The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-18

iAhubIll llltulWilHp bpNh Ollt WIN bllhh III
stinctive desire ofsef preservation which will
live through so many conflicting circumstnn-
ces, but with every feeling n mere nerve of
organized remorse for the dark deed he had
committed. II is terrible thing, the con-
seriousness of having taken life of being
like ourselves; and lhis the only blood LII
mont's hand had over shed, was that of his
trusted and trusting friend; and il was
strange how, ut that moment, every scene of
his pRst life i'm which the unfortunate Mac
Gregor had bore part was brought distinctly
TO his memory, aud every kind word and act
OF his victim seeming to burn like fire into
his heart. He felt almost maddened-alas!
he was not mad he would he were. lie had
been under high excitement, but tie fearful
blow he had struck, had on the instant swept
its mists from his mind, and left him clear to
see all, remember all, feel all, in its horrible
reality. Onward they bounded, through
brake and over rock, the pursucrs following
surely and swiftly, like so many bloodhounds
on the flying steps of Lamont; but eagerly as
rage and vengeance urged them on, still was
il mightier power that strained the young
chieftian's every energy, and still kept him in
advance; yet impusiye and unconslderedth that
wild flight bore him whether il would, and
strange indeed was the unbidden course il
took
Directly towards Loeb Awe led the breath
less chase of many miles that night,aud down
Glenorchy sped the fugitive, scarce conscious
what path he took, until the court hills of its
ancient lords cleaning lorbs in the moon
light on his sight, sent n shudder through his
frame; for there used the chiefiaiE5 of MacAl-
pine TO dispense stern but equal justice; and
the band ofavenging Mac Gregors, whose
rapid tread and wild haIloos came loudly TO
his aar,sought they not also 10 execute their
wild justice upon him? Once more his fail
ing step bore him on more rapidly, but in
such confusion of mind that he marked not
where he was, until, utterly exhausted, he
found himself before the walls of Glenstrae.
1t was strange course the slayer took, and
stranger goal he gained: and were it not
matter of strict, undouhted history, well
might we have questioned its probability.
The distant shouts of his clausmen reach
ed the ear of Glenstrae, rs it CHANGED he lay
awake. He AT once opened window, and
looking down, recognized the fugitive
"What seeks Lamont ut this hour" was his
demand.
"Protcction and life,' faltered the chief for
it was his victims father he addressed
In minute, Glenstrae himself threw open
the door, and led Lamont into the house.
"You are safe here" said he, "whatevcr you
may have DONE"
But scarcely was the door reclosed, when
it was loudly knocked at by the MacGregors,
and the voice of Ian Dhu was heard aloud
"Open to us, Glenstrne; there-is-u murderer
within your walls"
"Ifit be Lamont, he is safe here" was the
reply.
"NIac Gregor, MacGregor," persisted the
youth, "ihe best blood of Alpine stains his
hands. You have 10 son! Give up his
murderer to the justice of your clan"
The unfortunate father Stu urpTpu bnCk.
erwhelmed with anguish at this announce
ment But when again the demand for La
mont and his forfeit life came in the mingled
tones of many voices, he found words TO re-
fuse the victim for whose protection his word
was pledged. BY this time his house was
surrounded by an increasing multitude ofthc
MacGregors, to whom the knowledge oftheir
loss had fled like lightning, and bitter were
the reproaches heuped upon Glensrae, and
wild the eutroates which urged him to de-
liver the murderer into their hands. BY this
time, also, his wife and daughter were in the
hall, and falling mt his feet, besought him,
with prayers and tears to yield to the wishes
of his clansmen. But the old laird of Glen
strae remained unmoved by all. Whatever
was, whatever might be, his word was plcdg-
ed, and should be kept. Lamont stood by,
motonless and in silence, careless what
might be the end of q scene to look on which
was the greatest punishment he could incur.
The clansmen clamored without, and Black
Ian showered bitter taunts on the ill-timed
mercy of his chief portraying the uneXpiat-
ed crime in the very darkest coors that the
foul deed could wear; and there knelt the
weeping mother and sister, pouring forth III
wild words the agony of their grief, to which
the idea of shielding the slayer of the loved
one from his deserved doom seemed an IN
suit, and "A contradiction TO their affection for
the dead; while the aged chietlain, with tears
of heartfelt sorrow rushing over his weather.
beaten checks, babe them be SILENT and hear
his voice-"Lct none ofyou dare 20 injure the
man. said -"MucGregor has promised
him safety, and, as live, he shall be sale
while in my house,
The stern dignity with which these words
were uttered bespoke the Interchangeable de-
termination of MacGregor; but nothing save
the unlimited obedience which Highland
clan then yielded to their chief, insured sub
mission to his decree: and faithful and devot-
ed as were the sons of Alpine it was hard
trial to their allegiance. However. they de-
parted in peace, and Lamont remained I'M
der the roof ot'his protector; to understnnd
the full merits of whose forbearance, it must
he remembered, that in those days he would
have been thought fully justified in arraigning
and furnishing the criminal on his own au-
thority, and also, that to revenge wrong or in
suit was one of the first principles ineilled in
to the mind of Highland youth. Honor and
the rights hospitality have won as great vic
tories elsewhere, and the Arab chetlain of
the desert respecting the life ofhis sons muir
derer whom, like MacGregor, he had 'ncon-
scious!y sheltered in his tent. But the dark
eyed son of Ishmael was protector only for
time, and became the fiercest enemy of the
fugitive when no longer claiming the sacred
character of guest. And how acted the High