Chapter the Thirty-Fifth.
And when he came to broken briggs, He slacked his bow and swam; And when he came to grass growing, Set down his feet and ran. GIL MORRICE.
We return to Halbert Glendinning, who, as our readers may remember, tookthe high road to Edinburgh. His intercourse with the preacher, HenryWarden, from whom he received a letter at the moment of his deliverance,had been so brief, that he had not even learned the name of the noblemanto whose care he was recommended. Something like a name had been spokenindeed, but he had only comprehended that he was to meet the chiefadvancing towards the south, at the head of a party of horse. When daydawned on his journey he was in the same uncertainty. A better scholarwould have been informed by the address of the letter, but Halberthad not so far profited by Father Eustace's lessons as to be ableto decipher it. His mother-wit taught him that he must not, in suchuncertain times, be too hasty in asking information of any one; andwhen, after a long day's journey, night surprised him near a littlevillage, he began to be dubious and anxious concerning the issue of hisjourney.
In a poor country, hospitality is generally exercised freely, andHalbert, when he requested a night's quarters, did nothing eitherdegrading or extraordinary. The old woman, to whom he made this request,granted it the more readily, that she thought she saw some resemblancebetween Halbert and her son Saunders, who had been killed in one ofthe frays so common in the time. It is true, Saunders was a shortsquare-made fellow, with red hair and a freckled face, and somewhatbandy-legged, whereas the stranger was of a brown complexion, tall,and remarkably well-made. Nevertheless, the widow was clear that thereexisted a general resemblance betwixt her guest and Saunders, and kindlypressed him to share of her evening cheer. A pedlar, a man of aboutforty years old, was also her guest, who talked with great feeling ofthe misery of pursuing such a profession as his in the time of war andtumult.
"We think much of knights and soldiers," said he; "but the pedder-coffewho travels the land has need of more courage than them all. I am surehe maun face mair risk, God help him. Here have I come this length,trusting the godly Earl of Murray would be on his march to the Borders,for he was to have guestened with the Baron of Avenel; and instead ofthat comes news that he has gone westlandways about some tuilzie inAyrshire. And what to do I wot not; for if I go to the south without asafeguard, the next bonny rider I meet might ease me of sack and pack,and maybe of my life to boot; and then, if I try to strike across themoors, I may be as ill off before I can join myself to that good Lord'scompany."
No one was quicker at catching a hint than Halbert Glendinning. He saidhe himself had a desire to go westward. The pedlar looked at him witha very doubtful air, when the old dame, who perhaps thought her youngguest resembled the umquhile Saunders, not only in his looks, but in acertain pretty turn to sleight-of-hand, which the defunct was supposedto have possessed, tipped him the wink, and assured the pedlar he needhave no doubt that her young cousin was a true man.
"Cousin!" said the pedlar, "I thought you said this youth had been astranger."
"Ill hearing makes ill rehearsing," said the landlady; "he is a strangerto me by eye-sight, but that does not make him a stranger to me byblood, more especially seeing his likeness to my son Saunders, poorbairn."
The pedlar's scruples and jealousies being thus removed, or at leastsilenced, the travellers agreed that they would proceed in companytogether the next morning by daybreak, the pedlar acting as a guide toGlendinning, and the youth as a guard to the pedlar, until they shouldfall in with Murray's detachment of horse. It would appear that thelady never doubted what was to be the event of this compact, for, takingGlendinning aside, she charged him, "to be moderate with the puir body,but at all events, not to forget to take a piece of black say, to makethe auld wife a new rokelay." Halbert laughed and took his leave.
It did not a little appal the pedlar, when, in the midst of a blackheath, the young man told him the nature of the commission with whichtheir hostess had charged him. He took heart, however, upon seeingthe open, frank, and friendly demeanor of the youth, and vented hisexclamations on the ungrateful old traitress. "I gave her," he said,"yesterday-e'en nae farther gane, a yard of that very black say, to makeher a couvre-chef; but I see it is ill done to teach the cat the way tothe kirn."
Thus set at ease on the intentions of his companion (for in those happydays the worst was always to be expected from a stranger), the pedlaracted as Halbert's guide over moss and moor, over hill and many adale, in such a direction as might best lead them towards the route ofMurray's party. At length they arrived upon the side of an eminence,which commanded a distant prospect over a tract of savage and desolatemoorland, marshy and waste--an alternate change of shingly hill andlevel morass, only varied by blue stagnant pools of water. A roadscarcely marked winded like a serpent through the wilderness, and thepedlar, pointing to it, said--"The road from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Herewe must wait, and if Murray and his train be not already passed by, weshall soon see trace of them, unless some new purpose shall have alteredtheir resolution; for in these blessed days no man, were he the nearestthe throne, as the Earl of Murray may be, knows when he lays his head onhis pillow at night where it is to lie upon the following even."
They paused accordingly and sat down, the pedlar cautiously using for aseat the box which contained his treasures, and not concealing from hiscompanion that he wore under his cloak a pistolet hanging at his belt incase of need. He was courteous, however, and offered Halbert a share ofthe provisions which he carried about him for refreshment. They were ofthe coarsest kind--oat-bread baked in cakes, oatmeal slaked with coldwater, an onion or two, and a morsel of smoked ham completed the feast.But such as it was, no Scotsman of the time, had his rank been muchhigher than that of Glendinning, would have refused to share in it,especially as the pedlar produced, with a mysterious air, a tup's horn,which he carried slung from his shoulders, and which, when its contentswere examined, produced to each party a clam-shell-full of excellentusquebaugh--a liquor strange to Halbert, for the strong waters known inthe south of Scotland came from France, and in fact such were but rarelyused. The pedlar recommended it as excellent, said he had procured it inhis last visit to the braes of Doune, where he had securely traded underthe safe-conduct of the Laird of Buchanan. He also set an exampleto Halbert, by devoutly emptying the cup "to the speedy downfall ofAnti-Christ."
Their conviviality was scarce ended, ere a rising dust was seen on theroad of which they commanded the prospect, and half a score of horsemenwere dimly descried advancing at considerable speed, their casquesglancing, and the points of their spears twinkling as they caught aglimpse of the sun.
"These," said the pedlar, "must be the out-scourers of Murray's party;let us lie down in the peat-hag, and keep ourselves out of sight."
"And why so?" said Halbert; "let us rather go down and make a signal tothem."
"God forbid!" replied the pedlar; "do you ken so ill the customs of ourScottish nation? That plump of spears that are spurring on so fast aredoubtless commanded by some wild kinsman of Morton, or some such daringfear-nothing as neither regards God nor man. It is their business, ifthey meet with any enemies, to pick quarrels and clear the way of them;and the chief knows nothing of what happens, coming up with his morediscreet and moderate friends, it may be a full mile in the rear. Werewe to go near these lads of the laird's belt, your letter would do youlittle good, and my pack would do me muckle black ill; they would tirlevery steek of claithes from our back, fling us into a moss-hag with astone at our heels, naked as the hour that brought us into this cumberedand sinful world, and neither Murray nor any other man ever the wiser.But if he did come to ken of it, what might he help it?--it would beaccounted a mere mistake, and there were all the moan made. O creditme, youth, that when men draw cold steel on each other in their nativecountry, they neither can nor may dwell deeply on the offences of thosewhose swords are useful to them."
They suffered, therefore, the vanguard, as it might be termed,
of theEarl of Murray's host to pass forward; and it was not long until adenser cloud of dust began to arise to the northward.
"Now," said the pedlar, "let us hurry down the hill; for to tell thetruth," said he, dragging Halbert along earnestly, "a Scottish noble'smarch is like a serpent--the head is furnished with fangs, and the tailhath its sting; the only harmless point of access is the main body."
"I will hasten as fast as you," said the youth; "but tell me why therearward of such an army should be as dangerous as the van?"
"Because, as the vanguard consists of their picked wild desperates,resolute for mischief, such as neither fear God nor regard theirfellow-creatures, but understand themselves bound to hurry from the roadwhatever is displeasing to themselves, so the rear-guard consists ofmisproud serving-men, who, being in charge of the baggage, take care toamend by their exactions upon travelling-merchants and others, their ownthefts on their master's property. You will hear the advanced _enfansperdus_, as the French call them, and so they are indeed, namely,children of the fall, singing unclean and fulsome ballads of sin andharlotrie. And then will come on the middle-ward, when you will hear thecanticles and psalms sung by the reforming nobles, and the gentry, andhonest and pious clergy, by whom they are accompanied. And last of all,you will find in the rear a legend of godless lackies, palfreniers, andhorse-boys, talking of nothing but dicing, drinking, and drabbing."
As the pedlar spoke, they had reached the side of the high-road, andMurray's main body was in sight, consisting of about three hundredhorse, marching with great regularity, and in a closely compacted body.Some of the troopers wore the liveries of their masters, but thiswas not common. Most of them were dressed in such colours as chancedictated. But the majority, being clad in blue cloth, and the wholearmed with cuirass and back-plate, with sleeves of mail, gauntlets,and poldroons, and either mailed hose or strong jack-boots, they hadsomething of a uniform appearance.
Many of the leaders were clad in complete armour, and all in a certainhalf-military dress, which no man of quality in those disturbed timesever felt himself sufficiently safe to abandon.
The foremost of this party immediately rode up to the pedlar and toHalbert Glendinning, and demanded of them who they were. The pedlar toldhis story, the young Glendinning exhibited his letter, which a gentlemancarried to Murray. In an instant after, the word "Halt!" was giventhrough the squadron, and at once the onward heavy tramp, which seemedthe most distinctive attribute of the body, ceased, and was heard nomore. The command was announced that the troop should halt here for anhour to refresh themselves and their horses. The pedlar was assured ofsafe protection, and accommodated with the use of a baggage horse.But at the same time he was ordered into the rear; a command which hereluctantly obeyed, and not without wringing pathetically the hand ofHalbert as he separated from him.
The young heir of Glendearg was in the meanwhile conducted to a plot ofground more raised, and therefore drier than the rest of the moor. Herea carpet was flung on the ground by way of table-cloth, and around itsat the leaders of the party, partaking of an entertainment as coarse,with relation to their rank, as that which Glendinning had so latelyshared. Murray himself rose as he came forward, and advanced a step tomeet him.
This celebrated person had in his appearance, as well as in his mind,much of the admirable qualities of James V. his father. Had not thestain of illegitimacy rested upon his birth, he would have filled theScottish throne with as much honour as any of the Stewart race. ButHistory, while she acknowledges his high talents, and much that wasprincely, nay, royal, in his conduct, cannot forget that ambition ledhim farther than honour or loyalty warranted. Brave amongst the bravest,fair in presence and in favour, skilful to manage the most intricateaffairs, to attach to himself those who were doubtful, to stun andoverwhelm, by the suddenness and intrepidity of his enterprises, thosewho were resolute in resistance, he attained, and as to personal meritcertainly deserved, the highest place in the kingdom. But he abused,under the influence of strong temptation, the opportunities which hissister Mary's misfortunes and imprudence threw in his way; he supplantedhis sovereign and benefactress in her power, and his history affordsus one of those mixed characters, in which principle was so oftensacrificed to policy, that we must condemn the statesman while we pityand regret the individual. Many events in his life gave likelihood tothe charge that he himself aimed at the crown; and it is too true, thathe countenanced the fatal expedient of establishing an English, that isa foreign and a hostile interest, in the councils of Scotland. But hisdeath may be received as an atonement for his offences, and may serveto show how much more safe is the person of a real patriot, than that ofthe mere head of a faction, who is accounted answerable for the offencesof his meanest attendants.
When Murray approached, the young rustic was naturally abashed at thedignity of his presence. The commanding form and the countenance towhich high and important thoughts were familiar, the features which borethe resemblance of Scotland's long line of kings, were well calculatedto impress awe and reverence. His dress had little to distinguishhim from the high-born nobles and barons by whom he was attended. Abuff-coat, richly embroidered with silken lace, supplied the place ofarmour; and a massive gold chain, with its medal, hung round his neck.His black velvet bonnet was decorated with a string of large and fairpearls, and with a small tufted feather; a long heavy sword was girt tohis side, as the familiar companion of his hand. He wore gilded spurs onhis boots, and these completed his equipment.
"This letter," he said, "is from the godly preacher of the word, HenryWarden, young man? is it not so?" Halbert answered in the affirmative."And he writes to us, it would seem, in some strait, and refers us toyou for the circumstances. Let us know, I pray you, how things standwith him."
In some perturbation Halbert Glendinning gave an account of thecircumstances which had accompanied the preacher's imprisonment. Whenhe came to the discussion of the _handfasting_ engagement, he was struckwith the ominous and displeased expression of Murray's brows, and,contrary to all prudential and politic rule, seeing something was wrong,yet not well aware what that something was, had almost stopped short inhis narrative.
"What ails the fool?" said the Earl, drawing his dark-red eyebrowstogether, while the same dusky glow kindled on his brow--"Hast thou notlearned to tell a true tale without stammering?"
"So please you," answered Halbert, with considerable address, "I havenever before spoken in such a presence."
"He seems a modest youth," said Murray, turning to his next attendant,"and yet one who in a good cause will neither fear friend norfoe.--Speak on, friend, and speak freely."
Halbert then gave an account of the quarrel betwixt Julian Aveneland the preacher, which the Earl, biting his lip the while, compelledhimself to listen to as a thing of indifference. At first he appearedeven to take the part of the Baron.
"Henry Warden," he said, "is too hot in his zeal. The law both of Godand man maketh allowance for certain alliances, though not strictlyformal, and the issue of such may succeed."
This general declaration he expressed, accompanying it with a glancearound upon the few followers who were present at this interview. Themost of them answered--"There is no contravening that;" but one ortwo looked on the ground, and were silent. Murray then turned again toGlendinning, commanding him to say what next chanced, and not to omitany particular. When he mentioned the manner in which Julian had castfrom him his concubine, Murray drew a deep breath, set his teeth hard,and laid his hand on the hilt of his dagger. Casting his eyes once morearound the circle, which was now augmented by one or two of the reformedpreachers, he seemed to devour his rage in silence, and again commandedHalbert to proceed. When he came to describe how Warden had been draggedto a dungeon, the Earl seemed to have found the point at which he mightgive vent to his own resentment, secure of the sympathy and approbationof all who were present. "Judge you," he said, looking to those aroundhim, "judge you, my peers, and noble gentlemen of Scotland, betwixt meand this Julian Avenel--he hath broken his o
wn word, and hath violatedmy safe-conduct--and judge you also, my reverend brethren, he hath puthis hand forth upon a preacher of the gospel, and perchance may sell hisblood to the worshippers of Anti-Christ!"
"Let him die the death of a traitor," said the secular chiefs, "and lethis tongue be struck through with the hangman's fiery iron to avenge hisperjury!"
"Let him go down to his place with Baal's priests," said the preachers,"and be his ashes cast into Tophet!"
Murray heard them with the smile of expected revenge; yet it is probablethat the brutal treatment of the female, whose circumstances somewhatresembled those of the Earl's own mother, had its share in the grimsmile which curled his sun-burnt cheek and its haughty lip. To HalbertGlendinning, when his narrative was finished, he spoke with greatkindness.
"He is a bold and gallant youth," said he to those around, "and formedof the stuff which becomes a bustling time. There are periods when men'sspirits shine bravely through them. I will know something more of him."
He questioned him more particularly concerning the Baron of Avenel'sprobable forces--the strength of his castle--the dispositions of hisnext heir, and this brought necessarily forward the sad history of hisbrother's daughter, Mary Avenel, which was told with an embarrassmentthat did not escape Murray.
"Ha! Julian Avenel," he said, "and do you provoke my resentment, whenyou have so much more reason to deprecate my justice! I knew WalterAvenel, a true Scotsman and a good soldier. Our sister, the Queen, mustright his daughter; and were her land restored, she would be a fittingbride to some brave man who may better merit our favour than the traitorJulian."--Then looking at Halbert, he said, "Art thou of gentle blood,young man?"
Halbert, with a faltering and uncertain voice, began to speak of hisdistant pretensions to claim a descent from the ancient Glendonwynes ofGalloway, when Murray interrupted him with a smile.
"Nay--nay--leave pedigrees to bards and heralds. In our days, each,man is the son of his own deeds. The glorious light of reformation hathshone alike on prince and peasant; and peasant as well as prince may beillustrated by fighting in its defence. It is a stirring world, whereall may advance themselves who have stout hearts and strong arms. Tellme frankly why thou hast left thy father's house."
Halbert Glendinning made a frank confession of his duel with PiercieShafton, and mentioned his supposed death.
"By my hand," said Murray, "thou art a bold sparrow-hawk, to match theeso early with such a kite as Piercie Shafton. Queen Elizabeth would giveher glove filled with gold crowns to know that meddling coxcomb to beunder the sod.--Would she not, Morton?"
"Ay, by my word, and esteem her glove a better gift than the crowns,"replied Morton, "which few Border lads like this fellow will esteem justvaluation."
"But what shall we do with this young homicide?" said Murray; "what willour preachers say?"
"Tell them of Moses and of Benaiah," said Morton; "it is but the smitingof an Egyptian when all is said out."
"Let it be so," said Murray, laughing; "but we will bury the tale,as the prophet did the body, in the sand. I will take care of thisswankie.--Be near to us, Glendinning, since that is thy name. We retainthee as a squire of our household. The master of our horse will see theefully equipped and armed."
During the expedition which he was now engaged in, Murray found severalopportunities of putting Glendinning's courage and presence of mind tothe test, and he began to rise so rapidly in his esteem, that those whoknew the Earl considered the youth's fortune as certain. One step onlywas wanting to raise him to a still higher degree of confidence andfavour--it was the abjuration of the Popish religion. The ministers whoattended upon Murray and formed his chief support amongst the people,found an easy convert in Halbert Glendinning, who, from his earliestdays, had never felt much devotion towards the Catholic faith, and wholistened eagerly to more reasonable views of religion. By thusadopting the faith of his master, he rose higher in his favour, and wasconstantly about his person during his prolonged stay in the west ofScotland, which the intractability of those whom the Earl had to dealwith, protracted from day to day, and week to week.