Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-29
Copyright, 1875, by Irving Bacheller)
CHAPTER 1.-THE ROBBER OF THE
LEAD HILLS.

LEAD HILLS.
1t was at the change house of the "King's
Rest" at the entering in of the pass which
leads to the lead mines of the Lowther
Hills, that Sir James Standsfield and fore
gathered. had been down in the shire of
Dumfriei, where in the parish of Morton
there was word of vacancy, owing to
the ill-doing of the incumbent So, having
some influence with Drumianrig, who had
the chief say in the matter, through my
mother having been a servant with the
laird, journeyed down with water to push
my claims. In the days of my youth it is
true that 1 had companied with the hill
folk. but long ago 1 discerned the error
of my ways, desiring to be married and
seeing no prospect of it, save in taking of
the Test, and afterward, by means of
Drumlanrig and the bishop of Galloway
getting a parish in which to settle down.
And how go the curates?' cried Sir James
so soon as he saw me, for he was mostly
a jovial man, and had now a glass of
strong waters before him. How go the
curates In Dumfries? Have they all been
rabbled since the kings popish proclama-
ton, or have they yet learned to read with
out their finger at the line?''
There is one of them out of place. and
that in the good parish of Norton" said 1.
winch II d hope to obtain by the good
will of Drumlanrig"
"Ye are some kin to him. I have heard
say! said Sir James. pawkily.
NO kin whatsoever" l made answer,
with some heat. save that my mother
was sometime maid to the old Lady Drum
lanrig."
And Left of her own accord to be mar
ried to Gibby Bell. the Murkrk carrier
well do l mind of it, said Sir James.
So we had bite of bread and stoup of
ale together, and were merry in sober and
sedate fashion, speaking chiefly of the evil
state of the country, of the exactions of
the kings men. which waxed worse and
worse. and the frenzy of the fana teal
party that had threatened to turn the
world upside down If they had their will.
Presently the lass of the change house,
a ccmely one and plump, to whom, for my
shaming, Sir James slandered me, telling
her that l was merry curate and game
some, opened the door, and came 10 us
where We sat at table.
Gentlemen she said. speaking very
we'll and clearly for a country lass, bear
with me if l say that it behooves you to
set out ere it be dusk. for there are i'll
folk about and you might come to an in
jury"
Which" said Sir James, you wish not
to so sportive a lad as this my friend here.
and one that hath a beard to his face
wherein there is yet not hair of gray"
Indeed said she. turning on him with
spirit. L see nought the matter with the
young mans beard nor yet seems he so
merry those whose boards are grayer
and therefore might have more sense"
And well said for brave lass!' cried Sir
James. The maid had me the hip that
time and has thrown me fairly. Here is a
silver shilling for you. Marget. What hast
thou to say to that?"
The plump well-shapen maid servant
took the silver piece between her teeth and
bit upon it sedately.
Il say that your silver is better than
your wit (Which God mendD Sir James,"
she said, and looked at me as she said it,
hot
to. So that instead l looked with modesty
upon the ground.
Then with that and no more we mounted
and rode away, both of us being we'll
horsed. Sir James riding upon hackney
or gray. and L on a roam, which Drum
lanrig had given me from a whigs farm
ouse-one of the Welshes of Scaur, as 1
learned afterward, when they came upon
NE to make me restore it,
1t was by solitary pass that broke a
way through the hills. where the waters
run up into the heart of the blind Hopes"
that Sir James and ] We're riding slowly
talking peaceably, and taking solid pleas
ure in our conversation. For Sir James had
ever leaning for the things of the kirk
and, If his star had risen in the right sea-
son. he had made none so i'll a minister So
We discoursed of foreknowledge of the
right of the civil magistrate and of the
urlm and Thummim, which are all vexed
ana cltllcuit questions: so that it was great
pleasure to me to dispute with one so
learned and discreet as Sir James. though
he was. to my thinking. ever little over
whigfsh In his beliefs. and, 1 knew. had
no great opinion of those ministers who
had taken the Test.
We went thus daintily and cozily along.
pacing upon our amblng palfreys. when
all Of a sudden-"Crackr' There went off a
shot behind us, and Sir James horse sci
Its head down and spread it's heels In the
cir.
1 looked over my shoulder and saw tall
young man, riding upon heavy cart horse
as 1t had been fresh from a pillow tail and
with pair of pistols ready Bonded in his
hand, pursuing after US with a dark and
1earsome countenance. At this 1 had very
great fear for l had heard the stories of
the i'll folk that companied about the roots
of the hills and waited the passage of those
that were honest.
looked to see Sir James face about and
draw weapon of war upon the assailant
But he was already setting spurs to his
horse and dashing headlong down the ra-
vine, making speed, and not steel, keep his
mead So, being by my cloth no man of
war. and with no weapon but riding whip
1 put my horse to his stride, and drew
ahead of the young man upon the heavy
work horse.
But the claDpering of the broad hoofs
pounding behind me sounded SO perilous
and made me so i'll at ease that when we
rassed little runnel of water, with fem
ana bracken thereabout l thought it filter
that l should cast myself from my horse
and take refuge under the green covert
This l did with ease. for the beast 1 rode
was a little roam of Galloway: and l. being
long of the limb, let myself off without
peril and lay safely among the under
growth. For the safest course and the most
peaceable was ever the sweetest to me-
L peeped out and saw the young man look
about him to see il he could spy me. and
right glad was / that he could not But
observed him pursue Sir James with more
deadly fury, and spur his horse to its speed
Nevertheless, Sir James. on his light roam,
had easily the heels of him. And at this
saw the young man stop his beast and
with his elbow for a rest take n deliberate
aim at the back of my companion. At the
noise of the pistol 1 closed my eyes. For
SO tender was my heart that I dared not
look out lest should see the good man, my
companion, dead upon the heather But
presently / heard the young man return
cursng and swearing, and saying. 1.-The
devil rive him! Curse on the false aim the
deceitful bullet, the evil fate"
Whereat | judged that his cruel intent
could not have sped well. So by misadven-
ture l raised my head and looked about me
And 10! there standing upon the heather
within dozen yards of me was the robber
with his reeaing pistol yet in his hand
"Ho! no! What have we here?" cried he.
coming up to me with his pistol upon his
arm.
"A poor son of the chur I told him.
that had not the worth or j. ,yroat about
him. and nall~ht of value