Year: 1863

after the interview we have mentioned,
WaFfarlng man crossed the bridge of
Berwick, from the north, and proceeded
down Marygate, at last sat down upon a
bench by the door of an hosterly on the
south side Of the street, nearly fronting
what was called the Mainguard then
stood. He did not enter the inn, for it
was above his apparent condition, being
that which Oliver Cromwell had made
his headquarters a few years before, and
where, at some earlier period, James the
Sixth had taken up his residence, when
on his way.to enter on the sovereignty
Of England,


The traveller wore a coarse ierkin
fastened round his body by leathern
girdle, and over it small cloak com
posed Of equally plain materials. He
was young man, but his beaver was
down so as almost to conceal his features.
In one hand he carried small bundle,
and in the other pilgrim staff. Hav-
ing called for glass Of wine, he took
a crust Of bread from his bundle, and
after resting few minutes rose to de
part. The heavens were gathered black
the clouds rushing from the sea, sudden
gusts Of wind were moaning along the
streets, accompanied by heavy drops Of
rain, and the face Of the Tweed was
troubled


'Heaven help thee if thou intend to
travel in such a night as this said the
sentinel at the English gate, as the
traveller proceeded to cross the bridge.


In a few minutes he was upon the
borders of the wide, desolate and weary
moor Of Tweedmouth, which for miles
presented desert Of whins, ferns and
stunted heath, with here and there a
dingle covered with thick brushwood
He slowly toiled over the deep hill,
Drawing the storm which was now raging
in the widest fury The rain fell in
torrents, and the wind howled as legion
Of 1anished wolves, hurling It's doleful
and angry echoes over the heath. Still
the stranger pushed onward, till he had
proceeded two or three miles from Ber-
wick, when, as if unable longer to brave
the storm no souesht ~helte,> ~,-~>;1 7e,rss>-
crab and bramble bushes by the wayside.
Nearly an hour had passed since he
sought this imperfect shelter, and the
darkness of the night and the storm had
increased together, when the sound Of a
horses feet was heard huuiedly splash
ing along the road. The rider bent
his head to the blast Suddenly his
horse was grasped by the bride, the
rider raised his head, and the traveller
stood before him, holding pistolto his
breast.


lDsmount" cried the stranger stern
ly.


en- with fear, made an effort to reach his
arms but in moment the hand of the
robber, quilted the bride graspod the
breast of the rider, and dragged him to
the ground. He fell heavily on his face
and for several minutes remained sense
less The stranger seized the leathern
bae which contained the mail for the
north, and finging it on his shoulder,
rushed across the heath


Early on the following morning the IN
habitants of Berwick were seen hurry
ino in groups to the spot where the rob
berry was committed, and were scattered
in every direction around the moor
bnt no trace of the robber could be
obtained. -


Three days have passed, and Sir John
Cochrane yet lived. The mail which
contained the death warrant had been
rohbed; and before another order for
his execution could be given, the inter
cess;on of his father, the Earl OF Dun
donald with the kings confessor, might
be successful. Grizel now became al
most his constant companion in prison,
md smoke to him words Of comfort.
Nearly fourteen days had passed since
the protracted hope in the bosom OF the
nr;sdner became more bitter than his
first dispair The intercesslon Of his
father had been unsuccessful-and a
second time the bigoted monarch signed
The warrant for his death, and within a
little more than day the warrant would
reach the prison in which he was con-
fined.


ed the captive. ,5


amen ? returned Grizel, with wild
vehemence 'but my father shall not
die r ), Ia


Again the rider with the mail had
coached the moor or Tweedmouth, and
second time he bore with him the
doom Of Cochrane. He spurred his
| horse to its utmost speed ne looked
cautiously before and behind him, and
n his right hand he carried q pistol
ready to defend himself The moon
sbed ghastly light across the heath
rendering desolation visible, and giving
) spirited embodyment to every shrub,
He was turning the angle Of Struggling
eopse, when his horse reared at the re,
mort r Of pistol, the fire OF which seemed
T. dash into its very eyes. At the hf.is1 same
! 0o