Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/62

 58 THE JUDGE AND THE FREEBOOTER.

Alice hurried to the gate, where she found Elliot, whose appearance showed he had been engaged in some desperate fray, anxiously awaiting her. “Where's Gilnockie, “said Alice, hastily, “and how comes it that I see you here your lane, Bobbie Elliot? "

“I'm loth to tell you, dame, “replied Elliot, “but it canna be helped now. We have been worsted in the fray, and Gilnockie is by this time in Jeddart jail. ”

My malison be on you and your whole clan, Bob Elliot, “exclaimed Alice, “for wiling awa my poor Willie to meet his death; ye hae taken good care of yoursel, I trow; ye should think black burning shame to come to Gilnockie, to bring such dool tidings to a wife and mother. "

“Whist, whist, dame, “answered the freebooter, “I'm no the coward loon ye think me— look at this muckle gash on my cheek, woman, it would hae fa'en to Gilnockie's share, if I hadna come between him and the Southern, and my left arm is broken by a pistol-shot, and hangs down like an old clout, so I hae done my best to keep Willie scatheless; and besides this, I hae come at the peril of my ain craig to bring ye the news, and to help to drive off your horse and kye to a safe place till the hobbleshew is ower. "

“Let the gear gang, “exclaimed Alice; “what is it in comparison to a husband's life? Saddle the brown mare, Wattie, it's time I were off to Jedburgh. Bobbie Elliot, “she continued, 66 ye hae muckle to answer for-but ye are a wounded man, light down then, and come in and take baith meat and drink. I hae maybe let fa ' ower sharp words, but muckle should be forgien to a waeful wife. "

“Naedoubt, “said Elliot, as he followed Alice into the tower, “but ye maun hae a sorrow fu ' heart. I hope, however, that the matter is no past remeid-gang ye to Willie, and lippen the gear to me. "

“1 maun lippen to you what is dearer to me than house or land, horse or kye, and that is my young son. Ye maun take him to my brother, for 1 canna leave him here, and as little can I take him with me into a dowie prison. "

“I'll do that blythely, “replied Elliot, “and trow me, dame, we'll get ower this bruist yet. "

Alice's preparations being soon completed, she mounted behind Wattie, and ere day dawned she was far on her way to Jedburgh.

“So, thou art there again, thou ill-conditioned reiner, “said the jailer of Jedburgh, Andrew Cutler, better known by the name of Gustygowl. “Deed am I, “replied Gilnockie, coolly; “certie, I like your company as ill as ye like mine, and your quarters far mair. "

“And what the sorrow brings ye here then? Is it no your ain faut? -I'se warrant ye'll get a tow round your thrapple this time. It's the warden's order that ye are to be hanged, and by my faith ye're cheap o ' it. Three times ye hae been under lock and key in Jeddart jail. "

“Three times are cannie, “said Gilnockie, carelessly.

“That's to be seen, “replied Gustygowl;

“whatfore could ye no settle down at Gilnockie tower, and gain thy living in an honest way, in place o ' maundering through the country, rewing and riving other folks ' goods and gear? "

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“Ye ken the auld saying, Gustygowl, that what's bred in the bane will ne'er come out o ' the flesh. I'm a true Armstrong, and will be ane to the end. "

“And it's likely ye'll gang the same gate, for I'm thinking ye'll no find it an easy job to get out o ' the warden's grip. "

“A's no tint that's in danger, “replied the borderer.

“Ye'll be hanged, for as bauld as ye look, “said Gustygowl.

“We'll see, as the blind man said, “responded Gilnockie. “But harkye, Gustygowl, there's sma ' doubt that my dame will be here as soon as she hears of the strait that I'm in-now mind, you're to let me see her when she comes. "

“It's mair than ye deserve, ye rewing loon, “replied Gusty gowl, as he withdrew, after carefully securing his prisoner.

Wattie Winshaw having put the brown mare to her utmost speed, the travellers, in less time than might have been expected, arrived at Jedburgh, and Alice repairing to the prison, was quickly admitted.

“Wae's me, wae's me! “she exclaimed, on entering the damp, dark cell where her husband was confined. “Oh, Willie, whatfore would you no be warned? Didna I tell you what the upshot would be? "

“Gudewife, “said the borderer, impatiently, “if you hae nae better comfort to gie me, ye might as weel hae staid at the auld tower. We maun think how I am to get out o ' this dowie place. "

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“I doubt, Willie, you'll find that a kittle job, for the warden's wud bout the outbreak. I'm feared it will gang unco hard wi ' ye. Oh, Willie, am I to be left a desolate widow in such troublous times? "

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“I'll no die this bout, wife, “rejoined Willie, so speak at leisure about being a widow. I'u cheat the woody yet. "

“What can I do to help ye, Willie? “said Alice, “for weel ye ken I would gang through fire and water to save ye. "

“I dinna misdoubt it, “replied Willie, “ for ye hac aye been a good wife to me, though something ower saft for the marrow of a rewing borderer-but ye canna help that. Ye hae often heard tell, how that in the auld rewing times my forbears did good service to the Earls o ' Traquair, and mony a fray hae they helped them out o ', and the Earl that now is has been obliged to me mair times than ance. So I see naething for't, Alice, but that ye speed awa to Traquair House, and tell the Earl the case that I'm in, and that I look for help from nae other hand-and say to him that I ken I've been in the faut, and that he kens the nature o ' a borderer ower weel to be hard upon me. "

“I'll do my best, “replied Alice, “but nae doubt he'll expect you to gie caution for your