The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-29

tain, for he was come within an easy nalf
''Freens o. NINE, says Alan, and began
water toward the boat. "Davie," he said,
pausing. ''Davie, are ye no coming? am
swier to leave ye."
Twill he land me in Fife, then7" l
asked, and my heart beat with hope and
terror.
"Csptain," says Alan, "will We no give
this friend o. mine a cast across the Firth
and land him in the kingdom under cloud
of night?"
s.Wi' this wes' lam win? and me got
you aboard? Ye're daft, my buckle 2"
says the captain.
"Herl pay We we'll; he's rich." said
Alan.
."Ye may spare your breath, sir" said
the captain.
eye hear that, Davie 2" said Alan.
81 hear that" said |.
He stood part of q second where he was
to his knees in the salt water, hesitating.
He that will to Cupar, maun to Cupar,"
said he, and, smashing in deeper than his
waist, was hauled into the skiff, which
was Immediately directed for the ship.
stood where he had left me, with my
hands behind my back; Alan sat with his
head turned watching me, and the boat
drew smoothly away: OF sudden came
the nearest hand to shedding tears. and
seemed to myself the most deserted soil
my back upon the sea and faced the sand
hills. There was no sight or sound of
man; the sun .shone on the wet sand and
the dry, the wind blew in the bents, the
gulls made dreary piping. As passed
higher up the beach the sand lice were
hopping nimbly about the stranded tam
giles. The devil any other sight or sound
| in that unchancy place. And yet knew
there were folk there observing me upon
some secret purpose. They were no sold
iers. or they would have fallen on and
taken US ere now; doubtless they were
some common rogues hired for my undo
ing; perhaps to kidnap, perhaps to MUIR
those engaged the first was the most
likely; from what 1 knew of their charac-
ter and ardency in this business thought
the second very possible, and the blood
ran cold about my heart.
had mad idea to loosen nv sword in
the scabbard for though was very unfit
to stand up like a gentleman. blade to
blade. l thought could do some skaith in
a random combat. But 1 perceived in
time the folly of resistance. This was no
doubt the joint "expedient" on which
Prestongrange and Fraser were agreed.
The first, was very sure, had done some
thing to secure my life; the second was
trary hints into the ears of Neil and his
companions. and if l were to show bare
steel might play straight into the hands
OF my worst enemy and seal my own
doom.
These thoughts brought me to the head
OF the beach. l cast q look behind; the
boat was nearing the brig, and Alan few
his handkerchief for farewell. which I
replied to with the waving of my hand.
But Alan himself was shrun.s to small
thing in my view, alongside of this pass
that lay in front Of me. set my hat hard
on my head, cIenched my teeth, and
went right before me up the face Of the
sandwreath. 1t made hard climb, being
steep, and the sand like water underfoot.
But caught hold at last by the long bent
grass on the braetop, and pulled myself to
good footing. The same moment men
stirred and stood up here and there, six or
seven of them. ragged-like knaves, each
with dagger in his hand. The fair truth
is, shut my eyes and prayed. When
opened them again, the rogues were crept
the least thing nearer without speech or
hurry. Every eye was upon mine. which
struck me with strange sensation Of
their brightness, and of the fear with
which they continued to approach me. /
held out my hands empty; whereupon one
surrendered.
Under protest" said I, 'if We ken what
that means. which misdoubt"
At that word they came in upon me
like fight of birds upon carrion, seized
me. took my sword, and all the money
from my pockets, bound me hand and
foot with some strong line, and cast me on
tussock of bent. There they sat about
their captive in sort of . circle and gazed
upon him silently like something danger
Gus. perhaps lion or q tiger on the
spring. Presently this attention was re-
Taxed. They drew nearer together, fell to
speech in the Gaelic, and very cynically
VII Cd hafn r.
was my diversion in this time that could
watch from my place the progress of my
friends escape. / saw the boat come to
the brig and ne hoisted in, the sails fill,
and the ship pass out seward behind the
isles and by North Berwick.
In the course of two hours or So and
more ragged Highlandmen kept collecting,
Neil among the first, until the party must
have numbered near score. With each
new arrival there was fresh bout of talk,
that sounded like complaints and explain
atoms; but observed one thing. none of
those that came late had any share in the
division OF my spoils. The last discus
once thought they would have quarreled;
on the heels of which their company
parted, the bulk of them returning west
ward in a troop, and only three Neil and
two others, remaining sentries on the
prisoner.
ill pleased with your days work. Neil
Duncanson," said 1, when the rest had
! moved away.
He assured me in answer I should be
tenderly used, for her knew he was .'ac-
Quent VII the Teddy"
This was all our talk, nor did any other
son Of man appear upon that portion of
the coast until the sun had gone down
among the Highland mountains, and the
cleaning was beginning to grow dark. At
which hour was aware of a long, lean,
bonny-like Lothian man of q very swarthy
cOuntenance, that came towards US among
| the bents on a farm horse.
Lads" cried he, ''hae ye paper like
this?" and held up one in his hand. Neil
produced a second, which the newcomer
studied through pair of horn specracles,
and saying all was right and We were the
folk he was seeking. Immediately dis
mounted. / was then set in his place, my
feet tied under the horses belly, and We
set forth under the guidance of the Low
| lander. His path must have been very
we'll chosen, for We met but one pair
| "A pair of iovers-the whole way, and
| these. perhaps, taking US to be free trad
| ers, fled on our approach. Wewere at one
| time close at the foot of Berwick Law on
| the south side; at another, as We passed
| over some open hills, spied the lights Of
| a ciachan and the old tower of a church
! among some trees not far Off. but too far
| to cry for help, if had dreamed of it. At
| last We came again within sound of the
| sea. There was moonlight, though not