Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-11-26


narrow mind, that her council would for
their own ends delay in making him ac-
auainied with her demise, when it should
really take place, that after devising method
upon method to obtain the wished for
tidings without sucn delay he at length
settled upon project which appeared the
most feasible, and likely to answer his
end.
Fixing upon his faithful friend and ally,
Lady Scroope leach day as the demise Of
the Queens had grown more certain, the
wonderful degree at the English court.) ii
was agreed and arranged upon between
her and his majesty of Scotland, that the
moment the breath was out Of Elzabeth's
body, she should despatch to him. by
trusty messenger, signet ring to be taken
from the hand of the Queen, thereby max
ing assurance douby sure" and at once
relieving his mind of all doubt as to the
fulfment of his long looked for hopes;
and also enabling him without delay, to
summon his council around him. and to
proceed towards the necessary steps for
ascending the throne of England And
Lady Scroope, ever with the interests of
brother, Sir Robert Carey, to execute the
task which was to win for him and her
the future favor of the king.
Pushing his horse at fuIlj speed through
the narrow lanes between Richmond and
Kew, Carey in a short time arrived at a
ferry below the latter place. Crossing it,
he paused at wayside house for few
moments, and after draining an amp'e
goblet of wine. which the rain and cold
had rendered necessary, spurred his charger
boldly on. Pursuing his way across the
country, he avoided London, and fell into
the Granham road some miles above the
metropolis 1t was yet night. and the storm
and tempest were raging wilder than ever;
the wind howled around, the rain beat
heavily in his face, and the darkness, a:
the road narrowed, grew more intense
every step. Once or twice glimpse o
moonlight streamed through the thicl
clouds as they hurried across the sky
which only served to make the gloon
around appear deeper. The many hour:
of weary and painful anxiety during which
he had waited under the palace windows
the dread he had incurred of being dis
covered or recognised by any of the per
sons about the court; the strange and aw.
full nature of the business which had KEEP
him there--waitng, as it were, an attend
ant upon Death!-and the still pressing
fears of being interrupted or stopped, o.
even worse, passed on his road by som
more successful messenger-for James, a
he well knew, had more spies than on
at the English court,-combincd to throw
him into a state of nervous and uncontrol
liable excitement. He closed his eyes a
the trees which bordered the road waved
their branches wildly before him. as though
to obstruct his path. Anon the voice o
the dying Queen seemed to sound in hi
ears; and the memories of the many
scenes which he had Witnessed during hel
reign came wildly upon him. He hastene'
on.
The night had grown calmer, the clouds
had disappeared from the sky. the moor
and stars were shining brilliantly in tn,
clear heavens, when he entered upon a wide
and open common. A thousand sad anC
mournful fancies again took possession o
his soul, deeply imbued with the supersti
tous feeling of the period. He scarcel,
ventured to look around. Distant voice
seemed to call his name. He raised hi
head; several persons on horseback aP
t peared to be approaching him. BugIe
sounded near, and princely band of nc
bles, whose plumed and jewelled caps an
5 smiling faces were all known TO him, swep
| by; even as they passed, one he though
t turned angriIy towards him, and rivettin
2 her gaze upon him, he beheld Elizabeth!
S His horse stumbled He shuddered a
he nearly fell from the saddle. The viso
| had vanished, and he felt happy in his heal
: as the first faint streak Of dawn aros
r across the sky.
!
E "Yon hill is Arthurs seat, and thOs
-. .I,o Of I ,lx