Year: 1860

s'Tis nobly offered ? cried the men, in
shrill tones what say you, Hamish 2


sDo you think that I will shrink? If /
do, scourge me for dishonored hound,
and let me earn disgraceful and unpitied
death, said the lieutenant proudly. Lay
not faint heart to my charge; no, that trait
orous dog shall bite the dust--his flesh
shall feast the corbies.'
Spare your BREATH interrupted LAUGH
lin; you'll need it in the tussle. Stand
back, comrades, and give them room to play
the man. .....


Then followed such q scene as Salvador
Rosa loved to trace. The dark and frown-
ing band, with firm determination, drew
back ae Lauchlin's bidding, and seemed to
contemplate the approaching duel with that
stern delight which warriors feel when one
brave spirit meets its peer in the death
struggle for victory. The foes cautiously
approached each other; and seldom were
there seen two such powerful frames more
equally matched. With eye, and foot and
point opposed, they stood watching for an
advantage, yet with a deadly meaning that
evinced determination that one of them
must, ere long, be stretched lifeless corpse.
But just as they were about to close, a tall,
majestic figure rushed into the cavern, sell
zed Donald BY the shoulder, and swinging
him behind as if he had been child in his
strong arms, placed himself in front.


This quarrel is mine," he exclaimed,
with an infuriated fash of vengeance
sNow, william, look to your life.'


A simultaneous shout burst from the
whole band, when they saw who the intru-
der was, and several voices cried ..


s'Tis our captain; 'tis our chief We'll
have no other leaderp


Gigantic in stature, and With limbs ad-
mirably proportioned, the chieftain threw
himself into an attitude that seemed like
an exquisite statute modelled by the sculp-
tors art, and reminded spectator of a
second Hercules before the Numidian lion.
His head was covered with a military cap
of thick cloth, surmounted by an immense
number of plumes, that hoated gracefully
over his right shoulder. A light body ar
NOR of great brightness covered his breast
aud back, and the rest of his celtic garb
was arranged with the most perfect taste and
order A thin mask of black silk concealed
the features of his face, but his fine, large,
dark eyes, as they fred on his adversary,
indicated soul of undaunted courage


The shout was again repeated, and I'VE
will have no other leaderv once more re-
sounded through the cave.


Base dogs! cried Hamish, impatiently,
'then must bear the brunt singly.'


He made desperate rush at the chief,
but the next moment, fell bleeding at his
feet.


The captain leaned upon his heavy sword,
and beckoning two of the gang towards him,
said calmly:


Convey this fellow to his bed, and see
that his wounds are properly tended


Then turning towards the men, who cow
cred before his steady gaze, said in strong,
clear voice, as he threw his claymore to the
opposite side of the cavern, where it fell
with a ringing noise that echoed round the
walls, whilst his laugh of scorn mingled
with the sound:


How! what is this that you would do !?
Are ye tired of my control? See, I am in
your power; siDgly, unarmed, I dare ye all.
Seize on this body, and purchase your par
don with my blood. The forces of King
George are on the border; then why do
you thus stand looking upon me? Slaves
towards where are your boastings now ?
Free and wild as the cataract; bold and
tickle as the wolf that walks in the light of
the harvest moon; restless as the whirlwind,
what is it that ye would require p


The band gazed irresolutely at one an
other, at loss what to do and how to act,
until voice was heard, exclaimiug:


Forgive US, noble chief


And the whole Immediately burst forth
in the same strain, humbly supplicating for
pardon, whilst Donald presented the chief
tain with bis weapon.


Yes, rebels, it is granted, replied their
leader, proudly grasping his sword. Have
I not promised to lead you where you may
gather fame? That time has come, and
which arm will shrink when mine leads the
way?


LEAD on, lead on shouted the freeboot-
ers with enthusiasm, 'be it to living con-
quest, or to noble death