The Crimson Sign

ter of an hour showed evident signs that he was fast losing what temper he possessed. As he marched with a hasty stride up and down the oaken floor, and wheeled with milit

h, had they been heard in the pious city of Londonderry, would have been deemed little in keeping with his reputation. Nor d

had 2in all likelihood its history; and a great scar, half concealed by his broad beaver, ran from the temple almost to his chin. His mouth was firm and resolute, giving its character to a face that did not seem apt either to lighten in

ered hurriedly and stumbled against him. When they recovered themselves, they stood looking at one another inquiringly for a momen

ince, but what I am now I hardly know till my wits come back. Yo

sir,” the young man answered, with a pleasant smile that lit up his

to the embrasure of the window followed by th

officer, for such I take myself to be, been awaiting your coming a full quarter of an hour. I have been in countries where the provost-m

r. He said nothing of the time, but

ed of time. I was brought up in a different school, and would have you know that while you keep me company, you must learn my ways. How l

urs for nearly two years

that is before you and will come speedily. Hath Colonel

instructions from you, and pl

swaying like men who know not whether to turn to the right hand or to the left. We would fight but we dare not; we would flee but we cannot. And all the while there are stout fellows here who would handle a musket or trail a pike with the

do never fear but we shall gi

s to be strengthened, ravelines and fascines to be constructed, supplies to be furnished, and arms to be collected. We talk of standing a leaguer, as if these things would do themselves. But needs must when the Devil drives, and I know whither that carries. Th

but I would do my own work like a simple gentleman, an

heless, the onfall at the castle of Carrickfergus and the break of Dromore give me cause to grumble, and Rawdon and Beresford and the rest of them might have taken a lesson from a

place myself at your d

el these Enniskilleners must digest forthwith, inviting them to leave the safety of their water-walls and, as I hear, good store of provender, to take their

might have seen some service; this

this barbarous country we do not look for the courtesies of war, or even the interchange of prisoners; my Lord Galmoy and others, whom I hope to remember, have shown that a gentleman can play the hangman, and a soldier hath other trades than fighting. The journey is like to prove adventurous though it end in nothing. See that your horse be sure and fresh, and your pistols such that a man may place his life on them. I remember me when my

in the city--the best man,

e good men are oftt

somewhat nettled by the tone of his compa

not always the ways of worldly prudence, and it behoves me who am answerable for our safety to act with diligence. Now, look you, Mr. Orme, I have watched you carefully, and I think you honest--dull it may be but honest, and I speak you plainly. I am suspicious of your colo

Lundy is honest and dev

ity, and would not be taken unprepared. When the regiments arrive from England they will find their entertainment of the poorest. If empty magazines and disordered companies

otestant religion depend upon he

would be early afoot should be early abed, and see that you get

ty had become a crime and resistance an imperative duty. His own slender patrimony was in peril; his faith was threatened and in danger of being proscribed; his friends, whose safety and honour were his own, were placed at the mercy of their bitter and hereditary foes. Civil war was imminent and he could not hesitate

ther simple gentlemen of his time, that when he drew his sword it was for fatherland, for faith, and even for life itself. Nor did he very much doubt the result. The descendent of a Saxon colonist he looked down on the men of Munster and of Connaug

destination might be one of those towns upon the Bann where the Protestant forces were awaiting the coming of the Irish army which was rapidly advancing north. In this he had b

ing before. When he 10reached the gate Macpherson was already there before him. The old soldier, wrapped in a long military cloak, was standing with his back to the wall, reading from a small volume in a loud mono

om the Word, that, mayhap, will put us in heart for our cold ride. ′Tis an excelle

Hackett, in a low tone, “I will

must put many a mile between us and the city before d

t patiently on their horses waiting till the drawbridge had been lowered and the great gate swung open. With a solemn “God speed

of warning from one of the troopers who had stumbled over some obstacle, or had floundered deep in the bog by

ses of rock, green with ferns and bramble. Here and there scattered through the uplands lay a farm steading, surrounded by its stretch of tilth and orchard close. But no sound of morning labour could be heard. The fields were lyi

loosened his horse′s girths. Then he removed the saddle

hey are all vanity, even the vanity of vanities, as the Hebrew hath it. But he grows to love his horse. Together they have faced the scathe of the battle, and the privations of the march. Often and often this sleek skin hath been my pillow, and but for him these useless bones had been whitening on the sandy plains of Utrecht, or the rolling uplands of the Maas. And for beauty--you youths go mad for beauty--is there aught in th

horse with reason, but I trust there are other th

, and the woman whose favour is the breath of your nostrils, deserts you at the first whisper of misfortune. These things are of the world a

ave had no reason to question what I have learnt. I have

eighteen I saw my first battle. The blood of the youth is hot, the lusts of the flesh are strong upon him, and he is slow to see the finger of God writing upon the tablets of the heart. Mi

theology to the parson. I serve God after the fashion of the Church of England, and will do my duty as be

t the old soldier gazi

roadside. Weary with their long march, covered with mud and flaked with foam, the horses cropped the long grass that grew luxuriantly under the hedge of thorn. Gervase threw himself down on the grassy sward by the road-side, and watched the picturesque scene around him. Then, tired as he was, a heavy drowsiness overtook him, and the deep valley and the s

the sunshine filled the valley, and Macpherson was

to march?” c

nly. “This day will try of what stuff the Lord hath made y

ey he could see a small body of horse, the sunshine glancing on their swords and steel head-pieces, 15and the dust rising thickly under the hoofs of th

is deep strong voice thrilled like a trumpet. Leaping like a youth into his saddle and laying his hand lightly for a moment on the restive charger′s neck, he drew his sword from the sc

They are nearly three to one, and I

im leader; his voice stirred them like a trumpet. They had ca

up his reins and drew his hat tightly over his brow. “We will follow you, Ca

ot crowd together until we have drawn their fire. Then give them a salvo steadily, and like brave men a

they came galloping up the hill, the jingling of the bridles and the clank of the swords. As the little troop swept up the hillside it made a gallant show. Gervase felt his heart beat fast and loud; his hand trembled with excitement on the hilt of his sword

y do. You will feel in good time the thirst to trample down and slay, and the Devil driving you to rend and to destroy. Wait till they come to where the road widens into the marsh

e, and his troopers followed in

eadily, riding two abreast along the narrow road, and holding their carbines in readiness to fire. The young officer on the grey charger had thrown off his scarlet cloak, and was giving

dragoons, without waiting for further orders, fired wildly. Gervase, who rode in advance, turned to see if any of the men behin

fire! Aim at the horses

erly as on parade, took aim and fired. Several horses went down, a

other moment he was in the middle of the red-coats and almost without knowing how it was done, he saw his blade buried in the body of the dragoon who had first encountered him. As in a dream he saw the man catch convulsively at the horse′s mane and fall in a heap to th

one down, crushing his rider; the other parried his thrust and then turned to flee. But his doom was on him. Down cam

he hilt from him and drawing his pistol from the holster. His men followed close upon hi

to 19stand. Quick as thought their swords were crossed, and Gervase saw his eyes light up with

epeat the blow. Throwing himself upon him he caught him round the neck, and together they fell to the ground. It was indeed a miracle how they escaped beneath the hoofs of the trampling horses as they grappled with one another in the dust. Then the tide of

onsieur; I yield

onchalantly began to arrange his disordered dress, and to brush the dust from his clothes with an embroidered handkerchief. “Your arms, monsieur, are very strong

eer in the tone that

Gervase said simply. “Your men do not seem t

Let us dismiss them. May I inquire into whos

s regiment, and now in arms for the Protestant religion and

me, seeks favour from none. I think,” he continued, looking down the road a

r: the skirmish is over and

man; I am sorry for him, b

moy some time before had filled their hearts with a thirst for vengeance; it was a sacred duty not to spare, but to slay, and slay without remorse or pity. Far down the road thundered the headlong flight, pursuers 21and pursue

pers halted and turned to retrace their fo

wiping the perspir

over with you. I should have been sorry to my dying day, for y

but we have gaine

injay have we yonder?” and

emen,” said Gervase smiling, “who is

quarter,′ was our word this day. His blood be upon his own head.” He drew his pistol from

ng himself between his Captain and the Vicomte. “In God′s name

rget Dixie and Charleton? I have taken a vow before the Lord this day that not one of them shall escape me. The

have learned in the school of Turenne we will not practise here. No prisoner s

g enacted on which his life depended, the Vicomte continued sitting upon the fence, flicking the dust from his riding boots with his handkerchief and smiling an easy s

. I declined to take your hand; I beg your pardon. You are a brave man and a gentleman. B

was right, and I was wrong. He had given you quarter, which matter he may yet live to repent, and you were under his protection by the laws of war. I might have shot yo

was my good fortune to fight on the side that can afford protection, and had it bee

It is not yet too late to try his skill. By the kindness of this gentleman I have still my sword, and if you, sir, do not think it beneath your dignity to try

o objection to oblige you either with sword or pistol, on foot or horseback. No man that knows him will say that Ninian Macpherson declined a

pleased to call your entertainment. And no

s Enniskillen, and, mayhap, if you

I have learnt the

red Macpherson, abruptly turning on his heel, and joining Hac

and these raw and undisciplined yeomen had shown a wonderful steadiness and gallantry. When the horses of the dragoon

ant Hackett,” he said. “Shoot him thro

“Bah!” he said, “your Captain eats

ach of my carbine,”

side, neither speaking a word. Macpherson′s head was bent on his breast, and Gervase could hear him muttering to himself in a low tone, but he could not catch the meaning of his words. He was e

does not beseem one of my gray hairs and length of years to open his heart to one youn

e was

begin to fear it is but the snare of the fowler. This day the evil one took possession of me. I relapsed into the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity. I sware evil oaths; I rejoiced in the shedding

ne your duty this day like a good and valiant soldier. It may be that old habits are stro

purified, and old habits ca

It was impossible to doubt his sincerity. Spiritual despair had seized upon him, and his narrow creed had no word of

. Then the Lord found me in the wilderness, and for ten years I have walked in the narrow way, till now mine enemy has found me this day; nay,

vase with assumed gaiety. "The Protestant cause could ill afford t

but it is vanity, vanity.” He sighed, and relapsed into silence, nor did Gervase venture to addre