, 1864-04-23

own choosing. On being admitted to the
presence of the knight, "What is it, ye va
grant loon" asked Sii Patrick, " that brings
ye to venture within the roof o honest
men?" W.
"Honest" said thcgipsy; cha! ha! ha!
dare say your honesty and mine is muckle
about par. Between us two it is, take who
can. Ye hac the Bit land, Sir Patrick, but
ye havena stronger or a more cunning
hand, nor yet sharper sword than the lord
o Little Egypt. Therefore speak at evens
with me, lest ye rue it."' i--------.--
"And wherefore should Ispeak at evens,"
answered Hume, "with the like O. you, who
are at best but the king o gaberlunzie
men W
"The mischief light on ye" said the gip-
sy; "ye have provoked me sair, and have
thOled wi your sights and taunting; but
try me not wi another word, lest ye rue it,
Sir Patrick Hume, and your brother rue il,
and every Hume O. the house O Wedderburn
shall be brought to cry doOl, for refusing to
listen to the words o Johnny Faa."
"And what wad yesay if ye had your will,
ye braggart knavc ?" cried the knight.
"Mercly," retorted the gypsy, /" that there
is bonny lassie, ane who is owre guild to
be the bride O. sac uncivil an individual as
yourself, now lying in durance, wi death or
perpetual Imprisonment before her, while
ye havena the courage to lift your hand to
her rescue"
"Of whom speak ye?" vociferated the
laird of Wedderburn.
"Who," rejoined the gypsy, silly, "is
nearest to your hearth who nearest to your
door2 Have you seen her within these
four days?"
"What!" exclaimed Sir Patrick, "speak
ye Of my Margaret|
"Of whom does your heart tell you that
l speak" said Faa.
at is then to her that ye allude ?" cried
Sir Patrick.
Gay, it is to her." was the reply; "and
what knight are ye that would remain here
idly within your castle, while death threat
ems the maiden Of your love? ?"
Pardon me, stranger" said Sir Patrick /;
"tcll me where she is"
aye ask me to pardon ye now" answered
the gypsy, proudly. aye knew me before,
when the insult was offered ye know me
still, 1t is not because ye bear name pow
ertul in arms, nor yet that / have heard Of
your deeds Of war, that come to you; but
it is because Of the maiden who loves you
as the MayAy does the summer sun. Mar
garet Sinclair and her sister arc the prison.
ers Of their uncle, Sir William Sinclair Of
Hcrdmanstone. He haslooked with an eye
Of covetousness upon their estates-hc longs
to possess them and, if they be not yielded
to him, the life Of the fair owners now in his
power must pay the forfeit"
The knight claspcd the hand Of the gypsy.
f" "Thank ye, thank yc," he cried; 81 will
reward ye for this act Of kindness"
"You reward me" shouted the gypsy
king, disdainfally. "Think ye that when
the king Of Little Egypt does Sn act Of hu-
manity or generosity, he Is to be rewarded
for it by Scottish knight! Away with ye,
man! spurn your thanks! ] am as far
above them rs the moon is above the glow
worm that glimmers on the ground-ay, as
the sun above the fctid matter from which
it draws life, Know, then, that Margaret
Sinclair and her sister will die unless ye have
courage to release them, and that before an
other saboath shine holiday to you"
Wedderburn held his hand in thankful
ness. Forgive me, forgive me-" he cried 4;
al have spoken unjustly to one that has
soul within him, and who has sympathized
for those in whom my happiness isbOund up
Again, say, forgive me"
aye are forgiven" said the Faa; "and,
If assistance be needed in the hour Of peril,
ye shall find willing hands ready to helpye,
though ye deserve It not"
SOsaying, the Faa beckoned his hand and
withdrew from the presence Of Hume. Sir
Patrick bore the tidings instantly to his
brother; and, within two hours, hundred
Of their retainers stood armed around We'd
derburn Castle. "To HerdmanstOneV was
the cry, Sand the rescue Of the lady love
Of the Lord Of Wedderburnl"
Gay, and for Marion, the maid Of Kim
merghame! !" cried George, the brother Of
Sir Patrick; "and the Sinclairs shall wear
stout bucklers, and belts to boot, that this
sword pierce not"
The party being marshalled, they took
their way across the LammermoOrs, with the
brothers Sir Patrick and George Hume at
their head. 1t was shortly after daybreak
when they appeared before HerdmanstOne
Castle, and the Lady Margaret was the first
to perceive their approach.
"Sisterp she cried, "see see aid is at
hand the banner Of the Humes is waving
over the fields Of Herdmanstone."
"Ye dream, sister," said Marion, starting