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 60 THE JUDGE AND THE FREEBOOTER.

as to gear, I'm sure we have plenty ; but little mair need be said anent the matter , for I pro- mised to the Earl ye would be glad to make ony paction , so that your life was spared. "

" Ye were unco ready, " retorted the borderer , " but since ye did say sae , I reckon I maun abide by it . "

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• Now ye speak like a reasonable man, " said Alice , " and as the Earl is to be here the morn , I trust you'll soon be out o ' this dolefu ' place. " Soon after this the door of the dungeon opened, and the jailor entered . " It's time , dame , that ye were awa , " said he , " for a'm gawn to lock up. I hope Gilnockie's taking a thought o ' another world, for he has been a reckless man. I have long forseen the end he would come to. "

" Haud your tongue, ye auld boding ravin , and take your ill - faured face out o ' my sight ; I'll soon be out o ' your hands . "

" Aye, when the hangman gets you into his , " answered the jailer , as he ushered Alice out of the dungeon , and turned the key on his prisoner. - " Certie, dame , " he said , " ye have a bauld

marrow. "

" He canna bide being tethered, " replied Alice , " it just puts him by himself , but I hope he'll no be long in your lodgings . "

" There's sma ' doubt o ' that, " replied the jailer , " for the warden makes short wark o ' such mat- ters - take my word for't , he'll neer see Gilnockie tower again . "

66 Maybe, and maybe no , " answered Alice , as she slowly turned from the gate of the prison.

Long did the night appear to the anxious wife, and as soon as daylight broke , she repaired to the jail , and was soon after admitted to her husband. It was midday, however , before the Earl arrived at the jail and demanded to be conducted to Gilnockie's cell.

" This way, my Lord , " said Gustygowl , as he stumped before the Earl with a ponderous bunch of keys in his hand. " Gilnockie is a rewing loon, and he winna be the waur o ' a hanging , so please your Lordship . "

" Peace, fellow ! " said the Earl , " it becomes not such as thou art to speak thus of a bold bor- derer of high name and hereage . " Gustygowl , too much confounded to venture a reply , hastily undid the fastenings of the cell , and ushered in the Earl in respectful silence.

" Ah, Gilnockie , " said the Earl , " I am right sorry to find you here . "

" You canna be half so sorry as I am, " replied Willie , cheerfully ; " but I hope , with your Grace's help , to change my lodgings before long . "

" If you don't take warning, Willie , " said the Earl , " I prophesy that the gallows will be your end at last . The warden is highly incensed . "

" He makes a din about naething, " replied Willie ; " I'm sure little fell to my share but twa tethers . "

" Twa tethers ! " said his Lordship in surprise, " and did you peril your life for twa tethers ? "

" I'll no say but there might be two colts at the end o ' them, " said Willie , coolly.

" You are a bold man, Gilnockie , " said the

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Earl, to jest thus when the halter is waiting for thy neck. "

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Aye, but I ken your Lordship would like ill to see me fitted with a St. Johnstoun's tippet ; ye'll hae got my pardon ? "

" I have, " replied his Lordship , " but it was no easy matter , and there are conditions annexed , to which you must agree before you leave this place . "

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Oh, my Lord , " exclaimed Alice , " he'll agree to ony thing , so that his life be spared. " " Haud your lang tongue, ye sorrow - wha gied you leave to put in your word ? "

" Come, come , Gilnockie , " said the Earl , " you must not find fault with your dame - I assure you she pleaded your cause most warmly . "

" I diana doubt it ; there's na gude wife but would hae done as muckle, but natheless I'm obliged to her ; now what does your Lordship expect me to promise ? "

" That ye shall neither reive, nor lift , nor join raid or feray from this time henceforth - and I have become security for these terms being kept , being assured that if you give me your word to that effect that you will keep it . "

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My Lord, " said Willie , while a tear dimmed his eye , " I'm proud o ' the confidence ye put in my plighted word , and fiend hae me , if I ever wrang it ; and I swear by bread and salt never to lift horn even , hoof or woof , and never in ony way to break the peace of the border. "

" I ask no more, Willie , " said the Earl , " you are now free ; but I recommend you not to leave Jedburgh till the evening , as you have some ill- wishers here , who will not be pleased to find you have escaped so easily . "

" That, for the tinklers , " exclaimed Willie , snapping his fingers ; " but , my Lord , here am I , Willie Armstrong , ready to ride , to run , to fight or steal for you if you should ever need my help . ” " Thanks , Gilnockie , " replied the Earl , smiling , " but I have no occasion for any of those services at present ; however , as no one can tell what turns fortune may take , perhaps I may some day put you in mind of your promise. "

" The sooner the better, my Lord , " said Willie , with great glee , and if you should want me for a fighting bout , I'll be blythe to your pleasure. "

" Ye are gaun aff at the nail, Willie , and before his Grace , too , wha nae doubt would expect to see a man just saved frae the hangman's hands demean himself with mair discretion , " said Alice. " Neer a bit, " retorted her husband , " the Earl kens what stuff I'm made o ' . "

" Aye, " replied the Earl , " for a rewer , thou art not the worst of the kind . Farewell , Gil- nockie , speed ye hame and live a peaceable and quiet life . "

" It gangs sairly against the grain, " replied Willie , " natheless I have passed my word and I'll keep it , though I ken a peaceable life will make me gaunt my chafts aff ; farewell , my Lord , and dinna forget Willie Armstrong . "

No sooner had the Earl departed than Willie roared lustily for the jailer who quickly made his appearance ,