Page:History of James Allan.pdf/17

 brother Bob was confined in Edinburgh Castle for desertion, and would probably be shot, he resolved to attempt his liberation. Having succeeded in obtaining the loan of a miller's clothes, he readily got admission into the castle, and, by a little duplicity, into the prison where his brother was, and furnishing him with instruments for escape, and appointing a place of meeting he left the soldiers enjoying his bountiful generosity. Allan had the pleasure of being soon joined by his brother, and they pressed forward to Dunse. Entering a public-house, they by a well-told tale about seeking for their master’s horse’s, duped a sergeant, who thought them to two raw country lads, enlisted them, and paid them their bounty. At night, having intoxicated the party, they proceeded on their journey:—Bob being apprehensive of being pursued, prudently withdrew, and joined a gang of old friends, while Allan pressed forward to Rothbury. The sergeant whom he had defrauded at Dunse, discovering his retreat manoeuvred so well as to get entrance into the room where Jemmy was playing. Two soldiers stepped up to him and said, “We want a tune,” and immediately commenced dancing, while others secured the door. At the end of the dance the sergeant came forward to speak to the soldiers, when Allan flung up the window and jumped out. Instant chase was given but without success, for Jemmy again got clear off. Allan made the best off his way to Carlisle, and having performed successfully to a festive party held there, he was congratulating himself on fortune favouring him once more; but while standing at the window of the inn he heard the sound of drum and fife, and discovering that it was the party he had enlisted with at Durham, and seeing them entering the house, not a moment for escape was to be lost. He seized his bundle, and sliping out at the back-door, was soon on the road to Penrith. On the road Allan overtook a company of strolling players;—discovering Allans abilities on the pipes, the manager warmly pressed him to join the company. Their vagabond mode of life suited his taste, and he complied, staying with them about six months, “living in clover to-day, and to-morrow counting the chimney-tops for a dinner”—Taking offence, he induced the manager’s wife to elope with him, carrying off her husband’s best linen, cash, and watch. On reaching Litchfield, they took genteel lodgings, and he commenced