The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-03

the advantage at the turns, and as they
come to each gains little more.
Once round Sir Fan still leads by half a
length. But, when they fly round Sec
ond time, the earl gradually comes up and
up, until as they pass the post, they race
neck and neck.
Sir Fan is in despair. The earPs back
ers cheer madly, for they see the earl must
win.
Matilda, almost forgotten now, watches
with intense excitement every move. If
the earl wins, she is to be thrown to these
rough men who cheer so wildly. Surely
that thought will give her courage-the
jewelled dagger will save her honor. But
if the knight wins, what then He is
handsome youth; but to be forced like a
slave to marry any man is shame. All
this she thinks while the two rush past.
Sir Fan seems beaten now, for he loses
ground more quickly, and at the third time
past the earl has clear length lead. Again
the frantic cheering. But Sir Fan is not
done yet, for at the northeast corner he
sees his chance, for the mare has swung
out little; and as the earl had done be-
fore, he seizes the inside place and plies
his whip and spurs. Only three hundred
yards, and length to make up. Can he
do it?
For while the earl holds his own, but
at the next two corners Fan gains, and
when they enter on the last straight in the
dash for home he is barely head behind.
Neck and neck they go up the straight,
locked together, and only at the very finish
does Sir Fan, with last effort, force Black
Arrows nose in front. The knight has
won.
Sir Fan did not wait for long the centre
Of an applauding crowd, but quickly turned
Black Arrow and rode up to where Matilda
was. The maid had risen, and was stand
ing up, holding high in her right-hand her
small jewelled dagger. She stood quite
still as if turned toftone. Events have come
and passed so quickly that she can hardly
realize that yet she lives; and that here at
her feet, stands gallant knight, praying
nef 10 De Ills WIG.
Never had she looked SO fair or so ma
jectic as now, while she stands upright,
filled with stubborn courage of her fathers,
and glowing with the excitement of the
race. Sir Fan looks the humble suppliant
he feels, and not the winner of the prize.
And she, Matilda, looks in every way
something divine-a saint queen. Not
one of all these rough men but knows that
had the earl won the race she would have
died, and each in his heart rejoices at Fan
victory.
And then she speaks: :-''Sir Fan, |
believe you to be man of honor and
gallant knight, yet never shall daughter
of the Macfarlanes be given as racing
prize by Monteith. If you would wed
me, do not ask that willy man, the earl;
but if you have courage, ride to Loeb REQ
dite, and see my father, and ask him for
his daughter. If you do this, and if he
gives his leave and 1 still live, then will I
wed you; otherwise [ die. y
Then Monteith himself broke in. "You
must not go, Ban. The girl is yours al
ready. 1t is foul plan to get you muir
dered or held as hostage for this girls
return. | will not allow it. You must
not go.
evil you trust my word, Sir Fan p
the maid said quietly. "Take this ring,
and go unarmed A Macfarlane may kill,
but does not murder AS for this man,
this Earl Monteith, know that for ever in
Scottish history his name and treachery
shall go together. How can Q traitor trust
an honest man, or the false Monteith the
chief of the Macfarlanes' daughter?'
"You shall pay for this, the earl cried.
''Seize her and bring her to me, and we
shall whip some sense and some respect
into this outlaws whelp.'
Sir Fan was before the hesitating men.
He caught Matilda hand.
Jump" he cried, and she was up be-
side him on the saddle, and then Black
Arrow went. The race was nothing. This
is riding double burden on the horse, and
the country rough with holes and stones
and crags and burns, and the angry earl
behind.
Across the moor, then along Ben Gulli-
pens side they sped; past Rednode's Tow
er, and along Ben Dearg and Ben Dhu
until the Lake of Monteith is reached, and
then on by its fertile shore till they come
to the Glenny Pass. Then Black Arrow
seeks due north, up the Glenny Burn into
the Typer's Glen.
Still the earl is close behind, with many
fresh recruits, for men are easily gathered
all along the lake side from the castle at
Inchmahome And poor Black Arrow is
tired to death. Still on he has to 60,
staggering under his heavy load, and losing
ground at every stride, until when they
come to the upright line Of crags on the
north side of the glen the pursuit is but
three hundred yards behind.
'We are done,'' muttered Sir Fan;
Black Arrow cannot 60 another yard,
poor beast -
"Come quickly, follow me, Matilda
cried; and leaping off the tottering horse
runs like deer up the great rocks in front.
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