as an + indication that he understood her, he entered the apartment, the door of + which she pointed out to him. It was a small bedchamber, used, as she + informed him, by Lord Evandale when a guest at Fairy Knowe, connecting, + on one side, with a little china-cabinet which opened to the garden, and + on the other, with a saloon, from which it was only separated by a thin + wainscot partition. Having wished the stranger better health and good + rest, Jenny descended as speedily as she could to her own mansion. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Cuddie!" she exclaimed to her helpmate as she entered, "I doubt + we're ruined folk!" +</p> +<p> + "How can that be? What's the matter wi' ye?" returned the imperturbed + Cuddie, who was one of those persons who do not easily take alarm at + anything. +</p> +<p> + "Wha d' ye think yon gentleman is? Oh that ever ye suld hae asked him to + light here!" exclaimed Jenny. +</p> +<p> + "Why, wha the muckle deil d'ye say he is? There's nae law against + harbouring and intercommunicating now," said Cuddie; "sae, Whig or Tory, + what need we care wha he be?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, but it's ane will ding Lord Evandale's marriage ajee yet, if it 's + no the better looked to," said Jenny; "it's Miss Edith's first joe, your + ain auld maister, Cuddie." +</p> +<p> + "The deil, woman!" exclaimed Cuddie, starting up, "Crow ye that I am + blind? I wad hae kend Mr. Harry Morton amang a hunder." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, but, Cuddie lad," replied Jenny, "though ye are no blind, ye are no + sae notice-taking as I am." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, what for needs ye cast that up to me just now; or what did ye see + about the man that was like our Maister Harry?" +</p> +<p> + "I will tell ye," said Jenny. "I jaloused his keeping his face frae us, + and speaking wi' a madelike voice, sae I e'en tried him wi' some tales o + lang syne; and when I spake o' the brose, ye ken, he didna just + laugh,—he's ower grave for that nowadays, but he gae a gledge wi' his + ee that I kend he took up what I said. And a' his distress is about Miss + Edith's marriage; and I ne'er saw a man mair taen down wi' true love in + my days,—I might say man or woman, only I mind how ill Miss Edith was + when she first gat word that him and you (ye muckle graceless loon) were + coming against Tillietudlem wi' the rebels.—But what's the matter wi' + the man now?" +</p> +<p> + "What's the matter wi' me indeed!" said Cuddie, who was again hastily + putting on some of the garments he had stripped himself of; "am I no gaun + up this instant to see my maister?" +</p> +<p> + "Atweel, Cuddie, ye are gaun nae sic gate," said Jenny, coolly and + resolutely. +</p> +<p> + "The deil's in the wife!" said Cuddie. "D 'ye think I am to be John + Tamson's man, and maistered by women a' the days o' my life?" +</p> +<p> + "And whase man wad ye be? And wha wad ye hae to maister ye but me, + Cuddie, lad?" answered Jenny. "I'll gar ye comprehend in the making of a + hay-band. Naebody kens that this young gentleman is living but oursells; + and frae that he keeps himsell up sae close, I am judging that he's + purposing, if he fand Miss Edith either married, or just gaun to be + married, he wad just slide awa easy, and gie them nae mair trouble. But + if Miss Edith kend that he was living, and if she were standing before + the very minister wi' Lord Evandale when it was tauld to her, I'se + warrant she wad say No when she suld say Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Weel," replied Cuddie, "and what's my business wi' that? If Miss Edith + likes her auld joe better than her new ane, what for suld she no be free + to change her mind like other folk? Ye ken, Jenny, Halliday aye threeps + he had a promise frae yoursell." +</p> +<p> + "Halliday's a liar, and ye're naething but a gomeril to hearken till him, + Cuddie. And then for this leddy's choice, lack-a-day! ye may be sure a' + the gowd Mr. Morton has is on the outside o' his coat; and how can he + keep Leddy Margaret and the young leddy?" +</p> +<p> + "Isna there Milnwood?" said Cuddie. "Nae doubt the auld laird left his + housekeeper the liferent, as he heard nought o' his nephew; but it's but + speaking the auld wife fair, and they may a' live brawly thegither, Leddy + Margaret and a'." +</p> +<p> + "Rout tout, lad," replied Jenny; "ye ken them little to think leddies o' + their rank wad set up house wi' auld Ailie Wilson, when they're maist + ower proud to take favours frae Lord Evandale himsell. Na, na, they maun + follow the camp, if she tak Morton." +</p> +<p> + "That wad sort ill wi' the auld leddy, to be sure," said Cuddie; "she wad + hardly win ower a lang day in the baggage-wain." +</p> +<p> + "Then sic a flyting as there wad be between them, a' about Whig and + Tory," continued Jenny. +</p> +<p> + "To be sure," said Cuddie, "the auld leddy 's unto kittle in thae + points." +</p> +<p> + "And then, Cuddie," continued his helpmate, who had reserved her + strongest argument to the last, "if this marriage wi' Lord Evandale is + broken off, what comes o' our ain bit free house, and the kale-yard, and + the cow's grass? I trow that baith us and thae bonny bairns will be + turned on the wide warld!" +</p> +<p> + Here Jenny began to whimper; Cuddie writhed himself this way and that + way, the very picture of indecision. At length he broke out, "Weel, + woman, canna ye tell us what we suld do, without a' this din about it?" +</p> +<p> + "Just do naething at a'," said Jenny. "Never seem to ken onything about + this gentleman, and for your life say a word that he suld hae been here, + or up at the house! An I had kend, I wad hae gien him my ain bed, and + sleepit in the byre or he had gane up by; but it canna be helpit now. The + neist thing's to get him cannily awa the morn, and I judge he'll be in + nae hurry to come back again." +</p> +<p> + "My puir maister!" said Cuddie; "and maun I no speak to him, then?" +</p> +<p> + "For your life, no," said Jenny. "Ye're no obliged to ken him; and I + wadna hae tauld ye, only I feared ye wad ken him in the morning." +</p> +<p> + "Aweel," said Cuddie, sighing heavily, "I 'se awa to pleugh the outfield + then; for if I am no to speak to him, I wad rather be out o' the gate." +</p> +<p> + "Very right, my dear hinny," replied Jenny. "Naebody has better sense than + you when ye crack a bit wi' me ower your affairs; but ye suld ne'er do + onything aff hand out o' your ain head." +</p> +<p> + "Ane wad think it's true," quoth Cuddie; "for I hae aye had some carline + or quean or another to gar me gang their gate instead o' my ain. There + was first my mither," he continued, as he undressed and tumbled himself + into bed; "then there was Leddy Margaret didna let me ca' my soul my ain; + then my mither and her quarrelled, and pu'ed me twa ways at anes, as if + ilk ane had an end o' me, like Punch and the Deevil rugging about the + Baker at the fair; and now I hae gotten a wife," he murmured in + continuation, as he stowed the blankets around his person, "and she's + like to tak the guiding o' me a' thegither." +</p> +<p> + "And amna I the best guide ye ever had in a' your life?" said Jenny, as + she closed the conversation by assuming her place beside her husband and + extinguishing the candle. +</p> +<p> + Leaving this couple to their repose, we have next to inform the reader + that, early on the next morning, two ladies on horseback, attended by + their servants, arrived at the house of Fairy Knowe, whom, to Jenny's + utter confusion, she instantly recognised as Miss Bellenden and Lady + Emily Hamilton, a sister of Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "Had I no better gang to the house to put things to rights?" said Jenny, + confounded with this unexpected apparition. +</p> +<p> + "We want nothing but the pass-key," said Miss Bellenden; "Gudyill will + open the windows of the little parlour." +</p> +<p> + "The little parlour's locked, and the lock's, spoiled," answered Jenny, + who recollected the local spmpathy between that apartment and the + bedchamber of her guest. +</p> +<p> + "In the red parlour, then," said Miss Bellenden, and rode up to the front + of the house, but by an approach different from that through which Morton + had been conducted. +</p> +<p> + "All will be out," thought Jenny, "unless I can get him smuggled out of + the house the back way." +</p> +<p> + So saying, she sped up the bank in great tribulation and uncertainty. +</p> +<p> + "I had better hae said at ante there was a stranger there," was her next + natural reflection. "But then they wad hae been for asking him to + breakfast. Oh, safe us! what will I do?—And there's Gudyill walking in + the garden too!" she exclaimed internally on approaching the wicket; "and + I daurna gang in the back way till he's aff the coast. Oh, sirs! what + will become of us?" +</p> +<p> + In this state of perplexity she approached the cidevant butler, with the + purpose of decoying him out of the garden. But John Gudyill's temper was + not improved by his decline in rank and increase in years. Like many + peevish people, too, he seemed to have an intuitive perception as to what + was most likely to teaze those whom he conversed with; and, on the + present occasion, all Jenny's efforts to remove him from the garden + served only to root him in it as fast as if he had been one of the + shrubs. +</p> +<p> + Unluckily, also, he had commenced florist during his residence at Fairy + Knowe; and, leaving all other things to the charge of Lady Emily's + servant, his first care was dedicated to the flowers, which he had taken + under his special protection, and which he propped, dug, and watered, + prosing all the while upon their respective merits to poor Jenny, who + stood by him trembling and almost crying with anxiety, fear, and + impatience. +</p> +<p> + Fate seemed determined to win a match against Jenny this unfortunate + morning. As soon as the ladies entered the house, they observed that the + door of the little parlour—the very apartment out of which she was + desirous of excluding them on account of its contiguity to the room in + which Morton slept—was not only unlocked, but absolutely ajar. Miss + Bellenden was too much engaged with her own immediate subjects of + reflection to take much notice of the circumstance, but, desiring the + servant to open the window-shutters, walked into the room along with her + friend. +</p> +<p> + "He is not yet come," she said. "What can your brother possibly mean? Why + express so anxious a wish that we should meet him here? And why not come + to Castle Dinnan, as he proposed? I own, my dear Emily, that, even + engaged as we are to each other, and with the sanction of your presence, + I do not feel that I have done quite right in indulging him." +</p> +<p> + "Evandale was never capricious," answered his sister; "I am sure he will + satisfy us with his reasons, and if he does not, I will help you to scold + him." +</p> +<p> + "What I chiefly fear," said Edith, "is his having engaged in some of the + plots of this fluctuating and unhappy time. I know his heart is with that + dreadful Claverhouse and his army, and I believe he would have joined + them ere now but for my uncle's death, which gave him so much additional + trouble on our account. How singular that one so rational and so deeply + sensible of the errors of the exiled family should be ready to risk all + for their restoration!" +</p> +<p> + "What can I say?" answered Lady Emily,—"it is a point of honour with + Evandale. Our family have always been loyal; he served long in the + Guards; the Viscount of Dundee was his commander and his friend for + years; he is looked on with an evil eye by many of his own relations, who + set down his inactivity to the score of want of spirit. You must be + aware, my dear Edith, how often family connections and early + predilections influence our actions more than abstract arguments. But I + trust Evandale will continue quiet,—though, to tell you truth, I believe + you are the only one who can keep him so." +</p> +<p> + "And how is it in my power?" said Miss Bellenden. +</p> +<p> + "You can furnish him with the Scriptural apology for not going forth with + the host,—'he has married a wife, and therefore cannot come.'" +</p> +<p> + "I have promised," said Edith, in a faint voice; "but I trust I shall not + be urged on the score of time." +</p> +<p> + "Nay," said Lady Emily, "I will leave Evandale (and here he comes) to + plead his own cause." +</p> +<p> + "Stay, stay, for God's sake!" said Edith, endeavouring to detain her. +</p> +<p> + "Not I, not I," said the young lady, making her escape; "the third person + makes a silly figure on such occasions. When you want me for breakfast, I + will be found in the willow-walk by the river." +</p> +<p> + As she tripped out of the room, Lord Evandale entered. "Good-morrow, + Brother, and good-by till breakfast-time," said the lively young lady; + "I trust you will give Miss Bellenden some good reasons for disturbing + her rest so early in the morning." +</p> +<p> + And so saying, she left them together, without waiting a reply. +</p> +<p> + "And now, my lord," said Edith, "may I desire to know the meaning of your + singular request to meet you here at so early an hour?" +</p> +<p> + She was about to add that she hardly felt herself excusable in having + complied with it; but upon looking at the person whom she addressed, she + was struck dumb by the singular and agitated expression of his + countenance, and interrupted herself to exclaim, "For God's sake, what is + the matter?" +</p> +<p> + "His Majesty's faithful subjects have gained a great and most decisive + victory near Blair of Athole; but, alas! my gallant friend Lord Dundee—" +</p> +<p> + "Has fallen?" said Edith, anticipating the rest of his tidings. +</p> +<p> + "True, most true: he has fallen in the arms of victory, and not a man + remains of talents and influence sufficient to fill up his loss in King + James's service. This, Edith, is no time for temporizing with our duty. I + have given directions to raise my followers, and I must take leave of you + this evening." +</p> +<p> + "Do not think of it, my lord," answered Edith; "your life is—essential + to your friends,—do not throw it away in an adventure so rash. What can + your single arm, and the few tenants or servants who might follow you, do + against the force of almost all Scotland, the Highland clans only + excepted?" +</p> +<p> + "Listen to me, Edith," said Lord Evandale. "I am not so rash as you may + suppose me, nor are my present motives of such light importance as to + affect only those personally dependent on myself. The Life Guards, with + whom I served so long, although new-modelled and new-officered by the + Prince of Orange, retain a predilection for the cause of their rightful + master; and "—and here he whispered as if he feared even the walls of + the apartment had ears—"when my foot is known to be in the stirrup, two + regiments of cavalry have sworn to renounce the usurper's service, and + fight under my orders. They delayed only till Dundee should descend into + the Lowlands; but since he is no more, which of his successors dare take + that decisive step, unless encouraged by the troops declaring themselves! + Meantime, the zeal of the soldiers will die away. I must bring them to a + decision while their hearts are glowing with the victory their old leader + has obtained, and burning to avenge his untimely death." +</p> +<p> + "And will you, on the faith of such men as you know these soldiers to + be," said Edith, "take a part of such dreadful moment?" +</p> +<p> + "I will," said Lord Evandale,—"I must; my honour and loyalty are both + pledged for it." +</p> +<p> + "And all for the sake," continued Miss Bellenden, "of a prince whose + measures, while he was on the throne, no one could condemn more than Lord + Evandale?" +</p> +<p> + "Most true," replied Lord Evandale; "and as I resented, even during the + plenitude of his power, his innovations on Church and State, like a + freeborn subject, I am determined I will assert his real rights, when he + is in adversity, like a loyal one. Let courtiers and sycophants flatter + power and desert misfortune; I will neither do the one nor the other." +</p> +<p> + "And if you are determined to act what my feeble judgment must still term + rashly, why give yourself the pain of this untimely meeting?" +</p> +<p> + "Were it not enough to answer," said Lord Evandale, "that, ere rushing on + battle, I wished to bid adieu to my betrothed bride? Surely it is judging + coldly of my feelings, and showing too plainly the indifference of your + own, to question my motive for a request so natural." +</p> +<p> + "But why in this place, my lord," said Edith; "and why with such peculiar + circumstances of mystery?" +</p> +<p> + "Because," he replied, putting a letter into her hand, "I have yet + another request, which I dare hardly proffer, even when prefaced by these + credentials." +</p> +<p> + In haste and terror, Edith glanced over the letter, which was from her + grandmother. +</p> +<pre> + "My dearest childe," such was its tenor in style and spelling, "I + never more deeply regretted the reumatizm, which disqualified me + from riding on horseback, than at this present writing, when I would + most have wished to be where this paper will soon be, that is at + Fairy Knowe, with my poor dear Willie's only child. But it is the + will of God I should not be with her, which I conclude to be the + case, as much for the pain I now suffer, as because it hath now not + given way either to cammomile poultices or to decoxion of wild + mustard, wherewith I have often relieved others. Therefore, I must + tell you, by writing instead of word of mouth, that, as my young + Lord Evandale is called to the present campaign, both by his honour + and his duty, he hath earnestly solicited me that the bonds of holy + matrimony be knitted before his departure to the wars between you + and him, in implement of the indenture formerly entered into for + that effeck, whereuntill, as I see no raisonable objexion, so I + trust that you, who have been always a good and obedient childe, + will not devize any which has less than raison. It is trew that the + contrax of our house have heretofore been celebrated in a manner + more befitting our Rank, and not in private, and with few witnesses, + as a thing done in a corner. But it has been Heaven's own free will, + as well as those of the kingdom where we live, to take away from us + our estate, and from the King his throne. Yet I trust He will yet + restore the rightful heir to the throne, and turn his heart to the + true Protestant Episcopal faith, which I have the better right to + expect to see even with my old eyes, as I have beheld the royal + family when they were struggling as sorely with masterful usurpers + and rebels as they are now; that is to say, when his most sacred + Majesty, Charles the Second of happy memory, honoured our poor house + of Tillietudlem by taking his <i>disjune</i> therein," etc., etc., etc. +</pre> +<p> + We will not abuse the reader's patience by quoting more of Lady + Margaret's prolix epistle. Suffice it to say that it closed by laying her + commands on her grandchild to consent to the solemnization of her + marriage without loss of time. +</p> +<p> + "I never thought till this instant," said Edith, dropping the letter from + her hand, "that Lord Evandale would have acted ungenerously." +</p> +<p> + "Ungenerously, Edith!" replied her lover. "And how can you apply such a + term to my desire to call you mine, ere I part from you, perhaps for + ever?" +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale ought to have remembered," said Edith, "that when his + perseverance, and, I must add, a due sense of his merit and of the + obligations we owed him, wrung from me a slow consent that I would one + day comply with his wishes, I made it my condition that I should not be + pressed to a hasty accomplishment of my promise; and now he avails + himself of his interest with my only remaining relative to hurry me with + precipitate and even indelicate importunity. There is more selfishness + than generosity, my lord, in such eager and urgent solicitation." +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale, evidently much hurt, took two or three turns through the + apartment ere he replied to this accusation; at length he spoke: "I + should have escaped this painful charge, durst I at once have mentioned + to Miss Bellendon my principal reason for urging this request. It is one + which she will probably despise on her own account, but which ought to + weigh with her for the sake of Lady Margaret. My death in battle must + give my whole estate to my heirs of entail; my forfeiture as a traitor, + by the usurping Government, may vest it in the Prince of Orange or some + Dutch favourite. In either case, my venerable friend and betrothed bride + must remain unprotected and in poverty. Vested with the rights and + provisions of Lady Evandale, Edith will find, in the power of supporting + her aged parent, some consolation for having condescended to share the + titles and fortunes of one who does not pretend to be worthy of her." +</p> +<p> + Edith was struck dumb by an argument which she had not expected, and was + compelled to acknowledge that Lord Evandale's suit was urged with + delicacy as well as with consideration. +</p> +<p> + "And yet," she said, "such is the waywardness with which my heart reverts + to former times that I cannot," she burst into tears, "suppress a degree + of ominous reluctance at fulfilling my engagement upon such a brief + summons." +</p> +<p> + "We have already fully considered this painful subject," said Lord + Evandale; "and I hoped, my dear Edith, your own inquiries, as well as + mine, had fully convinced you that these regrets were fruitless." +</p> +<p> + "Fruitless indeed!" said Edith, with a deep sigh, which, as if by an + unexpected echo, was repeated from the adjoining apartment. Miss + Bellenden started at the sound, and scarcely composed herself upon Lord + Evandale's assurances that she had heard but the echo of her own + respiration. +</p> +<p> + "It sounded strangely distinct," she said, "and almost ominous; but my + feelings are so harassed that the slightest trifle agitates them." +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale eagerly attempted to soothe her alarm, and reconcile her to + a measure which, however hasty, appeared to him the only means by which + he could secure her independence. He urged his claim in virtue of the + contract, her grandmother's wish and command, the propriety of insuring + her comfort and independence, and touched lightly on his own long + attachment, which he had evinced by so many and such various services. + These Edith felt the more, the less they were insisted upon; and at + length, as she had nothing to oppose to his ardour, excepting a causeless + reluctance which she herself was ashamed to oppose against so much + generosity, she was compelled to rest upon the impossibility of having + the ceremony performed upon such hasty notice, at such a time and place. + But for all this Lord Evandale was prepared, and he explained, with + joyful alacrity, that the former chaplain of his regiment was in + attendance at the Lodge with a faithful domestic, once a non-commissioned + officer in the same corps; that his sister was also possessed of the + secret; and that Headrigg and his wife might be added to the list of + witnesses, if agreeable to Miss Bellenden. As to the place, he had chosen + it on very purpose. The marriage was to remain a secret, since Lord + Evandale was to depart in disguise very soon after it was solemnized,—a + circumstance which, had their union been public, must have drawn upon him + the attention of the Government, as being altogether unaccountable, + unless from his being engaged in some dangerous design. Having hastily + urged these motives and explained his arrangements, he ran, without + waiting for an answer, to summon his sister to attend his bride, while he + went in search of the other persons whose presence was necessary. + When Lady Emily arrived, she found her friend in an agony of tears, of + which she was at some loss to comprehend the reason, being one of those + damsels who think there is nothing either wonderful or terrible in + matrimony, and joining with most who knew him in thinking that it could + not be rendered peculiarly alarming by Lord Evandale being the + bridegroom. Influenced by these feelings, she exhausted in succession all + the usual arguments for courage, and all the expressions of sympathy and + condolence ordinarily employed on such occasions. But when Lady Emily + beheld her future sister-in-law deaf to all those ordinary topics of + consolation; when she beheld tears follow fast and without intermission + down cheeks as pale as marble; when she felt that the hand which she + pressed in order to enforce her arguments turned cold within her grasp, + and lay, like that of a corpse, insensible and unresponsive to her + caresses, her feelings of sympathy gave way to those of hurt pride and + pettish displeasure. +</p> +<p> + "I must own," she said, "that I am something at a loss to understand all + this, Miss Bellenden. Months have passed since you agreed to marry my + brother, and you have postponed the fulfilment of your engagement from + one period to another, as if you had to avoid some dishonourable or + highly disagreeable connection. I think I can answer for Lord Evandale + that he will seek no woman's hand against her inclination; and, though + his sister, I may boldly say that he does not need to urge any lady + further than her inclinations carry her. You will forgive me, Miss + Bellenden; but your present distress augurs ill for my brother's future + happiness, and I must needs say that he does not merit all these + expressions of dislike and dolour, and that they seem an odd return for + an attachment which he has manifested so long, and in so many ways." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, Lady Emily," said Edith, drying her eyes and endeavouring + to resume her natural manner, though still betrayed by her faltering + voice and the paleness of her cheeks,—"you are quite right; Lord + Evandale merits such usage from no one, least of all from her whom he has + honoured with his regard. But if I have given way, for the last time, to + a sudden and irresistible burst of feeling, it is my consolation, Lady + Emily, that your brother knows the cause, that I have hid nothing from + him, and that he at least is not apprehensive of finding in Edith + Bellenden a wife undeserving of his affection. But still you are right, + and I merit your censure for indulging for a moment fruitless regret and + painful remembrances. It shall be so no longer; my lot is cast with + Evandale, and with him I am resolved to bear it. Nothing shall in future + occur to excite his complaints or the resentment of his relations; no + idle recollections of other days shall intervene to prevent the zealous + and affectionate discharge of my duty; no vain illusions recall the + memory of other days—" +</p> +<p> + As she spoke these words, she slowly raised her eyes, which had before + been hidden by her hand, to the latticed window of her apartment, which + was partly open, uttered a dismal shriek, and fainted. Lady Emily turned + her eyes in the same direction, but saw only the shadow of a man, which + seemed to disappear from the window, and, terrified more by the state of + Edith than by the apparition she had herself witnessed, she uttered + shriek upon shriek for assistance. Her brother soon arrived, with the + chaplain and Jenny Dennison; but strong and vigorous remedies were + necessary ere they could recall Miss Bellenden to sense and motion. Even + then her language was wild and incoherent. +</p> +<a name="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pb224.jpg" height="797" width="533" +alt="Uttered a Dismal Shriek, and Fainted +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Press me no farther," she said to Lord Evandale,—"it cannot be; Heaven + and earth, the living and the dead, have leagued themselves against this + ill-omened union. Take all I can give,—my sisterly regard, my devoted + friendship. I will love you as a sister and serve you as a bondswoman, + but never speak to me more of marriage." +</p> +<p> + The astonishment of Lord Evandale may easily be conceived. + "Emily," he said to his sister, "this is your doing. I was accursed when + I thought of bringing you here; some of your confounded folly has driven + her mad!" +</p> +<p> + "On my word, Brother," answered Lady Emily, "you're sufficient to drive + all the women in Scotland mad. Because your mistress seems much disposed + to jilt you, you quarrel with your sister, who has been arguing in your + cause, and had brought her to a quiet hearing, when, all of a sudden, a + man looked in at a window, whom her crazed sensibility mistook either for + you or some one else, and has treated us gratis with an excellent tragic + scene." +</p> +<p> + "What man? What window?" said Lord Evandale, in impatient displeasure. + "Miss Bellenden is incapable of trifling with me; and yet what else could + have—" +</p> +<p> + "Hush! hush!" said Jenny, whose interest lay particularly in shifting + further inquiry; "for Heaven's sake, my lord, speak low, for my lady + begins to recover." +</p> +<p> + Edith was no sooner somewhat restored to herself than she begged, in a + feeble voice, to be left alone with Lord Evandale. All retreated,—Jenny + with her usual air of officious simplicity, Lady Emily and the chaplain + with that of awakened curiosity. No sooner had they left the apartment + than Edith beckoned Lord Evandale to sit beside her on the couch; her + next motion was to take his hand, in spite of his surprised resistance, + to her lips; her last was to sink from her seat and to clasp his knees. + "Forgive me, my lord!" she exclaimed, "forgive me! I must deal most + untruly by you, and break a solemn engagement. You have my friendship, my + highest regard, my most sincere gratitude; you have more,—you have my + word and my faith; but—oh, forgive me, for the fault is not mine—you + have not my love, and I cannot marry you without a sin!" +</p> +<p> + "You dream, my dearest Edith!" said Evandale, perplexed in the utmost + degree, "you let your imagination beguile you; this is but some delusion + of an over-sensitive mind. The person whom you preferred to me has been + long in a better world, where your unavailing regret cannot follow him, + or, if it could, would only diminish his happiness." +</p> +<p> + "You are mistaken, Lord Evandale," said Edith, solemnly; "I am not a + sleep-walker or a madwoman. No, I could not have believed from any one + what I have seen. But, having seen him, I must believe mine own eyes." +</p> +<p> + "Seen him,—seen whom?" asked Lord Evandale, in great anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "Henry Morton," replied Edith, uttering these two words as if they were + her last, and very nearly fainting when she had done so. +</p> +<p> + "Miss Bellenden," said Lord Evandale, "you treat me like a fool or a + child. If you repent your engagement to me," he continued, indignantly, + "I am not a man to enforce it against your inclination; but deal with me + as a man, and forbear this trifling." +</p> +<p> + He was about to go on, when he perceived, from her quivering eye and + pallid cheek, that nothing less than imposture was intended, and that by + whatever means her imagination had been so impressed, it was really + disturbed by unaffected awe and terror. He changed his tone, and exerted + all his eloquence in endeavouring to soothe and extract from her the + secret cause of such terror. +</p> +<p> + "I saw him!" she repeated,—"I saw Henry Morton stand at that window, and + look into the apartment at the moment I was on the point of abjuring him + for ever. His face was darker, thinner, and paler than it was wont to be; + his dress was a horseman's cloak, and hat looped down over his face; his + expression was like that he wore on that dreadful morning when he was + examined by Claverhouse at Tillietudlem. Ask your sister, ask Lady Emily, + if she did not see him as well as I. I know what has called him up,—he + came to upbraid me, that, while my heart was with him in the deep and + dead sea, I was about to give my hand to another. My lord, it is ended + between you and me; be the consequences what they will, she cannot marry + whose union disturbs the repose of the dead." +</p> +<p> + "Good Heaven!" said Evandale, as he paced the room, half mad himself with + surprise and vexation, "her fine understanding must be totally + overthrown, and that by the effort which she has made to comply with my + ill-timed, though well-meant, request. Without rest and attention her + health is ruined for ever." +</p> +<p> + At this moment the door opened, and Halliday, who had been Lord + Evandale's principal personal attendant since they both left the Guards + on the Revolution, stumbled into the room with a countenance as pale and + ghastly as terror could paint it. +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter next, Halliday?" cried his master, starting up. "Any + discovery of the—" +</p> +<p> + He had just recollection sufficient to stop short in the midst of the + dangerous sentence. +</p> +<p> + "No, sir," said Halliday, "it is not that, nor anything like that; but I + have seen a ghost!" +</p> +<p> + "A ghost, you eternal idiot!" said Lord Evandale, forced altogether out + of his patience. "Has all mankind sworn to go mad in order to drive me + so? What ghost, you simpleton?" +</p> +<p> + "The ghost of Henry Morton, the Whig captain at Bothwell Bridge," replied + Halliday. "He passed by me like a fire-flaught when I was in the garden!" +</p> +<p> + "This is midsummer madness," said Lord Evandale, "or there is some + strange villainy afloat. Jenny, attend your lady to her chamber, while I + endeavour to find a clue to all this." +</p> +<p> + But Lord Evandale's inquiries were in vain. Jenny, who might have given + (had she chosen) a very satisfactory explanation, had an interest to + leave the matter in darkness; and interest was a matter which now weighed + principally with Jenny, since the possession of an active and + affectionate husband in her own proper right had altogether allayed her + spirit of coquetry. She had made the best use of the first moments of + confusion hastily to remove all traces of any one having slept in the + apartment adjoining to the parlour, and even to erase the mark of + footsteps beneath the window, through which she conjectured Morton's face + had been seen, while attempting, ere he left the garden, to gain one look + at her whom he had so long loved, and was now on the point of losing for + ever. That he had passed Halliday in the garden was equally clear; and + she learned from her elder boy, whom she had employed to have the + stranger's horse saddled and ready for his departure, that he had rushed + into the stable, thrown the child a broad gold piece, and, mounting his + horse, had ridden with fearful rapidity down towards the Clyde. The + secret was, therefore, in their own family, and Jenny was resolved it + should remain so. +</p> +<p> + "For, to be sure," she said, "although her lady and Halliday kend Mr. + Morton by broad daylight, that was nae reason I suld own to kenning him + in the gloaming and by candlelight, and him keeping his face frae Cuddie + and me a' the time." +</p> +<p> + So she stood resolutely upon the negative when examined by Lord Evandale. + As for Halliday, he could only say that as he entered the garden-door, + the supposed apparition met him, walking swiftly, and with a visage on + which anger and grief appeared to be contending. +</p> +<p> + "He knew him well," he said, "having been repeatedly guard upon him, and + obliged to write down his marks of stature and visage in case of escape. + And there were few faces like Mr. Morton's." But what should make him + haunt the country where he was neither hanged nor shot, he, the said + Halliday, did not pretend to conceive. +</p> +<p> + Lady Emily confessed she had seen the face of a man at the window, but + her evidence went no farther. John Gudyill deponed <i>nil novit in causa</i>. + He had left his gardening to get his morning dram just at the time when + the apparition had taken place. Lady Emily's servant was waiting orders + in the kitchen, and there was not another being within a quarter of a + mile of the house. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale returned perplexed and dissatisfied in the highest degree + at beholding a plan which he thought necessary not less for the + protection of Edith in contingent circumstances, than for the assurance + of his own happiness, and which he had brought so very near perfection, + thus broken off without any apparent or rational cause. His knowledge of + Edith's character set her beyond the suspicion of covering any capricious + change of determination by a pretended vision. But he would have set the + apparition down to the influence of an overstrained imagination, agitated + by the circumstances in which she had so suddenly been placed, had it not + been for the coinciding testimony of Halliday, who had no reason for + thinking of Morton more than any other person, and knew nothing of Miss + Bellenden's vision when he promulgated his own. On the other hand, it + seemed in the highest degree improbable that Morton, so long and so + vainly sought after, and who was, with such good reason, supposed to be + lost when the "Vryheid" of Rotterdam went down with crew and passengers, + should be alive and lurking in this country, where there was no longer + any reason why he should not openly show himself, since the present + Government favoured his party in politics. When Lord Evandale reluctantly + brought himself to communicate these doubts to the chaplain, in order to + obtain his opinion, he could only obtain a long lecture on demonology, in + which, after quoting Delrio and Burthoog and De L'Ancre on the subject of + apparitions, together with sundry civilians and common lawyers on the + nature of testimony, the learned gentleman expressed his definite and + determined opinion to be, either that there had been an actual apparition + of the deceased Henry Morton's spirit, the possibility of which he was, + as a divine and a philosopher, neither fully prepared to admit or to + deny; or else that the said Henry Morton, being still in <i>rerum natura</i>, + had appeared in his proper person that morning; or, finally, that some + strong <i>deceptio visus</i>, or striking similitude of person, had deceived + the eyes of Miss Bellenden and of Thomas Halliday. Which of these was the + most probable hypothesis, the doctor declined to pronounce, but expressed + himself ready to die in the opinion that one or other of them had + occasioned that morning's disturbance. +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale soon had additional cause for distressful anxiety. Miss + Bellenden was declared to be dangerously ill. +</p> +<p> + "I will not leave this place," he exclaimed, "till she is pronounced to + be in safety. I neither can nor ought to do so; for whatever may have + been the immediate occasion of her illness, I gave the first cause for it + by my unhappy solicitation." +</p> +<p> + He established himself, therefore, as a guest in the family, which the + presence of his sister, as well as of Lady Margaret Bellenden (who, in + despite of her rheumatism, caused herself to be transported thither when + she heard of her granddaughter's illness), rendered a step equally + natural and delicate. And thus he anxiously awaited until, without injury + to her health, Edith could sustain a final explanation ere his departure + on his expedition. +</p> +<p> + "She shall never," said the generous young man, "look on her engagement + with me as the means of fettering her to a union, the idea of which seems + almost to unhinge her understanding." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> +<pre> + Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shades! + Ah, fields beloved in vain! + Where once my careless childhood strayed, + A stranger yet to pain. + Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College. +</pre> +<p> + It is not by corporal wants and infirmities only that men of the most + distinguished talents are levelled, during their lifetime, with the + common mass of mankind. There are periods of mental agitation when the + firmest of mortals must be ranked with the weakest of his brethren, and + when, in paying the general tax of humanity, his distresses are even + aggravated by feeling that he transgresses, in the indulgence of his + grief, the rules of religion and philosophy by which he endeavours in + general to regulate his passions and his actions. It was during such a + paroxysm that the unfortunate Morton left Fairy Knowe. To know that his + long-loved and still-beloved Edith, whose image had filled his mind for + so many years, was on the point of marriage to his early rival, who had + laid claim to her heart by so many services as hardly left her a title to + refuse his addresses, bitter as the intelligence was, yet came not as an + unexpected blow. +</p> +<p> + During his residence abroad he had once written to Edith. It was to bid + her farewell for ever, and to conjure her to forget him. He had requested + her not to answer his letter; yet he half hoped, for many a day, that she + might transgress his injunction. The letter never reached her to whom it + was addressed, and Morton, ignorant of its miscarriage, could only + conclude himself laid aside and forgotten, according to his own + self-denying request. All that he had heard of their mutual relations + since his return to Scotland prepared him to expect that he could only + look upon Miss Bellenden as the betrothed bride of Lord Evandale; and + even if freed from the burden of obligation to the latter, it would still + have been inconsistent with Morton's generosity of disposition to disturb + their arrangements, by attempting the assertion of a claim proscribed by + absence, never sanctioned by the consent of friends, and barred by a + thousand circumstances of difficulty. Why then did he seek the cottage + which their broken fortunes had now rendered the retreat of Lady Margaret + Bellenden and her granddaughter? He yielded, we are under the necessity + of acknowledging, to the impulse of an inconsistent wish which many might + have felt in his situation. +</p> +<p> + Accident apprised him, while travelling towards his native district, that + the ladies, near whose mansion he must necessarily pass, were absent; and + learning that Cuddie and his wife acted as their principal domestics, he + could not resist pausing at their cottage to learn, if possible, the real + progress which Lord Evandale had made in the affections of Miss Bellen + den—alas! no longer his Edith. This rash experiment ended as we have + related, and he parted from the house of Fairy Knowe, conscious that he + was still beloved by Edith, yet compelled, by faith and honour, to + relinquish her for ever. With what feelings he must have listened to the + dialogue between Lord Evandale and Edith, the greater part of which he + involuntarily overheard, the reader must conceive, for we dare not + attempt to describe them. An hundred times he was tempted to burst upon + their interview, or to exclaim aloud, "Edith, I yet live!" and as often + the recollection of her plighted troth, and of the debt of gratitude + which he owed Lord Evandale (to whose influence with Claverhouse he + justly ascribed his escape from torture and from death), withheld him + from a rashness which might indeed have involved all in further distress, + but gave little prospect of forwarding his own happiness. He repressed + forcibly these selfish emotions, though with an agony which thrilled his + every nerve. +</p> +<p> + "No, Edith!" was his internal oath, "never will I add a thorn to thy + pillow. That which Heaven has ordained, let it be; and let me not add, by + my selfish sorrows, one atom's weight to the burden thou hast to bear. I + was dead to thee when thy resolution was adopted; and never, never shalt + thou know that Henry Morton still lives!" +</p> +<p> + As he formed this resolution, diffident of his own power to keep it, and + seeking that firmness in flight which was every moment shaken by his + continuing within hearing of Edith's voice, he hastily rushed from his + apartment by the little closet and the sashed door which led to the + garden. +</p> +<p> + But firmly as he thought his resolution was fixed, he could not leave the + spot where the last tones of a voice so beloved still vibrated on his + ear, without endeavouring to avail himself of the opportunity which the + parlour window afforded to steal one last glance at the lovely speaker. + It was in this attempt, made while Edith seemed to have her eyes + unalterably bent upon the ground, that Morton's presence was detected by + her raising them suddenly. So soon as her wild scream made this known to + the unfortunate object of a passion so constant, and which seemed so + ill-fated, he hurried from the place as if pursued by the furies. He + passed Halliday in the garden without recognising or even being sensible + that he had seen him, threw himself on his horse, and, by a sort of + instinct rather than recollection, took the first by-road in preference + to the public route to Hamilton. +</p> +<p> + In all probability this prevented Lord Evandale from learning that he was + actually in existence; for the news that the Highlanders had obtained a + decisive victory at Killiecrankie had occasioned an accurate look-out to + be kept, by order of the Government, on all the passes, for fear of some + commotion among the Lowland Jacobites. They did not omit to post + sentinels on Bothwell Bridge; and as these men had not seen any traveller + pass westward in that direction, and as, besides, their comrades + stationed in the village of Bothwell were equally positive that none had + gone eastward, the apparition, in the existence of which Edith and + Halliday were equally positive, became yet more mysterious in the + judgment of Lord Evandale, who was finally inclined to settle in the + belief that the heated and disturbed imagination of Edith had summoned up + the phantom she stated herself to have seen, and that Halliday had, in + some unaccountable manner, been infected by the same superstition. + Meanwhile, the by-path which Morton pursued, with all the speed which his + vigorous horse could exert, brought him in a very few seconds to the + brink of the Clyde, at a spot marked with the feet of horses, who were + conducted to it as a watering-place. The steed, urged as he was to the + gallop, did not pause a single instant, but, throwing himself into the + river, was soon beyond his depth. The plunge which the animal made as his + feet quitted the ground, with the feeling that the cold water rose above + his swordbelt, were the first incidents which recalled Morton, whose + movements had been hitherto mechanical, to the necessity of taking + measures for preserving himself and the noble animal which he bestrode. A + perfect master of all manly exercises, the management of a horse in water + was as familiar to him as when upon a meadow. He directed the animal's + course somewhat down the stream towards a low plain, or holm, which + seemed to promise an easy egress from the river. In the first and second + attempt to get on shore, the horse was frustrated by the nature of the + ground, and nearly fell backwards on his rider. The instinct of + self-preservation seldom fails, even in the most desperate circumstances, + to recall the human mind to some degree of equipoise, unless when + altogether distracted by terror, and Morton was obliged to the danger in + which he was placed for complete recovery of his self-possession. A third + attempt, at a spot more carefully and judiciously selected, succeeded + better than the former, and placed the horse and his rider in safety upon + the farther and left-hand bank of the Clyde. +</p> +<p> + "But whither," said Morton, in the bitterness of his heart, "am I now to + direct my course? or rather, what does it signify to which point of the + compass a wretch so forlorn betakes himself? I would to God, could the + wish be without a sin, that these dark waters had flowed over me, and + drowned my recollection of that which was, and that which is!" + The sense of impatience, which the disturbed state of his feelings had + occasioned, scarcely had vented itself in these violent expressions, ere + he was struck with shame at having given way to such a paroxysm. He + remembered how signally the life which he now held so lightly in the + bitterness of his disappointment had been preserved through the almost + incessant perils which had beset him since he entered upon his public + career. +</p> +<p> + "I am a fool!" he said, "and worse than a fool, to set light by that + existence which Heaven has so often preserved in the most marvellous + manner. Something there yet remains for me in this world, were it only to + bear my sorrows like a man, and to aid those who need my assistance. What + have I seen, what have I heard, but the very conclusion of that which I + knew was to happen? They"—he durst not utter their names even in + soliloquy—"they are embarrassed and in difficulties. She is stripped of + her inheritance, and he seems rushing on some dangerous career, with + which, but for the low voice in which he spoke, I might have become + acquainted. Are there no means to aid or to warn them?" +</p> +<p> + As he pondered upon this topic, forcibly withdrawing his mind from his + own disappointment, and compelling his attention to the affairs of Edith + and her betrothed husband, the letter of Burley, long forgotten, suddenly + rushed on his memory, like a ray of light darting through a mist. + "Their ruin must have been his work," was his internal conclusion. "If it + can be repaired, it must be through his means, or by information obtained + from him. I will search him out. Stern, crafty, and enthusiastic as he + is, my plain and downright rectitude of purpose has more than once + prevailed with him. I will seek him out, at least; and who knows what + influence the information I may acquire from him may have on the fortunes + of those whom I shall never see more, and who will probably never learn + that I am now suppressing my own grief, to add, if possible, to their + happiness." +</p> +<p> + Animated by these hopes, though the foundation was but slight, he sought + the nearest way to the high-road; and as all the tracks through the + valley were known to him since he hunted through them in youth, he had no + other difficulty than that of surmounting one or two enclosures, ere he + found himself on the road to the small burgh where the feast of the + popinjay had been celebrated. He journeyed in a state of mind sad indeed + and dejected, yet relieved from its earlier and more intolerable state of + anguish; for virtuous resolution and manly disinterestedness seldom fail + to restore tranquillity even where they cannot create happiness. He + turned his thoughts with strong effort upon the means of discovering + Burley, and the chance there was of extracting from him any knowledge + which he might possess favourable to her in whose cause he interested + himself; and at length formed the resolution of guiding himself by the + circumstances in which he might discover the object of his quest, + trusting that, from Cuddie's account of a schism betwixt Burley and his + brethren of the Presbyterian persuasion, he might find him less + rancorously disposed against Miss Bellenden, and inclined to exert the + power which he asserted himself to possess over her fortunes, more + favourably than heretofore. +</p> +<p> + Noontide had passed away when our traveller found himself in the + neighbourhood of his deceased uncle's habitation of Milnwood. It rose + among glades and groves that were chequered with a thousand early + recollections of joy and sorrow, and made upon Morton that mournful + impression, soft and affecting, yet, withal, soothing, which the + sensitive mind usually receives from a return to the haunts of childhood + and early youth, after having experienced the vicissitudes and tempests + of public life. A strong desire came upon him to visit the house itself. + "Old Alison," he thought, "will not know me, more than the honest couple + whom I saw yesterday. I may indulge my curiosity, and proceed on my + journey, without her having any knowledge of my existence. I think they + said my uncle had bequeathed to her my family mansion,—well, be it so. I + have enough to sorrow for, to enable me to dispense with lamenting such a + disappointment as that; and yet methinks he has chosen an odd successor + in my grumbling old dame, to a line of respectable, if not distinguished, + ancestry. Let it be as it may, I will visit the old mansion at least once + more." +</p> +<p> + The house of Milnwood, even in its best days, had nothing cheerful about + it; but its gloom appeared to be doubled under the auspices of the old + housekeeper. Everything, indeed, was in repair; there were no slates + deficient upon the steep grey roof, and no panes broken in the narrow + windows. But the grass in the court-yard looked as if the foot of man had + not been there for years; the doors were carefully locked, and that which + admitted to the hall seemed to have been shut for a length of time, since + the spiders had fairly drawn their webs over the door-way and the + staples. Living sight or sound there was none, until, after much + knocking, Morton heard the little window, through which it was + usual to reconnoitre visitors, open with much caution. The face of + Alison, puckered with some score of wrinkles in addition to those with + which it was furrowed when Morton left Scotland, now presented itself, + enveloped in a <i>toy</i>, from under the protection of which some of her grey + tresses had escaped in a manner more picturesque than beautiful, while + her shrill, tremulous voice demanded the cause of the knocking. + "I wish to speak an instant with one Alison Wilson, who resides here," + said Henry. +</p> +<p> + "She's no at hame the day," answered Mrs. Wilson, <i>in propria persona</i>, + the state of whose headdress, perhaps, inspired her with this direct mode + of denying herself; "and ye are but a mislear'd person to speer for her + in sic a manner. Ye might hae had an M under your belt for Mistress + Wilson of Milnwood." +</p> +<p> + "I beg pardon," said Morton, internally smiling at finding in old Ailie + the same jealousy of disrespect which she used to exhibit upon former + occasions,—"I beg pardon; I am but a stranger in this country, and have + been so long abroad that I have almost forgotten my own language." + "Did ye come frae foreign parts?" said Ailie; "then maybe ye may hae + heard of a young gentleman of this country that they ca' Henry Morton?" +</p> +<p> + "I have heard," said Morton, "of such a name in Germany." +</p> +<p> + "Then bide a wee bit where ye are, friend; or stay,—gang round by the + back o' the house, and ye'll find a laigh door; it's on the latch, for + it's never barred till sunset. Ye 'll open 't,—and tak care ye dinna fa' + ower the tub, for the entry's dark,—and then ye'll turn to the right, + and then ye'll hand straught forward, and then ye'll turn to the right + again, and ye 'll tak heed o' the cellarstairs, and then ye 'll be at the + door o' the little kitchen,—it's a' the kitchen that's at Milnwood + now,—and I'll come down t'ye, and whate'er ye wad say to Mistress + Wilson ye may very safely tell it to me." +</p> +<p> + A stranger might have had some difficulty, notwithstanding the minuteness + of the directions supplied by Ailie, to pilot himself in safety through + the dark labyrinth of passages that led from the back-door to the little + kitchen; but Henry was too well acquainted with the navigation of these + straits to experience danger, either from the Scylla which lurked on one + side in shape of a bucking tub, or the Charybdis which yawned on the + other in the profundity of a winding cellar-stair. His only impediment + arose from the snarling and vehement barking of a small cocking spaniel, + once his own property, but which, unlike to the faithful Argus, saw his + master return from his wanderings without any symptom of recognition. +</p> +<p> + "The little dogs and all!" said Morton to himself, on being disowned by + his former favourite. "I am so changed that no breathing creature that I + have known and loved will now acknowledge me!" +</p> +<p> + At this moment he had reached the kitchen; and soon after, the tread of + Alison's high heels, and the pat of the crutch-handled cane which served + at once to prop and to guide her footsteps, were heard upon the + stairs,—an annunciation which continued for some time ere she fairly + reached the kitchen. +</p> +<p> + Morton had, therefore, time to survey the slender preparations for + housekeeping which were now sufficient in the house of his ancestors. The + fire, though coals are plenty in that neighbourhood, was husbanded with + the closest attention to economy of fuel, and the small pipkin, in which + was preparing the dinner of the old woman and her maid-of-all-work, a + girl of twelve years old, intimated, by its thin and watery vapour, that + Ailie had not mended her cheer with her improved fortune. +</p> +<p> + When she entered, the head, which nodded with self-importance; the + features, in which an irritable peevishness, acquired by habit and + indulgence, strove with a temper naturally affectionate and good-natured; + the coif; the apron; the blue-checked gown,—were all those of old Ailie; + but laced pinners, hastily put on to meet the stranger, with some other + trifling articles of decoration, marked the difference between Mrs. + Wilson, life-rentrix of Milnwood, and the housekeeper of the late + proprietor. +</p> +<p> + "What were ye pleased to want wi' Mrs. Wilson, sir? I am Mrs. Wilson," + was her first address; for the five minutes time which she had gained for + the business of the toilet entitled her, she conceived, to assume the + full merit of her illustrious name, and shine forth on her guest in + unchastened splendour. Morton's sensations, confounded between the past + and present, fairly confused him so much that he would have had + difficulty in answering her, even if he had known well what to say. But + as he had not determined what character he was to adopt while concealing + that which was properly his own, he had an additional reason for + remaining silent. Mrs. Wilson, in perplexity, and with some apprehension, + repeated her question. +</p> +<p> + "What were ye pleased to want wi' me, sir? Ye said ye kend Mr. Harry + Morton?" +</p> +<p> + "Pardon me, madam," answered Henry, "it was of one Silas Morton I spoke." + The old woman's countenance fell. +</p> +<p> + "It was his father, then, ye kent o', the brother o' the late Milnwood? + Ye canna mind him abroad, I wad think,—he was come hame afore ye were + born. I thought ye had brought me news of poor Maister Harry." +</p> +<p> + "It was from my father I learned to know Colonel Morton," said Henry; "of + the son I know little or nothing,—rumour says he died abroad on his + passage to Holland." +</p> +<p> + "That's ower like to be true," said the old woman with a sigh, "and mony + a tear it's cost my auld een. His uncle, poor gentleman, just sough'd awa + wi' it in his mouth. He had been gieing me preceeze directions anent the + bread and the wine and the brandy at his burial, and how often it was to + be handed round the company (for, dead or alive, he was a prudent, + frugal, painstaking man), and then he said, said he, 'Ailie,' (he aye + ca'd me Ailie; we were auld acquaintance), 'Ailie, take ye care and haud + the gear weel thegither; for the name of Morton of Milnwood 's gane out + like the last sough of an auld sang.' And sae he fell out o' ae dwam into + another, and ne'er spak a word mair, unless it were something we cou'dna + mak out, about a dipped candle being gude eneugh to see to dee wi'. He + cou'd ne'er bide to see a moulded ane, and there was ane, by ill luck, on + the table." +</p> +<p> + While Mrs. Wilson was thus detailing the last moments of the old miser, + Morton was pressingly engaged in diverting the assiduous curiosity of the + dog, which, recovered from his first surprise, and combining former + recollections, had, after much snuffing and examination, begun a course + of capering and jumping upon the stranger which threatened every instant + to betray him. At length, in the urgency of his impatience, Morton could + not forbear exclaiming, in a tone of hasty impatience, "Down, Elphin! + down, sir!" +</p> +<p> + "Ye ken our dog's name," said the old lady, struck with great and sudden + surprise,—"ye ken our dog's name, and it's no a common ane. And the + creature kens you too," she continued, in a more agitated and shriller + tone,—"God guide us! it's my ain bairn!" +</p> +<p> + So saying, the poor old woman threw herself around Morton's neck, cling + to him, kissed him as if he had been actually her child, and wept for + joy. There was no parrying the discovery, if he could have had the heart + to attempt any further disguise. He returned the embrace with the most + grateful warmth, and answered,— +</p> +<p> + "I do indeed live, dear Ailie, to thank you for all your kindness, past + and present, and to rejoice that there is at least one friend to welcome + me to my native country." +</p> +<p> + "Friends!" exclaimed Ailie, "ye'll hae mony friends,—ye 'll hae mony + friends; for ye will hae gear, hinny,—ye will hae gear. Heaven mak ye a + gude guide o't! But eh, sirs!" she continued, pushing him back from her + with her trembling hand and shrivelled arm, and gazing in his face as if + to read, at more convenient distance, the ravages which sorrow rather + than time had made on his face,—"Eh, sirs! ye're sair altered, hinny; + your face is turned pale, and your een are sunken, and your bonny + red-and-white cheeks are turned a' dark and sun-burnt. Oh, weary on the + wars! mony 's the comely face they destroy.—And when cam ye here, hinny? + And where hae ye been? And what hae ye been doing? And what for did ye na + write to us? And how cam ye to pass yoursell for dead? And what for did + ye come creepin' to your ain house as if ye had been an unto body, to gie + poor auld Ailie sic a start?" she concluded, smiling through her tears. + It was some time ere Morton could overcome his own emotion so as to give + the kind old woman the information which we shall communicate to our + readers in the next chapter. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> +<pre> + Aumerle that was, + But that is gone for being Richard's friend; + And, madam, you must call him Rutland now. + Richard II. +</pre> +<p> + The scene of explanation was hastily removed from the little kitchen to + Mrs. Wilson's own matted room,—the very same which she had occupied as + housekeeper, and which she continued to retain. "It was," she said, + "better secured against sifting winds than the hall, which she had found + dangerous to her rheumatisms, and it was more fitting for her use than + the late Milnwood's apartment, honest man, which gave her sad thoughts;" + and as for the great oak parlour, it was never opened but to be aired, + washed, and dusted, according to the invariable practice of the family, + unless upon their most solemn festivals. In the matted room, therefore, + they were settled, surrounded by pickle-pots and conserves of all kinds, + which the ci-devant housekeeper continued to compound, out of mere habit, + although neither she herself, nor any one else, ever partook of the + comfits which she so regularly prepared. +</p> +<p> + Morton, adapting his narrative to the comprehension of his auditor, + informed her briefly of the wreck of the vessel and the loss of all + hands, excepting two or three common seamen who had early secured the + skiff, and were just putting off from the vessel when he leaped from the + deck into their boat, and unexpectedly, as well as contrary to their + inclination, made himself partner of their voyage and of their safety. + Landed at Flushing, he was fortunate enough to meet with an old officer + who had been in service with his father. By his advice, he shunned going + immediately to the Hague, but forwarded his letters to the court of the + Stadtholder. +</p> +<p> + "Our prince," said the veteran, "must as yet keep terms with his + father-in-law and with your King Charles; and to approach him in the + character of a Scottish malecontent would render it imprudent for him to + distinguish you by his favour. Wait, therefore, his orders, without + forcing yourself on his notice; observe the strictest prudence and + retirement; assume for the present a different name; shun the company of + the British exiles; and, depend upon it, you will not repent your + prudence." +</p> +<p> + The old friend of Silas Morton argued justly. After a considerable time + had elapsed, the Prince of Orange, in a progress through the United + States, came to the town where Morton, impatient at his situation and the + incognito which he was obliged to observe, still continued, nevertheless, + to be a resident. He had an hour of private interview assigned, in which + the prince expressed himself highly pleased with his intelligence, his + prudence, and the liberal view which he seemed to take of the factions of + his native country, their motives and their purposes. +</p> +<p> + "I would gladly," said William, "attach you to my own person; but that + cannot be without giving offence in England. But I will do as much for + you, as well out of respect for the sentiments you have expressed, as for + the recommendations you have brought me. Here is a commission in a Swiss + regiment at present in garrison in a distant province, where you will + meet few or none of your countrymen. Continue to be Captain Melville, and + let the name of Morton sleep till better days." +</p> +<p> + "Thus began my fortune," continued Morton; "and my services have, on + various occasions, been distinguished by his Royal Highness, until the + moment that brought him to Britain as our political deliverer. His + commands must excuse my silence to my few friends in Scotland; and I + wonder not at the report of my death, considering the wreck of the + vessel, and that I found no occasion to use the letters of exchange with + which I was furnished by the liberality of some of them,—a circumstance + which must have confirmed the belief that I had perished." +</p> +<p> + "But, dear hinny," asked Mrs. Wilson, "did ye find nae Scotch body at the + Prince of Oranger's court that kend ye? I wad hae thought Morton o' + Milnwood was kend a' through the country." +</p> +<p> + "I was purposely engaged in distant service," said Morton, "until a + period when few, without as deep and kind a motive of interest as yours, + Ailie, would have known the stripling Morton in Major-General Melville." +</p> +<p> + "Malville was your mother's name," said Mrs. Wilson; "but Morton sounds + far bonnier in my auld lugs. And when ye tak up the lairdship, ye maun + tak the auld name and designation again." +</p> +<p> + "I am like to be in no haste to do either the one or the other, Ailie, + for I have some reasons for the present to conceal my being alive from + every one but you; and as for the lairdship of Milnwood, it is in as good + hands." +</p> +<p> + "As gude hands, hinny!" re-echoed Ailie; "I'm hopefu' ye are no meaning + mine? The rents and the lands are but a sair fash to me. And I'm ower + failed to tak a helpmate, though Wylie Mactrickit the writer was very + pressing, and spak very civilly; but I 'm ower auld a cat to draw that + strae before me. He canna whilliwhaw me as he's dune mony a ane. And then + I thought aye ye wad come back, and I wad get my pickle meal and my soup + milk, and keep a' things right about ye as I used to do in your puir + uncle's time, and it wad be just pleasure eneugh for me to see ye thrive + and guide the gear canny. Ye'll hae learned that in Holland, I'se + warrant, for they're thrifty folk there, as I hear tell.—But ye'll be + for keeping rather a mair house than puir auld Milnwood that's gave; and, + indeed, I would approve o' your eating butchermeat maybe as aften as + three times a-week,—it keeps the wind out o' the stamack." +</p> +<p> + "We will talk of all this another time," said Morton, surprised at the + generosity upon a large scale which mingled in Ailie's thoughts and + actions with habitual and sordid parsimony, and at the odd contrast + between her love of saving and indifference to self-acquisition. "You + must know," he continued, "that I am in this country only for a few days + on some special business of importance to the Government, and therefore, + Ailie, not a word of having seen me. At some other time I will acquaint + you fully with my motives and intentions." +</p> +<p> + "E'en be it sae, my jo," replied Ailie, "I can keep a secret like my + neighbours; and weel auld Milnwood kend it, honest man, for he tauld me + where he keepit his gear, and that's what maist folk like to hae as + private as possibly may be.—But come awa wi' me, hinny, till I show ye + the oak-parlour how grandly it's keepit, just as if ye had been expected + haine every day,—I loot naebody sort it but my ain hands. It was a kind + o' divertisement to me, though whiles the tear wan into my ee, and I said + to mysell, What needs I fash wi' grates and carpets and cushions and the + muckle brass candlesticks ony mair? for they'll ne'er come hame that + aught it rightfully." +</p> +<p> + With these words she hauled him away to this sanctum sanctorum, the + scrubbing and cleaning whereof was her daily employment, as its high + state of good order constituted the very pride of her heart. Morton, as + he followed her into the room, underwent a rebuke for not "dighting his + shune," which showed that Ailie had not relinquished her habits of + authority. On entering the oak-parlour he could not but recollect the + feelings of solemn awe with which, when a boy, he had been affected at + his occasional and rare admission to an apartment which he then supposed + had not its equal save in the halls of princes. It may be readily + supposed that the worked-worsted chairs, with their short ebony legs and + long upright backs, had lost much of their influence over his mind; that + the large brass andirons seemed diminished in splendour; that the green + worsted tapestry appeared no masterpiece of the Arras loom; and that the + room looked, on the whole, dark, gloomy, and disconsolate. Yet there were + two objects, "The counterfeit presentment of two brothers," which, + dissimilar as those described by Hamlet, affected his mind with a variety + of sensations. One full-length portrait represented his father in + complete armour, with a countenance indicating his masculine and + determined character; and the other set forth his uncle, in velvet and + brocade, looking as if he were ashamed of his own finery, though entirely + indebted for it to the liberality of the painter. +</p> +<p> + "It was an idle fancy," Ailie said, "to dress the honest auld man in thae + expensive fal-lalls that he ne'er wore in his life, instead o' his douce + Raploch grey, and his band wi' the narrow edging." +</p> +<p> + In private, Morton could not help being much of her opinion; for anything + approaching to the dress of a gentleman sate as ill on the ungainly + person of his relative as an open or generous expression would have done + on his mean and money-making features. He now extricated himself from + Ailie to visit some of his haunts in the neighbouring wood, while her own + hands made an addition to the dinner she was preparing,—an incident no + otherwise remarkable than as it cost the life of a fowl, which, for any + event of less importance than the arrival of Henry Morton, might have + cackled on to a good old age ere Ailie could have been guilty of the + extravagance of killing and dressing it. The meal was seasoned by talk of + old times and by the plans which Ailie laid out for futurity, in which + she assigned her young master all the prudential habits of her old one, + and planned out the dexterity with which she was to exercise her duty as + governante. Morton let the old woman enjoy her day-dreams and + castle-building during moments of such pleasure, and deferred till some + fitter occasion the communication of his purpose again to return and + spend his life upon the Continent. +</p> +<p> + His next care was to lay aside his military dress, which he considered + likely to render more difficult his researches after Burley. He exchanged + it—for a grey doublet and cloak, formerly his usual attire at Milnwood, + and which Mrs. Wilson produced from a chest of walnut-tree, wherein she + had laid them aside, without forgetting carefully to brush and air them + from time to time. Morton retained his sword and fire-arms, without which + few persons travelled in those unsettled times. When he appeared in his + new attire, Mrs. Wilson was first thankful "that they fitted him sae + decently, since, though he was nae fatter, yet he looked mair manly than + when he was taen frae Milnwood." +</p> +<p> + Next she enlarged on the advantage of saving old clothes to be what she + called "beet-masters to the new," and was far advanced in the history of + a velvet cloak belonging to the late Milnwood, which had first been + converted to a velvet doublet, and then into a pair of breeches, and + appeared each time as good as new, when Morton interrupted her account of + its transmigration to bid her good-by. +</p> +<p> + He gave, indeed, a sufficient shock to her feelings, by expressing the + necessity he was under of proceeding on his journey that evening. +</p> +<p> + "And where are ye gaun? And what wad ye do that for? And whar wad ye + sleep but in your ain house, after ye hae been sae mony years frae hame?" +</p> +<p> + "I feel all the unkindness of it, Ailie, but it must be so; and that was + the reason that I attempted to conceal myself from you, as I suspected + you would not let me part from you so easily." +</p> +<p> + "But whar are ye gaun, then?" said Ailie, once more. "Saw e'er mortal een + the like o' you, just to come ae moment, and flee awa like an arrow out + of a bow the neist?" +</p> +<p> + "I must go down," replied Morton, "to Niel Blane the Piper's Howff; he + can give me a bed, I suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "A bed? I'se warrant can he," replied Ailie, "and gar ye pay weel for 't + into the bargain. Laddie, I daresay ye hae lost your wits in thae foreign + parts, to gang and gie siller for a supper and a bed, and might hae baith + for naething, and thanks t' ye for accepting them." +</p> +<p> + "I assure you, Ailie," said Morton, desirous to silence her + remonstrances, "that this is a business of great importance, in which I + may be a great gainer, and cannot possibly be a loser." +</p> +<p> + "I dinna see how that can be, if ye begin by gieing maybe the feck o' + twal shillings Scots for your supper; but young folks are aye + venturesome, and think to get siller that way. My puir auld master took + a surer gate, and never parted wi' it when he had anes gotten 't." +</p> +<p> + Persevering in his desperate resolution, Morton took leave of Ailie, and + mounted his horse to proceed to the little town, after exacting a solemn + promise that she would conceal his return until she again saw or heard + from him. +</p> +<p> + "I am not very extravagant," was his natural reflection, as he trotted + slowly towards the town; "but were Ailie and I to set up house together, + as she proposes, I think my profusion would break the good old creature's + heart before a week were out." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX. +</h2> +<pre> + Where's the jolly host + You told me of? 'T has been my custom ever + To parley with mine host. + Lover's Progress. +</pre> +<p> + Morton reached the borough town without meeting with any remarkable + adventure, and alighted at the little inn. It had occurred to him more + than once, while upon his journey, that his resumption of the dress which + he had worn while a youth, although favourable to his views in other + respects, might render it more difficult for him to remain incognito. But + a few years of campaigns and wandering had so changed his appearance that + he had great confidence that in the grown man, whose brows exhibited the + traces of resolution and considerate thought, none would recognise the + raw and bashful stripling who won the game of the popinjay. The only + chance was that here and there some Whig, whom he had led to battle, + might remember the Captain of the Milnwood Marksmen; but the risk, if + there was any, could not be guarded against. +</p> +<p> + The Howff seemed full and frequented as if possessed of all its old + celebrity. The person and demeanour of Niel Blane, more fat and less + civil than of yore, intimated that he had increased as well in purse as + in corpulence; for in Scotland a landlord's complaisance for his guests + decreases in exact proportion to his rise in the world. His daughter had + acquired the air of a dexterous barmaid, undisturbed by the circumstances + of love and war, so apt to perplex her in the exercise of her vocation. + Both showed Morton the degree of attention which could have been expected + by a stranger travelling without attendants, at a time when they were + particularly the badges of distinction. He took upon himself exactly the + character his appearance presented, went to the stable and saw his horse + accommodated, then returned to the house, and seating himself in the + public room (for to request one to himself would, in those days, have + been thought an overweening degree of conceit), he found himself in the + very apartment in which he had some years before celebrated his victory + at the game of the popinjay,—a jocular preferment which led to so many + serious consequences. +</p> +<p> + He felt himself, as may well be supposed, a much changed man since that + festivity; and yet, to look around him, the groups assembled in the Howff + seemed not dissimilar to those which the same scene had formerly + presented. Two or three burghers husbanded their "dribbles o' brandy;" + two or three dragoons lounged over their muddy ale, and cursed the + inactive times that allowed them no better cheer. Their cornet did not, + indeed, play at backgammon with the curate in his cassock, but he drank + a little modicum of <i>aqua mirabilis</i> with the grey-cloaked Presbyterian + minister. The scene was another, and yet the same, differing only in + persons, but corresponding in general character. +</p> +<p> + Let the tide of the world wax or wane as it will, Morton thought as he + looked around him, enough will be found to fill the places which chance + renders vacant; and in the usual occupations and amusements of life, + human beings will succeed each other as leaves upon the same tree, with + the same individual difference and the same general resemblance. +</p> +<p> + After pausing a few minutes, Morton, whose experience had taught him the + readiest mode of securing attention, ordered a pint of claret; and as the + smiling landlord appeared with the pewter measure foaming fresh from the + tap (for bottling wine was not then in fashion), he asked him to sit down + and take a share of the good cheer. This invitation was peculiarly + acceptable to Niel Blane, who, if he did not positively expect it from + every guest not provided with better company, yet received it from many, + and was not a whit abashed or surprised at the summons. He sat down, + along with his guest, in a secluded nook near the chimney; and while he + received encouragement to drink by far the greater share of the liquor + before them, he entered at length, as a part of his expected functions, + upon the news of the country,—the births, deaths, and marriages; the + change of property; the downfall of old families, and the rise of new. + But politics, now the fertile source of eloquence, mine host did not care + to mingle in his theme; and it was only in answer to a question of Morton + that he replied, with an air of indifference, "Um! ay! we aye hae sodgers + amang us, mair or less. There's a wheen German horse down at Glasgow + yonder; they ca' their commander Wittybody, or some sic name, though he's + as grave and grewsome an auld Dutchman as e'er I saw." +</p> +<p> + "Wittenbold, perhaps?" said Morton,—"an old man, with grey hair and + short black moustaches; speaks seldom?" +</p> +<p> + "And smokes for ever," replied Niel Blane. "I see your honour kens the + man. He may be a very gude man too, for aught I see,—that is, + considering he is a sodger and a Dutchman; but if he were ten generals, + and as mony Wittybodies, he has nae skill in the pipes; he gar'd me stop + in the middle of Torphichen's Rant,—the best piece o' music that ever + bag gae wind to." +</p> +<p> + "But these fellows," said Morton, glancing his eye towards the soldiers + "that were in the apartment, are not of his corps?" +</p> +<p> + "Na, na, these are Scotch dragoons," said mine host,—"our ain auld + caterpillars; these were Claver'se's lads a while syne, and wad be again, + maybe, if he had the lang ten in his hand." +</p> +<p> + "Is there not a report of his death?" inquired Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Troth is there," said the landlord; "your honour is right,—there is sic + a fleeing rumour; but, in my puir opinion, it's lang or the deil die. I + wad hae the folks here look to themsells. If he makes an outbreak, he'll + be doun frae the Hielands or I could drink this glass,—and whare are + they then? A' thae hell-rakers o' dragoons wad be at his whistle in a + moment. Nae doubt they're Willie's men e'en now, as they were James's a + while syne; and reason good,—they fight for their pay; what else hae + they to fight for? They hae neither lands nor houses, I trow. There's ae + gude thing o' the change, or the Revolution, as they ca' it,—folks may + speak out afore thae birkies now, and nae fear o' being hauled awa to the + guard-house, or having the thumikins screwed on your finger-ends, just as + I wad drive the screw through a cork." +</p> +<p> + There was a little pause, when Morton, feeling confident in the progress + he had made in mine host's familiarity, asked, though with the hesitation + proper to one who puts a question on the answer to which rests something + of importance, "Whether Blane knew a woman in that neighbourhood called + Elizabeth Maclure?" +</p> +<p> + "Whether I ken Bessie Maclure?" answered the landlord, with a landlord's + laugh,—"How can I but ken my ain wife's (haly be her rest!)—my ain + wife's first gudeman's sister, Bessie Maclure? An honest wife she is, but + sair she's been trysted wi' misfortunes,—the loss o' twa decent lads o' + sons, in the time o' the persecution, as they ca' it nowadays; and + doucely and decently she has borne her burden, blaming nane and + condemning nane. If there's an honest woman in the world, it's Bessie + Maclure. And to lose her twa sons, as I was saying, and to hae dragoons + clinked down on her for a month bypast,—for, be Whig or Tory uppermost, + they aye quarter thae loons on victuallers,—to lose, as I was saying—" +</p> +<p> + "This woman keeps an inn, then?" interrupted Morton. +</p> +<p> + "A public, in a puir way," replied Blane, looking round at his own + superior accommodations,—"a sour browst o' sma' ale that she sells to + folk that are over drouthy wi' travel to be nice; but naething to ca' a + stirring trade or a thriving changehouse." +</p> +<p> + "Can you get me a guide there?" said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "Your honour will rest here a' the night? Ye'll hardly get accommodation + at Bessie's," said Niel, whose regard for his deceased wife's relative by + no means extended to sending company from his own house to hers. +</p> +<p> + "There is a friend," answered Morton, "whom I am to meet with there, and + I only called here to take a stirrup-cup and inquire the way." +</p> +<p> + "Your honour had better," answerd the landlord, with the perseverance of + his calling, "send some ane to warn your friend to come on here." +</p> +<p> + "I tell you, landlord," answered Morton, impatiently, "that will not + serve my purpose; I must go straight to this woman Maclure's house, and + I desire you to find me a guide." +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, sir, ye'll choose for yoursell, to be sure," said Niel Blane, + somewhat disconcerted; "but deil a guide ye'll need if ye gae doun the + water for twa mile or sae, as gin ye were bound for Milnwoodhouse, and + then tak the first broken disjasked-looking road that makes for the + hills,—ye'll ken 't by a broken ash-tree that stands at the side o' a + burn just where the roads meet; and then travel out the path,—ye canna + miss Widow Maclure's public, for deil another house or hauld is on the + road for ten lang Scots miles, and that's worth twenty English. I am + sorry your honour would think o' gaun out o' my house the night. But my + wife's gude-sister is a decent woman, and it's no lost that a friend + gets." +</p> +<p> + Morton accordingly paid his reckoning and departed. The sunset of the + summer day placed him at the ash-tree, where the path led up towards the + moors. +</p> +<p> + "Here," he said to himself, "my misfortunes commenced; for just here, + when Burley and I were about to separate on the first night we ever met, + he was alarmed by the intelligence that the passes were secured by + soldiers lying in wait for him. Beneath that very ash sate the old woman + who apprised him of his danger. How strange that my whole fortunes should + have become inseparably interwoven with that man's, without anything more + on my part than the discharge of an ordinary duty of humanity! Would to + Heaven it were possible I could find my humble quiet and tranquillity of + mind upon the spot where I lost them!" +</p> +<p> + Thus arranging his reflections betwixt speech and thought, he turned his + horse's head up the path. +</p> +<p> + Evening lowered around him as he advanced up the narrow dell which had + once been a wood, but was now a ravine divested of trees, unless where a + few, from their inaccessible situation on the edge of precipitous banks, + or clinging among rocks and huge stones, defied the invasion of men and + of cattle, like the scattered tribes of a conquered country, driven to + take refuge in the barren strength of its mountains. These too, wasted + and decayed, seemed rather to exist than to flourish, and only served to + indicate what the landscape had once been. But the stream brawled down + among them in all its freshness and vivacity, giving the life and + animation which a mountain rivulet alone can confer on the barest and + most savage scenes, and which the inhabitants of such a country miss when + gazing even upon the tranquil winding of a majestic stream through plains + of fertility, and beside palaces of splendour. The track of the road + followed the course of the brook, which was now visible, and now only to + be distinguished by its brawling heard among the stones or in the clefts + of the rock that occasionally interrupted its course. +</p> +<p> + "Murmurer that thou art," said Morton, in the enthusiasm of his reverie, + "why chafe with the rocks that stop thy course for a moment? There is a + sea to receive thee in its bosom; and there is an eternity for man when + his fretful and hasty course through the vale of time shall be ceased and + over. What thy petty fuming is to the deep and vast billows of a + shoreless ocean, are our cares, hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows to the + objects which must occupy us through the awful and boundless succession + of ages!" +</p> +<p> + Thus moralizing, our traveller passed on till the dell opened, and the + banks, receding from the brook, left a little green vale, exhibiting a + croft, or small field, on which some corn was growing, and a cottage, + whose walls were not above five feet high, and whose thatched roof, green + with moisture, age, houseleek, and grass, had in some places suffered + damage from the encroachment of two cows, whose appetite this appearance + of verdure had diverted from their more legitimate pasture. An ill-spelt + and worse-written inscription intimated to the traveller that he might + here find refreshment for man and horse,—no unacceptable intimation, + rude as the hut appeared to be, considering the wild path he had trod in + approaching it, and the high and waste mountains which rose in desolate + dignity behind this humble asylum. +</p> +<p> + It must indeed have been, thought Morton, in some such spot as this that + Burley was likely to find a congenial confident. +</p> +<p> + As he approached, he observed the good dame of the house herself, seated + by the door; she had hitherto been concealed from him by a huge + alder-bush. +</p> +<p> + "Good evening, Mother," said the traveller. "Your name is Mistress + Maclure?" +</p> +<p> + "Elizabeth Maclure, sir, a poor widow," was the reply. +</p> +<p> + "Can you lodge a stranger for a night?" +</p> +<p> + "I can, sir, if he will be pleased with the widow's cake and the widow's + cruse." +</p> +<p> + "I have been a soldier, good dame," answered Morton, "and nothing can + come amiss to me in the way of entertainment." +</p> +<p> + "A sodger, sir?" said the old woman, with a sigh,—"God send ye a better + trade!" +</p> +<p> + "It is believed to be an honourable profession, my good dame; I hope you + do not think the worse of me for having belonged to it?" +</p> +<p> + "I judge no one, sir," replied the woman, "and your voice sounds like + that of a civil gentleman; but I hae witnessed sae muckle ill wi' + sodgering in this puir land that I am e'en content that I can see nae + mair o't wi' these sightless organs." +</p> +<p> + As she spoke thus, Morton observed that she was blind. +</p> +<p> + "Shall I not be troublesome to you, my good dame?" said he, + compassionately; "your infirmity seems ill calculated for your + profession." +</p> +<p> + "Na, sir," answered the old woman, "I can gang about the house readily + eneugh; and I hae a bit lassie to help me, and the dragoon lads will look + after your horse when they come hame frae their patrol, for a sma' + matter; they are civiller now than lang syne." +</p> +<p> + Upon these assurances, Morton alighted. +</p> +<p> + "Peggy, my bonny bird," continued the hostess, addressing a little girl + of twelve years old, who had by this time appeared, "tak the gentleman's + horse to the stable, and slack his girths, and tak aff the bridle, and + shake down a lock o' hay before him, till the dragoons come back.—Come + this way, sir," she continued; "ye'll find my house clean, though it's a + puir ane." +</p> +<p> + Morton followed her into the cottage accordingly. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> +<pre> + Then out and spake the auld mother, + And fast her tears did fa + "Ye wadna be warn'd, my son Johnie, + Frae the hunting to bide awa!" + Old Ballad. +</pre> +<p> + When he entered the cottage, Morton perceived that the old hostess had + spoken truth. The inside of the hut belied its outward appearance, and + was neat, and even comfortable, especially the inner apartment, in which + the hostess informed her guest that he was to sup and sleep. Refreshments + were placed before him such as the little inn afforded; and though he had + small occasion for them, he accepted the offer, as the means of + maintaining some discourse with the landlady. Notwithstanding her + blindness, she was assiduous in her attendance, and seemed, by a sort of + instinct, to find her way to what she wanted. +</p> +<p> + "Have you no one but this pretty little girl to assist you in waiting on + your guests?" was the natural question. +</p> +<p> + "None, sir," replied his old hostess; "I dwell alone, like the widow of + Zarephath. Few guests come to this puir place, and I haena custom eneugh + to hire servants. I had anes twa fine sons that lookit after a' thing. + —But God gives and takes away,—His name be praised!" she continued, + turning her clouded eyes towards Heaven.—"I was anes better off, that + is, waridly speaking, even since I lost them; but that was before this + last change." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed!" said Morton; "and yet you are a Presbyterian, my good mother?" +</p> +<p> + "I am, sir; praised be the light that showed me the right way," replied + the landlady. +</p> +<p> + "Then I should have thought," continued the guest, "the Revolution would + have brought you nothing but good." +</p> +<p> + "If," said the old woman, "it has brought the land gude, and freedom of + worship to tender consciences, it's little matter what it has brought to + a puir blind worm like me." +</p> +<p> + "Still," replied Morton, "I cannot see how it could possibly injure you." +</p> +<p> + "It's a lang story, sir," answered his hostess, with a sigh. "But ae + night, sax weeks or thereby afore Bothwell Brigg, a young gentleman + stopped at this puir cottage, stiff and bloody with wounds, pale and dune + out wi' riding, and his horse sae weary he couldna drag ae foot after the + other, and his foes were close ahint him, and he was ane o' our enemies. + What could I do, sir? You that's a sodger will think me but a silly auld + wife; but I fed him, and relieved him, and keepit him hidden till the + pursuit was ower." +</p> +<p> + "And who," said Morton, "dares disapprove of your having done so?" +</p> +<p> + "I kenna," answered the blind woman; "I gat ill-will about it amang some + o' our ain folk. They said I should hae been to him what Jael was to + Sisera. But weel I wot I had nae divine command to shed blood, and to + save it was baith like a woman and a Christian. And then they said I + wanted natural affection, to relieve ane that belanged to the band that + murdered my twa sons." +</p> +<p> + "That murdered your two sons?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, sir; though maybe ye'll gie their deaths another name. The tane fell + wi' sword in hand, fighting for a broken national Covenant; the + tother,—oh, they took him and shot him dead on the green before his + mother's face! My auld een dazzled when the shots were looten off, and, + to my thought, they waxed weaker and weaker ever since that weary day; + and sorrow, and heart-break, and tears that would not be dried, might + help on the disorder. But, alas! betraying Lord Evandale's young blood + to his enemies' sword wad ne'er hae brought my Ninian and Johnie alive + again." +</p> +<p> + "Lord Evandale?" said Morton, in surprise. "Was it Lord Evandale whose + life you saved?" +</p> +<p> + "In troth, even his," she replied. "And kind he was to me after, and gae + me a cow and calf, malt, meal, and siller, and nane durst steer me when + he was in power. But we live on an outside bit of Tillietudlem land, and + the estate was sair plea'd between Leddy Margaret Bellenden and the + present laird, Basil Olifant, and Lord Evandale backed the auld leddy for + love o' her daughter Miss Edith, as the country said, ane o' the best and + bonniest lassies in Scotland. But they behuved to gie way, and Basil gat + the Castle and land, and on the back o' that came the Revolution, and wha + to turn coat faster than the laird? for he said he had been a true Whig + a' the time, and turned papist only for fashion's sake. And then he got + favour, and Lord Evandale's head was under water; for he was ower proud + and manfu' to bend to every blast o' wind, though mony a ane may ken as + weel as me that be his ain principles as they might, he was nae ill + friend to our folk when he could protect us, and far kinder than Basil + Olifant, that aye keepit the cobble head doun the stream. But he was set + by and ill looked on, and his word ne'er asked; and then Basil, wha's a + revengefu' man, set himsell to vex him in a' shapes, and especially by + oppressing and despoiling the auld blind widow, Bessie Maclure, that + saved Lord Evandale's life, and that he was sae kind to. But he's mistaen + if that's his end; for it will be lang or Lord Evandale hears a word frae + me about the selling my kye for rent or e'er it was due, or the putting + the dragoons on me when the country's quiet, or onything else that will + vex him,—I can bear my ain burden patiently, and warld's loss is the + least part o't." +</p> +<p> + Astonished and interested at this picture of patient, grateful, and + high-minded resignation, Morton could not help bestowing an execration + upon the poor-spirited rascal who had taken such a dastardly course of + vengeance. +</p> +<p> + "Dinna curse him, sir," said the old woman; "I have heard a good man say + that a curse was like a stone flung up to the heavens, and maist like to + return on the head that sent it. But if ye ken Lord Evandale, bid him + look to himsell, for I hear strange words pass atween the sodgers that + are lying here, and his name is often mentioned; and the tane o' them has + been twice up at Tillietudlem. He's a kind of favourite wi' the laird, + though he was in former times ane o' the maist cruel oppressors ever rade + through a country (out-taken Sergeant Bothwell),—they ca' him Inglis." +</p> +<p> + "I have the deepest interest in Lord Evandale's safety," said Morton, + "and you may depend on my finding some mode to apprise him of these + suspicious circumstances. And, in return, my good friend, will you + indulge me with another question? Do you know anything of Quintin Mackell + of Irongray?" +</p> +<p> + "Do I know whom?" echoed the blind woman, in a tone of great surprise and + alarm. +</p> +<p> + "Quintin Mackell of Irongray," repeated Morton. "Is there anything so + alarming in the sound of that name?" +</p> +<p> + "Na, na," answered the woman, with hesitation; "but to hear him asked + after by a stranger and a sodger,—Gude protect us, what mischief is + to come next!" +</p> +<p> + "None by my means, I assure you," said Morton; "the subject of my inquiry + has nothing to fear from me if, as I suppose, this Quintin Mackell is the + same with John Bal——-." +</p> +<p> + "Do not mention his name," said the widow, pressing his lips with her + fingers. "I see you have his secret and his pass-word, and I'll be free + wi' you. But, for God's sake, speak lound and low. In the name of Heaven, + I trust ye seek him not to his hurt! Ye said ye were a sodger?" +</p> +<p> + "I said truly; but one he has nothing to fear from. I commanded a party + at Bothwell Bridge." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" said the woman. "And verily there is something in your voice I + can trust. Ye speak prompt and readily, and like an honest man." +</p> +<p> + "I trust I am so," said Morton. +</p> +<p> + "But nae displeasure to you, sir, in thae waefu' times," continued Mrs. + Maclure, "the hand of brother is against brother, and he fears as mickle + almaist frae this Government as e'er he did frae the auld persecutors." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" said Morton, in a tone of inquiry; "I was not aware of that. But + I am only just now returned from abroad." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell ye," said the blind woman, first assuming an attitude of + listening that showed how effectually her powers of collecting + intelligence had been transferred from the eye to the ear; for, instead + of casting a glance of circumspection around, she stooped her face, and + turned her head slowly around, in such a manner as to insure that there + was not the slightest sound stirring in the neighbourhood, and then + continued,—"I'll tell ye. Ye ken how he has laboured to raise up again + the Covenant, burned, broken, and buried in the hard hearts and selfish + devices of this stubborn people. Now, when he went to Holland, far from + the countenance and thanks of the great, and the comfortable fellowship + of the godly, both whilk he was in right to expect, the Prince of Orange + wad show him no favour, and the ministers no godly communion. This was + hard to bide for ane that had suffered and done mickle,—ower mickle, it + may be; but why suld I be a judge? He came back to me and to the auld + place o' refuge that had often received him in his distresses, mair + especially before the great day of victory at Drumclog, for I sail ne'er + forget how he was bending hither of a' nights in the year on that e'ening + after the play when young Milnwood wan the popinjay; but I warned him off + for that time." +</p> +<p> + "What!" exclaimed Morton, "it was you that sat in your red cloak by the + high-road, and told him there was a lion in the path?" +</p> +<p> + "In the name of Heaven! wha are ye?" said the old woman, breaking off her + narrative in astonishment. "But be wha ye may," she continued, resuming + it with tranquillity, "ye can ken naething waur o' me than that I hae + been willing to save the life o' friend and foe." +</p> +<p> + "I know no ill of you, Mrs. Maclure, and I mean no ill by you; I only + wished to show you that I know so much of this person's affairs that I + might be safely intrusted with the rest. Proceed, if you please, in your + narrative." +</p> +<p> + "There is a strange command in your voice," said the blind woman, "though + its tones are sweet. I have little mair to say. The Stewarts hae been + dethroned, and William and Mary reign in their stead; but nae mair word + of the Covenant than if it were a dead letter. They hae taen the indulged + clergy, and an Erastian General Assembly of the ante pure and triumphant + Kirk of Scotland, even into their very arms and bosoms. Our faithfu' + champions o' the testimony agree e'en waur wi' this than wi' the open + tyranny and apostasy of the persecuting times, for souls are hardened and + deadened, and the mouths of fasting multitudes are crammed wi' fizenless + bran instead of the sweet word in season; and mony an hungry, starving + creature, when he sits down on a Sunday forenoon to get something that + might warm him to the great work, has a dry clatter o' morality driven + about his lugs, and—" +</p> +<p> + "In short," said Morton, desirous to stop a discussion which the good old + woman, as enthusiastically attached to her religious profession as to the + duties of humanity, might probably have indulged longer,—"In short, you + are not disposed to acquiesce in this new government, and Burley is of + the same opinion?" +</p> +<p> + "Many of our brethren, sir, are of belief we fought for the Covenant, and + fasted and prayed and suffered for that grand national league, and now we + are like neither to see nor hear tell of that which we suffered and + fought and fasted and prayed for. And anes it was thought something might + be made by bringing back the auld family on a new bargain and a new + bottom, as, after a', when King James went awa, I understand the great + quarrel of the English against him was in behalf of seven unhallowed + prelates; and sae, though ae part of our people were free to join wi' the + present model, and levied an armed regiment under the Yerl of Angus, yet + our honest friend, and others that stude up for purity of doctrine and + freedom of conscience, were determined to hear the breath o' the + Jacobites before they took part again them, fearing to fa' to the ground + like a wall built with unslaked mortar, or from sitting between twa + stools." +</p> +<p> + "They chose an odd quarter," said Morton, "from which to expect freedom + of conscience and purity of doctrine." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, dear sir!" said the landlady, "the natural day-spring rises in the + east, but the spiritual dayspring may rise in the north, for what we + blinded mortals ken." +</p> +<p> + "And Burley went to the north to seek it?" replied the guest. +</p> +<p> + "Truly ay, sir; and he saw Claver'se himsell, that they ca' Dundee now." +</p> +<p> + "What!" exclaimed Morton, in amazement; "I would have sworn that meeting + would have been the last of one of their lives." +</p> +<p> + "Na, na, sir; in troubled times, as I understand," said Mrs. Maclure, + "there's sudden changes,—Montgomery and Ferguson and mony ane mair that + were King James's greatest faes are on his side now. Claver'se spake our + friend fair, and sent him to consult with Lord Evandale. But then there + was a break-off, for Lord Evandale wadna look at, hear, or speak wi' him; + and now he's anes wud and aye waur, and roars for revenge again Lord + Evandale, and will hear nought of onything but burn and slay. And oh, + thae starts o' passion! they unsettle his mind, and gie the Enemy sair + advantages." +</p> +<p> + "The enemy?" said Morton; "What enemy?" +</p> +<p> + "What enemy? Are ye acquainted familiarly wi' John Balfour o' Burley, and + dinna ken that he has had sair and frequent combats to sustain against + the Evil One? Did ye ever see him alone but the Bible was in his hand, + and the drawn sword on his knee? Did ye never sleep in the same room wi' + him, and hear him strive in his dreams with the delusions of Satan? Oh, + ye ken little o' him if ye have seen him only in fair daylight; for nae + man can put the face upon his doleful visits and strifes that he can do. + I hae seen him, after sic a strife of agony, tremble that an infant might + hae held him, while the hair on his brow was drapping as fast as ever my + puir thatched roof did in a heavy rain." As she spoke, Morton began to + recollect the appearance of Burley during his sleep in the hay-loft at + Milnwood, the report of Cuddie that his senses had become impaired, and + some whispers current among the Cameronians, who boasted frequently of + Burley's soul-exercises and his strifes with the foul fiend,—which + several circumstances led him to conclude that this man himself was a + victim to those delusions, though his mind, naturally acute and forcible, + not only disguised his superstition from those in whose opinion it might + have discredited his judgment, but by exerting such a force as is said to + be proper to those afflicted with epilepsy, could postpone the fits which + it occasioned until he was either freed from superintendence, or + surrounded by such as held him more highly on account of these + visitations. It was natural to suppose, and could easily be inferred from + the narrative of Mrs. Maclure, that disappointed ambition, wrecked hopes, + and the downfall of the party which he had served with such desperate + fidelity, were likely to aggravate enthusiasm into temporary insanity. It + was, indeed, no uncommon circumstance in those singular times that men + like Sir Harry Vane, Harrison, Overton, and others, themselves slaves to + the wildest and most enthusiastic dreams, could, when mingling with the + world, conduct themselves not only with good sense in difficulties, and + courage in dangers, but with the most acute sagacity and determined + valour. The subsequent part of Mrs. Maclure's information confirmed + Morton in these impressions. +</p> +<p> + "In the grey of the morning," she said, "my little Peggy sail show ye the + gate to him before the sodgers are up. But ye maun let his hour of + danger, as he ca's it, be ower, afore ye venture on him in his place of + refuge. Peggy will tell ye when to venture in. She kens his ways weel, + for whiles she carries him some little helps that he canna do + without to sustain life." +</p> +<p> + "And in what retreat, then," said Morton, "has this unfortunate person + found refuge?" +</p> +<p> + "An awsome place," answered the blind woman, "as ever living creature + took refuge in; they ca it the Black Linn of Linklater. It's a doleful + place, but he loves it abune a' others, because he has sae often been in + safe hiding there; and it's my belief he prefers it to a tapestried + chamber and a down bed. But ye'll see 't. I hae seen it mysell mony a day + syne. I was a daft hempie lassie then, and little thought what was to + come o't.—Wad ye choose ony thing, sir, ere ye betake yoursell to your + rest, for ye maun stir wi' the first dawn o' the grey light?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing more, my good mother," said Morton; and they parted for the + evening. +</p> +<p> + Morton recommended himself to Heaven, threw himself on the bed, heard, + between sleeping and waking, the trampling of the dragoon horses at the + riders' return from their patrol, and then slept soundly after such + painful agitation. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> +<pre> + The darksome cave they enter, where they found + The accursed man low sitting on the ground, + Musing full sadly in his sullen mind. + SPENSER. +</pre> +<p> + As the morning began to appear on the mountains, a gentle knock was heard + at the door of the humble apartment in which Morton slept, and a girlish + treble voice asked him, from without, "If he wad please gang to the Linn + or the folk raise?" +</p> +<p> + He arose upon the invitation, and, dressing himself hastily, went forth + and joined his little guide. The mountain maid tript lightly before him, + through the grey haze, over hill and moor. It was a wild and varied walk, + unmarked by any regular or distinguishable track, and keeping, upon the + whole, the direction of the ascent of the brook, though without tracing + its windings. The landscape, as they advanced, became waster and more + wild, until nothing but heath and rock encumbered the side of the valley. +</p> +<p> + "Is the place still distant?" said Morton. "Nearly a mile off," answered + the girl. "We'll be there belive." +</p> +<p> + "And do you often go this wild journey, my little maid?" +</p> +<p> + "When grannie sends me wi' milk and meal to the Linn," answered the + child. +</p> +<p> + "And are you not afraid to travel so wild a road alone?" +</p> +<p> + "Hout na, sir," replied the guide; "nae living creature wad touch sic a + bit thing as I am, and grannie says we need never fear onything else when + we are doing a gude turn." +</p> +<p> + "Strong in innocence as in triple mail!" said Morton to himself, and + followed her steps in silence. +</p> +<p> + They soon came to a decayed thicket, where brambles and thorns supplied + the room of the oak and birches of which it had once consisted. Here the + guide turned short off the open heath, and, by a sheep-track, conducted + Morton to the brook. A hoarse and sullen roar had in part prepared him + for the scene which presented itself, yet it was not to be viewed without + surprise and even terror. When he emerged from the devious path which + conducted him through the thicket, he found himself placed on a ledge of + flat rock projecting over one side of a chasm not less than a hundred + feet deep, where the dark mountain-stream made a decided and rapid shoot + over the precipice, and was swallowed up by a deep, black, yawning gulf. + The eye in vain strove to see the bottom of the fall; it could catch but + one sheet of foaming uproar and sheer descent, until the view was + obstructed by the proecting crags which enclosed the bottom of the + waterfall, and hid from sight the dark pool which received its tortured + waters; far beneath, at the distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile, the + eye caught the winding of the stream as it emerged into a more open + course. But, for that distance, they were lost to sight as much as if a + cavern had been arched over them; and indeed the steep and projecting + ledges of rock through which they wound their way in darkness were very + nearly closing and over-roofing their course. +</p> +<p> + While Morton gazed at this scene of tumult, which seemed, by the + surrounding thickets and the clefts into which the waters descended, to + seek to hide itself from every eye, his little attendant as she stood + beside him on the platform of rock which commanded the best view of the + fall, pulled him by the sleeve, and said, in a tone which he could not + hear without stooping his ear near the speaker, "Hear till him! Eh! hear + till him!" +</p> +<p> + Morton listened more attentively; and out of the very abyss into which + the brook fell, and amidst the turnultuary sounds of the cataract, + thought he could distinguish shouts, screams, and even articulate words, + as if the tortured demon of the stream had been mingling his complaints + with the roar of his broken waters. +</p> +<p> + "This is the way," said the little girl; "follow me, gin ye please, sir, + but tak tent to your feet;" and, with the daring agility which custom had + rendered easy, she vanished from the platform on which she stood, and, by + notches and slight projections in the rock, scrambled down its face into + the chasm which it overhung. Steady, bold, and active, Morton hesitated + not to follow her; but the necessary attention to secure his hold and + footing in a descent where both foot and hand were needful for security, + prevented him from looking around him, till, having descended nigh twenty + feet, and being sixty or seventy above the pool which received the fall, + his guide made a pause, and he again found himself by her side in a + situation that appeared equally romantic and precarious. They were nearly + opposite to the waterfall, and in point of level situated at about + one-quarter's depth from the point of the cliff over which it thundered, + and three-fourths of the height above the dark, deep, and restless pool + which received its fall. Both these tremendous points—the first shoot, + namely, of the yet unbroken stream, and the deep and sombre abyss into + which it was emptied—were full before him, as well as the whole + continuous stream of billowy froth, which, dashing from the one, was + eddying and boiling in the other. They were so near this grand phenomenon + that they were covered with its spray, and well-nigh deafened by the + incessant roar. But crossing in the very front of the fall, and at scarce + three yards distance from the cataract, an old oak-tree, flung across the + chasm in a manner that seemed accidental, formed a bridge of fearfully + narrow dimensions and uncertain footing. The upper end of the tree rested + on the platform on which they stood; the lower or uprooted extremity + extended behind a projection on the opposite side, and was secured, + Morton's eye could not discover where. From behind the same projection + glimmered a strong red light, which, glancing in the waves of the falling + water, and tinging them partially with crimson, had a strange + preternatural and sinister effect when contrasted with the beams of the + rising sun, which glanced on the first broken waves of the fall, though + even its meridian splendour could not gain the third of its full depth. + When he had looked around him for a moment, the girl again pulled his + sleeve, and, pointing to the oak and the projecting point beyond it (for + hearing speech was now out of the question), indicated that there lay his + farther passage. +</p> +<p> + Morton gazed at her with surprise; for although he well knew that the + persecuted Presbyterians had in the preceding reigns sought refuge among + dells and thickets, caves and cataracts, in spots the most extraordinary + and secluded; although he had heard of the champions of the Covenant, who + had long abidden beside Dobs-lien on the wild heights of Polmoodie, and + others who had been concealed in the yet more terrific cavern called + Creehope-linn, in the parish of Closeburn,—yet his imagination had never + exactly figured out the horrors of such a residence, and he was surprised + how the strange and romantic scene which he now saw had remained + concealed from him, while a curious investigator of such natural + phenomena. But he readily conceived that, lying in a remote and wild + district, and being destined as a place of concealment to the persecuted + preachers and professors of nonconformity, the secret of its existence + was carefully preserved by the few shepherds to whom it might be known. + As, breaking from these meditations, he began to consider how he should + traverse the doubtful and terrific bridge, which, skirted by the cascade, + and rendered wet and slippery by its constant drizzle, traversed the + chasm above sixty feet from the bottom of the fall, his guide, as if to + give him courage, tript over and back without the least hesitation. + Envying for a moment the little bare feet which caught a safer hold of + the rugged side of the oak than he could pretend to with his heavy boots, + Morton nevertheless resolved to attempt the passage, and, fixing his eye + firm on a stationary object on the other side, without allowing his head + to become giddy, or his attention to be distracted by the flash, the + foam, and the roar of the waters around him, he strode steadily and + safely along the uncertain bridge, and reached the mouth of a small + cavern on the farther side of the torrent. Here he paused; for a light, + proceeding from a fire of red-hot charcoal, permitted him to see the + interior of the cave, and enabled him to contemplate the appearance of + its inhabitant, by whom he himself could not be so readily distinguished, + being concealed by the shadow of the rock. What he observed would by no + means have encouraged a less determined man to proceed with the task + which he had undertaken. +</p> +<p> + Burley, only altered from what he had been formerly by the addition of a + grisly beard, stood in the midst of the cave, with his clasped Bible in + one hand, and his drawn sword in the other. His figure, dimly ruddied by + the light of the red charcoal, seemed that of a fiend in the lurid + atmosphere of Pandemonium, and his gestures and words, as far as they + could be heard, seemed equally violent and irregular. All alone, and in a + place of almost unapproachable seclusion, his demeanour was that of + a man who strives for life and death with a mortal enemy. "Ha! + ha!—there—there!" he exclaimed, accompanying each word with a thrust, + urged with his whole force against the impassible and empty air, "Did I + not tell thee so?—I have resisted, and thou fleest from me!—Coward as + thou art, come in all thy terrors; come with mine own evil deeds, which + render thee most terrible of all,—there is enough betwixt the boards of + this book to rescue me!—What mutterest thou of grey hairs? It was well + done to slay him,—the more ripe the corn, the readier for the sickle.— + Art gone? Art gone?—I have ever known thee but a coward—ha! ha! ha!" +</p> +<p> + With these wild exclamations he sunk the point of his sword, and remained + standing still in the same posture, like a maniac whose fit is over. +</p> +<p> + "The dangerous time is by now," said the little girl who had followed; + "it seldom lasts beyond the time that the sun's ower the hill; ye may + gang in and speak wi' him now. I'll wait for you at the other side of the + linn; he canna bide to see twa folk at anes." +</p> +<p> + Slowly and cautiously, and keeping constantly upon his guard, Morton + presented himself to the view of his old associate in command. +</p> +<p> + "What! comest thou again when thine hour is over?" was his first + exclamation; and flourishing his sword aloft, his countenance assumed an + expression in which ghastly terror seemed mingled with the rage of a + demoniac. +</p> +<p> + "I am come, Mr. Balfour," said Morton, in a steady and composed tone, + "to renew an acquaintance which has been broken off since the fight of + Bothwell Bridge." +</p> +<p> + As soon as Burley became aware that Morton was before him in person,—an + idea which he caught with marvellous celerity,—he at once exerted that + mastership over his heated and enthusiastic imagination, the power of + enforcing which was a most striking part of his extraordinary character. + He sunk his sword-point at once, and as he stole it composedly into the + scabbard, he muttered something of the damp and cold which sent an old + soldier to his fencing exercise, to prevent his blood from chilling. This + done, he proceeded in the cold, determined manner which was peculiar to + his ordinary discourse:— +</p> +<p> + "Thou hast tarried long, Henry Morton, and hast not come to the vintage + before the twelfth hour has struck. Art thou yet willing to take the + right hand of fellowship, and be one with those who look not to thrones + or dynasties, but to the rule of Scripture, for their directions?" +</p> +<a name="image-0009"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pb272.jpg" height="762" width="528" +alt="Morton and Black Linn +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I am surprised," said Morton, evading the direct answer to his question, + "that you should have known me after so many years." +</p> +<p> + "The features of those who ought to act with me are engraved on my + heart," answered Burley; "and few but Silas Morton's son durst have + followed me into this my castle of retreat. Seest thou that drawbridge of + Nature's own construction?" he added, pointing to the prostrate + oak-tree,—"one spurn of my foot, and it is overwhelmed in the abyss + below, bidding foeman on the farther side stand at defiance, and leaving + enemies on this at the mercy of one who never yet met his equal in single + fight." +</p> +<p> + "Of such defences," said Morton, "I should have thought you would now + have had little need." +</p> +<p> + "Little need?" said Burley impatiently. "What little need, when incarnate + fiends are combined against me on earth, and Sathan himself—But it + matters not," added he, checking himself. "Enough that I like my place + of refuge, my cave of Adullam, and would not change its rude ribs of + limestone rock for the fair chambers of the castle of the earls of + Torwood, with their broad bounds and barony. Thou, unless the foolish + fever-fit be over, mayst think differently." +</p> +<p> + "It was of those very possessions I came to speak," said Morton; "and I + doubt not to find Mr. Balfour the same rational and reflecting person + which I knew him to be in times when zeal disunited brethren." +</p> +<p> + "Ay?" said Burley; "indeed? Is such truly your hope? Wilt thou express it + more plainly?" +</p> +<p> + "In a word, then," said Morton, "you have exercised, by means at which I + can guess, a secret, but most prejudicial, influence over the fortunes of + Lady Margaret Bellenden and her granddaughter, and in favour of that + base, oppressive apostate, Basil Olifant, whom the law, deceived by thy + operations, has placed in possession of their lawful property." +</p> +<p> + "Sayest thou?" said Balfour. +</p> +<p> + "I do say so," replied Morton; "and face to face you will not deny what + you have vouched by your handwriting." +</p> +<p> + "And suppose I deny it not," said Balfour; "and suppose that + thy—eloquence were found equal to persuade me to retrace the steps I + have taken on matured resolve,—what will be thy meed? Dost thou still + hope to possess the fair-haired girl, with her wide and rich + inheritance?" +</p> +<p> + "I have no such hope," answered Morton, calmly. +</p> +<p> + "And for whom, then, hast thou ventured to do this great thing,—to seek + to rend the prey from the valiant, to bring forth food from the den of + the lion, and to extract sweetness from the maw of the devourer? For + whose sake hast thou undertaken to read this riddle, more hard than + Samson's?" +</p> +<p> + "For Lord Evandale's and that of his bride," replied Morton, firmly. + "Think better of mankind, Mr. Balfour, and believe there are some who are + willing to sacrifice their happiness to that of others." +</p> +<p> + "Then, as my soul liveth," replied Balfour, "thou art, to wear beard and + back a horse and draw a sword, the tamest and most gall-less puppet that + ever sustained injury unavenged. What! thou wouldst help that accursed + Evandale to the arms of the woman that thou lovest; thou wouldst endow + them with wealth and with heritages, and thou think'st that there lives + another man, offended even more deeply than thou, yet equally + cold-livered and mean-spirited, crawling upon the face of the earth, + and hast dared to suppose that one other to be John Balfour?" +</p> +<p> + "For my own feelings," said Morton, composedly, "I am answerable to none + but Heaven; to you, Mr. Balfour, I should suppose it of little + consequence whether Basil Olifant or Lord Evandale possess these + estates." +</p> +<p> + "Thou art deceived," said Burley; "both are indeed in outer darkness, + and strangers to the light, as he whose eyes have never been opened to + the day. But this Basil Olifant is a Nabal, a Demas, a base churl whose + wealth and power are at the disposal of him who can threaten to deprive + him of them. He became a professor because he was deprived of these lands + of Tillietudlem; he turned a papist to obtain possession of them; he + called himself an Erastian, that he might not again lose them; and he + will become what I list while I have in my power the document that may + deprive him of them. These lands are a bit between his jaws and a hook in + his nostrils, and the rein and the line are in my hands to guide them as + I think meet; and his they shall therefore be, unless I had assurance of + bestowing them on a sure and sincere friend. But Lord Evandale is a + malignant, of heart like flint, and brow like adamant; the goods of the + world fall on him like leaves on the frost-bound earth, and unmoved he + will see them whirled off by the first wind. The heathen virtues of such + as he are more dangerous to us than the sordid cupidity of those who, + governed by their interest, must follow where it leads, and who, + therefore, themselves the slaves of avarice, may be compelled to work + in the vineyard, were it but to earn the wages of sin." +</p> +<p> + "This might have been all well some years since," replied Morton, "and I + could understand your argument, although I could never acquiesce in its + justice. But at this crisis it seems useless to you to persevere in + keeping up an influence which can no longer be directed to an useful + purpose. The land has peace, liberty, and freedom of conscience,—and + what would you more?" +</p> +<p> + "More!" exclaimed Burley, again unsheathing his sword, with a vivacity + which nearly made Morton start. "Look at the notches upon that weapon + they are three in number, are they not?" +</p> +<p> + "It seems so," answered Morton; "but what of that?" +</p> +<p> + "The fragment of steel that parted from this first gap rested on the + skull of the perjured traitor who first introduced Episcopacy into + Scotland; this second notch was made in the rib-bone of an impious + villain, the boldest and best soldier that upheld the prelatic cause at + Drumclog; this third was broken on the steel head-piece of the captain + who defended the Chapel of Holyrood when the people rose at the + Revolution. I cleft him to the teeth, through steel and bone. It has done + great deeds, this little weapon, and each of these blows was a + deliverance to the Church. This sword," he said, again sheathing it, + "has yet more to do,—to weed out this base and pestilential heresy of + Erastianism; to vindicate the true liberty of the Kirk in her purity; + to restore the Covenant in its glory,—then let it moulder and rust + beside the bones of its master." +</p> +<p> + "You have neither men nor means, Mr. Balfour, to disturb the Government + as now settled," argued Morton; "the people are in general satisfied, + excepting only the gentlemen of the Jacobite interest; and surely you + would not join with those who would only use you for their own purposes?" +</p> +<p> + "It is they," answered Burley, "that should serve ours. I went to the + camp of the malignant Claver'se, as the future King of Israel sought the + land of the Philistines; I arranged with him a rising; and but for the + villain Evandale, the Erastians ere now had been driven from the West.— + I could slay him," he added, with a vindictive scowl, "were he grasping + the horns of the altar!" He then proceeded in a calmer tone: "If thou, + son of mine ancient comrade, were suitor for thyself to this Edith + Bellenden, and wert willing to put thy hand to the great work with zeal + equal to thy courage, think not I would prefer the friendship of Basil + Olifant to thine; thou shouldst then have the means that this document + [he produced a parchment] affords to place her in possession of the lands + of her fathers. This have I longed to say to thee ever since I saw thee + fight the good fight so strongly at the fatal Bridge. The maiden loved + thee, and thou her." +</p> +<p> + Morton replied firmly, "I will not dissemble with you, Mr. Balfour, even + to gain a good end. I came in hopes to persuade you to do a deed of + justice to others, not to gain any selfish end of my own. I have failed; + I grieve for your sake more than for the loss which others will sustain + by your injustice." +</p> +<p> + "You refuse my proffer, then?" said Burley, with kindling eyes. +</p> +<p> + "I do," said Morton. "Would you be really, as you are desirous to be + thought, a man of honour and conscience, you would, regardless of all + other considerations, restore that parchment to Lord Evandale, to be used + for the advantage of the lawful heir." +</p> +<p> + "Sooner shall it perish!" said Balfour; and, casting the deed into the + heap of red charcoal beside him, pressed it down with the heel of his + boot. +</p> +<p> + While it smoked, shrivelled, and crackled in the flames, Morton sprung + forward to snatch it, and Burley catching hold of him, a struggle ensued. + Both were strong men; but although Morton was much the more active and + younger of the two, yet Balfour was the most powerful, and effectually + prevented him from rescuing the deed until it was fairly reduced to a + cinder. They then quitted hold of each other, and the enthusiast, + rendered fiercer by the contest, glared on Morton with an eye expressive + of frantic revenge. +</p> +<p> + "Thou hast my secret," he exclaimed; "thou must be mine, or die!" +</p> +<p> + "I contemn your threats," said Morton; "I pity you, and leave you." + But as he turned to retire, Burley stept before him, pushed the oak-trunk + from its resting place, and as it fell thundering and crashing into the + abyss beneath, drew his sword, and cried out, with a voice that rivalled + the roar of the cataract and the thunder of the falling oak, "Now thou + art at bay! Fight,—yield, or die!" and standing in the mouth of the + cavern, he flourished his naked sword. +</p> +<p> + "I will not fight with the man that preserved my father's life," said + Morton. "I have not yet learned to say the words, 'I yield;' and my life + I will rescue as I best can." +</p> +<p> + So speaking, and ere Balfour was aware of his purpose, he sprung past + him, and exerting that youthful agility of which he possessed an uncommon + share, leaped clear across the fearful chasm which divided the mouth of + the cave from the projecting rock on the opposite side, and stood there + safe and free from his incensed enemy. He immediately ascended the + ravine, and, as he turned, saw Burley stand for an instant aghast with + astonishment, and then, with the frenzy of disappointed rage, rush into + the interior of his cavern. +</p> +<p> + It was not difficult for him to perceive that this unhappy man's mind had + been so long agitated by desperate schemes and sudden disappointments + that it had lost its equipoise, and that there was now in his conduct a + shade of lunacy, not the less striking, from the vigour and craft with + which he pursued his wild designs. Morton soon joined his guide, who had + been terrified by the fall of the oak. This he represented as accidental; + and she assured him, in return, that the inhabitant of the cave would + experience no inconvenience from it, being always provided with materials + to construct another bridge. +</p> +<p> + The adventures of the morning were not yet ended. As they approached the + hut, the little girl made an exclamation of surprise at seeing her + grandmother groping her way towards them, at a greater distance from her + home than she could have been supposed capable of travelling. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, sir, sir!" said the old woman, when she heard them approach, "gin + e'er ye loved Lord Evandale, help now, or never! God be praised that left + my hearing when he took my poor eyesight! Come this way,—this way. And + oh, tread lightly. Peggy, hinny, gang saddle the gentleman's horse, and + lead him cannily ahint the thorny shaw, and bide him there." +</p> +<p> + She conducted him to a small window, through which, himself unobserved, + he could see two dragoons seated at their morning draught of ale, and + conversing earnestly together. +</p> +<p> + "The more I think of it," said the one, "the less I like it, Inglis; + Evandale was a good officer and the soldier's friend; and though we were + punished for the mutiny at Tillietudlem, yet, by —-, Frank, you must own + we deserved it." +</p> +<p> + "D—n seize me if I forgive him for it, though!" replied the other; "and + I think I can sit in his skirts now." +</p> +<p> + "Why, man, you should forget and forgive. Better take the start with him + along with the rest, and join the ranting Highlanders. We have all eat + King James's bread." +</p> +<p> + "Thou art an ass; the start, as you call it, will never happen,—the + day's put off. Halliday's seen a ghost, or Miss Bellenden's fallen sick + of the pip, or some blasted nonsense or another; the thing will never + keep two days longer, and the first bird that sings out will get the + reward." +</p> +<p> + "That's true too," answered his comrade; "and will this fellow—this + Basil Olifant—pay handsomely?" +</p> +<p> + "Like a prince, man," said Inglis. "Evandale is the man on earth whom he + hates worst, and he fears him, besides, about some law business; and were + he once rubbed out of the way, all, he thinks, will be his own." +</p> +<p> + "But shall we have warrants and force enough?" said the other fellow. + "Few people here will stir against my lord, and we may find him with some + of our own fellows at his back." +</p> +<p> + "Thou 'rt a cowardly fool, Dick," returned Inglis; "he is living quietly + down at Fairy Knowe to avoid suspicion. Olifant is a magistrate, and will + have some of his own people that he can trust along with him. There are + us two, and the laird says he can get a desperate fighting Whig fellow, + called Quintin Mackell, that has an old grudge at Evandale." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, you are my officer, you know," said the private, with true + military conscience, "and if anything is wrong—" +</p> +<p> + "I'll take the blame," said Inglis. "Come, another pot of ale, and let us + to Tillietudlem.—Here, blind Bess!—Why, where the devil has the old hag + crept to?" +</p> +<p> + "Delay them as long as you can," whispered Morton, as he thrust his purse + into the hostess's hand; "all depends on gaining time." +</p> +<p> + Then, walking swiftly to the place where the girl held his horse ready, + "To Fairy Knowe? No; alone I could not protect them. I must instantly to + Glasgow. Wittenbold, the commandant there, will readily give me the + support of a troop, and procure me the countenance of the civil power. I + must drop a caution as I pass.—Come, Moorkopf," he said, addressing his + horse as he mounted him, "this day must try your breath and speed." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. +</h2> +<pre> + Yet could he not his closing eyes withdraw, + Though less and less of Emily he saw; + So, speechless for a little space he lay, + Then grasp'd the hand he held, and sigh'd his soul away. + Palamon and Acite. +</pre> +<p> + The indisposition of Edith confined her to bed during the eventful day on + which she had received such an unexpected shock from the sudden + apparition of Morton. Next morning, however, she was reported to be so + much better that Lord Evandale resumed his purpose of leaving Fairy + Knowe. At a late hour in the forenoon Lady Emily entered the apartment of + Edith with a peculiar gravity of manner. Having received and paid the + compliments of the day, she observed it would be a sad one for her, + though it would relieve Miss Bellenden of an encumbrance: "My brother + leaves us today, Miss Bellenden." +</p> +<p> + "Leaves us!" exclaimed Edith, in surprise; "for his own house, I trust?" +</p> +<p> + "I have reason to think he meditates a more distant journey," answered + Lady Emily; "he has little to detain him in this country." +</p> +<p> + "Good Heaven!" exclaimed Edith, "why was I born to become the wreck of + all that is manly and noble! What can be done to stop him from running + headlong on ruin? I will come down instantly.—Say that I implore he will + not depart until I speak with him." +</p> +<p> + "It will be in vain, Miss Bellenden; but I will execute your commission;" + and she left the room as formally as she had entered it, and informed her + brother Miss Bellenden was so much recovered as to propose coming + downstairs ere he went away. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose," she added pettishly, "the prospect of being speedily + released from our company has wrought a cure on her shattered nerves." +</p> +<p> + "Sister," said Lord Evandale, "you are unjust, if not envious." +</p> +<p> + "Unjust I maybe, Evandale, but I should not have dreamt," glancing her + eye at a mirror, "of being thought envious without better cause. But let + us go to the old lady; she is making a feast in the other room which + might have dined all your troop when you had one." +</p> +<p> + Lord Evandale accompanied her in silence to the parlour, for he knew it + was in vain to contend with her prepossessions and offended pride. They + found the table covered with refreshments, arranged under the careful + inspection of Lady Margaret. +</p> +<p> + "Ye could hardly weel be said to breakfast this morning, my Lord + Evandale, and ye maun e'en partake of a small collation before ye ride, + such as this poor house, whose inmates are so much indebted to you, can + provide in their present circumstances. For my ain part, I like to see + young folk take some refection before they ride out upon their sports or + their affairs, and I said as much to his most sacred Majesty when he + breakfasted at Tillietudlem in the year of grace sixteen hundred and + fifty-one; and his most sacred Majesty was pleased to reply, drinking to + my health at the same time in a flagon of Rhenish wine, 'Lady Margaret, + ye speak like a Highland oracle.' These were his Majesty's very words; + so that your lordship may judge whether I have not good authority to + press young folk to partake of their vivers." +</p> +<p> + It may be well supposed that much of the good lady's speech failed Lord + Evandale's ears, which were then employed in listening for the light step + of Edith. His absence of mind on this occasion, however natural, cost him + very dear. While Lady Margaret was playing the kind hostess,—a part she + delighted and excelled in,—she was interrupted by John Gudyill, who, in + the natural phrase for announcing an inferior to the mistress of a + family, said, "There was ane wanting to speak to her leddyship." +</p> +<p> + "Ane! what ane? Has he nae name? Ye speak as if I kept a shop, and was to + come at everybody's whistle." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, he has a name," answered John, "but your leddyship likes ill to + hear't." +</p> + +<p>"What is it, you fool?"</p> + +<p> + "It's Calf-Gibbie, my leddy," said John, in a tone rather above the pitch + of decorous respect, on which he occasionally trespassed, confiding in + his merit as an ancient servant of the family and a faithful follower of + their humble fortunes,—"It's Calf-Gibbie, an your leddyship will hae't, + that keeps Edie Henshaw's kye down yonder at the Brigg-end,—that's him + that was Guse-Gibbie at Tillietudlem, and gaed to the wappinshaw, and + that—" +</p> +<p> + "Hold your peace, John," said the old lady, rising in dignity; "you are + very insolent to think I wad speak wi' a person like that. Let him tell + his business to you or Mrs. Headrigg." +</p> +<p> + "He'll no hear o' that, my leddy; he says them that sent him bade him gie + the thing to your leddyship's ain hand direct, or to Lord Evandale's, he + wots na whilk. But, to say the truth, he's far frae fresh, and he's but + an idiot an he were." +</p> +<p> + "Then turn him out," said Lady Margaret, "and tell him to come back + to-morrow when he is sober. I suppose he comes to crave some benevolence, + as an ancient follower o' the house." +</p> +<p> + "Like eneugh, my leddy, for he's a' in rags, poor creature." +</p> +<p> + Gudyill made another attempt to get at Gibbie's commission, which was + indeed of the last importance, being a few lines from Morton to Lord + Evandale, acquainting him with the danger in which he stood from the + practices of Olifant, and exhorting him either to instant flight, or else + to come to Glasgow and surrender himself, where he could assure him of + protection. This billet, hastily written, he intrusted to Gibbie, whom he + saw feeding his herd beside the bridge, and backed with a couple of + dollars his desire that it might instantly be delivered into the hand to + which it was addressed. +</p> +<p> + But it was decreed that Goose-Gibbie's intermediation, whether as an + emissary or as a man-at-arms, should be unfortunate to the family of + Tillietudlem. He unluckily tarried so long at the ale-house to prove if + his employer's coin was good that, when he appeared at Fairy Knowe, the + little sense which nature had given him was effectually drowned in ale + and brandy; and instead of asking for Lord Evandale, he demanded to speak + with Lady Margaret, whose name was more familiar to his ear. Being + refused admittance to her presence, he staggered away with the letter + undelivered, perversely faithful to Morton's instructions in the only + point in which it would have been well had he departed from them. + A few minutes after he was gone, Edith entered the apartment. Lord + Evandale and she met with mutual embarrassment, which Lady Margaret, who + only knew in general that their union had been postponed by her + granddaughter's indisposition, set down to the bashfulness of a bride and + bridegroom, and, to place them at ease, began to talk to Lady Emily on + indifferent topics. At this moment Edith, with a countenance as pale as + death, muttered, rather than whispered, to Lord Evandale a request to + speak with him. He offered his arm, and supported her into the small + ante-room, which, as we have noticed before, opened from the parlour. He + placed her in a chair, and, taking one himself, awaited the opening of + the conversation. +</p> +<p> + "I am distressed, my lord," were the first words she was able to + articulate, and those with difficulty; "I scarce know what I would say, + nor how to speak it." +</p> +<p> + "If I have any share in occasioning your uneasiness," said Lord Evandale, + mildly, "you will soon, Edith, be released from it." +</p> +<p> + "You are determined then, my lord," she replied, "to run this desperate + course with desperate men, in spite of your own better reason, in spite + of your friends' entreaties, in spite of the almost inevitable ruin which + yawns before you?" +</p> +<p> + "Forgive me, Miss Bellenden; even your solicitude on my account must not + detain me when my honour calls. My horses stand ready saddled, my + servants are prepared, the signal for rising will be given so soon as I + reach Kilsyth. If it is my fate that calls me, I will not shun meeting + it. It will be something," he said, taking her hand, "to die deserving + your compassion, since I cannot gain your love." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, my lord, remain!" said Edith, in a tone which went to his heart; + "time may explain the strange circumstance which has shocked me so much; + my agitated nerves may recover their tranquillity. Oh, do not rush on + death and ruin! remain to be our prop and stay, and hope everything from + time!" +</p> +<p> + "It is too late, Edith," answered Lord Evandale; "and I were most + ungenerous could I practise on the warmth and kindliness of your feelings + towards me. I know you cannot love me; nervous distress, so strong as to + conjure up the appearance of the dead or absent, indicates a predilection + too powerful to give way to friendship and gratitude alone. But were it + otherwise, the die is now cast." +</p> +<p> + As he spoke thus, Cuddie burst into the room, terror and haste in his + countenance. "Oh, my lord, hide yoursell! they hae beset the outlets o' + the house," was his first exclamation. +</p> +<p> + "They? Who?" said Lord Evandale. +</p> +<p> + "A party of horse, headed by Basil Olifant," answered Cuddie. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, hide yourself, my lord!" echoed Edith, in an agony of terror. +</p> +<p> + "I will not, by Heaven!" answered Lord Evandale. "What right has the + villain to assail me or stop my passage? I will make my way, were he + backed by a regiment; tell Halliday and Hunter to get out the horses.— + And now, farewell, Edith!" He clasped her in his arms, and kissed her + tenderly; then, bursting from his sister, who, with Lady Margaret, + endeavoured to detain him, rushed out and mounted his horse. +</p> +<p> + All was in confusion; the women shrieked and hurried in consternation to + the front windows of the house, from which they could see a small party + of horsemen, of whom two only seemed soldiers. They were on the open + ground before Cuddie's cottage, at the bottom of the descent from the + house, and showed caution in approaching it, as if uncertain of the + strength within. +</p> +<p> + "He may escape, he may escape!" said Edith; "oh, would he but take the + by-road!" +</p> +<p> + But Lord Evandale, determined to face a danger which his high spirit + undervalued, commanded his servants to follow him, and rode composedly + down the avenue. Old Gudyill ran to arm himself, and Cuddie snatched down + a gun which was kept for the protection of the house, and, although on + foot, followed Lord Evandale. It was in vain his wife, who had hurried up + on the alarm, hung by his skirts, threatening him with death by the sword + or halter for meddling with other folk's matters. +</p> +<p> + "Hand your peace, ye b——," said Cuddie; "and that's braid Scotch, or I + wotna what is. Is it ither folk's matters to see Lord Evandale murdered + before my face?" and down the avenue he marched. But considering on the + way that he composed the whole infantry, as John Gudyill had not + appeared, he took his vantage ground behind the hedge, hammered his + flint, cocked his piece, and, taking a long aim at Laird Basil, as he was + called, stood prompt for action. +</p> +<p> + As soon as Lord Evandale appeared, Olifant's party spread themselves a + little, as if preparing to enclose him. Their leader stood fast, + supported by three men, two of whom were dragoons, the third in dress and + appearance a countryman, all well armed. But the strong figure, stern + features, and resolved manner of the third attendant made him seem the + most formidable of the party; and whoever had before seen him could have + no difficulty in recognising Balfour of Burley. +</p> +<p> + "Follow me," said Lord Evandale to his servants, "and if we are forcibly + opposed, do as I do." He advanced at a hand gallop towards Olifant, and + was in the act of demanding why he had thus beset the road, when Olifant + called out, "Shoot the traitor!" and the whole four fired their carabines + upon the unfortunate nobleman. He reeled in the, saddle, advanced his + hand to the holster, and drew a pistol, but, unable to discharge it, fell + from his horse mortally wounded. His servants had presented their + carabines. Hunter fired at random; but Halliday, who was an intrepid + fellow, took aim at Inglis, and shot him dead on the spot. At the same + instant a shot from behind the hedge still more effectually avenged Lord + Evandale, for the ball took place in the very midst of Basil Olifant's + forehead, and stretched him lifeless on the ground. His followers, + astonished at the execution done in so short a time, seemed rather + disposed to stand inactive, when Burley, whose blood was up with the + contest, exclaimed, "Down with the Midianites!" and attacked Halliday + sword in hand. At this instant the clatter of horses' hoofs was heard, + and a party of horse, rapidly advancing on the road from Glasgow, + appeared on the fatal field. They were foreign dragoons, led by the Dutch + commandant Wittenbold, accompanied by Morton and a civil magistrate. +</p> +<p> + A hasty call to surrender, in the name of God and King William, was + obeyed by all except Burley, who turned his horse and attempted to + escape. Several soldiers pursued him by command of their officer, but, + being well mounted, only the two headmost seemed likely to gain on him. + He turned deliberately twice, and discharging first one of his pistols, + and then the other, rid himself of the one pursuer by mortally wounding + him, and of the other by shooting his horse, and then continued his + flight to Bothwell Bridge, where, for his misfortune, he found the gates + shut and guarded. Turning from thence, he made for a place where the + river seemed passable, and plunged into the stream, the bullets from the + pistols and carabines of his pursuers whizzing around him. Two balls took + effect when he was past the middle of the stream, and he felt himself + dangerously wounded. He reined his horse round in the midst of the river, + and returned towards the bank he had left, waving his hand, as if with + the purpose of intimating that he surrendered. The troopers ceased firing + at him accordingly, and awaited his return, two of them riding a little + way into the river to seize and disarm him. But it presently appeared + that his purpose was revenge, not safety. As he approached the two + soldiers, he collected his remaining strength, and discharged a blow on + the head of one, which tumbled him from his horse. The other dragoon, a + strong, muscular man, had in the mean while laid hands on him. Burley, in + requital, grasped his throat, as a dying tiger seizes his prey, and both, + losing the saddle in the struggle, came headlong into the river, and were + swept down the stream. Their course might be traced by the blood which + bubbled up to the surface. They were twice seen to rise, the Dutchman + striving to swim, and Burley clinging to him in a manner that showed his + desire that both should perish. Their corpses were taken out about a + quarter of a mile down the river. As Balfour's grasp could not have been + unclenched without cutting off his hands, both were thrown into a hasty + grave, still marked by a rude stone and a ruder epitaph. +</p> +<pre> + [Gentle reader, I did request of mine honest friend Peter Proudfoot, + travelling merchant, known to many of this land for his faithful and + just dealings, as well in muslins and cambrics as in small wares, to + procure me on his next peregrinations to that vicinage, a copy of + the Epitaphion alluded to. And, according to his report, which I see + no ground to discredit, it runneth thus:— + + Here lyes ane saint to prelates surly, + Being John Balfour, sometime of Burley, + Who stirred up to vengeance take, + For Solemn League and Cov'nant's sake, + Upon the Magus-Moor in Fife, + Did tak James Sharpe the apostate's life; + By Dutchman's hands was hacked and shot, + Then drowned in Clyde near this saam spot.] +</pre> +<p> + While the soul of this stern enthusiast flitted to its account, that of + the brave and generous Lord Evandale was also released. Morton had flung + himself from his horse upon perceiving his situation, to render his dying + friend all the aid in his power. He knew him, for he pressed his hand, + and, being unable to speak, intimated by signs his wish to be conveyed to + the house. This was done with all the care possible, and he was soon + surrounded by his lamenting friends. But the clamorous grief of Lady + Emily was far exceeded in intensity by the silent agony of Edith. +</p> +<p> + Unconscious even of the presence of Morton, she hung over the dying man; + nor was she aware that Fate, who was removing one faithful lover, had + restored another as if from the grave, until Lord Evandale, taking their + hands in his, pressed them both affectionately, united them together, + raised his face as if to pray for a blessing on them, and sunk back and + expired in the next moment. +</p> +<pre> + CONCLUSION. +</pre> +<p> + I had determined to waive the task of a concluding chapter, leaving to + the reader's imagination the arrangements which must necessarily take + place after Lord Evandale's death. But as I was aware that precedents are + wanting for a practice which might be found convenient both to readers + and compilers, I confess myself to have been in a considerable dilemma, + when fortunately I was honoured with an invitation to drink tea with Miss + Martha Buskbody, a young lady who has carried on the profession of + mantua-making at Ganderscleugh and in the neighbourhood, with great + success, for about forty years. Knowing her taste for narratives of this + description, I requested her to look over the loose sheets the morning + before I waited on her, and enlighten me by the experience which she must + have acquired in reading through the whole stock of three circulating + libraries, in Ganderscleugh and the two next market-towns. When, with a + palpitating heart, I appeared before her in the evening, I found her much + disposed to be complimentary. +</p> +<p> + "I have not been more affected," said she, wiping the glasses of her + spectacles, "by any novel, excepting the 'Tale of Jemmy and Jenny + Jessamy', which is indeed pathos itself; but your plan of omitting a + formal conclusion will never do. You may be as harrowing to our nerves as + you will in the course of your story, but, unless you had the genius + of the author of 'Julia de Roubignd,' never let the end be altogether + overclouded. Let us see a glimpse of sunshine in the last chapter; it is + quite essential." +</p> +<p> + "Nothing would be more easy for me, madam, than to comply with your + injunctions; for, in truth, the parties in whom you have had the goodness + to be interested, did live long and happily, and begot sons and + daughters." +</p> +<p> + "It is unnecessary, sir," she said, with a slight nod of reprimand, "to + be particular concerning their matrimonial comforts. But what is your + objection to let us have, in a general way, a glimpse of their future + felicity?" +</p> +<p> + "Really, madam," said I, "you must be aware that every volume of a + narrative turns less and less interesting as the author draws to a + conclusion,—just like your tea, which, though excellent hyson, is + necessarily weaker and more insipid in the last cup. Now, as I think the + one is by no means improved by the luscious lump of half-dissolved sugar + usually found at the bottom of it, so I am of opinion that a history, + growing already vapid, is but dully crutched up by a detail of + circumstances which every reader must have anticipated, even though the + author exhaust on them every flowery epithet in the language." +</p> +<p> + "This will not do, Mr. Pattieson," continued the lady; "you have, as I + may say, basted up your first story very hastily and clumsily at the + conclusion; and, in my trade, I would have cuffed the youngest apprentice + who had put such a horrid and bungled spot of work out of her hand. And + if you do not redeem this gross error by telling us all about the + marriage of Morton and Edith, and what became of the other personages of + the story, from Lady Margaret down to Goose-Gibbie, I apprise you that + you will not be held to have accomplished your task handsomely." +</p> +<p> + "Well, madam," I replied, "my materials are so ample that I think I can + satisfy your curiosity, unless it descend to very minute circumstances + indeed." +</p> +<p> + "First, then," said she, "for that is most essential,—Did Lady Margaret + get back her fortune and her castle?" +</p> +<p> + "She did, madam, and in the easiest way imaginable, as heir, namely, to + her worthy cousin, Basil Olifant, who died without a will; and thus, by + his death, not only restored, but even augmented, the fortune of her, + whom, during his life, he had pursued with the most inveterate malice. + John Gudyill, reinstated in his dignity, was more important than ever; + and Cuddie, with rapturous delight, entered upon the cultivation of the + mains of Tillietudlem, and the occupation of his original cottage. But, + with the shrewd caution of his character, he was never heard to boast of + having fired the lucky shot which repossessed his lady and himself in + their original habitations. 'After a',' he said to Jenny, who was his + only confidant, 'auld Basil Olifant was my leddy's cousin and a grand + gentleman; and though he was acting again the law, as I understand, for + he ne'er showed ony warrant, or required Lord Evandale to surrender, and + though I mind killing him nae mair than I wad do a muircock, yet it 's + just as weel to keep a calm sough about it.' He not only did so, but + ingeniously enough countenanced a report that old Gudyill had done the + deed,—which was worth many a gill of brandy to him from the old butler, + who, far different in disposition from Cuddie, was much more inclined to + exaggerate than suppress his exploits of manhood. The blind widow was + provided for in the most comfortable manner, as well as the little guide + to the Linn; and—" +</p> +<p> + "But what is all this to the marriage,—the marriage of the principal + personages?" interrupted Miss Buskbody, impatiently tapping her + snuff-box. +</p> +<p> + "The marriage of Morton and Miss Bellenden was delayed for several + months, as both went into deep mourning on account of Lord Evandale's + death. They were then wedded." +</p> +<p> + "I hope not without Lady Margaret's consent, sir?" said my fair critic. + "I love books which teach a proper deference in young persons to their + parents. In a novel the young people may fall in love without their + countenance, because it is essential to the necessary intricacy of the + story; but they must always have the benefit of their consent at last. + Even old Delville received Cecilia, though the daughter of a man of low + birth." +</p> +<p> + "And even so, madam," replied I, "Lady Margaret was prevailed on to + countenance Morton, although the old Covenanter, his father, stuck sorely + with her for some time. Edith was her only hope, and she wished to see + her happy; Morton, or Melville Morton, as he was more generally called, + stood so high in the reputation of the world, and was in every other + respect such an eligible match, that she put her prejudice aside, and + consoled herself with the recollection that marriage went by destiny, as + was observed to her, she said, by his most sacred Majesty, Charles the + Second of happy memory, when she showed him the portrait of her + grand-father Fergus, third Earl of Torwood, the handsomest man of his + time, and that of Countess Jane, his second lady, who had a hump-back + and only one eye. This was his Majesty's observation, she said, on one + remarkable morning when he deigned to take his <i>disjune</i>—" +</p> +<p> + "Nay," said Miss Buskbody, again interrupting me, "if she brought such + authority to countenance her acquiescing in a misalliance, there was no + more to be said.—And what became of old Mrs. What's her name, the + housekeeper?" +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Wilson, madam?" answered I. "She was perhaps the happiest of the + party; for once a year, and not oftener, Mr. and Mrs. Melville Morton + dined in the great wainscotted chamber in solemn state, the hangings + being all displayed, the carpet laid down, and the huge brass candlestick + set on the table, stuck round with leaves of laurel. The preparing the + room for this yearly festival employed her mind for six months before it + came about, and the putting matters to rights occupied old Alison the + other six, so that a single day of rejoicing found her business for all + the year round." +</p> +<p> + "And Niel Blane?" said Miss Buskbody. +</p> +<p> + "Lived to a good old age, drank ale and brandy with guests of all + persuasions, played Whig or Jacobite tunes as best pleased his customers, + and died worth as much money as married Jenny to a cock laird. I hope, + ma'am, you have no other inquiries to make, for really—" +</p> +<p> + "Goose-Gibbie, sir?" said my persevering friend,—"Goose-Gibbie, whose + ministry was fraught with such consequences to the personages of the + narrative?" +</p> +<p> + "Consider, my dear Miss Buskbody, (I beg pardon for the + familiarity),—but pray consider, even the memory of the renowned + Scheherazade, that Empress of Tale-tellers, could not preserve every + circumstance. I am not quite positive as to the fate of Goose-Gibbie, + but am inclined to think him the same with one Gilbert Dudden, alias + Calf-Gibbie, who was whipped through Hamilton for stealing poultry." +</p> +<p> + Miss Buskbody now placed her left foot on the fender, crossed her right + leg over her knee, lay back on the chair, and looked towards the ceiling. + When I observed her assume this contemplative mood, I concluded she was + studying some farther cross-examination, and therefore took my hat and + wished her a hasty good-night, ere the Demon of Criticism had supplied + her with any more queries. In like manner, gentle Reader, returning you + my thanks for the patience which has conducted you thus far, I take the + liberty to withdraw myself from you for the present. +</p> +<pre> + PERORATION. +</pre> +<p> + It was mine earnest wish, most courteous Reader, that the "Tales of my + Landlord" should have reached thine hands in one entire succession of + tomes, or volumes. But as I sent some few more manuscript quires, + containing the continuation of these most pleasing narratives, I was + apprised, somewhat unceremoniously, by my publisher that he did not + approve of novels (as he injuriously called these real histories) + extending beyond four volumes, and if I did not agree to the first four + being published separately, he threatened to decline the article. (Oh, + ignorance! as if the vernacular article of our mother English were + capable of declension.) Whereupon, somewhat moved by his remonstrances, + and more by heavy charges for print and paper, which he stated to have + been already incurred, I have resolved that these four volumes shall be + the heralds or avant-couriers of the Tales which are yet in my + possession, nothing doubting that they will be eagerly devoured, and the + remainder anxiously demanded, by the unanimous voice of a discerning + public. I rest, esteemed Reader, thine as thou shalt construe me, +</p> +<p> + JEDEDIAH CLEISHBOTHAM. + GANDERCLEUGH, Nov. 15, 1816. +</p> +<a name="image-0010"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pb302.jpg" height="506" width="788" +alt="Interior of Abbotsford +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="2H_GLOS"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + GLOSSARY. +</h2> +<pre> + A', all. + A'body, everybody. + Aboon, abune, above. + Ae, one. + Aff, off. + Afore, before. + Again, against, until. + Ahint, behind. + Ain, own. + Ajee, awry. + Amaist, almost. + Amna, am not. + An, if, suppose. + Ane, one. + Anent, regarding. + Anes, once. + Anither, another. + Arles, earnest money. + Asteer, in confusion. + Atweel, aweel, well. + Aught, own, possessed of; also, eight. + Auld, old. + Awa', away. + Awe, to owe. "Awe a day in har'st," to owe a good turn. + Awsome, awful, terrible. + + Bab, a bunch. + Back-cast, back-stroke. + Baith, both. + Bang, to beat. + Bannock, a scone. + Bawbee, a halfpenny. + Beild, shelter. + Bein, bien, well provided. + Belive, directly. + Bide, to wait, to suffer. "Bide a blink," stay a minute. + Birky, a lively young fellow. + Birl, to toss, to drink. + Bleeze, a blaze; also, to brag, to talk ostentatiously. + Blithe, happy. + Blude, bluid, blood. + Boddle, a small copper coin. + Branks, a kind of bridle. + Braw, fine, brave. + Brawly, cleverly. + Braws, fine clothes. + Breeks, breeches. + Brigg, a bridge. + Brogue, the Highland shoe. + Browst, a brewing. + Budget, a carabine-socket. + Busk, to deck up. + "By and out-taken," over and above and excepting. + + Ca', to call. "Ca' the pleugh," to work the plough. + Canna, cannot. "Canna hear day nor door," as deaf as a post. + Canny, quiet, cautious, snug. + Carcage, a carcass. + Carena, care not. + Carline, an old woman, a witch. + Cast, chance, opportunity, fate. + "Cast o' a cart," chance use of a cart. + Certie! conscience! + Change-house, a small inn or alehouse. + Chield, a fellow. + Chimley, a chimney. + Claes, clothes. + Clatter, tattle. + "Clinked down," quartered. + "Cock laird," a small land holder who cultivates his estate himself. + Copleen, to complain. + Coup, to barter; also, to turn over. + Crap, the produce of the ground. + Crowdy, meal and milk mixed in a cold state. + Cuittle, to wheedle, to curry favour. + + Daft, crazy. + Daur, to dare. + Daurna, dare not. + Deil, the devil. "Deil gin," the devil may care if. + Didna, did not. + Dighting, separating, wiping. + Ding, to knock. + Dinna, disna, do not. + Disjasked-looking, decayed looking. + Disjune, breakfast. + Div, do. + Dooms, very, confoundedly. + Douce, douse, quiet, sensible. + Doun, down. + Dour, stubborn. + "Dow'd na," did not like. + Downa, cannot. + "Downs bide," cannot bear, don't like. + Drouthy, dry, thirsty. + Dwam, a swoon. + + Ee, an eye. + Een, eyes. + E'en, evening; even. + E'enow, presently, at present. + Eik, an addition. + Eneuch, eneugh, enow, enough. + + Fa', fall. + Fairing "gie him a fairing," settle him. + Fallow, a fellow. + Fand, found. + Fash, trouble. + Faured, favoured. + Feared, afraid. + Fearsome, frightful. + Feck, part of a thing. + Feckless, harmless. + Fend, to provide. + Fire-flaught, flash. + Fizenless, tasteless. + Flyte, to scold. + Forby, besides. + Forgie, forgive. + Forrit, forward. + Foumart, a pole-cat. + Frae, from. + Fund, found. + + Gae, to go; also, gave. + Gang, go. + Ganging, going. + Gar, to make, to oblige. + Gat, got. + Gate, way, mode, direction. + Gaun, going. + Gay, gey, very. "Gey thick," pretty thick. + Gear, property. + Gentles, aristocracy. + Gie, give. + Gin, if. + Gledge, a side-glance. + Gomeril, a fool, a simpleton. + Gowd, gold. + Gowpen, a handful. + Grewsome, sullen, stern, forbidding. + Gude, God; good. + Gudeman, a husband; head of the household. + Gude-sister, a sister-in-law. + Gudewife, a wife, a spouse. + Guide, to manage. + + Ha'arst, harvest. + Hae, have. + Haena, have not. + "Hae 't," have it. + Haill, whole. + Hantle, a great deal. + Harry, to rob, to break in upon. + Hash, a clumsy lout. + Hand, to hold, to have. + Hauld, a habitation. + Hempie, giddy. + Heugh, a dell; also, a crag. + Hinny, a term of endearment=honey. + Holme, a hollow, level low ground. + "Horse of wood, foaled of an acorn," a form of punishment. + Howf, a retreat. + Hunder, a hundred. + Hup! used to a horse in order to make him quicken his pace. + "Hup nor wind," quite unmanageable. + Hurdies, the buttocks. + + Ilk, ilka, each, every. + Ill-fard, ill-favoured. + Ill-guide, to ill-treat. + I' se, I shall. + Isna, is not. + + Jalouse, to suspect. + Jimply, barely, scantily. + Jo, joe, a sweetheart. + "John Thomson's man," a husband who yields to the influence of his wife. + Justify, to punish with death. + + Kail, kale, cabbage greens; broth. "Kail through the reek," to give one a + severe reproof. + Kail-brose, pottage of meal made with the scum of broth. + Kale-yard, a vegetable garden. + Ken, to know. + Kend, knew. + Kenna, kensna, know not. + Kittle, ticklish. + Kye, kine. + + Lane, lone, alone. By a peculiar idiom in the Scotch this is frequently + conjoined with the pronoun: as, "his lane," "my lane," "their lane," + i. e., "by himself," "by myself," "by themselves." + "Lang ten," the ten of trumps in Scotch whist. + Lassie, lassock, a little girl. + Lave, the remainder. + Leatherin', beating, drubbing. + Letten, allowed. + Lift, to carry off by theft. + Linn, a cataract. + Lippie, the fourth part of a peck. + Loon, a fellow. + Loot, looten, let, allowed. + Lound, quiet. + Loup, to leap. + Lug, the ear. + + Mains, demesne. + Mair, more. + Maist, most. + Mart, a fatted cow. + Mann, must. + Maunder, palaver. + Maut, malt. + Mensfu', modest, mindful. + Mickle, much. + Mind, to remember. + Mirligoes, dizziness. + Mislear'd, unmannerly. + Mistaen, mistaken. + Many, many. + "Morn, the," to-morrow. + Muckle, much. + Muir, a moor. + + Na, no, not. + Naething, nothing. + Naig, a nag. + Neb, the nose, the beak. + Neist, next. + Neuk, a nook, a corner. + + Onstead, a farm-steading. + Ony, any. + Or, before. + "Ordinar, by," in an uncommon way. + O 't, of it. + Outshot, a projection in a building. + Out-taken, excepting. + Ower, over. + + Peat-hag, a hollow in moss left after digging peats. + Penny-fee, wages. + Dinners, a cap with lappets, formerly worn by women of rank. + Pit, to put. + Pleugh, plough. + Pleugh-paidle, a plough-staff. + Pockmantle, a portmanteau. + Pose, deposit. + Puir, poor. + Putten, put. "Putten up," provided for. + + Quean, a flirt, a young woman. + + Rade, rode. + Randy, a scold. + Raploch, coarse, undyed homespun. + Rase, rose. + Rax, to stretch, to reach. + Redd, to clear up. + Reek, smoke. + Rin, to run. + Ripe, to rake, to search. + Rue "to take the rue," to repent of a proposal or bargain. + Rugging, pulling roughly. + + Sae, so. + "St. Johnstone's tippet," a halter for execution. + Sair, sore. + "Sair travailed," worn out, wearied. + Sark, a shirt. + Sauld, sold. + Set, to suit, to become one; also, to beset. + Shaw, a wood; flat ground at the foot of a hill. + Shune, shoes. + Sic, such. + Siller, money. + Skeily, skilful. + Skellie, to squint. + Skirl, to scream. + Sort, to arrange, to supply. + Sort, a term applied to persons or things when the number is small. + Sough, a sigh, a breath. "Calm sough," an easy mind, a still tongue. + "Sough'd awa," died gently. + Soup, "a bite and a soup," slender support, both as to meat and drink. + Sowens, a sort of gruel. + Spak, spoke. + Speer, to inquire, to ask. + Spunk, fire, activity, spirit. + Stamach, stomach. + Steer, to disturb. + Stir, sir. + Stot, a bullock. + Stour, a battle, a fight. + Strae, straw. + Stressed, distressed, inconvenienced. + Stude, hesitated. + Sud, suld, should. + Sune, soon. "Sune as syne," soon as late. + Sybo, an onion or radish. + Syke, a streamlet dry in summer. + Syne, since, afterwards. + + Tae, tane, the one. + Ta'en, taken. + "Tak on," to engage. + Tauld, told. + Tent, care. + Teugh, tough. + "Thack and rape," snug and comfortable. + Thae, these, those. + Thegither, together. + Threep, to aver strongly. + Till, to. + "Till 't," to it. + "Tippet, St. Johnstone's," a halter for execution. + Tirl, to uncover, to strip. + Tittie, a sister. + Tother, the other. + Toy, a close linen cap. + Troth! sure! + Trow, to believe, to think, to guess. + Trysted, overtaken. + + Unco, very, particularly, prodigious, terrible; also, strange. + + Vivers, victuals. + + Wad, would. + Wadna, would not. + Wallie, a valet. + Walth, plenty, abundance. + Wan, got, reached. + Waur, worse. + Wee, little. + Weel, well. + We'se, we shall. + Wha, whae, who. + Whase, whose. + "What for," why. + Wheen, a few. + Whiles, sometimes. + Wi', with. + Win, to get. "To win by," to escape. + "To win ower," to get over. + Winna, will not. + Winnock, a window. + Wotna, know not. + Wud, mad. + Wull, will. + "What's yer wull?" what is your pleasure? + + Yerl, earl. + Yestate, estate. + Yokit. + yoked. +</pre> +<center> + THE END. +</center> + +<br><br> + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Volume</a> +</td><td> + <a href="6941-h.htm">Main Index</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +</body> +</html> |
