was roasting over the fire, the savour of which was so delectable to the Scots, that they would instantly have "fallen to," (according to the customs of their wandering way of life,) had they not been restrained by the presence of the old woman. The good dame desired them to be seated at the fireside; and while they chafed their cold and humid hands, she put upon a small twobroken-legged table a large joint of cold venison, and the fragments of a pie, to which she added a portion of white bread, and a huge can of homebrewed ale. The hungry travellers commenced instantly their repast, which they devoured with so much eagerness, that they uttered not a word to one another, or even to the anxious inquiries of their kind hostess. At last, after their hunger had been in some measure appeased, Latham exclaimed, as he touched the roasting haunch rather rudely with his spear, "Pray, my good dame, whence is it that your master is so well supplied with such goodly venison? Methinks he must be indebted to his neighbours for it, and that in no agreeable manner." "Tis too true," cried the old woman, with a mingled burst of sorrow and indignation: "wherever he goes, he is sure to spare none; every one that falls into his hands is robbed and murdered; and he not unfrequently brings to this house some of his prisoners, for the sake of torturing them, to betray up to him their dearest friends and relations; so that these aged eyes have many a time bebeld such scenes of cruelty as would strike with horror any one hardier than myself." But why, my good dame, do you detest him so much, and yet live in his house?" "His house!" exclaimed the old woman, with an almost frantic gesture; "I wish, long e'er now, that it had buried him beneath its lowest foundation, for the barbarous murder of its lawful owner." "What say you?" cried the two Scots; "your master, then, is not the proprietor of this mansion?" "I once acknowledged another master than him, of as different a nature as the lamb is to the wolf," replied the old woman. "He was of a kindly and hospitable disposition, he clothed the naked,

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fed the poor, and relieved the unfor tunate, and did a thousand good offices to all around, so that he was much beloved. I served him in the capacity of housekeeper for many years, and all that time nothing oc curred to disturb his prosperity; for, although all his neighbours were plundered by the rovers, yet he was of such a gentle nature, that none of these monsters would ever do any harm to him, nor even to any of his kith and kin.' But one night (I remember it as distinctly as yesterday) all his happiness was blasted. As I was returning home, in the dusk of the evening, from a neighbouring townland, where I had been purchasing some articles, I heard a very great bustle, at which, as it was very unusual, I was much alarmed. When I entered, loud and horrid voices struck upon my ear, mingled with the clashing of arms, deep groans, and cries of murder. I was wholly put off my guard, at the supposed danger of my master, as I rushed instantly into the hall. But, gracious Heaven! what a sight was presented to my view! my beloved master was lying on the ground, covered with wounds, and weltering in his blood, while he was surrounded by all his faithful servants, on the last stage of his existence. A band of savage-looking ruffians were leaning on their gory swords, while their chief (the present owner of this house) was giving directions for the removal of the dead bodies, when he perceived me. Deep were the curses I wreaked on his head, which he seemed so unable to endure, that he would have plunged his weapon in my side, had not one of his attendants desired him to forbear, as I might hereafter be of use to him. I was accordingly confined in a lonely turret, and fed very sparingly on bread and water, till my obstinacy (they said) could be conquered. I at length understood that their aim was to engage me as their housekeeper, since the chief had taken possession of the house, but was always used to a wandering way of life. I submitted with a sort of sullen indifference, as I was reckless what I did. I have lived in this manner for many years, seldom disturbed by my master's hate

ful presence, and have had sometimes the opportunity of privately releasing the iniserable prisoners that were confined by him, and doomed to destruction."

"What is the name of that execrable villain?" cried Latham, instinctively grasping his weapon. "You must have heard," replied the old woman, "of Jaspar de Glendearn, the powerful English chief." "Jaspar de Glendearn!-too well, my good dame; how often has Hugh Latham measured swords with him! Mary of heaven! I would tear his heart's blood were he here!" As he spoke, he was interrupted by loud repeated knocks at the gate, and the clattering of horses' hoofs in the court. The old woman exclaimed, ""Tis my master! you are both undone! Oh that I had known he would have arrived at this time!" "Be not alarmed, my good dame," cried her guests, starting up from the seats on which they had been reclining," think not that we will yield our lives tamely up; we will stand till our swords drop from our hands." "But," replied the good woman, "consider their number,against whom all your resistance must be unavailing; but, Heaven be praised, I can hide you from all danger of discovery." So saying, she raised the tapestry, and pointed out an almost imperceptible door in the wall, which, on touching a secret spring, flew open, and displayed what appeared, from its lofty and noble ceiling, to be a large and capacious room. The old woman thrust them instantly into it, and on retouching the spring, the door closed upon them. While the good dame was thus engaged, her impatient and turbulent master was thundering at the gate, and bitterly cursing her tardiness. When she opened it, he poured on her a torrent of abuse, which she mildly bore, and led the way to the hall. Our adventurers, from their hidingplace, distinctly heard all that passed, and they could judge, from the mailed tread, dangling of arms, and loud uproar of voices, that their foes were both well armed, and numerous. They therefore mutually congratulated themselves on their security. The room in which they were concealed was the armoury; the

VOL. XVIII.

walls were damp and gloomy, and hung all around with every kind of armour. While Latham was busily handling an old rusty buckler, Roger was as busily engaged in removing a small loose stone in the wall. He told Latham, that if they could get it out, they would perceive all that was passing in the room. Their curiosity was soon gratified, for it was not long before they succeeded in their design. As the tapestry was in a very tattered condition, and in some parts torn in large rents, they could see every thing quite distinctly. The chief, a tall, fierce-looking man, and completely armed, was seated at a table with all his followers, whose embrowned and savage-looking countenances, shaded by their dark frizzled locks, were moulded into the expression of the most deadly passions. The old woman, who acted in the capacity of waiter as well as housekeeper, was supplying their trenchers with large portions of the venison, which they devoured with so much eagerness, that they appeared to have fasted no inconsiderable time. When the glass began to circulate, they became quite noisy and outrageous. Some were drinking off, to one another, large drafts of wine, and singing merry ballads, while others were relating, and no doubt exaggerating, their warlike feats on the Border, in such confusion and uproar, that some, perhaps, could not hear their own voices. "That rascal Latham!" exclaimed one tall, fierce-looking fellow, in a tone of thunder, "had the audacity once to fight hand to hand with me, in one of the Border skirmishes; but I would have knocked him on the pate, had not my treacherous blade snapped in two, as I was engaged singly with a cowardly band of his comrades." "Your memory has certainly failed you," returned one of the revellers, with a sneer; for, if I remember aright, I was standing near at the time, when Latham, (whose weapon had unluckily shivered to pieces, as it fell upon your heavy armour,) grappled you by the throat, and would instantly have 'done you,' had not you speedily skulked off amidst the throng, like a fox (as I thought) with its tail be3 X

hind it; but I suppose you did not observe me, since you have been passing off your valour by your blustering words; I believe, my courageous friend, you would verily fly from your own shadow, although you swell yourself so much on actions we have never heard of." At this all the rioters burst into peals of laughter, which so effectually disconcerted" the would-be valiant," that he sneaked off, not unlike the animal he had been so aptly likened to, crest-fallen as he was, into a corner, shrouding himself in its gloom and his own insignificance. By this time the tapers were sunk in their sockets; and as the dawn began to peep through the casements, De Glendearn arose, and gave the order for departure. His castle was but two leagues distant, and he was compelled to set out immediately, to muster all his followers for some great expedition. As his present attendants had been engaged the night preceding with some Borderers, and their armour was hacked and damaged, they repaired to the very room in which our two adventurers were concealed, to make up the deficiency. As they entered, the two Scots hid themselves behind some old rusty shields of great magnitude, but not without being heard. The clanking of the heavy armour, resounding and re-echoing along the ancient walls, left no room for doubt that the noise had been caused by some persons. De Glendearn, therefore, ordered the place to be strictly searched, and every nook to be explored; but all their exertions were fruitless, from the situation of our adventurers, which was not in the least suspected. They were accordingly leaving the room, in the belief that the sound had been caused by the accidental falling of armour from some elevated quarter, when Latham imprudently stirred from his post, and again awakened the attention of his foes by the dangling of the arms. On search being again renewed, they were discovered, and brought before the chief, whose vengeance, Latham in particular, from personal motives, had much reason to dread. Nothing could exceed the astonishment, as well as the savage joy of their enemies, when they

found that the very man whom they detested and feared had fallen into their power. Neither of the Scots answered a word to all the questions that were put to them; but Latham, especially, kept a dogged-like silence, and seemed nursing his wrath to keep it warm;" but naturally of an impetuous temper, "jealous of honour, sudden and quick in quarrel," he could no longer bear patiently the scoffs and jeers of his insulting foes. But we may remark by the bye, that the powerful-looking man, whom we mentioned above, as the roughlyhandled antagonist of the fiery Scot, took care to keep a very respectable distance. Not so the comrade that had jeered him so sorely. He went up to Latham, and shaking his fist in his face, applied to him such insulting epithets, that the latter, no longer able to restrain his turbulent passions, seized him by the throat with the speed of lightning, and dashed him, with almost incredible strength, on the walls, a bleeding, lifeless corpse. But at the same moment, and on the same spot, would Latham have received his death, from the hands of the now-infuriated band, had not Glendearn commanded them to forbear; at the same time exclaiming, "Young man, for this crime, independent of your other offences, you die, before to-morrow's sun sets in the west, a cruel, lingering death; and, impaled on the battlements of my castle, the fowls of heaven shall devour you." So saying, the chief ordered him to be seized and bound, in spite of his resistance, and that of his companion, who himself met with the same fate. They then mounted their steeds, and, along with their helpless prisoners, set out to Glendearn Castle. The morn was now far advanced, and although the storm had abated, yet the air was cold and chill. The landscape, as they entered the rocky mountains of England, was grand and sublime. Thick and ancient groves, almost impenetrable, were situated, sometimes in the bosom of a deep sequestered dell, and often on the brow of some lofty mountain, whose cloudcapt summit was environed with thick wreaths of mist; while its declivitous sides, covered with snow, were partially illumed by the beams

of the morning sun. It was indeed a morning, that, from its wintry aspect, tended greatly to increase, instead of dispelling the gloom of the prisoners. They therefore travelled onwards in deep dejection; while even the savage troopers, whose breasts were ever steeled to pity and compassion, seemed to regard them with a sort of sympathy, however faint and transient it was. On turning an oblique angle of the glen, the proud castle of the chief of the Glendearns rose full on their view. It was indeed a lofty and noble structure, and twenty times worth the degenerate ones of the present days. It was very extensive, but in some parts uninhabitable, and in a ruinous condition; it however did not seem so much owing to decay, as to the frequent attacks of enemies. It was situated on the very summit of a rocky mountain, precipitously steep; at its basis foamed a deep and rapid river, which, swollen by the rains of the preceding night, swept like a deluge up the glen. The rock, which frowned over, and cast a gloom on the waters, was so very steep and dangerous of access, that the eagle could have built its eyrie here in se curity, and undisturbed by the daring adventurers, had it not been too near the busy haunts of men. But a great number of birds were flying to and fro, while that ill-omened bird, the raven, as it flapped its wings above, and sent forth its harsh notes, seemed to deepen the gloom that prevailed. The path that wound up the rock was so narrow and craggy, that the band dismounted, and led their horses as cautiously as they could, at the same time taking care that their prisoners were well secured. The dizzy height on which they stood, from which "the crows and choughs that wing the midwayair show scarce as gross as beetles," had not much impression on the band, as they had always been familiar with the scene; but the brains of our two adventurers seemed to whirl round, as they gazed on the fearful chasm below. They stopped at length before the great gate of the castle, in the frowning bartizans of which, the grated windows, and the numerous and savage-looking centinels, they beheld their prison

was

and their doom. They were conveyed through several dark winding passages, till they arrived at their prison, into which they were both rudely cast, and centinels posted at the entrance. The cell in which they were confined large and capacious, but cold and damp; it was faintly lighted by small aperture in the wall, through which the sun could scarcely ever penetrate, far less in the present season. The bare and clammy walls were exceedingly strong, and of vast thickness, as the danger ous state of the times required it; since neither life nor property could be deemed secure from the depredations of enemies. De Glendearn was, however, a chieftain of too great power ever to dread molestation from any quarter; he therefore employed all his time in making excursions into the territories of his neighbours, where he rendered his name a terror to all, by his ferocious rapacity and unrelenting disposition. The two Scots well knew, that whoever fell into his hands were either confined for ever within the walls of a dungeon, or cruelly murdered; and as they themselves had no hope of éscape, the future appeared gloomy enough. They were interrupted in the midst of these reflections by the entrance of their jailor with their breakfast. On enquiring some par ticulars regarding their fate, the fellow kept a sullen silence, and throwing down their meal, darted out of the cell. After partaking of their homely fare, with little appetite, they approached the window, to de rive, if possible, some gratification from the scene without. But all around was bleak and gloomy; their view was very confined, and they could see nothing but chains of mountains, whose summits, as they aspired to the clouds, were covered with snow, while down their rugged sides rushed, with the greatest fury, the torrents that had accumulated. from the late heavy rains. scene indeed was in unison with their present state of mind: they beheld death before them, since escape appeared altogether impracticable: to be cut off, in the flower of their days, when just commencing the career of glory, was to them

The