Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/65



THE JUDGE AND THE FREEBOOTER. 61

“What the sorrow makes ye come at that daundering gate? “cried Willie. “Hast ye, and take aff my handcuffs, ye dour loon, that I should ban, and let me quit o ' you and your four stane wa's. "

“It will be a happy riddance when your back's turned, “retorted the jailer, “but it's a pity for honest folks that the woody has na got its duebut there's a good time coming. "

“You're just mad, Gustygowl, “said Willie, “that ye canna see me hanged, and that a ' your prognostifications are no worth a bodle; but take aff my shackles, certie man, I bear ye nae ill-will for a ' that's come and ganc. "

“Deed no, “said Alice, who thought it as prudent not to irritate so formidable a personage“it's just his way, but I'm used to it. "

“Rather you than me, dame, “replied Gustygowl, “but where are ye gaun? “he continued, seeing Willic striding towards the door.

“Where am I gaun? hame to be sure, “retorted the borderer.

“You are not to stir a foot till some o ' the Earl's men come for ye, and that will not be till the gloaming; this was his Lordship's orders, so you may sit down and rest your shanks till I come back for ye. "

“Aweel, “replied Willie, “I fancy I maun do as I am bidden, but it's a trade I'm little used to. "

“I can answer for that, “said Alice with a good humoured smile, as she left the prison to prepare for their return to Gilnockie.

Late in the evening, several of the Earl's retainers arrived at the prison, from whence they escorted Armstrong and his dame in safety to the tower of Gilnockie.

Alice sent directly for her little son; she afterwards had the cattle and other gear brought, and then set about the difficult task of reconciling her husband to the employments of ploughing, sowing and reaping, all of which he held in high disdain, and had not Alice taken management of their affairs into her own hands, there would have been a lack of plenty in kitchen and hall.

“I'm just clean taivert, “said Willie one day, in a desponding tone, as he seated himself near the fire; “I'm doited a ' thegether with no haeing a hand's turn to do. "

“I wonder to hear ye, Gilnockie, “said Alice; “naething to do, truly, are there nae staves wanted in the dookit park? and— ”

“Is that wark for me, wife, that hae been used to sword and lance? I would like to ken what my forbear, Johnnie Armstrong, would have said if his wife had evened him to any thing o ' the kind. ““Your pride beats a ', Gilnockie, “said Alice. “Nae doubt, Johnnie had four-and-twenty belted knights to do his bidding; but they couldna keep him frae the gallows-tree for a ' that. "

“It was a shamefu ' deed, wife; it's weel kent that he only took frae the rich to gie to the poor. I wish I could play ower the part he did. "

“And meet with the same end, “said Alice; “put awa such merlegoes out o ' your head, and settle quietly at hame. "

“I canna settle, “retorted Willie, “so I'll gang

to the fair the morn, and see if that will waken me. "

“' Deed ye'll do nae such thing; ye hae nought to sell, and as little to buy; and ye ken very weel there's never a fair but there's a tulzie, and there's never a tulzie but you're sure to be in the middle o't. Hear reason, Willie, and dinna put yoursel in the way o ' breaking your word to the Earl. "

“Aweel,“ said Willie, with a deep sigh, “I trow I maun think o ' the fair, so I'll gang and shoot at a target. "

“Ye had muckle better gang and shoot at a fat buck, “responded his careful wife.

Thus matters continued for a considerable time, when one night, as Willie and his wife were preparing for rest, a rider was heard approaching the house at full speed. Willie, delighted at any thing that promised to break the monotony of his life, hastened to the shot-hole to reconnoitre and question his unexpected visitor.

“Wha may ye be that comes so late to Gilnockie tower? “asked Willie.

“A friend, “answered a well known voice, “but come down yourself, Armstrong, and let me in, for my business requires secrecy and dispatch. "

“I'll be blythe to do that, “replied Willie, in a joyful tone; “wife, stir up the fire and put a ' things in order, while I run down to open the gate. "

“Ne'er a gate shall be opened this night, if 1 can help it. This will be some o ' thae born deevils the Elliots; now, Willie “-

“Haud out of my road, ye gomeril; does it set us to keep the Earl o ' Traquair standing like a beggar at our gate? “saying this, he thrust her aside and hurried away.

“Preserve us a '! “said Alice, “who would hae thought o ' the Earl coming at this time o ' night? ” “Well, my fair dame, “said the Earl, as he entered, followed by Armstrong, “how goes it with you here? I hope Willie has kept faith with me. "

“That I hae, “replied Willie; “but your Grace maunna keep me ower strict to one portion — I'm wearying sair for a splore. "

“Perhaps that may not be so far off as you think, “said the Earl.

“That's the best news I've heard for a year and a day! “exclaimed Willie, cutting a caper; “for ony sake, tell me a ' about it. "

“Before I begin, I must ask you to give my horse a feed, as I must soon take the road again, “said the Earl.

“I'll raise the house in no time, “replied Alice, “and get the best supper we have for your Grace, and see your horse weel tended besides. "

“No, no, dame, “said the Earl, “I don't wish any of your people to know of my being here. "

“Then I'll do every thing mysel ', “replied Alice; “a borderer's wife can supper a horse at a pinch, as weel as the best loon among them; so I'll gang and leave ye to your cracks, “and away went Alice.

“Gilnockie, “said the Earl, “I am come to