Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-21

in the land would have justice-a rope
round his neck and long drop for bull
let would be too honorable a death. But
let Athole pass. He was once a loyal man,
and there may be reason in what ye say. l
have never known sickness myself and
doubtless 1t weakens even strong men. But
what Is this l hear of Gordon? Is 1t a lie
that he Is trafficking with Hamilton and
the wing lords to surrender the castle? If
So he Is the most damnable traitor of them
all. and will have his place with Judas
Ma, ma, Dundee nae Gordon has ever
been false though l judge maist O. them,
since Mary's day, have been foolish. Con-
corning the castle, this is how the matter
stands, and pray YOU to hear me patient
ly and not fly out till l have Finished
For Gods sake, speak out and speak on.
and dinna sit watching me If you were
terrified for your life, and dinna pick your
words, like double-dealing. white-blooded
wing lawyer, or 1 will begin to think that
the leprosy Of cowardice has reached the
Lndsays."
"Weel, Dundee,"-but Balcarres was still
very careful with his word-'I have reason
to believe, and. in fact. 1 may as we'll say
L know that there have been some goings
and comings between Gordon and the lords
Of convention. 1 will not say that Gordon
isna true to the king, and that he would
not hold the castle If it would help the
cause. But 1 am judging that he isna
minded to be left alone and keep Edinburgh
Castle for King James If all Scotland is
for King William" And Balcarres, pluck
ing up courage in the face of his fierce
companion, added: Il will not say Dun
dee. that the duke is wrong. What use
would it be If he did? But mind you"
promised to surrender his trust. He is
just waiting to see what happens"
Which they have all been doing. every
woman's son Of them, instead of minding
their duty whatever happens; but l grant
there's no use raging, we maun make our
plans. What does Gordon want If he's
holding his hand? Out with 1t. Balcarres
for see from your face ye ken"
IF the duke replied Balcarres had
ony guarantee that a fight would be made
for the aud line in Scotland, and that he
would not be left alane, like a sparrow
upon the housetop in Edinburgh Castle,
make certain he would stand fast: but If
the royal standard is to be seen nowhere
else except on one keep-strong though
that be-the duke Will come to terms WI
the convention. There We have the situa-
ton, max O. 1t what ye will"
by God, Balcarres, if that be true, and
jalouse that we are RIGHT, Gordon will get
his assurance this very NIGHT. It's a fair
and just pledge he asks, and l know the
man who'll give it to him. Edinburgh will
no be the only place in the land where the
good standard flies before many days are
passed. Man! Balcarres this is good news
We have brought. and am glad to ken that
there Is still red blood in Gordons heart
I'm thinking we've had your own commun-
ings wi the duke and that We ken the by
| roads to the castle. Settle it that he and
can meet this very picht, and if need be
I'll be ready to leave the morrows morn
ing. Aye, Balcarres.. if the duke holds the
fastness, I'll look after the open country"
And before daybreak there was a meeting
Between the Gordon and the Graham They
exchanged pledges, each to do his part
but both of them knew an almost hopeless
| part. for the king. Many a forlorn hope
| had their houses led, and this would be
only one more
| While his Stpr had bapn nj ciroy
| the dukes determination and giving pledges
| Of thoroughness, Grimond had been doing
his part to- secure Dundee's safety in the
seat of his enemies. Edinburgh was
| swarmlng with west country wings whose
| day of victory had come. and who had
hurried to the capital that they might
| make the most of it., No one could blame
| them for their eXultation, least of all
| Claverhouse They had been hunted like
| wild beasts. they had been scattered when
worshipfng God according to the fashion
of their fathers they had been shot down
without trial, they had been shut up in
noisome prisons--and all this because they
would not submit to the most corrupt gov
eminent ever known in Scotland and that
most intolerable kind of tyranny which
tries not only to coerce a man as a citizen
| but also as Christian They had many
prosecutors, but on the whole, the most
active had been Graham, and ii was Ora
ham they hated most. 1t is his name
rather than that of DalZell or Lauderdale
which has been passed with execration
from mouth TO mouth and from generation
to generation in Scotland The tyrant
James had fed like the coward he was.
and Gods deliverer had come-a man of
their own faith-in William of Orange.
The iron doors had been burst and the fet-
tiers had been broken, there was liberty
to hear the word of the Lord again. and
the Kirk of Scotland was once more free
Justice was being done. but 1t would not
be perfect till Claverhouse. suffered the
penalty of his crimes. 1t had been the
hope of many a dour Covenanter, infuri-
ated by the wrongs of his friends, If not