River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-11-09

err" exclaimed Elder McLane.
''Who talks of mercy when mention
ing the name of Bonshaw?" responded
Robert Lindsay. did yonder wretch
show mercy to my gallant father as he
And he ground his teeth bitterly as he
recalled the dredful night when his
home was laid in ashes and his father
cold and stiff in death.
Suddenly the troops dismounted and
prepared for the assault.
Charge the smooth-faced hypo-
critics; down with the villainsl" shout
ed Bonshaw.
Give the sons of Belial to the edge
of the sword" cried the Covenanters.
xiii and spare not"
The next instant volley from the
firearms rang out on the night air, and
the troopers charged the barricade.
Unaccustomed 10 military drill and
discipline, the Covenanters were no
match for Bonshaw's troopers, and yet
they were not adversaries 10 be lightly
despised. They were earnest men,
sternly intent in doing that which was
to them a righteous and praiseworthy
act.
A terrible volley was poured into the
faces of the troopers as they dashed on
the barricade For an instant they
wavered, and then with loud cheers
they leaped upon the breastwork and
were engaged in a hand-to-hand COM
bat. Foremost among those who
fought with desperation was Dougal
Mackenzie. He appeared as if renewed
in strength, and battled with so much
courage for the old cause that few who
met him could resist the nerve and fury
of his arm. His right hand did not dis
grace his fathers sword that night.
Neither was his young companion, Rob-
ert Lindsay, behind him in valorous eX-
ploits Twice did Lindsay cross swords
with Bonshaw, and as often were they
borne away from each other by the tide
of contention. Both were wounded,
and conspicuous as they were in their
bravery, they eyed each other with a
stern hate. But numbers and discipline
told on the side of the troopers. The
Covenanters had lost fully half of their
number, and we're at length compelled
to yield.
Among those who gave up their lives
was DougaI Mackenzie; he had been
stabbed to the heart, and fell head fore
most to the foe, grasping the sword
which had been his heirloom. Near by
him was Robert Lindsay, bleeding
from a wound in the neck and stunned
by blow from musketoon.
The moon had risen full and bright
upon the scene, and made the spot al
most as bright as day. The Covenant
ers who were prisoners uttered never a
word, and had not sued for mercy. But
the walls of the women were sorrowful
to hear Bonshaw was the first to APP
proach the hut, and was met by Mar
garet Mackenzie at the threshold.
Back. thou man of blood and ter
ror!" she exclaimed, as she stood facing
him with glittering eyes and pals
checks.
"Oh! ho!" cried the leader, who is it
that commands here now? Give me a
kiss, my pretty lass, and leave threat
enings to holder hearts and stouter
arms" and he made an effort to catch
her by the arm, when Elder McLane
thrust himself between the ibertine
and the girl.
"Stay thy hand" he exclaimed, and
add no further crimes to thy long list"
THAT for thee, hound" cried Bon
shaw, as he struck the elder with the
butt of his pistol and felled him to the
earth.
Sad and almost despairing was the
band that was marched away guarded
by the rude soldiery, and the following
day saw them all within prison walls,
that is, all save the women. These were
allowed to go free, but the fate of the
men was yet TO be a matter for mill
tary tribunal.
1t was a week later, when one stormy
night Robert Lindsay made his escape
from the guards and fled to his home,
where he found Margaret Mackenzie
and many more of those who had been
bereft of kinsmen on the fatal night
when the pastor had fought at the head
of his little flock.
Between Lindsay and Margaret there
existed a strong attachment, and it was
ONLY on account of the inopportunity
of the times that Robert had not de-
clared his love and asked the maiden
to become his wife. Now, when she
was deprived of a protector and left an
orphan, it seemed to Lindsay as if he
ought, in bounden duty, to speak upon
the subject.
Thou knowest that l long have
loved thee, Margaret" he said, land
many a time l fain would have revealed
my affection for thee, and it was only
when / found thy late lamented father
in favor of postponing the matter until
the times were restored to tranquility
that | obeyed his counsel and held my
peace. All is changed now. He whose
voice we both used to heed, and whose
teachings served to keep our feet in
the right way, has gone TO his reward,
and thou art alone. Say, wilt thou take
me for thy husband? am prescribed
man, and perhaps by to-morrow's sun L
may be again in the power of the un-
godly. Thou wilt be compelled to fly
the land with me, for it would be mad
ness to remain here. / ask thee again
canst thou be my wife,"
Margaret held out her hand as she
replied: IF it be thy desire ! will do
So
Lovemaking in those days and among
those people was not the warm, pas
sionate ard mayhap uncertain thing
that we all now know. Almost all the
acts and speeches of the Covenanters
were we'll considered, and responsible
ity was always kept strong in view. So
when Margaret Mackenzie gave Robert
Lindsay her hand and said: If it be
thy desire | will do so, she would have
uttered the same words and made them
good, too. had Lindsay been destined
for a gibbet the next hour.
Ten years had passed away, and
Lindsay and his wife had never been
seen nor heard of. Persecution had
long since ceased, and peace was now
to those who had long
prayed for it, when Lindsay and his
wife came from their residence abroad
and appeared first al Falkirk. where
Robert. now preacher of rare talents
and great power, soon made stir
among the people by his oratory.
Crowds followed him from meeting TO
nor were his followers con-
fined to the lower orders, but persons