|
Chapter I
There is an old story
which I have often heard related, about a. great Laird of Cassway, in an
outer corner of Dumfriesshire, of the name of Beattie, and his two sons.
The incidents the story are of a very extraordinary nature. This Beattie
had occasion to be almost constantly in England, because, as my
informant said, he took a great hand in government affairs, from which I
conclude that the tradition had its rise about the time of the civil
wars ; for about the close of that time the Scotts took advantage of the
times to put the Beatties down, who for some previous ages had
maintained the superiority of that district.
Be that as it may, the
Laird of Cassway’s second son, Francis, fell desperately in love with a
remarkably beautiful girl, the eldest daughter of Henry Scott of
Drumfielding, a gentleman, but still only a retainer, and far beneath
Beattie of Cassway, both in point of wealth and influence. Francis was a
scholar newly returned from the university; was tall, handsome, of a
pale complexion, and gentlemanly appearance, while Thomas, the eldest
son, was fair, ruddy, and stout made, a perfect picture of health and
good humour, —a sportsman, a warrior, and a jovial blade ; one who would
not suffer a fox to get rest in the whole moor district. He rode the
best horse, kept the best hounds, played the best fiddle, danced the
best country bumpkin, and took the stoutest draught of mountain dew, of
any man between Erick Brae and Teviot Stone, and was altogether the sort
of young man, that whenever he cast his eyes on a pretty girl, either at
chapel or at weapon-shaw, she would hide her face, and giggle as if
tickled by some unseen hand.
Now, though Thomas, or
the Young Laird, as he was called, had only spoken once to Ellen Scott
in his life, at which time he chucked her below the chin, and bid the
deil take him if ever he saw as bonny a face in his whole born days ;
yet for all that, Ellen loved him. It could not be said that she was "
in love ” with him, for a maiden’s heart must be won before it is given
absolutely away ; but hers gave him the preference to any other young
man. She loved to see him, to hear of him, and to laugh at him; and it
was even observed by the domestics, that Tam Beattie o’ the Cassway’s
name came oftener into her conversation than there was any good reason
for.
Such was the state of
affairs when Francis came home, and fell desperately in love with Ellen
Scott ; and his father being in England, and he under no restraint, he
went frequently to visit her. She received him with a kindness and
affability that pleased him to the heart; but he little wist that this
was only a spontaneous and natural glow of kindness towards him because
of his connections, and rather because he was the young laird of
Cassway’s only brother, than the poor but accomplished Francis Beattie,
the scholar from Oxford.
He was, however, so much
delighted with her, that he asked her father’s permission to pay his
addresses to her. Her father, who was a prudent and sensible man,
answered, him in this wise:-—"That nothing would give him greater
delight than to see his beloved Ellen joined with so accomplished and
amiable a young gentleman in the bonds of holy wedlock, provided his
father’s assent was previously obtained. But as he himself was
subordinate to another house, not on the best terms with the house of
Cassway, he would not take it on him to sanction any such connection
without the old Laird’s full consent. That, moreover, as he, Francis
Beattie, was just setting out in life as a lawyer, there was but too
much ‘reason to doubt that a matrimonial connection with Ellen at that
time would be highly imprudent; therefore it was not to be thought
further of till the old laird was consulted. In the meantime, he should
always be welcome to his house, and to his daughter’s company, as he had
the same confidence in his honour and integrity as if he had been a son
of his own."
The young man thanked him
affectionately, and could not help acquiescing in the truth of his
remarks, promised not to mention matrimony farther till he had consulted
his father, and added, —"But indeed you must excuse me, if I avail
myself of your permission to visit here often, as I am sensible that it
will be impossible for me to live for any space of time out of my dear
Ellen’s sight.” He was again assured of welcome, and the two parted
mutually pleased.
Henry Scott of
Drumfielding was a widower, with six daughters, over whom presided Mrs
jane jerdan, their maternal aunt, an old maid, with fashions and ideas
even more antiquated than herself. No sooner had the young wooer taken
his leave than she bounced into the room, the only sitting apartment in
the house, and said, in a loud, important whisper, " What’s that young
swankey of a lawyer wanting, that he’s aye hankering sae muckle about
our town? I’ll tell you what, brother Harry, it strikes me that he wants
to make a wheelwright o' your daughter Nell. Now, gin he axes your
consent to ony siccan thing, dinna ye grant it. That’s a.’ Tak an auld
fool’s advice gin ye wad prosper. Folk are a’ wise ahint the hand, and
sae will ye be.”
"Dear Mrs Jane, what
objections can you have to Mr Francis Beattie, the most accomplished
young gentleman of the whole country?”
"’Complished gentleman!
’Complished kim-milk! I’ll tell ye what, brother Harry,--afore I were a
landless lady, I wad rather be a tailor’s lay-board. What has he to
maintain a lady spouse with? The wind o’ his lungs, forsooth !—thinks to
sell that for goud in goupins. Hech rne! Crazy wad they be wha wad buy
it ; and they wha trust to crazy people for their living will live but
crazily. Tak an auld fool’s advice gin ye wad prosper, else ye’ll be
wise ahint the hand. Have nae mair to do with him-—Nell’s bread for his
betters; tell him that. Or, by my certie, gin I meet wi’ him face to
face, I’ll tell him!"
"It would be unfriendly
in me to keep aught a secret from you, sister, considering the interest
you have taken in my family. I have given him my consent to visit my
daughter, but at the same time have restricted him from mentioning
matrimony until he has consulted his father.”
"And what has the
visiting to gang for, then? Awa wi’ him! Our NelI’s food for his
betters. What wad you think an she could get the young laird, his
brother, wi’ a blink o' her ee?"
"Never speak to me of
that, Mrs Jane. I wad rather see the poorest of his shepherd lads coming
to court my child than see him; "and with these words Henry left the
room.
Mrs Jane stood long,
making faces, shaking her apron with both hands, nodding her head, and
sometimes giving a stamp with her foot. "I have set my face against that
connection," said she.
"Our Nell’s no made for a
lady to a London lawyer. It wad set her rather better to be Lady of
Cassway. The young laird for me! I’ll hae the branks of love thrown ower
the heads o’ the twasome, tie the tangs thegither, and then let them
gallop like twa kippled grews. My brother Harry’s a simple man; he disna
ken the credit that he has by his daughters—thanks to some other body
than him! Niece Nell has a shape, an ee, and a lady-manner that wad
kilhab the best lord o’ the kingdom, were he to come under their
iniiuence and my manoovres. She’s a Jerdan a’ through; and that I’ll let
them ken ! Folk are a’ wise ahint the hand; credit only comes by catch
and keep. Good night to a’ younger brothers, puftings o’ love vows, and
sabs o’ wind! Gie me the good green hills, the gruff wedders, and
bobtailed yowes; and let the law and the gospel-men sell the wind o'
their lungs as dear as they can!”
In a few days, Henry of
Drumfielding was called out to attend his chief on some expedition; on
which Mrs Jane, not caring to trust her message to any other person,
went over to Cassway, and invited the young laird to Drumfielding to see
her niece, quite convinced that her charms and endowments would at once
enslave the elder brother, as they had done the younger. Tam Beattie was
delighted at finding such a good back friend as Mrs Jane, for he had not
failed to observe, for a twelvemonth back, that Ellen Scott was very
pretty, and either through chance or design, he asked Mrs Jane if the
young lady was privy to this invitation.
"She privy to it!"
exclaimed Mrs Jane, shaking her apron. "Ha, weel I wat, no! She wad soon
hae flown in my face wi’ her gibery and her jaukery, had I tauld her my
errand; but the gowk kens what the tittling wants, although it is no aye
crying, ‘Give, give,’ like the horse loch•leech."
"Does the horse-leech
really cry that, Mrs Jane? I should think, from a view of its mouth,
that it could scarcely cry anything, " said Tom.
"Are ye sic a reprobate
as to deny the words o' the Scripture, sir? Hech, wae’s me! what some
folk hae to answer for! We’re a' wise ahint the hand. But hark ye,
-—come ye ower in time, else I am feared she may be settled for ever out
o’ your reach. Now, I canna bide to think on that, for I have always
thought you twa made for ane anither. Let me take a look o’ you frae tap
to tae—O yes—made for ane anither. Come ower in time, before billy Harry
come hame again ; and let your visit be in timeous hours, else I’ll gie
you the back of the door to keep.-—Wild reprobate !" she exclaimed to
herself, on taking her leave; "to deny that the horse loch-leech can
speak! Ha—ha—the young laird is the man for me!"
Thomas Beattie was true
to his appointment, as may be supposed, and Mrs Jane having her niece
dressed in style, he was perfectly charmed with her; and really it
cannot be denied that Ellen was as much delighted with him. She was
young, gay, and frolicsome, and she never spent a more joyous and happy
afternoon, or knew before what it was to be in a presence that delighted
her so much. While they sat conversing, and apparently better satisfied
with the company of each other than was likely to be regarded with
indifference by any other individual aspiring to the favour of the young
lady, the door was opened, and there entered no other than Francis
Beattie ! When Ellen saw her devoted lover appear thus suddenly, she
blushed deeply, and her glee was damped in a moment. She looked rather
like a condemned criminal, or at least a guilty creature, than what she
really was,—a being over whose mind the cloud of guilt had never l cast
its shadow.
Francis loved her above
all things on earth or in heaven, and the moment he saw her so much
abashed at being surprised in the company of his brother, his spirit was
moved to jealousy—to maddening and uncontrollable jealousy. His ears
rang, his hair stood on end, and the contour of his face became like a
bent bow. He walked up to his brother with his hand on his sword-hilt,
and, in a state of excitement which rendered his words inarticulate,
addressed him thus, while his teeth ground together like a
horse-rattle:—
"Pray, sir, may I ask you
of your intentions, and of what you are seeking here?"
"I know not, Frank, what
right you have to ask any such questions; but you will allow that I have
a right to ask at you what you are seeking here at present, seeing you
come so very inopportunely?"
"Sir,” said Francis,
whose passion could stay no farther parley, "dare you put it to the
issue of the sword this moment?"
"Come now, dear Francis,
do not act the fool and the madman both at a time. Rather than bring
such a dispute to the issue of the sword between two brothers who never
had a quarrel in their lives, I propose that we bring it to a much more
temperate and decisive issue here where we stand, by giving the maiden
her choice. Stand you there at that corner of the room, I at this, and
Ellen Scott in the middle; let us both ask, and to whomsoever she comes,
the prize be his. Why should we try to decide, by the loss of one of our
lives, what we cannot decide, and what may be decided in a friendly and
rational way in one minute?”
"It is easy for you, sir,
to talk temperately and with indifference of such a trial, but not so
with me. This young lady is dear to my heart.”
"Well, but so is she to
mine. Let us, therefore, appeal to the lady at once whose claim is the
best; and, as your pretensions are the highest, do you ask her first.”
"My dearest Ellen” said
Francis, humbly and affectionately, "you know that my whole soul is
devoted to your love, and that I aspire to it only in the most
honourable way; put an end to this dispute, therefore, by honouring me
with the preference which the unequivocal offer of my hand merits."
Ellen stood dumb and
motionless, looking stedfastly down at the hem of her jerkin, which she
was nibbling with her hands. She dared not lift an eye to either of the
brothers, though apparently conscious that she ought to have recognised
the claims of Francis.
"Ellen, I need not tell
you that I love you," said Thomas, in a light and careless manner, as if
certain that his appeal would be successful;" nor need I attempt to tell
how dearly and how long I will love you, for, in faith, I cannot. Will
you make the discovery for yourself by deciding in my favour?"
Ellen looked up. There
was a smile on her face ; an arch, mischievous, and happy smile, but it
turned not on Thomas. Her face turned to the contrary side, but yet the
beam of that smile fell not on Francis, who stood in a state of as
terrible suspense between hope and fear, as a Roman Catholic sinner at
the gate of heaven, who has implored St Peter to open the gate, and
awaits a final answer. The die of his fate was soon cast ; for Ellen,
looking one way, yet moving another, straightway threw herself into
Thomas Beattie’s arms, exclaiming, "Ah, Tom! I fear I am doing that
which I shall rue, but I must trust to your generosity; for, bad as you
are, I like you the best!”
Thomas took her in his
arms, and kissed her ; but before he could say a word in return, the
despair and rage of his brother, breaking forth over every barrier of
reason, interrupted him.
"This is the trick of a
coward, to screen himself from the chastisement he deserves. But you
escape me not thus. Follow me, if you dare!" And as he said this,
Francis rushed from the house, shaking his naked sword at his brother.
Ellen trembled with
agitation at the young man’s rage; and while Thomas still continued to
assure her of his unalterable affection, Mrs Jane Jerdan entered,
plucking her apron so as to make it twang like a bowstring.
"What’s a' this, Squire
Tummas? Are we to be habbled out o’ house and hadding by this outrageous
young lawyer o' yours? By the souls o’ the Jerdans, I’ll kick up sic a
stour about his lugs as shall blind the juridical een o’ him ! It’s
queer that men should study the law only to learn to break it. Sure am
I, nae gentleman, that hasna been bred a lawyer, wad come into a
neighbour’s house bullyragging that gate, wi’ sword in han’, malice
prepense in his eye, and venom on his tongue. just as if a lassie hadna
her ain freedom o’ choice, because a fool has been pleased to ask her!
Haud the grip you hae, niece Nell; ye hae made a wise choice for aince.
Tam’s the man for my money ! Folk are a’ wise ahint the hand, but real
wisdom lies taking time by the forelock. But, Squire Tam, the thing that
I want to ken is this—Are you going to put up wi’ a' that bullying and
threatening, or do you propose to chastise the fool according to his
folly?"
"In truth, Mrs Jane, I am
very sorry for my brother’s behaviour, and could not, with honour, yield
any more than I did to pacify him. But he must be humbled. It would not
do to suffer him to carry matters with so high a hand."
"Now, wad ye be but
advised and leave him to me, I would play him sic a plisky as he,
shouldna forget till his dying day. By the souls o’ the Jerdans, I
would! Now, promise to me that ye winna fight him."
"O promise, promise!"
cried Ellen, vehemently; " for the sake of Heaven’s love, promise my
aunt that.”
Thomas smiled and shook
his head, as much as if he had said, "You do not know what you are
asking ” Mrs Jane went on.
"Do it then-—do it with a
vengence; and remember this, that wherever ye set the place o’ combat,
be it in hill or dale, deep linn or moss hag, I shall have a thirsdman
there to encourage you on. I shall give you a meeting you little wot
of!"
Thomas Beattie took all
this for words of course, as Mrs Jane was well known for a raving,
ranting old maid, whose vehemence few regarded, though a great many
respected her for the care she had taken of her sister’s family, and a
greater number still regarded her with terror, as a being possessed of
superhuman powers ; so after many expressions of the fondest love for
Ellen, he took his leave, his mind being made up how it behoved him to
deal with his brother.
I forgot to mention
before, that old Beattie lived at Nether Cassway with his family ; and
his eldest son Thomas at Over Cassway, having, on his father’s entering
into a second marriage, been put in possession of that castle and these
lands. Francis, of course, lived in his father’s house when in Scotland
; and it was thus that his brother knew nothing of his frequent visits
to Ellen Scott.
That night, as soon as
Thomas went home, he despatched a note to his brother to the following
purport: That he was sorry for the rudeness and unreasonableness of his
behaviour. But if, on coming to himself, he was willing to make an
apology before his mistress, then he (Thomas) would gladly extend to him
the right hand of love and brotherhood ; but if he refused this, he
would please to meet him on the Crook of Glendearg next morning by the
sun-rising. Francis returned for answer, that he would meet him at the
time and place appointed. There was then no farther door of
reconciliation left open, but Thomas still had hopes of managing him
even on the combat field.
Francis slept little that
night, being wholly set on revenge for the loss of his beloved mistress;
and a little after daybreak he arose, and putting himself in light
armour, proceeded to the place of rendezvous. He had farther to go than
his elder brother, and on coming in sight of the Crook of Glendearg, he
perceived the latter there before him. He was wrapt in his cavalier’s
cloak, and walking up and down the Crook with impassioned strides, on
which Francis soliloquized as follows, as he hasted on:- "Ah. ha! so Tom
is here before me! This is what I did not expect, for I did not think
the flagitious dog had so much spirit or courage in him as to meet me. I
am glad he has! for how I long to chastise him, and draw some of the
pampered blood from that vain and insolent heart, which has bereaved me
of all I held dear on earth.
In this way did he
cherish his wrath till close at his brother's side, and then, addressing
him in the same insolent terms, he desired him to cease his cowardly
cogitations and draw. His opponent instantly wheeled about, threw off
his horseman’s cloak, and presented his sword ; and, behold, the young
man’s father stood before him, armed and ready for action! The sword
fell from Francis’ hand, and he stood appalled, as if he had been a
statue, unable either to utter a word or move a muscle.
"Take up thy sword,
caitiff, and let it work thy ruthless work of vengeance here. Is it not
better that thou shouldst pierce this old heart, worn out with care and
sorrow, and chilled by the ingratitude of my race, than that of thy
gallant and generous brother, the representative of our house, and the
chief of our name? Take up thy sword, I say, and if I do not chastise
thee as thou deservest, may heaven reft the sword of justice from the
hand of the avenger! ”
"The God of heaven forbid
that I should ever lift my sword against my honoured father!” said
Francis.
"Thou darest not, thou
traitor and coward” returned the father. "I throw back the disgraceful
terms in thy teeth which thou usedst to thy brother. Thou camest here
boiling with rancour to shed his blood; and when I appear in person for
him, thou darest not accept the challenge."
"You never did me wrong,
my dear father; but my brother has wronged me in the tenderest part."
"Thy brother never
wronged thee intentionally, thou deceitful and sanguinary fratricide. lt
was thou alone who forced this quarrel upon him; and I have great reason
to suspect thee of a design to cut him off that the inheritance and the
maid might both be thine own. But here I swear by Him that made me, and
the Redeemer that saved me, if thou wilt not go straight and kneel to
thy brother for forgiveness, confessing thy injurious treatment, and
swearing submission to thy natural chief, I will banish thee from my
house and presence for ever, and load thee with a parent’s curse.”
The young scholar, being
utterly astounded at his father’s words, and at the awful and stern
manner in which he addressed him, whom he had never before reprimanded,
was wholly overcome. He kneeled to his parent, and implored his
forgiveness, promising, with tears, to fulfil every injunction which it
would please him to enjoin; and on this understanding, the two parted on
amicable and gracious terms.
Chapter II
Francis went straight to the tower of Over
Cassway, and inquired for his brother, resolved to fulfil his father’s
stern injunctions to the very letter. He was informed his brother was in
his chamber in bed, and indisposed. He asked the porter farther, if he
had not been forth that day, and was answered, that he had gone forth
early in the morning in armour, but had quickly returned, apparently in
great agitation, and betaken himself to his bed. Francis then requested
to be taken to his brother, to which the servant instantly assented, and
led him up to the chamber, never suspecting that there could be any
animosity between the two only brothers ; but on John Burgess opening
the door, and announcing the Tutor, Thomas, being in a nervous state,
was a little alarmed. " Remain in the room there, Burgess” said he.
"What, brother Frank, are you seeking here at this hour, armed
cap-a-pie? I hope you are not come to assassinate me in my bed?"
"God forbid, brother” said the other; "here
John, take my sword down with you, I want some private conversation with
Thomas." john did so, and the following conversation ensued; for as soon
as the door closed, Francis dropt on his knees, and said, "O, my dear
brother, I have erred grievously, and am come to confess my crime, and
implore your pardon.”
"We have both erred, Francis, in suffering
any earthly concern to incite us against each other’s lives. We have
both erred, but you have my forgiveness cheerfully; here is my hand on
it, and grant me thine in return. Oh, Francis, I have got an admonition
this morning, that never will be erased from my memory, and which has
caused me to see my life in a new light. What or whom think you I met an
hour ago on my way to the Crook of Glendearg to encounter you? "
"Our father, perhaps."
"You have seen him, then?”
"Indeed I have, and he has given me such a
reprimand for severity as son never before received from a parent."
"Brother Frank, I must tell you, and when I
do, you will not believe me —It was not our father whom we both saw this
morning.” "It was
no other whom I saw. What do you mean? Do you suppose that I do not know
my own father?" "I
tell you it was not, and could not be. I had an express from him
yesterday. He is two hundred miles from this, and cannot be in Scotland
sooner than three weeks hence."
"You astonish me, Thomas. This is beyond
human comprehension."
"It is true—that I avouch, and the certainty
of it has sickened me at heart. You must be aware that he came not home
last night, and that his horse and retinue have not arrived.”
"He was not at home, it is true, nor have
his horse and retinue arrived in Scotland. Still there is no denying
that our father is here, and that it was he who spoke to and admonished
me.” "I tell you.
it is impossible. A spirit has spoken to us in our father’s likeness,
for he is not, and cannot be, in Scotland at this time. My faculties are
altogether confounded by the event, not being able to calculate on the
qualities or condition of our monitor. An evil spirit it certainly could
not be, for all its admonitions pointed to good. I sorely dread,
Francis, that our father is no more: that there has been another
engagement, that he has lost his life, and that his soul has been
lingering around his family before taking its final leave of this
sphere. I believe that our father is dead ; and for my part I am so sick
at heart, that my nerves are all unstrung. Pray, do you take horse and
post off for Salop, from whence his commission to me yesterday was
dated, and see what hath happened to our revered father.”
"I cannot, for my life, give credit to this,
brother, or that it was any other being but my father himself who
rebuked me. Pray allow me to tarry another day at least before I set
out. Perhaps our father may appear in the neighbourhood, and may be
concealing himself for some secret purpose. Did you tell him of our
quarrel?" "No. He
never asked me concerning it, but charged me sharply with my intent on
the first word, and adjured me, by my regard for his blessing, and my
hope of heaven, to desist from my purpose."
"Then he knew it all intuitively; for when I
first went in view of the spot appointed for our meeting, I perceived
him walking sharply to and fro, wrapped in his military cloak. He never
so much as deigned to look at me, till I came close to his side, and
thinking it was yourself I fell to upbraiding him, and desired him to
draw. He then threw off his cloak, drew his sword, and, telling me he
came in your place, dared me to the encounter. But he knew all the
grounds of our quarrel minutely, and laid the blame on me. I own I am a
little puzzled to reconcile circumstances, but am convinced my father is
near at hand. I heard his words, and saw his eyes flashing anger and
indignation. Unfortunately, I did not touch him, which would have put an
end to all doubts; for he did not present the hand of reconciliation to
me, as I expected he would have done, on my yielding implicitly to all
his injunctions."
The two brothers then parted, with protestations of mutual forbearance
in all time coming, and with an understanding, as that was the morning
of Saturday, that if their father, or some word of him, did not reach
home before the next evening, the Tutor of Cassway was to take horse for
the county of Salop early on Monday morning.
Thomas, being thus once more left to
himself, could do nothing but toss and tumble in his bed, and reflect on
the extraordinary occurrence of that morning; and, after many troubled
cogitations, it at length occurred to his recollection what Mrs Jane
Jerdan had said to him:—"Do it, then. Do it with a vengeance! - But
remember this, that wherever ye set the place of combat, be it in hill,
or dale, deep linn or moss hag, I shall have a thirdsman there to
encourage you on. I shall give you a meeting you little wot of."
If he was confounded before, he was ten
times more so at the remembrance of these words of most ominous import.
At the time he totally disregarded them,
taking them for mere rhodomontade; but now the idea was to him terrible,
that his father’s spirit, like the prophet's of old, should have been
conjured up by witchcraft ; and then again he bethought himself that no
witch would have employed her power to prevent evil. In the end he knew
not what to think, and so, taking the hammer from its rest, he gave
three raps on the pipe drum (for there were no bells in the towers of
those days), and up came John Burgess, Thomas Beattie’s henchman,
huntsman, and groom of the chambers, one who had been attached to the
family for fifty years, and he says, in his slow west-border tongue,
"How’s thou now, callan’? - Is thou ony betterlins? There has been tway
stags seen in the Bloodhope-Linns this morning already"
"Ay, and there has been something else seen,
John, that lies nearer to my heart to-day." John looked at his master
with an inquisitive eye and quivering lip, but said nothing. The latter
went on: "I am very unwell today, John, and cannot tell what is the
matter with me. I think I am bewitched."
"It’s very like thou is, callan’. I pits nae
doubt on’t at a’.” "Is there anybody in this moor district whom you ever
heard blamed for the horrible crime of witchcraft?"
"Ay, that there is; mair than ane or tway.
There’s our neighbour, Lucky Jerdan, for instance, and her niece
Nell,—the warst o’ the pair, I doubt." John said this with a sly stupid
leer, for he had admitted the old lady to an audience with his master
the day before, and had eyed him afterwards bending his course towards
Drumfielding.
"John, I am not disposed to jest at this time; for I am disturbed in
mind, and very ill. Tell me, in reality, did you ever hear Mrs Jane
Jerdan accused of being a witch?”
"Why, look thee, master, I dare nae say
she’s a witch; for Lucky has mony good points in her character. But it’s
weel kenned she has mair power nor her ain, for she can stop a’ the
plews in Eskdale wi’ a wave o’ her hand, and can raise the dead out o'
their graves, just as a. matter of coorse.”
"That, John, is an extraordinary power
indeed. But did you never hear of her sending any living men to their
graves? For as that is rather the danger that hangs over me, I wish you
would take a ride over and desire Mrs Jane to come and see me. Tell her
I am ill, and request her to come and see me."
"I shall do that, callan’. But are thou sure
it is the auld witch I’m to bring? For it strikes me the young ane maybe
has done the deed; and if sae, she is the fittest to effect the cure.
But I shall bring the auld ane.—Dinna flee intil a rage, for I shall
bring the auld ane; though, gude forgie me! It is unco like bringing the
houdie.” Away went
John Burgess to Drumfielding; but Mrs Jane would not move for all his
entreaties. She sent back word to his master, to "rise out o’ his bed,
for he wad be waur if ony thing ailed him; and if he had aught to say to
auld Jane Jerdan, she would be ready to hear it at hame, though he
behoved to remember that it wasna ilka subject under the sun that she
could thole to be questioned anent.”
With this answer John was forced to return,
and there being no accounts of old Beattie having been seen in Scotland,
the young men remained all the Sabbath-day in the utmost consternation
at the apparition of their father they had seen, and the appalling
rebuke they had received from it. The most incredulous mind could scarce
doubt that they had had communion with a supernatural being; and not
being able to draw any other conclusion themselves, they became
persuaded that their father was dead; and accordingly, both prepared for
setting out early on Monday morning toward the county of Salop, from
whence they had last heard of him.
But just as they were ready to set out, when
their spurs were buckled on and their horses bridled, Andrew Johnston,
their father’s confidential servant, arrived from the place to which
they were bound. He had ridden night and day, never once stinting the
light gallop, as he said, and had changed his horse seven times. He
appeared as if his ideas were in a state of derangement and confusion;
and when he saw his young masters standing together, and ready-mounted
for a journey, he stared at them as if he scarcely believed his own
senses. They of course asked immediately about the cause of his express;
but his answers were equivocal, and he appeared not to be able to assign
any motive. They asked him concerning their father, and if anything
extraordinary had happened to him. He would not say either that there
had, or that there had not; but inquired, in his turn, if nothing
extraordinary had happened with them at home. They looked to one
another, and returned him no answer; but at length the youngest said,
Why, Andrew, you profess to have ridden express for the distance of two
hundred miles; now you surely must have some guess for what purpose you
have done this? Say, then, at once, what your message is: Is our father
alive?" "Ye—es; I
think he is." "You
think he is? Are you uncertain, then?”
"I am certain he is not dead,--at least, was
not when I left him. But—hum—certainly there has a change taken place.
Hark ye, masters—can a man be said to be in life when he is out of
himself?” "Why,
man, keep us not in this thrilling suspense. Is our father well?"
“No—not quite well. I am sorry to say,
honest gentlemen, that he is not. But the truth is, my masters, now that
I see you well and hearty, and about to take a journey in company, I
begin to suspect that I have been posted all this way on a fool’s
errand; and not another syllable will I speak on the subject, till I
have some refreshment, and if you still insist on hearing a ridiculous
story, you will hear it then."
When the matter of the refreshment had been
got over to Andrew’s full satisfaction, he began as follows :—
"Why, faith, you see, my
masters, it is not easy to say my errand to you, for in fact I have
none. Therefore, all that I can do is to tell you a story—a most
ridiculous one it is, as ever sent a poor fellow out on the gallop for
the matter of two hundred miles or so. On the morning before last, right
early, little Isaac, the page, comes to me, and he says,—“Johnston, thou
must go and visit master. He’s bad.’”
"Bad!" says I, ‘Whatever way is he bad?’
"‘Why,’ says he, ‘he’s so far ill as he’s
not well, and desires to see you without one moment’s delay. He’s in
fine taking, and that you’ll find; but what for do I stand here? Lord, I
never got such a fright. Why, Johnston, does thou know that master hath
lost himself?’
"‘How lost himself rabbit?’ says I; ‘speak plain out, else I'll have
thee lug- hauled, thou dwarf!’ for my blood rose at the imp, for fooling
at any mishap of my master’s. But my choler only made him worse, for
there is not a greater diel’s-buckie in all the Five Dales.
"‘Why, man, it is true that I said,’ quoth
he, laughing; ‘the old gurly squire hath lost himself; and it will be
grand sport to see thee going calling him at all the stane-crosses in
the kingdom, in this here way. - Ho, yes! and two times ho, yes! And a
three times ho, yes! Did anybody no see the better half of my master,
Laird of the twa Cassway’s, Bloodhope, and Pentland, which was amissing
overnight, and is supposed to have gone a-wool-gathering? If anybody
hath seen that better part of my master, whilk contains as much wit as a
man could drive on a hurlbarrow, let them restore it to me, Andrew
Johnston, piper, trumpeter, whacker, and wheedler, to the same great and
noble squire; and high shall be his reward. Ho, yes!
"‘The deuce restore thee
to thy right mind’ said I, knocking him down, and leaving him sprawling
in the kennel, and then hasted to my master, whom I found feverish,
restless, and raving, and yet with an earnestness in his demeanour that
stunned and terrified me. He seized my hand in both his, which were
burning like fire, and gave me such a look of despair as I shall never
forget. ‘Johnston, I am ill,’ said he, ‘grievously ill, and know not
what is to become of me. Every nerve in my body is in burning heat, and
my soul is as it were torn to fritters with amazement. Johnston, as sure
as you are in the body, something most deplorable hath happened to
them.” "‘Yes, as
sure as I am in the body, there has, master,’ says I. ‘But I’ll have you
bled and doctored in style, and you shall soon be as sound as a roach,’
says I, ‘for a gentleman must not lose heart altogether for a little
fire-raising in his outworks, if it does not reach the citadel,’ says I
to him. But he cut me short by shaking his head and flinging my hand
from him. "‘A truce
with your talking says he.’ ‘That which hath befallen me is as much
above your comprehension as the sun is above the earth, and never will
be comprehended by mortal man; but I must inform you of it, as I have no
other means of gaining the intelligence I yearn for, and which I am
incapable of gaining personally. Johnston, there never was a mortal man
suffered what I have suffered since midnight. I believe I have had
doings with hell; for I have been disembodied, and embodied again, and
the intensity of my tortures has been unparalleled.—I was at home this
morning at daybreak.”
"‘At home at Cassway! says I. ‘I am sorry to
hear you say so, master, because you know, or should know, that the
thing is impossible, you being in the ancient town of Shrewsbury on the
king’s business’.
"‘I was at home in very deed, Andrew,’ returned he; ‘but whether in the
body or out of the body, I cannot tell — the Lord only knoweth. But
there I was in this guise, and with this heart and all its feelings
within me, where I saw scenes, heard words, and spoke others, which I
will here relate to you. I had finished my despatches last night by
midnight, and was sitting musing on the hard fate and improvidence of my
sovereign master, when, ere ever I was aware, a neighbour of ours, Mrs
Jane Jerdan, of Drumfielding, a mysterious character, with whom I have
had some strange doings in my time, came suddenly into the chamber, and
stood before me. I accosted her with doubt and terror, asking what had
brought her so far from home.’
"‘You are not so far from home as you
imagine’ said she; ‘and it is fortunate for some that it is so. Your two
sons have quarrelled about the possession of niece Ellen, and though the
eldest is blameless of the quarrel, yet has he been forced into it, and
they are engaged to fight at daybreak at the Crook of Glendearg. There
they will assuredly fall by each other’s hands, if you interpose not;
for there is no other authority now on earth that can prevent this woful
calamity! "‘Alas!
how can I interfere,' said I, ‘at a distance? It is already within a few
hours of the meeting, and before I get from among the windings of the
Severn, their swords will be bathed in each other’s blood! I must trust
to the interference of Heaven.’
"‘Is your name and influence, then, to
perish for ever?’ said she. ‘Is it so soon to follow your masters the
great Maxwell of the Dales, into utter oblivion? Why not rather rouse
into requisition the energies of the spirits that watch over human
destinies? At least step aside with me, that I may disclose the scene to
your eyes. You know I can do it ; and you may then act according to your
natural impulse.’
"Such was the import of the words she spoke to me, if not the very words
themselves. I understood them not at the time; nor do I yet. But when
she had done speaking, she took me by the hand, and hurried me towards
the door of the apartment, which she opened, and the first step we took
over the threshold, we stepped into a void space and fell downward. I
was going to call out, but felt my descent so rapid, that my voice was
stifled, and I could not so much as draw my breath. I expected every
moment to fall against something, and be dashed to pieces; and I shut my
eyes, clenched my teeth, and held by the dame’s hand with a frenzied
grasp, in expectation of the catastrophe. But down we went—down and
down, with a celerity which tongue cannot describe, without light,
breath, or any sort of impediment. I now felt assured that we had both
at once stepped from off the earth, and were hurled into the
immeasurable void. The airs of darkness sung in my ears with a booming
din as I rolled down the steeps of ever-lasting night, an outcast from
nature and all its harmonies, and a journeyer into the depths of hell.
"I still held my companion’s hand, and felt
the pressure of hers; and so long did this our alarming descent
continue, that I at length caught myself breathing once more, but as
quick as if I had been in the height of a fever. I then tried every
effort to speak, but they were all unavailing; for I could not emit one
sound, although my lips and tongue fashioned the words. Think, then, of
my astonishment, when my companion sung out the following stanza with
the greatest glee:—
‘Here we roll,
Body and soul,
Down to the deeps of the Paynim's goal-
With speed and with spell,
With yo and with yell,
This is the way to the palace of hell-
Sing yo ! ho !
Level and low,
Down to the Valley of Vision we go !’
"‘Ha, ha, ha! Tam Beattie,’ added she,
‘where is a’ your courage now? Cannot ye lift up your voice and sing a
stave wi’ your auld crony? And cannot ye lift up your een, and see what
region you are in now ?’
"I did force open my eyelids, and beheld
light, and apparently worlds, or huge lurid substances, gliding by me
with speed beyond that of the lightning of heaven. I certainly perceived
light, though of a dim, uncertain nature; but soprecipitate was my
descent, I could not distinguish from whence it proceeded, or of what it
consisted, whether of the vapours of chaotic wastes, or the streamers of
hell. So I again shut my eyes closer than ever, and waited the event in
terror unutterable.
"We at length came upon something which
interrupted our farther progress. I had no feeling as we fell against
it, but merely as if we came in contact with some soft substance that
impeded our descent; and immediately afterwards I perceived that our
motion had ceased.
"‘What a terrible tumble we hae gotten, Laird!’ said my companion. ‘But
ye are now in the place where you should be ; and deil speed the
coward!’ "So
saying, she quitted my hand, and I felt as if she were wrested from me
by a third object; but still I durst not open my eyes, being convinced
that I was lying in the depths of hell, or some hideous place not to be
dreamt of; so I lay still in despair, not even daring to address a
prayer to my Maker. At length I lifted my eyes slowly and fearfully; but
they had no power of distinguishing objects. All that I perceived was a
vision of something in nature, with which I had in life been too well
acquainted. It was a glimpse of green glens, long withdrawing ridges,
and one high hill, with a cairn on its summit. I rubbed my eyes to
divest them of the enchantment, but when I opened them again, the
illusion was still brighter and more magnificent. Then springing to my
feet, I perceived that I was lying in a little fairy ring, not one
hundred yards from the door of my own hall!
"I was, as you may well conceive, dazzled
with admiration; still I felt that something was not right with me, and
that I was struggling with an enchantment ; but recollecting the hideous
story told me by the beldame, of the deadly discord between my two sons,
I hasted to watch their motions, for the morning was yet but dawning. In
a few seconds after recovering my senses, I perceived my eldest son
Thomas leave his tower armed, and pass on towards the place of
appointment. I waylaid him, and remarked to him that he was very early
astir, and I feared on no good intent. He made no answer, but stood like
one in a stupor, and gazed at me. ‘I know your purpose, son Thomas,’
said I; ‘ so it is in vain for you to equivocate. You have challenged
your brother, and are going to meet him in deadly combat; but as you
value your father’s blessing, and would deprecate his curse —as you
value your hope of heaven, and would escape the punishment of
hell—abandon the hideous and cursed intent, and be reconciled to your
only brother.` "On
this, my dutiful son Thomas kneeled to me, and presented his sword,
disclaiming at the same time all intentions of taking away his brother’s
life, and all animosity for the vengeance sought against himself, and
thanked me in a flood of tears for my interference. I then commanded him
back to his couch, and taking his cloak and sword, hasted away to the
Crook of Glendearg, to wait the arrival of his brother.”
Here Andrew Johnston’s
narrative detailed the selfsame circumstances recorded in a former part
of this tale, as having passed between the father and his younger son,
so that it is needless to recapitulate them; but beginning where that
broke off, he added, in the words of the old laird: "As soon as my son
Francis had left me, in order to be reconciled to his brother, I
returned to the fairy knowe and ring, where I first found myself seated
at daybreak. I know not why I went there, for though I considered with
myself, I could discover no motive that I had for doing so, but was led
thither by a sort of impulse which I could not resist, and from the same
feeling spread my son’s mantle on the spot, laid his sword beside it,
and stretched me down to sleep. I remember nothing farther with any
degree of accuracy, for I instantly fell into a chaos of suffering,
confusion, and racking dismay, from which I was only of late released by
awaking from a trance on the very seat, and in the same guise in which I
was the evening before. I am certain I was at home in body or in
spirit—saw my sons—spake these words to them, and heard theirs in
return. How I returned I know even less, if that is possible, than how I
went; for it seemed to me that the mysterious force that presses us to
this sphere, and supports us on it, was in my case withdrawn or
subverted, and that I merely fell from one part of the earth’s surface
and alighted on another. Now I am so ill that I cannot move from this
couch ; therefore, Andrew, do you mount and, ride straight home. Spare
no horse- flesh, by night or by day, to bring me word of my family, for
I dread that some evil hath befallen them. If you find them in life,
give them many charges from me of brotherly love and affection; if
not—what can I say, but, in the words of the patriarch, if I am bereaved
of my children, I am bereaved.”
The two brothers, in utter amazement, went
together to the green ring on the top of the knoll above the castle of
Cassway, and there found the mantle lying spread, and the sword beside
it. They then, without letting Johnston into the awful secret, mounted
straight, and rode off with him to their father.
They found him still in bed, and very ill ;
and though rejoiced at seeing them, they soon lost hope of his recovery,
his spirits being broken and deranged in a wonderful manner. Their
conversations together were of the most solemn nature, the visitation
deigned to them having been above their capacity. On the third or fourth
day, their father was removed by death from this terrestrial scene, and
the minds of the young men were so much impressed by the whole of the
circumstances, that it made a great alteration in their after life.
Thomas, as solemnly charged by his father, married Ellen Scott, and
Francis was well known afterwards as the celebrated Dr Beattie of
Amherst. Ellen was mother to twelve sons ; and on the night that her
seventh son was born, her Aunt Jerdan was lost, and never more heard of,
either living or dead."
Author’s Note:
[This will be viewed as a most romantic and unnatural story, as without
doubt it is; but I have the strongest reasons for believing that it is
founded on a literal fact, of which all the three were sensibly and
positively convinced, It was published in England in Dr Beattie’s
lifetime, and by his acquiescence, and owing to the respectable source
from whence it came, it was never disputed in that day that it had its
origin in truth. lt was again republished, with some miserable
alterations, in a London collection of 1770, by J. Smith, at No. 15,
Paternoster Row, and though I have seen none of these accounts, but
relate the story wholly from tradition, yet the assurance obtained from
a friend of their existence, is a curious corroborative circumstance,
and proves that if the story was not true, the parties at least believed
it to be so.] |
