all these w

an idl

r death-acc

lly tear

MACK

the most private apartment of a small obscure inn, or rather alehouse, called the Tod's Den [Hole], about three or four [five or s

rless freedom and inward daring gave fire and expression, notwithstanding its light grey colour. A stoup of wine (for in those days it was served out from the cask in pewter flagons) was placed on the table, and each had his quaigh or bicker before him. But there was little appearance of conviviality. With folded arms, and look

the taller and older personage; "we venture our l

you before now." "But what none has dared to tell me," said Craigengelt, laying his hand on the hilt of his s

other, coolly; "and

ith violence into the scabbard-"Because there is a deeper stake to

e say, is laid on by this time, have fairly driven me out of house and home, I were a coxcomb and a cuckoo to boot to trust your fair promises of getting me a commission i

y; and for your father, he had land and living, kept himself close from w

ike yourself: live one week upon a line of secret intelligence from Saint Germains; another upon a report of a rising in the Highlands; get my breakfast and morning draught of sack from old Jacobite ladies, and give them locks of my old wi

of the king cannot sufficiently support his envoys?" "Starving is honester, Craigengelt, and hanging is like to be the end on't. But what you mean to make of this poor fellow Ravenswood, I know

that the Master of Ravenswood is a very different kind of a young fellow from you. He has parts and address, as well as courage and talents, and will present himself abroad like a young man of head as well as heart, who knows something more

ger man. "But don't be angry; you know you will nto fight, and so it is as well to leave your h

Sir William Ashton. I say, that if they meet, and the lawyer puts him to his defence, the Master will kill him; for he had that sparkle in his eye which never deceives you when you would read a man's purpose. At any rate, he will give him such a bullying as will be c

rance, why, so be it, a God's name. I doubt our own merits will procure us slender preferment; and I trust he will send a ball through the Keeper

ime for grass to grow beneath their heels." He proceeded as far as the door, then turned back with a look of earnestness, and said to Bucklaw: "Whatever should come of this business,

know too well the risk belonging to these two terrible words, 'art

de shrewd signs, And pointed f

o yourself?" said Craigengelt,

I have heard upon the sta

think you should have been a stage-player

o myself," said Bucklaw

you in the Fatal Cons

k after the horses lik

yer!" he repeated to h

at Craigengelt's a cowa

ugh. Stay, let me see;

xan

grave I rise t

ords, and quick

, sure none wi

nds, and glory

sword, Bucklaw repeated the ranting couplets of po

s halter in the stable, and is dead lame. His hackney will be set up wit

eed of lightning this bout," said Bucklaw,

f? I thank you for the pr

annot suppose, for the Master is not the lad to shoot an old and unarmed man-but IF there should ha

with embarrassment; "but consider

making, noble Captain. Well, if you will not giv

said Cr

at I agreed to back a gentleman in a little affair of ho

ur horse? and have yo

s much were he sound, and I know how to handle him. Take a fat sucking mastiff whelp, flay and bowel him, stuff the body full of black and g

whelp is roasted, you will be caught and hung. Depend on it, the chase will be har

t go off just now, and leave my horse for him

fear there is a chase; I think I hear three or four gal

ain, you should give up both your captainship and your secret service, for you are as easily scare

s arms folded, his looks stern, and at the same time dejected. He flung his cloak from

ne?" was hastily demanded by Craigen

the short and

or all the injuries that you, we, and the country have received at his

ave been so long due?" said Bucklaw; "I would not have

wood; "it is not to you, sir, that I shall be

e an angry reply. "The Master has been interrupted in his purpose by some accident; but he

to use that expression. I think our friendship amounts to this, that we agreed to leave Scotland together so soon as I should h

usly agreed to tarry for you, although ours might run some risk in consequence. As to Craigie, indeed, it does not very much signify: he had gallo

ce, but I must claim the right of judging what is best for my own affairs, without rendering exp

go over, after all the trouble and expense I have incurred-after al

f, if I found occasion to alter my mind. For your trouble on my account, I am sorry, and I thank you; your expense," he added, putting his hand into his pocket, "admits a more solid compensation: freight and demurrage

aid he; "but I make my vow to God, that if they offer to close upon it, I will chop them off with my whinger. Since th

e himself by quitting our society, to remind him of the obstacles to his remaining here, and of the difficulties attending his

hip," said Bucklaw, "of at leas

t that it should have. When I repair to foreign courts, I shall not need the introduction of an intriguing adventurer, nor is it necessary for me to set value on

ptain Craigengelt,

th hook and all. But I will after him, for I have

d: "No, no, Captain, keep you the check of the chimney-n

auld wife that s

ind blaws in hu

he went, he lef