Guy Mannering, Vol. I or, The Astrologer

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facilities, was general, or rather universal, all along the southwestern coast of Scotland. Almost all the common people were engaged in these practices; the

proportionally hated by those who had an interest in the fair trade, as they called the pursuit of these contraband adventurers. This person was natural son to a gentleman of good family, owing to which circumstance, and to his being of a

of ideas; while the daring and dangerous exploits which he had undertaken in the discharge of his office formed excellent conversation. To all these revenue adventures did the Laird of Ellangowan ser

Laird of Glengubble would have brought the estate into the Ellangowan line; but, happening to go to Harrigate, he there met with Miss Jean Hadaway-by the by, the Green Dragon

very anxious to conceal nor to expedite the transaction. The consequence was that Mr. Frank Kennedy, armed with a warrant from Ellangowan, and supported by some of the Laird's people who knew the country, and by a party of military, poured down upon the kegs, bales, and bags, and after a desperate affray, in which severe wou

, Mr. Bertram asked his lady one morning at break

day,' answered the lady; 'so we may l

last time I was at quarter-sessions the sheriff told us that DIES-that dies inceptus-in sh

like nonsen

letter about that interest of Jenny Cairns's, and deil a tenant's been at the Place yet wi' a boddle of rent, nor will not till Candlemas. But, speaking of Frank Kennedy, I daresay he'll be here the day, for he was a

his sang, and take his drink, and draw his salary, like Collector Snail, honest man, that never fashes ony body? And I wonder at you, Laird, fo

house be made a receptacle for smuggled goods? Frank Kennedy will show you the penalties in the act,

s the King that the lairds here got a soup o' drink and the ladies their drap o' tea at a reasonable rate?-it's a shame to them to pit such taxes on them!-and was na I much the better of these Flanders head and pinners that

understand these things-and there's Fran

ing her voice as the Laird left the room, 'I wi

, 'get up to the castle! you'll see that old fox Dirk Hatteraick, and his Majesty's hounds in full cry after him.' So saying, he flung his horse's bridle to a boy, and

which the lugger returned with her stern-chasers. 'They're but at long bowls yet,' cried Kennedy, in great exultation, 'but they will be closer by and by. D-n him, he's starting his cargo! I see the good Nantz pitching overboard, ke

e ganger's fie,' by which word the common people express

hit the yard in the slings, the mainsail fell upon the deck. The consequence of this accident appeared inevitable, but could not be seen by the spectators; for the vessel, which had just doubled the headland, lost steerage, and fell out of their sight behind the prom

em a signal where she has drifted to on the other side. Good-bye for an hour, Ellangowan; get out the gallon punch-bowl and plenty of lemons. I'll stand for the French a

particular favourite. He no sooner came scampering up the path, than the boy loudly claimed his promise; and Kennedy, who saw no risk, in indulging him, and wished to tease the Dominie, in whose visage he read a remonstrance, caught up Harry from the ground, placed him before him, and continued his route; Sampson's 'Peradventure, Master Kennedy-' being lost in

sight behind that wooded promontory. Some time afterwards the discharges of several cannon were heard at a distance, and, after an interval, a still louder explosion, as of a vessel blown up, and a cloud of smoke rose above the tree

aid Mrs. Bertram to her husband; 'will i

id the Laird; 'perhaps he is bringing so

he plain truth, a rump o' beef is the best part of your dinner. And then I wad have put on another gown, and ye wadna have been the waur o' a clean neck-cloth yourse

k-cloth! we shall do all very well. Where's the Dominie, John? (to a ser

hame these twa hours an

cam hame

the lady; 'desire Mr. Sampso

ld wide, that you, that have free up-putting-bed, board, and washing-and twelve pounds sterling

tuation, in order to give more weight to her remonstrance, and then, in words which we will not do him the injustice to imitate, t

lady, peevishly; 'suppose he lets the boy drop from his horse, and lames h

kely than anything else, that they have gone aboard the sloop

may be drowned,

ennedy had returned an hour since. Of a

d grin, 'was Grizzel chasing t

idea which crossed his own mind. 'I have been in an error,' he said; 'of a surety I should have tarried for the babe.' So saying, he

or nothing with her lord and master; but an appearance of disturbance and anxiety among the servants now excited his alarm, especially when he was called out of the room, and told in private that Mr. Kennedy's horse had come to the stable door alone, with the saddle turned round below its belly and the reins of the bridle broken; an

d lent their assistance, partly out of zeal, partly from curiosity. Boats were manned to search the sea-shore, which, on the other side of the Point, rose in

osphere, and the hoarse sighs of the November wind through the naked trees, the rustling of the withered leaves which strewed the glades, the repeated halloos

d I had died for him!' the affectionate creature repeated, in notes of the deepest distress. Those who were less interested rushed into a tumultuary discussion of chances and possibilities. Each gave his opinion, and each was alternately swayed by that of th

towards a cleft of the rock, where one boat's crew was already landed. 'Here, sirs, here! this way, for God's sake! this way! this way!' was the reiterated cry. Ellangowan broke through the throng which had already assembled at the fatal spot, and beheld the object of their terror. It was the dead body of Kennedy. At first sight he seemed to have perished by a fall from the rocks, whi

he first horse he met, and rode furiously to the huts at Derncleugh. All was there dark and desolate; and, as he dismounted to make more minute search, he stumbled over fragments of furniture which had been thrown out of the cottages, and the broken

zy, his eye caught a glimmering of light in one of the dismantled cottages; it was that in which Meg Merrilies formerly resided. The light, whic

before the momentum of his weight and force. The cottage was empty, but bore marks of recent habitation: there was fire on the hearth, a kettle, and some preparation for

man, 'such a night as this I trusted never to l

ave ye found Harry Bertram? Andr

sir;

that I tread upon earth! She has stolen him; and I will n

e Sheriff, and we'll seta watch here a' night, in case the gipsies ret

e words 'in the dead-thraw!' as if he could not comprehend their meaning, suffered the old man to drag him toward

iously communicated at Ellangowan, with the gratuitous addition, that, doubtless, 'he had drawn the young Laird over the crai

of premature labour, and, ere Ellangowan had recovered his agitated faculties, so as to compr