Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/300

 fated and secure against our vengeance—a short time will shew."

"My Lord Menteith," said Sir Duncan, raising himself out of his bed, "this is a proclaimed villain, at once the enemy of King and Parliament, of God and man—one of the outlawed banditti of the Mist; alike the enemy of your house, of the M'Aulays, and of mine. I trust you will not suffer moments, which are perhaps my last, to be embittered by his barbarous triumph."

"He shall have the treatment he merits," said Menteith; "let him be instantly removed."—

Sir Dugald here interposed, and spoke of Ranald's services as a guide, and his own pledge for his safety; but the high harsh tones of the outlaw drowned his voice.

"No," said he, "be rack and gibbet the word; let me wither between heaven and earth, and gorge the hawks and eagles of Ben Nevis; and so shall this haughty Knight, and this triumphant Thane, never