Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/190

72 And there were bloody Claverhouse men
 * Who laughed aloud with glee,

When, trembling now within their power,
 * The frightened child they see.

He turns to flee, but all in vain:
 * They drag him back apace

To where their cruel leader stands,
 * And set them face to face.

The cakes concealed beneath his plaid
 * Soon tell the story plain—

"It is old Tam Roy the cakes are for!"
 * Exclaimed the angry man.

"Now guide me to his hiding-place,
 * And I will let you go."

But Jamie shook his yellow curls,
 * And stoutly answered, "No!"

"I'll drop you down the mountain side,
 * And there upon the stones

The old gaunt wolf and carrion crow
 * Shall battle for your bones."

And in his brawny, strong right hand
 * He lifted up the child,

And held him where the clefted rocks
 * Formed a chasm deep and wild.

So deep it was, the trees below
 * Like stunted bushes seemed.

Poor Jamie looked in frightened maze.
 * It seemed some horrid dream.

He looked at the blue sky above,
 * Then at the men near by:

Had they no little boys at home,
 * That they could let him die?