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The stranger set out on his
voluntary mission at a rapid pace, and soon arrived at the house. The
door stood open, and he entered with the careless sauntering air of one
entirely indifferent as to the welcome he might be greeted with. He
found Colville seated apparently in no very pleasant humour, and his
daughter, bustling about among the servant-maidens, wearing on her
flushed cheek and suffused eye undoubted symptoms of the sorrow with
which the morning’s adventure had afflicted her.
"Give you good-e’en, gudeman of Balmeny,” said the stranger, seating
himself, without waiting an invitation, on the bench opposite Colville.
"The same to you, neebour,” said the landlord, in a tone that had little
of welcome in it.
A few moments’ silence now ensued, Colville evidently waiting with some
impatience for the tidings which the other seemed in no haste to
communicate to him. But this could not last.
"Have you anything to tell, ask, or deliver, friend?” at last said
Colville.
"This bright-eyed maiden is the bonny lass of Balmeny, I’m thinking,"
was the unreplying answer.
"That is my daughter, truly,” said the landlord, becoming more and more
impatient; "does your coming concern her?”
"That it does," replied the stranger. "There’s an auld byeword, that
‘foul fish and fair daughters are nae keeping ware.’ This fair May is
the object of my visit ; in short, gudeman, I come awooing."
At the sound of this magnetic word,a universal commotion arose in the
dwelling of Colville. The maiden, who was its object, surveyed the
stranger with indignation and surprise ; the servants whispered and
tittered among each other; and Colville seemed for a moment about to
give vent to the feelings of his anger, when the current of his feelings
suddenly changed, and, directing a look of malicious joy to his
daughter, he addressed the stranger—.
"Welcome, wooer—welcome. Come, lasses, set meat and drink before this
gentle here; as the auld Earl of Douglas said, ‘ It’s ill arguing
between a fu’ man and a fasting.’ "
The order was obeyed with great readiness by the serving maidens, who
set before the stranger the household bread and cheese, and a bicker of
no scanty dimensions, containing the reaming ale for which Scotland has
been so long famous. There was a malicious rnerriment twinkling from
every eye as the scene went on; for all knew well that the over-strained
kindness of the host was soon to be converted into outrageous and
overwhelming abuse of the guest. The stranger, however, seemed either
not to notice or to slight these indications. He partook heartily of the
good cheer set before him, and amused himself by returning with
good-humoured smiles the stolen looks of the simpering maidens. He
looked in vain, however, for Edith, who had retired from the place.
"And now,” said Colville, who began to think the stranger somewhat more
at ease than he could have wished, " Your name, wooer?”
"My name?" said the stranger, somewhat embarrassed.
"Ay, your name—all men have a name. ‘Knaves’ [laying an emphasis on the
word] many. ”
"True, gudeman, true. My name, then, is Stuart—James Stuart. I hope it
pleases you?”
"The name is the best in the land, ” said the old man, touching his
bonnet. As to the wearer—hem ! --‘a Stuarts are no sib to the king’, ye
ken. What countryman are you ?"
"I was born at Stirling," said the stranger.
"Ay, ay, it may be, it may be," replied Walter Colville ; " but, to
bring the matter to a point, what lands and living hae ye, friend ?”
"Sometimes less, sometimes more,” replied the stranger, "as I happen to
be in the giving or the taking humour. . At the lowest ebb, however, I
think they are at least worth all that ever called a Colville master.”
"Faith, and that’s a bauld word, neebour,” cried Colville, bitterly—"
and one. that, I’m jalousing, you’ll find it difficult to make gude.”
"At your own time it shall be proved, gudeman; but it is not for myself
I come to woo the bonny lass of Balmeny.
I am, thanks to a wise old man who sits in Windsor, wived already.”
"And who, in Beelzebub’s name, may you be blackfit for?” demanded
Colville, rising in wrath.
"Give your daughter to the youth I shall name, and I will, on her
wedding-day, fill you up one lippie with the red gold, and five running
o’er with silver. ”
"Give her! To whom?”
"To one who loves her dearly; and, what is more, is dearly loved in
return, old man. ”
"Who is he?” reiterated Colville.
"One who is worthy already of the hand of the best ae daughter of any
laird in Fife ; and who, ere to-morrow’s
sun sets, will be wealthier than yourself.”
"Who—who—who is he?” cried the old man, stamping in a paroxysm of rage.
"Arthur Winton !” said the stranger.
The anger of Colville, when this unpleasing name was uttered, almost
overwhelmed him.
"Out of my doors, you rascally impostor,” at length he was able to
exclaim ; " out of my doors ! Swith away to the minion who sent you
here, an you would wish not to taste the discipline of the whip, or to
escape being worried by the tykes.”
To the stranger, the anger of the old man, instead of fear, seemed only
to occasion merriment. He laughed so heartily at the violence into which
the rage of his host seduced him, that the tears actually stood in his
eyes—conduct that naturally increased the passion which it fed on. The
servants stood looking on in silent wonder ; and Edith, startled by the
noise of the discordant sounds, returned to the place in wonder and
alarm.
An unexpected termination was suddenly put to the scene by the entrance
of Arthur Winton. His cheek was flushed with haste ; and he was so
breathless that he could hardly exclaim,—-
"Save yourself, sir stranger, by instant flight ; the Egyptians have
tracked our path hither, and are pursuing us here with numbers ten times
exceeding those we encountered in the cave.”
"Let them come,” said the stranger, with a smile; "Egyptians though they
be, they cannot eat through stone walls or oaken doors. We will carouse
within while they howl without, and drink the ‘dirige’ of their chief.”
Arthur said nothing, but looked doubtingly at Colville.
"And do you really imagine, worthy youth, and no less worthy blackfit,
that I am to have my house sieged, my cattle stolen, and my corn carried
off, to shield you from the consequences of your drunken brawls? Not I,
by the cat of the blessed Bride. Out of my doors, ye ! caitiffs,—they
can but slay you, and the whittle has crossed the craig of mony a '
better fellow than any of ye twasome is likely to prove. Begone, I say.”
"Nay, my dear father,” said Edith,imploringly, " do not drive them forth
now; the Egyptians are approaching the house-they cannot escape. ”
"And they shall not stay here,” replied the old man, harshly, the tone
of agony in which `Edith’s entreaties were uttered recalling all the
bitterness of his feelings against Arthur.
"At least, Walter Colville,” said Arthur, "save this stranger. He cannot
have offended you. It was on my errand he came hither. I will go forth
alone. Perhaps one victim may suf{ice."
“Nay, brave youth," said the stranger, "we go together. Farewell, old
man. You are a Scot, and yet have betrayed your guest. You are a
Colville, and the first of the line that ever turned his back upon a
Stuart at his utmost need."
The tone and sentiment of these words had a powerful effect on Walter
Colville. A momentary confusion rested on his countenance, and then,
with a smile ill put on, he said,- " Come, come, sirs ; I but joked wi’
ye. Did you really think that Walter Colville would abandon to his enemy
any who have bitten his bannock, and kissed his cup as you have done ?
Na, na; here you are safe while the auld wa’s stand. Sit down. I’ll go
above and look out for the landloupers.”
The old man left the place accordingly, and Arthur, seizing the
opportunity, retired to one corner with Edith, where the nature of their
conversation could be only guessed from the animated looks and gestures
of the affectionate pair.
The stranger in the meantime strode up and down the place, regardless of
the affrighted servants, singing to himself-----
"O whaur will I get a
bonny boy,
That will win hose and shoon;
That will rin to Lord Bamard’s yett,
And bid his ladye come?"
"What say you, my little
man?” he continued, addressing a boy of twelve or thirteen years, who
sat before the fire, sharing, with a shaggy collie, the contents of an
ample cog, altogether unheeding the agitation which reigned around him ;
" will you run to Wemyss Castle with a message to Sir David?"
"I’ the noo!” said the boy, looking up with an air expressive of the
sense of the unparalleled oppression proposed in interrupting him during
the sacred ceremony of supper.
The stranger laughed, and drawing from his bosom the purse we have so
often spoken of, he displayed a Jacobus, and offered it to the boy. "Na,
I’ll no gang for the yellow bawbee," said the urchin; "but if ye’ll gie
me the braw whittle, I’ll rin. ” The stranger immediately put into his
hand the dagger he coveted, and drawing him aside, conveyed to him in
whispers the message he was to deliver.
Walter Colville now re-entered, and informed them that he had
reconnoitred the Egyptians, who, including women and children, seemed to
amount to above a hundred.
"Could I but get this younker beyond their clutches,” said the stranger,
"a short half hour would disperse them like the leaves in autumn.”
Colville stared at this avowal, but was silent. The conviction of
Arthur, that the speaker was not what he seemed, now seized on his mind
also, but it appeared to inspire him with no pleasant feeling; on the
contrary, anxiety deepened on his countenance the more and more he gazed
on the handsome features of his guest, and the wild shouts of the
Egyptians, which he had previously heard with comparative indifference,
now evidently inspired him with the deepest terror.
It was agreed at length that the boy should make the attempt. To get him
out of the house, without endangering the inmates, was comparatively
easy, as the Egyptians as yet stood at some distance from the door. Once
out, they had only his own ready wit and speed of foot to trust to.
While Colville and Arthur therefore undid with due caution the massive
bars and bolts which protected the oaken door, the stranger, anxious to
witness the success of his messenger, ascended to the upper storey, and
stood at the open casement. He was immediately observed by the
Egyptians, who set up a yell of savage impatience at the sight, -the men
brandishing their weapons, and the women waving their arms, as if
threatening vengeance against him.
Their attention was now, however, directed from him to the youthful
messenger, who approached towards them undauntedly. They went forward to
meet him.
"The master sent me to see what ye’re a’ here for,” said the boy.
"Tell him,” said one of the Egyptians harshly, "we are come to demand
the two strangers who have just entered his dwelling. Let him give them
to our vengeance, and we will depart peaceably—not a feather or a rag of
his shall be scathed by us.”
"And what if he shouldna just agreeto this?” said the boy, edging
towards the west, covering the manoeuvre, as if retiring towards the
house.
"If he refuse us, woe unto him. Vile will leave him neither corn nor
cattle, kith nor kin ; burn his house with fire, and his own red blood
shall lapper on his cold hearth-stone."
"Haith, carle, you maun tell him that yoursel," said the boy, as with
one wild bound he sprung from the group, and, with the speed of a
grayhound, made for the wood.
There was a cry of disappointment burst forth from the Egyptians as they
perceived his intention, and many set out in pursuit. The chase was
viewed with deep interest by the inmates of the house-for Colville,
Edith, and Arthur Winton had now joined the stranger. The wood was not
far distant ; the boy was famous for his swiftness of foot; and they
could see that his pursuers were falling fast behind. To their dismay,
however, they perceived at length that there was a powerful dog among
the number, who continued the chase after all his human competitors had
abandoned it in despair. He gained fast upon the boy. "He is lost!” said
Edith, piteously; "that villanous dog will tear him to pieces.” But the
event belied the maiden’s fear. Just as the ferocious animal seemed
about to seize him, the boy was seen to turn upon his pursuer. The dog
gave a loud howl, and fell to the ground, and the stranger could
perceive his own dagger gleaming in the stripling’s hand, as he waved it
in triumph o’er his head ere he disappeared among the trees.
"I could stake an earldom,” said the stranger exultingly, "on that boy’s
proving a noble soldier! By the soul of Bruce, he can both fight and
flee."
Colville’s terror, as he listened to these words, fairly mastered the
composure which he had hitherto affected. He took off his bonnet, and
bending lowly to the stranger, said in a tremulous voice---
"In Heaven’s name, say, oh! Say, sir, you are not the king !” ,
"Even so, good Walter, James of Scotland stands before you. Are you
sorry to see me? By Saint Andrew, I had hoped I should be welcome to
every honest house,-•—-ay, and every honest heart, in my dominions.”
Walter had dropped on his knee as the truth, which he had for some time
suspected, was confirmed to him, and, looking up to his royal guest,
while tears stood in his eyes-—"Welcome, my noble prince _; what is it
of Walter Colville’s, from the bodle in his purse to the last drop of
his heart’s blood, that the king’s not welcome to? I and mine, my liege,
have fought, and bled, and died for the royal house. But to see your
grace here in peril, surrounded by so many villains, and this old arm
alone left to assist you! Oh! for the six braw fellows that I have seen
prancing on yonder lea,—they would have cleared a way for your highness
through them all !”
"Never fear for me, Walter Colville; I am not doomed to fall by a brawl
of this kind, or in mine own land ;—so runs the rede."
The king now turned round, and perceived Arthur and Edith, who had
retired to a little distance. When they saw they were observed, they
advanced and would have kneeled; but the prince prevented this. He took
them both by the hand, and imprinted on the lips of Edith a kiss,
savouring as much of warm affection as of kingly courtesy.
Their attention was now directed to the operations of the Egyptians.
They perceived, with some surprise, that a considerable number of them
left the rest, and made for the wood, and that those who remained ceased
the yelling manifestations of sorrow and revenge which had so affrighted
Edith.
"They are meditating a retreat, methinks," said the king.
"I fear, my liege," said Colville, "they are rather planning some mode
of successful assault ;" and the return of the Egyptians too soon
verified the apprehension. They bore with them the trunk of a fallen
tree, and the besieged at once saw the use for which this powerful
engine was intended.
"My door can never withstand the shock of a ram like this,” cried
Walter; " they will force a passage, and out and alas I your highness
will be murdered- murdered in the house of Balmeny ! ”
James was proverbially brave, but it cannot be denied that he looked a
little grave as he perceived the ponderous engine borne along, which in
all probability would, in a few minutes, lay open the passage to a band
of miscreants thirsting for his blood, and against whose rage the
bravery of himself and his friends seemed a poor defence.
"Let the worst come to the worst," said he at length. " we three will
make good this staircase for a stricken hour at least; before then the
rescue must arrive.”
The king, Colville, and Arthur now sought the floor below ; Edith, with
the serving-maidens, being stationed above, to be, in case of the
Egyptians forcing an entry, still within the defence of the stair.
The door was of massive oak, studded with iron nails, and supported by
three iron bolts of considerable thickness.
An additional defence was
now added in the shape of planks placed diagonally under these bolts,
and for a few moments the besieged imagined it might withstand the
efforts of the assailants. But a few strokes of the tree soon showed the
fallacy of this hope. The door shook under the first blow, and ere a
score had been given, the yielding hinges showed that the Egyptians had
well calculated the force of their instrument.
"lt must be cold steel that saves us after all," said the king,
retreating to the staircase.
"Oh, that I and all my kin were stark dead on this floor, and your
highness safe on Falkland green!” exclaimed Colville, wringing his
wrinkled hands, and following.
They had scarcely gained their intended position at the upper landing of
the staircase, when, yielding to a desperate stroke, the door flew open,
and the infuriated Egyptians, shouting, made their way to the interior.
Not finding those they sought below, they next proceeded to ascend the
stair. This, however, was an ascent fatal to all who attempted it.
Corpse after corpse fell backward among the enraged ruffians under the
blows of the king and Arthur, until no one could be found daring enough
to attempt the passage.
"Let us smeek them in their hive," at length cried a hoarse voice, " and
so let them either roast or come forth. "
A shout of approbation followed this advice, and, while a chosen few
remained to guard the stair, the remainder roamed about the house
collecting together everything which could assist their diabolical
design.
The king’s heart, and that of his brave companions, sank as they heard
this resistless plan of destruction proposed and set about. It was for a
moment only, however, for suddenly they heard the clear sweet voice of
Edith exclaiming, "We are saved, we are saved! yonder comes the Lord of
Wemyss and his gallant followers I” and immediately after the maiden
herself appeared to reiterate the tidings.
"Are you sure of what you say, Edith?” asked the king eagerly. "How do
the horsemen ride?”
"As if their coursers were winged,” replied Edith, "all of them; but one
who backs a gray steed of surpassing power, is far before the rest, and
ever and anon turns round, as if upbraidingly, to his followers.”
"My trusty David!” exclaimed the king, with emotion, "well wert thou
worthy of the gallant gray!”
There was now heard a peculiar shout from among the Egyptians without,
which was rightly interpreted as a signal of retreat; for it was
immediately followed by the evacuation of the house; and so speedy and
simultaneous was their flight, that the king could only perceive the
latest of the tribe as they made for the wood, leaving to Wemyss and his
companions a deserted field and an open entrance.
"Thanks, David, for this timely rescue, " said the king, as the knight
bended the knee before him. "By my crown, the spurs were well bestowed
on one who can so fairly use them ! ”
James, followed by Sir David, Walter, Arthur, and the rest, now led the
way to the upper chamber, where the immoderate joy and hospitality of
the old man displayed itself in the most substantial form. When they had
caroused for some time, the king, turning to Colville, said,—
"Mine host, did I hear rightly when you said there was nothing beneath
this roof-tree to which I was not welcome?"
"Your highness heard rightly."
"Give me then this fair maiden. We kings, you know, seldom choose the
least valuable of our subjects’ chattels. "
"Your grace may command me,” said Colville, though somewhat
hesitatingly, for he saw the turn which things were taking.
"And you too, sweet Edith?” said the king, again saluting the blushing
girl; and then, without waiting for an answer, continued, "that you may
all know, my lieges, that we accept your benevolences merely for your
own bene{its, I give away this treasure, tempting as it is, to one who
has well deserved the favour at our hand. Take her, Arthur, and confess
that I have found a way to repay the debt I owed you. Receive his hand,
fair maiden, and if it will add anything to its value in your eyes, know
that it has this day saved a king’s life.”
The old man’s sentiments in regard to Arthur Winton had been undergoinga
change imperceptible even to himself, from the moment he had perceived
him the companion and probable favourite of the king ; but the
revolution was completed when he was made acquainted with the
particulars of his interference in the royal behalf,—a merit which in
his eyes would have outweighed a thousand faults in his intended
son-in-law.
King James shortly afterwards left the house of Balmeny amid the
blessings of its inmates ; and to close our tale, we have only to add,
that the gift of the monarch was shortly after confirmed at the altar,
where Edith became the happy bride of Arthur Winton; and that the royal
gratitude flowed freely on the wedded pair, as any who chooses to pursue
the time-worn records of the Great Seal may satisfy himself. |
