The morning times., 1896-12-13
jamie,
the
Red.
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known as Liddel Castle
II overlooked the beautiful valleys OF
Northumberland, and one could see from
its battlements the Tweed as IL rushed
toward the sea. shimmering and leaping in
the sunlight 1t was. moreover, one of
the best defended castles in that part OF
the land, and Sir James Douglas, called
''the Black Douglas, - had ung desired pos
session of 1t.
Eut ,VhaC lie could not get by fair con.
quest he sought to take by willy stratcgem,
ana foT months he watched the castle,
eyeing it like hawk, to be baffled in all
ms cnde6yors, much to the Joy of the
English.
Inc Black Douglas was the greatest
border chiaftain of his time, and King
Edward feared him above all the brave
Scots who opposed his reign.
For months the Douglas and his valiant
men harasScd the English soldiers, Win
ming castle after castle from them until
they feared tnat ere long they would have
no foothold at all along the border.
One afternoon while the first blue skies
OF spring overspread the borders of North
um5erland boy riding Il black horse came
in signJ of another youth OF his own age
Chopping wood at the edge of the great
forest OF Biewick.
As he reIned IN his horse and brushed
back his shock of red hair, which had
blown over his temples, he haiied the young
wood chopper who olooked up and recognized
him with a smile.
III less than an hour the day would be
gone and the short twilight would take
its place, therefore the young wood cutter
could afford TO rest.
What's the news, Master Jamie?" he
asked the rider what have you hcard of
the Black Douglas today?'
Jamie, the lICd, d s the rider was called
throughout the region, threw Il look down
the we odland road and then LEANED toward
the qucStloner.
I'm answer 10y asking a question my
self Kohie," lie said. This is Fasten's-
Eve, isn't it?''
Aye, that it is, and all day they have
been preparing for il III the castle yonder.
They are going I o celebrate ii there tonight,
hut you and |, Master Jamie, won't bc
among the invited guests. Those feasts
ycudeT are / OF for peasants like ourselves,
but we can stand down in the forSe and
listen to the sounds of merriment.'
"A feast, eh? It's e of time for the
Black Douglas, me Thinks smiled the
rider "Youknow how he surprised Mcrlon
Castle last yuetide, put the men to the
sword and plundered Che castle itself, :"
That he did. but you Cont think lie is
in these parts now, watching Liddel
Castle?''
Rcbie dropped his ak and came forward
Listen, Master Robie' said jamie
There's no telling what VIII happen be
fore morning. This man is on the alert
and what better prize would he want
! than Liddel? Think OF the trcasu in the
vaults, think of the wines in the cellars,
think ---''
Mercy and think of the women and
children there, interrupted the little VIC od-
cutter. as his face lost color. Il can't think
OF it, jamie
Then let us watch the castle tonight >
observed Jamie. 1T can 90 no HARM
The boys agreed TO do this and also not
to inform anyone of their intention, and in
a short time the scene of the wood cutting
was deserted for jamie Brame had aC-
companied Robie home.
After a supper in the fOresteTs' humble
cottage the boys Sauntered from the house
and made their way to a secluded spot
where the road which lost itself among
! the Cheviot Hills afforded an excellent place
| for concealment Jamie had brought his
/ lnseparabe bow with him, for he was one
! OF the best boy marksmcn in the whole
| country and had carried off several prizes
| IN the contests which annually took place
! iii Northumberland.
He could send an arrow further and trucr
than any boy Of his age, and some of hi ;
! elders dared not enter the lists against
| Jamie, the Red.
From where they concealed themselves
| they could see the lights in Liddel Castl,.
| and could hear the call OF the seutries from
| the turret walls. These calls rang nut
loud anG clear and Indicated that all was
| well and that the celebrants of Fasten's
! Eve need mol fear an incursiun by the
dreaded Black Douglas
What II he should seek To surprise Lid
| del Castle tonight?' said Robie How
| can we warn the people there?'
Wait and see was the reply, and
Jamie's glance wandered to his bow.
You still carry good arrows, Master
Jamie?''
The very bestr' answered the Other
proudly. Never better bow on the
border than mine, Robie''
Its long wait" yawned Rohie as
the four of / = struck in the tower "If
we could only feast with the merry kers
up yonder, Jamie, it would not appear
so long,
But they'd never open the gates To ms
We are not of the dukes family, boy and
they wouldn't think of letting us inside
| to get glimpse OF the fine things on the
tables and the gorgeous garments of the
nobility there
The next minute Robic caught his COM
panion's arm and pointed toward the
ripping waters of the ford
Look he said, his voice half hushed
| where the starlight was so bright awhile
ago. jamie, Jamie, can it be the Black
| Douglas?''
Jamie. the hoyarcher. did not answer. but
| sprang up and darted away, followed by
his little friend They ran forward until
| they could get n closer view OF the ford.
and for half "a minute they gazed almost
out of breath at the spectacle which the
starlight unrolled to their ardent vision
The ford was filled with men, mounted
| men at that, and they could see now and
| thenthHt Some were in armor while others
| looked like peasa nts.
The two boys looked fe moments and
then gaZcd into each others faces. speech
less.
1t is the Black Douglas, and he is on
| mischief bent, said ROBBIE at last s''rhay
have dressed Some of their men as peas.
ants for the purpose of scaling the rocks
behind the castle. Let them once get a
| footing on the walls and the feast will he
turned into Mourning
Come, Robie," cried Jamie. the Red
as ne bounded down the narrow road
which wound toward the old pile in danger
we must warn the duke and his merry
makers"
In a short time the boys ,reac ached a spot
from which the old castle loomed above
them on its solid foundations standing
where 1T had stood for hundreds of wears
biddlng defiance to foes of all kinds and
Haunting its banner in their faces day
and night.
They saw the beacon fires on the lofty
walls as they revealed the castle turrets.
and il the sentries had been in their placas
making their rounds, istead Of feastipg at
their masters table, the light would have
revealed them as well
1.-The Black Douglas is behind u.s." said
Jamie, as he looked down the road over
which they had come He will soon he
sending his miscreants in peasant garb up
the rocky climb behind the castle and then
comes the sword!''