The Crimson Sign

s of Castleton, and having swept the ancient possessors from the soil, had planted there a hardy race of colonists, and built himself a great house, half m

isgrace. For a time he had entirely disappeared; there were vague rumours that he had prospered in the Virginias and had made a fortune there. However that might be, he had returned home on the death of his father, bringing with him an only son, and lived a moody, retired life in the great house, attended only by a servant who had shared his adventures abroad. His son had early obtained a commission, and served with distinction on the Continent. He had married against the wish of his father, a young lady of great beauty and slender fortune, the daughter of a Huguenot refugee, and when he fell at Senef some years afterwards, left an orphan son and daughter to the care o

went his way with the headstrong and reckless selfishness that was the characteristic of his race. The presence of his grand-daughter seemed to give him pleasure, but companionship between them there was none. He accepted her attentions, not, indeed

posts for some time, but as the excitement deepened, and the tenantry fled to Enniskillen or to Londonderry for safety and shelter, they refused to remain longer, and while imploring her to join them in their flight, one morning they departed in a body. She herself would willingly have accompanied them, but her grandfather refused to move. It was, he said, mere moonshine. It was only when the Irish army had marched northward, and there came the frequent and alarming 104reports of robb

n, to make the most of the sweet society into which chance had so strangely thrown him. He was indignant with himself that he was

figure, of the Castle and of Tyrconnell and of my Lady, is a most excellent remedy for lowness of spirits. I cannot set

said Gervase, a littl

05you so ill. But I am very wrong to jest at such a time, and your friend does not seem to admire laugh

was,” Gervase answered warmly; “and that you wi

why was I not a man that I might strike for religion and liber

dislike my trade, and would never fight if it were possible to avoid it. But fight we must

But I have no right to ask you that, though I have been told that men s

hat asks to be loved in return, though I should like that too, but a love that fills the heart with great and splendid thoughts, and raises it above contempti

rney like this. Your grim Captain Macpherson were a far fitter and more becoming companion--he would not breathe out his aspirations in rhyme, or relieve his love-

by night and the skirmish on the road, passing lightly over such

d him. “And you have met my cousin Victor, for it can b

ot much older than myself, with a sligh

girl living with my aunt, and he would come to visit us whenever he could tear himself away from the cards and the festivities of Whiteh

d Gervase, “but he is a gallant fellow, and one can

s likely we shall find ourselves within the Irish camp as within the wa

t for a lady. I trust that you will not be called upon to make the trial. But Mac

o cross. At times they had been able to catch a distant glimpse of the river bright with the fading sunset, but so far

now the sound too well to mistake it. If it be possible 108to cross I shall soon know; though--and here I speak, not with any selfish or dishonourable intention, but as a man of honour and a soldier, it were, perhaps, best that this lady and her grandfather should place themselves of their free will

carries with him a great quantity of treasure, which I would that I had never seen. What treatment,

ever your design may be, I shall abide with her, and so far as my

ly forward, and see in what manner yon loons have set their guard, and of what strength they may be. In the meantime, I should advise that you withdraw into that clump of oak trees where you may s

roadside, and Gervase and the girl stood looking at one another in silence; the same grave suspici

vedly, and in good time he will prove that I am right. He will do whatever a man may to bring you safely through, and will risk life and limb

e proved to be excellent shelter, for the underwood had grown thick and high, and discovery was impossible s

looking straight before him, with a fixed unmeaning gaze. He appeared to be unconscious of what was taking place round him, and insensible of t

she said, “do

s better than wine, girl; and bars of silver and stones of price. We who sail under the Jolly Roger cannot afford to be scrupulous. You are sly, wench, damnably sly, but you will not overreach me

all ready and the

s awaiting the

terrible secret of his early life--a secret that till now she had never dreamed of. She had instinctively guessed the truth, and it had covered her with shame, as though the crime and the reproach were her own. Gervase out of rega

money comes--Oh! I might have guessed it, but who would have thought?--and he is so old and so frail and--and I th

that were dimmed with unshed tears. Half an hour passed in silence; only the far-off murmur of the river came faintly through the twilight, and the whirr of a startled bird, or the hasty scamper of a rabbit or a rat, broke the stillness round them. As yet there was no appearance of Macph

apons, for the air was somewhat frosty and very still. They had risen to their feet and stood listening, only Gervase had drawn his sword, and instinctively stepped nearer to where the girl was standing. Soon

r troops and may not use you ill, but escape you cannot, and I may not tarry here. I have done for one

d Gervase, “do y

you, but for your sake and my own I can do naught else. Stay,” he continued, “there is one thing more. For that box they would c

their eyes met. “Yes,” she said, in a clea

, and then with a hurried farewell, he passed out of sight. Colonel Carew uttered a loud, shrill scream and fell forward on the grass. Dorothy ran forward and tried to turn him over, but she had not strength enough. Then Gervase knelt down to help h

ng, plunged into the coppice. The old man′s sudden and startling outcry had guided them to the fugitives′ place of concealment. They set

ld man is dead as a nail,” he continued, touching the lifeless body with his foot, “and the wench is no doubt his daughter. By my soul! she′s a beauty: now look you, the fi

e officer of sufficient authority to whose care he might confide Dorothy, and to whose sense of honour he should not app

bring her grandfather′s body with them, and on their refusing had seated herself beside it. But without using any great violence, they had insisted on her following the rest of the

stuff he′s made of. How say you, sir? On w

nd I were on a peaceful journey, wishing ill and intending hur

ould be. Where is your authority? And now another question and I have done with you: Where is the prickeared knave g

us, we should fall upon a troop of dragoons? Why, man, it was because we w

ig. I′ll give you one chance of saving y

tle to shoot or hang me. See this lady and myself safe through to Londonderry, and you will have twenty golden guineas for yourself and five

e making in Dublin. Come, my man, you′ll have sixty seconds to answer my question, and then Hurrah for the kingdom of glory.” So saying he took a piece of rope from

ou would n

and high as Haman, if the rope were long

ou use me, if you see the la

anything but prate. It seems to me he looks a strolling player and may be one for all I know.” So saying he deft

taste of the troopers, and two of them laid aside their firelocks and placed their hands upon the rope. Then she sprang forward and caught the sergeant by the arm. “You do not mean what you say,”

n have nothing 117to do in these affairs. Two of you fellows take her away, and leave us to finish this business in peace. Now,

o have fallen on the road as Gervase held out his

this company, but my last prayer on earth is for your safety. Could m

rse coming rapidly along the road, and the men who were busied placing the noose round Gervase′s neck, stopped short in their work. Dorothy heard

adorned with a single white feather, nearly concealed his face. As he approached, Dorothy struggled in the hands of the

ome in 118time. You, at least, are

a voice that was at once strong and musical. “I shall examine into this matter, a

s much as she thought necessary for her purpose; and when she had fin

ed in time. These lambs of mine are hasty in their work and, I fear, have not always warrant for what they do. Believe me, I am sorry for your

e mounted officer rode up and the fellows suspended their work, he felt instinctively that he had been saved. The look of baffled hate on the sergeant′s face showed that. The officer came up 119leading Dorothy by the hand, and the dragoons saluted him silently. He gave Gervase one quick searching look, a look that flashed with keen intelligence and

his escape, you have been preparing to murder an unoffending traveller whom it was your duty to protect. Had I been five minutes later, I do not doubt that I should have strung you up beside him. Good God! it is fellows like you who m

lease your honour----

e. Stay, there is one thing more.” Here glancing hastily at Dorothy, he walked a short distance away, and in a low tone gave orders with regard to the remains of Colonel Carew, which he directed to

slaves with all the vices of the slave; they cannot learn the moderation and restraint of freemen in a day. However,” he continued, with a smile that lighted up his dark face, “this is no speech to address to a man who has just escaped the gallows. Miss Carew tells me you are now on

” said Dorothy; “I hav

w not where else she can betake herself. For myself I am indebted to you, sir, for my life, and you may dispose of me as y

be done, but surely

y friends are all in Londonderry, and

t is, to-night, and to-morrow we will devise some plan for your security. Miss Carew may safely place hers

his bold and gallant bearing gave him the appearance of being of more than the ordinary stature. His brow was frank and open, and his eyes had the clear and resolute gaze of a man accustomed to bold and perilous action--ardent, impetuous, and courageou

inquired. “Then we are friends, for you w

his death broke his mother′s heart. It is strange that we should meet here, but life is made up of strange things; we should wonder at nothing. Now, Mr. Orme, I shall give the lady my arm, and we will see whether even here in the desert they cannot furnish us with a bottle of wine,

n to take advantage of your great kindness. I

a melancholy journey for you, and henceforth I wish you happier fortune. I have given or

sed as a military station, for before the door a number of dragoons--perhaps a dozen--were gathered in s

he earthen floor. The latter was a remarkable-looking man in every way. He was dressed in a plain red coat, with a tangled weather-beaten wig hanging down at full length. He wore a faded beaver with a narrow brim, and had a dirty yellow-coloured cravat tied carelessly r

ow?” h

arsfield stiffly. “This lady is the kinswoman of a late very dear frie

the sight of a petticoat, and they could not be expected to know of the relationshi

end, sir,” said Sars

soldier open his eyes to their widest with wonder and admiration, and drew a smile to Sarsfi

r sake. Fine airs never pleased me yet and, damme! you′re a beauty.” Again Dorothy curtesied with becoming gravity. “Now, sit you down,” he went on, “and let me hear of what the Colonel

r began to talk together with great ease and friendliness. Presently he was laughing loudly at her pla

ht with marvellous fidelity. Full of pride and stateliness, they were yet prone to light up with tenderness and playful humour, to which her lips gave just and fitting emphasis. Had I not already known something of her life I should yet have willingly taken her for a heroine. And yet the contemplation of that sweet face saddened me beyond e

any other feeling than friendliness, and it may be the frolicsome humour, that was in her a characteristic trait. From time to time sh

and women, my de

e do not understand ourselves. I t

a long way before me. I mean, my dear young lady, no offence to y

rmission we will draw a ve

ary-general to a ragged army of fifteen, and

ated at the supper table. “And I hope,” he growled, looking askance at Gervase, “

your age I did not require much invitation after a long day. You will tell Miss Carew that soldiers′ fare is ever of the plainest. And as far as prudence and ho

ted Gervase with perfect friendliness, delicately avoiding all matters that might cause offence. He related many incident in his own career with perfect frankness and vivacity, and spoke with great shrewdness and insight of many famous men that he had met. Of Marlborough, whom he had known

d in his cups before Dorothy left the table. But he was entirely silent under Sarsfield′s eye, and merely plied the bottle with great assiduity. Presently Dor

ntion. On your word I know that I could rely, but I know that I have better security for your safe custody there,” and he p

knows the points of a woman but himself. And he flirts with the bottle like a quaker, which I have never taken to be the first sign of manhood. Indeed

se answered good humouredly, unwilling to create any d

nking of this excellent usquebaugh in the company of your betters. I speak in the way of friendship, for I ever like to be honest, and, mark you, I mean n

you would hang me?” Ge

orld, but since I cannot carry out my purpose, I wil

I am afraid; but I am very tired and with you

nken stagger. “Nay, that you shall not. I am a hospitable man, and none shall

The Irish gentlemen were about to strike a great blow for freedom and for James Stuart, though they cared not a whit for the quarrel, but he served their purpose as well as another. For the pestilent heretics in Londonderry, they would be taught a wholesome lesson: they would be made a warning to all traitors. His

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