A Daughter of Raasay

and a dash of clear sky over to the south which promised fairer weather. I was blithe to see i

rom my horse and strode to the taproom where my companions awaited me. In truth they were making the best of their circumstances. A hot water jug steamed in front of the hearth where Creagh lolled in a big

Montagu?"

ur before I left. Hamish Gorm is hanging about there to let us know when they start. Volney h

the l

ief. She is quite out of hope. Faith

turned Donald Roy dryly. "And di

es. He had much to say about how dearly his master and his mistress loved each other, and what a pity 'twas that the lady has lately fallen out of her mind by reason of illness. 'Twas the one thing that spoilt the life of Mr. Armit

gaged. Volney might take the other road; or he might postpone his journey on account of the foul

g a smirr of rain interfere with his plans; and as for the other road,

cried Creagh in his rollicking way. "After the King comes home I'll dance

his yet, and I flushed to my wig at his words; but

l the lady from her lover and not offer another in exchange. No, no! Castle Creagh

Here I sat in a snug little tavern with the two most taking comrades in the world drinki

ful of sour brose with the same good humour he would have displayed at a gathering of his clan gentlemen where the table groaned with usquebaugh, mountain trout, and Highland venison. Creagh's philosophy too was all for taking what the gods

period to our festivities. Presently rug-headed Hamish

sh? Has Volney s

rriage with ta daughter of Macleod, and he will be a fery

ht, Hamish Gorm. Do you hear that? It will be left for your betters to set

t it was a great pity if Hamish Gorm could not

omise was for a clear night. We reached the Surrey road and followed it along the heath till we came to the shadow of three great oaks. Many a Dick Turpin of the road had lurked under the drooping boughs of these same trees and sallied out to the hilltop with his omi

speed. Long before we saw the chaise, the cries of the postilions urging on the horses were to be heard. After an interminable period the carriage swung round the turn of t

aymen!" In the shine of the coach lamps he had seen Creagh's mask and pistol. The valet Watkins, sitting on the box, tried to lash up t

ward to open the door. From the corner of the coach into which Aileen Macleod had withdrawn a pair of bright eager eyes looked into my face, but no

I had deserte

. I will be thanking God that you are alive," she cried, with a swe

out, and t

forgot the gentleman," I said

ill smoking at the barrel. The other he pointed at me, but with my sword I thrust up the point and it went off harmlessly in the air. Then I flung him from me and covered him with my barker. Creagh also was there to emphasize the wisdom of discretion. Sir Robert Volney was as daring a man as ever lived, but

llies," said Volney a

r business," I ret

looking at m

travelling on such a ni

s no jewelry with her. If you are quite through with us, my good fellows

et. Will you not spare us fifteen minute

put two and two together. My words might have been a chance shot, but when on the heel of them Creagh let slip his name Voln

y, but Lard! not so enticing by a deal. Your enterprise is worthy of commendation, and I would wager a pony agains

rry men, and t

merry me

ing three par

the gall

ke it a point to be at Tyburn to see your promotion over the heads of humdrum

n that happy day arrives," laughed Creagh, del

istaken him for one of us and let fly at him. The fellow lay groaning on the ground as if

tured wing. All he needs is a

ooked disgusted and

g till I thought him about to ship for the other worl

our minds. As I rose to my feet he stepped forward.

roduce me to the other gentlemen, or would they rather remain incog? Captain Claude Duval, your most obedient! Sir D

ravely, returning his bow, but the Iris

d so often of late, Montagu. Now I would lay something go

ed. "Here is a piece of good turf under

d out of doubt will some day have to settle our little difference. Well then, if 'twere done 'twere well done quickly. Faith, Mr. Montagu, y'are a man after

he lounged forward to th

cannot be ignored. Believe me, I shall make the absence very short. Dear my life, every instant that I am from you is snatched from Paradise. Fain would I be with you alway, bu

feet, and still he smiled his winsome smile, carryi

ie for such a loving look from thee. All Heaven lies

ment Hamish Gorm lay stretched on the turf, muttering Gaelic oaths and tearing at the sod with his

tagu. He can't even wait till you have had your chance

f firm turf beyond the oaks. If you will

the lady. Pray do not let me hurry you," he said urb

gone I turne

happens. They will take you to Montagu Grange, and my brother Charles will push on w

was like

th this man for me, and you only a boy? Oh, I could be wishing for my

me was stung

Angelo judged me a good pupil.

to me, and I am loving you for it, b

my eyes burned, bu

n to him, and maybe to pass the time

th shining eyes, and before I divined her intent had

th to where the others were waiting

forgotten me and gone off with th

rm enough when once we got to work. Then, strangely enough, an unaccountable reluctance to e

ady?" asked

I myself am one. But this girl shall not be added to the list. I have sworn it; so have my friends. There

Mr. Montagu, wh

ow if you w

out gaily as he mouthed the sp

nd talk of peace

l, all Montag

thee,

from his p

ave some one to act for you. Perhaps Captain Mac

the dyke. Man, Montagu! I'm wondering at you, and him wronging a Hieland lassie. Gi

Tony," I said, turning to

gu. I see you're keen after that 'Hic Jacet' I

e the mastery of the weapon which he possessed. To some extent his superior skill was neutralized by the dim light. He had been used to win his fights as much with his head as with his hand, to read his opponent's intention in advance from the eyes while he concealed his own; but the da

by sheer luck his brilliant lunges. I broke ground and won free-if but barely-from his incessant attack. More than once he pricked me. A high thrust whic

voir,'" he quoted, as he parried my

t was easy, graceful, careless almost, but it was sure. His point wa

d the moon, and by com

good-byes," said Vo

hearse yet-at least for me. Of cour

e, Mr. Montagu, like good wine or-to stick to

ly at him. "Do

d never tell, egad! Too bad the

lney has added another ac

that

n's name with the hin

he country boor in evidence again. Curious how it will crop out. Ah, Mr. Montagu! Th

y. He stopped

fence, Mr. Montagu, but if you will pardon a

to instruct me,

dly word of caution-and the guard is overhigh! 'Tis the same faul

led for defending his sis

of the gentleman. What matter? He has long been food for worms. Pardon me

ll do as it i

the one fault- Well parried, Montagu!-I find in Angelo's pupils

e did not escape me. "I'm

he came over my blade, thrusting low in carte. His laugh rang out clear

ning! Ah! You nearly began the lo

t the man was as full of tricks as the French King Louis and with incredible swiftness he sent a straight thrust

ad cut me to pieces and I had never touched him once. As I went down I flung myself forward at him wildly. It is to be supposed that he was off guard for the moment, supposing me a man already dead. M

UE AN

ation to myself, I presently made out that I was in a coach which lurched prodigiously and filled me with sharp pains. Fronting me was the apparently lifeless body of a man propped in the corne

o herself its owner added, ever so softly and so happily

at the white face over against me

ea

t fainted. You a

onald

inute she did not lift the hand, what time I lay in a dream of warm happiness. A chuckle from the opposite se

lady. A thousand apologies! And for awak

r, a half-humorous admiration in his eyes. "Sweet, you begg

ed maiden modesty

e the wound will break out

to misunderstand. Then, "Oh, you mean the sword cut. 'Twou

th her dear hand to cool my fevered brow-yet was I fool enough to grow insanely jealous that she had used her kerchief to bind his wound.

dliness, the respect one man has for anot

day. Where did you learn that mad lunge of yours? I vow 'tis none of Angelo's teaching. No defense would avail against such a fortuitous stroke. Methought I had you speeding to king

d compound of virtues and vices this man! I learnt afterwards that he had insisted on my

mish Gorm, having dismounted from their horses, waited to carry us into the house. We were got to bed at once, and our wounds looked to more carefully. By an odd chance Volne

odd liking for each other, discussing our affairs frankly with c

lie with nothing but good-will; we are too weak to get at each other's throats and so perforce must endure each the other's presence, and from mere sufferance come to a mutu

r feet again. No l

had ever heard in his voice. "The devil of it is that when I want a thing I n

inate man my

thing and you say I sha'n't nothing on

never draw back before the evi

obstacles I cannot resist. In this case-to pass by the acknowledged charms of the lady-I find two po

will," I answ

reath. When he turned the batteries of his fine winning eyes and sparkling smile on me I was under imp

her girlish pity struggling through the Highland pride, forgetting in the suffering man the dastard who had wronged her, that he was moved not a little from his cynical ironic gayety. She was in a peculiar relation toward us, one lacking the sanction of society and yet quite natural. I had fought for her, and her warm heart forbade her to go her way and leave me to live or die as chance mig

moved. One day Sir Robert limped slowly across the floor on the arm of Creagh while I watched him enviously. From that time his i

ne of these days. Tony Creagh is going to London with me in my coach. Sorry you and the lady won't take the other two seats. Well, au revoir. Hope you'll be quite fit whe

our of talk. Long ago Donald had established his relationship with Aileen. It appeared that he was a cousin about eight degrees removed. None but a Highlander would have counted it at all, but for them it sufficed. Donald Roy had an extraordinar

ignorant of the plainest A B C of the matter. More than once I have known him blunder in a Latin quotation that I might correct him. Aileen and he had a hundred topics in common from which I was excluded by reason of my ignorance of the Highlands, but the Macdonald was as sly as a fox on my behalf. He would draw out the girl about the dear Northland they both loved and then would suddenly remember that his pistols needed cleaning or that, he had

, Macdonald, was not a whit behind, though the droll look in his eyes suggested sometimes an ulterior motive. We talked of many things, but in the end we always got back to the one subject that burned lik

dashed up to the inn and flung himself from his horse. 'Twas Tony Creagh, and he carried with him a placard which offered a reward of a hundred guineas for the ar

perplexity. "But Volney knows I had no m

a tavern wall in London just after 'twas pasted. It s

ty red and pl

e like to keep sheep by m

would never ha

I'm not so sure. The hu

ng the lady with your fairy tales, Creagh. Don't you be believi

aback, especially when another rider came in a few

Mon

ird I trump by lodging an information against you for highway robbery. Tony I shall not implicate, of course, nor Mac-What's-His-Name. Take wi

bedt servt

Vol

imsical smile half-blown on his face, a gleam of sardonic humour in his eyes. Remorseless he was by choice, but he would play the game with an English sportsman's love of fair play.

this fatal blow to the cause it was almost certain that Prince Charles Edward Stuart with only seven companions, of whom one was the ubiquitous O'Sullivan, had slipped from Belleisle on the Doutelle and escaping the British fleet had landed on the coast of Scotland. The emotions which animated us on hearing of the gallant young Prince's daring and roma

our. 'Twas arranged that Captain Macdonald and Hamish Gorm should push on at once to Montagu Grange with Aileen, while I should lie in hiding at the lodgings of Creagh until my wounds permitted of my travelling without danger. That Volney would not rest without attempting to discover the whereabouts of Miss Macleod I was well assured, and no place of greater saf

could not be at home all day and night, and as he was agog to be joining the Prince in the North he might leave any day. Meanwhile he brought me the news of the town from the coffee-houses: how Sir Robert Walpole was dead; how the Camerons under Lochiel, the Macdonalds under Young Clanranald, and the Macphersons under Cluny had rallied to the side of the Prince and were expected soon to be defeated

ion of the hour. None can roar like you. The betting books a

e?" I ex

at Mr. Kenneth Montagu of Montagu Grange falls by the hand of justice before three m

my favour yet. What e

d to Sir Robert Volney and is to receive from each twenty guineas if Mr. K. Montagu i

t to see that his Royal Highness and my

you had a temper and were proud as Lucifer. 'He's such a hothead. How'll he take it?' asks Beauclerc. 'Why, quarterly, to be sure!' cries Selwyn. And that reminds me: George has written an epigram t

uspicion sha

rinda's spou

ar wanton t

s-because the

he Prince put an edge to the zest of my desire to get back into the world. Just bef

er us with praises of your valour. This morning one of the fair cr

rleigh, and inclosed was a letter to her from my sister. How eag

est 'To

but Lud! 'tis monstrous dull after a London season. I vow I am already a lifetime behind the fashions. Is't true that prodigious bustles

ave them sent by carrier. I know I am a vast nuisance; 'tis the

be down here to philander with her. Aileen Macleod is her name, and really I do not blame him. I like her purely myself. In a way quite new she is very taking; speaks the prettiest broken English, is very simple, sweet, and grateful. At a word the pink and white comes and goes in her cheeks as it never does in ours. I wish I could acquire her manner, but Alack! 'tis not to be learnt though I took lessons

tay only an hour or two, but Charles persuaded him to stop three days. Charles teases me about him, swears the Captain is already my slave, but you may

; Aileen because she is his cousin a hundred times removed and me because (what a reason!) "my eyes dared him." Of course I wa

I must go smart myself. My d

own

ess is here. You must be sure not to mention it, my dear, to your

lover about Aileen, and that the adroit baronet would worm out of her the information he desired? The letter crystallized my desire to set out at once for Montagu Grang

e under the great oaks to the house. Early as it was, Cloe and Aileen were already walking in the garden with their arms entwined about each other's waists in girl fashion. They made a picture taking enough to have satisfied a jaded connoisseur of beauty:

more demurely down the path, though there was a Highland welcome in her frank face no

re quite well from y

ch for hearing your kind voices

he bright faces, and for a punishment was s

yet," mimicked Miss Madcap. "And are you

while Cloe no doubt enjoyed hugely my embarrassment. 'Tis a sister's prerogative to

in the matter," she was continuing complacen

taught you in the armory," she said quietly; and C

by the unexpected arrival of the Prince. He was extremely solicitous on her behalf, but could only suggest for her an acceptance of a long-standing invitation to visit Lady Strathmuir, a distant relative living in S

months' experiment as the prodigal son in London, but though he was extraordinarily severe with me I made out in the end that affairs were not so bad as I had thought. The estate would have to be plastered with a mortgage, but some years of stiff economy and retrenchment, to

the soft curves, the rose-leaf colouring, the eager face framed in a sunlit aureola of radiant hair. Already my mind had a trick of imagining her the mistress of the Grange. Did she sit for a moment in the s