, 1863-12-12

ana as the harvest mOOn pTuke upon tnelr
armor, she seemed to watch every fash Of
their swords, waving her land with exulta-
ton. or raising her voice N a strain of tri-
umph. But by her side stood Madeline,
gazing not less eagerly, dnd not less inter-
ested in the work Of daiiger and despair
but her eyes were fixed usGm one only-the
young leader of the chiyalrous band who
brayed death for England and their ladye's
sake. She also watched the flashing of the
swords; but hereyes sought those only which
glanced where the brightest helmet cleaned
and the proudest plume waved. Often the
contest was beneath the very walls Of the
castle, and she could hear her lovers voice,
and behold him dashing as thunderbolt
into the midst of his enemies.
Obstinate, however, as tho resistance Of
the garrison was, and bloody as the price,
indeed, seemed ut which the castle was to
be purchased, David had too much of the
Bruce in his blood to abandon the Siege
lie began to fill the bitches, and he ordered
engines to be prepared to batter down the
walls. The bitches were filed, and, before
the heavy and pondcro,s blows Of the en-
gines, a breach was made in the outer wall,
and with wild shout thousand of the
Scottish troops rushed into the outer court.
"Joan Plantagenet disdains ye stillw
cried the dauntless Countess. ''Quail not,
brave hearts" she exclaimed, addressing the
garrison, who, with deadly aim, continued
showering their arrows upon the besiegers !;
"before / Weld, Wark Castle shall be my
funeral pilew -.,.
"And minew cried Sir William, as an
arrow glanced from his hand, and became
transfixed in the visor of one of the Scottish
leaders.
Madeline glanced towards him, and her
eyes, yet bealning with courage, seemed to
say, "And mine !"
'"And oursp exclaimed the garrison
sand oursw they repeated more vehem-
emily; and, waving their swords, they cried,
T" Hurra for our ladye, 81. George, and merry
England"
Ii was the shout Of valiant but dcspairing
men. Yet, as the danger rose, and rs hope
became less and less, so rose the dotormina-
ton Of the Countess. She was present to
animate at every place Of assault. She dis
tributed gold amongst them; her very jew
ala she gave in presents to the brayest; but
though they had shea much Of the best
blood In tho Scottish arrdy, their defence
was hopeless, and their tfsge could not
save them. Almost tkcif last arrow was
cxpepdcd, aud they were repelling thsir
assailants from the inner wall with their
spears, when Want, the most formidable
enemy Of the besiegcd, began to assail them
from within. ls..u
Itwas now that the gentle Madeline, when
Sir William endeavored to inspire her with
hope, replied: "I fear not to die-to die
with you!--but tell me not Of hope; ]. is
not to be found in the courage Of the brave
garrison whom famine is depriving Of their
strength. There is one hope for us-only
one; but it is o desperate hope, and would
rather die than risk the life Of another
"Nay, name it, dearest, said Sir William,
eagerly; "and if the heart or hand of man
can accomplish it, il shall be attempted"
Madeline hesitated.
"Speak, silly one," said the Countess,
who had overheard them; "whcre lies your
hope! Could true knight die in nobler
cause? Name it; for I wot ye have wiser
head than bold heart"
"Namcit; do, dear Madeline" entreatcd
Sir William. ia .4sa fir
king Edward Is now in Y Yorkshire" she
replied. aCould messenger be dispatched
to him, the castle.might hold out until he
hastened to our assistance"
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