The Crimson Sign

urdily upon foot. The latter had made his preparations for the journey with abundant care and forethought. The night before he had baked the little meal th

ur, turned the embroidered coat inside out and rolled it in the mud that lay round the well in the farmyard, and then considerately removed one of the skirts with the edge of his sword. His beaver was divested of all form and shape; and a rope of straw rolled round the jackbo

were any learned enough to read it, about which he had his misgiving. Gervase was to act apparently as his guide, and in such character the old soldier did not doubt but that with ordinary discretion, they might smug

made the anticipation of action and enterprise doubly welcome. He revelled in the fresh spring wind that blew softly across the bog and heathy

that the entire country was up in arms 83in a quarrel that could have no end, till one of the combatants went down utterly. Even Macpherson, whose feelings were not easily moved, was affected by the brightness of the morning and the beauty

th reign and

esty mos

rew up his beaver with an

nd runs along the nerves and sinews, strengthening them to acts of endurance and valour. Were I a

ston was singing as we passed this way, hardly a fortnight ag

n want no more. I hope I shall not flinch when my time comes, as come it wi

offered 84no explanation of his mysterio

o refresh themselves, Macpherson asserting that if it were

on Macpherson taking his turn upon horseb

aid. “You are yet too soft for this work and

acpherson′s side, too proud to own his weakness and determined to keep on till he dropped from sheer fatigue. Macp

wn whipping, and that to serve no good or wise purpose. Thank Heaven, I am stout of limb, and nought can tire me; but for you, your bones are still soft, and I would not have

e country was completely deserted, and nowhere within sight was there trace of a human dwelling-place--only broad tracts of rough uncultivated land, and rolling hills of wild heath and tangled wood. A few houses they had passed, but the roofle

elt of Orion flashed with a bright and still a brighter lustre, and the wind seemed to call with almost a human articulateness from the distant hills. The lonely night with its mystery and silence, was instinct with life. In such a presence his own fate seemed to dwindle into infinitely little importance, and all human endeavour appeared of no greater moment than that of the ant or the mole in the ditch hard 86by. Gervase was not given to talking sermon

e saw his eyes kindle, now and again, under his rugged brows, with that sudden flashing light he had seen

r. Peace I should prefer, but if, haply, the rogues number not more than half a dozen, a skirmish were not out of

ut I have not yet acquired such relish for the fare that I cannot do without it. I

g is a wonderful medicine, and clears the humours better than any elixir. I mean but that when we can we may as well be ho

that long sword and pistol handle. But I had rather you were less inclined

efallen since we left the city last? There are brave hearts within the walls, but there are traitors and cowards too; and the latter have sometimes the best of it in this world. Still, I think not, and will wager that the Protestant cause goes bravely on. They are a stiff-necked race, these men of Ulster; bend

eminently plausible, and about Gervase they did not trouble themselves. There were many French gentlemen in the Irish army, and it was not a strange thing to find one on his way to head-quarters accompanied by a guide. One troop of dragoons had, indeed, stopped t

le in advance mounted upon Bayard, and Macpherson stepping out sturdily in the rear. On the top of the hill Gervase halted, reined the horse back hasti

pherson asked, instinctively pla

vase, “but I think it

′s bridle, “it is not our business, and we have cares enough of our own

n his hand, was valiantly striving to keep at bay half-a-dozen wild-looking fellows armed with half-pikes. Two bodies lay at his feet, another a little distance away, and outside the ring of assailants that surrounded the so

an,” said Gervase, grappling bl

d you--what have w

as you can,” Gervase cried, dashing his unarmed hee

ourished the long pistol above his head. Macpherson watched his breakneck career down the 90hi

all the women in Christendom. This is but the b

east. With one last convulsive effort the wounded man struck his opponent fair in the face with the sword hilt, and they both dropped on the road together. Seeing Gervase a

e fellow with deadly effect, and riding down another, wrenched the half-pike from his hand. Then

er, who had reined up his horse, and was watching the fugitives as if in doubt whether to follow them or to

in thick folds to her waist. Her lips were trembling and her cheeks were blanched and colourless, but her great, dark eyes looked with a steady and courageous glance. There was no sign of fear

se wretched cowards. But I am glad that I was still in time to render you some service. Haply,” he c

aring her wild-looking and ragged champion deliver himself in such excellent English, and with such a well

aid simply. “It may be po

dead. A glance was sufficient to show that life was extinct. She allowed the head to remain resting upon her lap for some minutes, gazing at the rugged face of the dead man in silence, and then she

ome feeble sign of movement in the pulse. “Yes, he is dead,” he said, “

nd the coach, and though they used him roughly, I do not think he hath suffered

ough not yet able to realize what had happened. Then suddenly his eye fell upon the chaise lying overturned, and wit

r. Why the ---- did they not take my life? The gold that I have watched growing and growing, and the precious stones

gan to pour forth such a string of oaths, wild and incoherent, that Ge

“it is still safe, but I had thoug

nds--” here he stopped short and looked at Gervas

ds of mine, and, I prithee, forget them. They meant nothing--nothing, and I ask you to let them

ady and yourself are left alone, in great straits and peril. Therefore I would ask you to

a few seconds reappeared with a heavy, brass-bound box in h

e completely victorious, had been strolling do

those marauding rascals, of whom, I doubt not, we have not yet seen the last. And now, madam,” he said, turning to the girl, “as you see, this gentleman and I are your friends and are bound t

afety on our account. For the gallant service this--this gentleman hath rendered me and my grandfather, I give him ou

kind heart. The sword which this poor fellow drew to defend you, will still be used for that

breath, “Humph! the young fool is caught alr

mewhat rough and discourteous withal, I doubt not he will do his

danger in remaining at home; but last night, hearing that the enemy was burning and plundering round us, he set off at midnight, and we have been travell

that he would have preferred to cut a gallanter figure. “Still, I hope that you will believe me when I say that

holding out her hand, with a frank look in h

reason known to himself, but I have cause to know that a more loyal and faithful friend there never was. He will scoff and rail, I doubt not, but believe me, he will 96serve you wi

; “it is for my grandfather that I fe

e was observed, and then went on with his examination. “Safe! safe!” he muttered. “That was the Spaniard′s gold, and you wear bravely, my beautiful doubloons. How you shine, my beauties, and I thought you were

ble man, and tell me what you purpose doing. Yonder lady is young and unprotected, and we would not willingly leave yo

man, “and I pray you, for God′s sake

I doubt not, told you how matters stand with us. If you will, we shall endeavour to carry you with us, and trust to the fortunes of war to bring you safely through. Another hour should

said, “I regret that we cannot give this brave fellow Christian burial, but if you, madam, will look after your grandfather, my yo

h a great sob which she bravely strove to repress, went over to her grandfather. Macpherson and Gervase carried th

for the dead, that we should mourn. And now look you, Gervase Orme, I love you like a son, and would not willingly see you come to evil. Yonder damsel is goodly to look upon and hath the tender ways of a woman. I can see that you are already drawn towards her, and are ready even now to l

would not leave this defenceless girl an

er than you, my young friend, and think there is no woman worth the sacrifice either of my life or of my liberty. Now, go your way, and see her mounted upon Bayard, while I look after the o

her and the garlands fade? These are fresh, and the morning dew is on them. What though the lips grow dumb, and the sound of the flute and the song is hushed and stilled? In the fresh and roseate morning as yet there are no

n as Dorothy Carew rested her hand upon his shoulder, and placing her dainty foot

, and gathering up the reins in her hand. “We begin early to tro

safe within the walls of Londonderry, and I am please

ou were a friend as you came shouting down the road; indeed, you would make a great h

said Gervase, “but these rags will serve their t

d so long as his treasure was safe, seemed perfectly content to act as he was bidden. Macpherson, with his head bent, walked by the horse′s bridle and listened with a frown upon his face to

nity are shut up in his box. The young fool, thinking only of the brown eyes and tender speeches of the wench, and willing to dare all things for her foolish sake, while the wench herself, woman that she is, baits her trap with honied words and draws the

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