Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

THE E HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN.

the public and polititious warldly-wise men that stude up to prevent ane general owning of the cause in the day of power."

What say ye to the auld Laird of Cuffabout ?" said Saddletree; "he whiles thumps the dust out of a case gay and weel."

Ye're a silly callant, Reuben," answered Deans, "with your bits of argument. Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled? Or what think ye of the brave and worthy champions of the Covenant, that wadna sae muckle as hear a minister speak, be his gifts and graces as they would, that hadna witnessed against "He the fause loon!" answered Deans "he was the enormities of the day? Nae lawyer shall ever in his bandaliers to hae joined the ungracious High-speak for me and mine that hasna concurred in the landers in 1715, an they had ever had the luck to cross testimony of the scattered, yet lovely remnant, which abode in the clifts of the rocks." the Firth."

[graphic]

"Weel, Arniston? there's a clever chield for ye!" said Bartoline, triumphantly.

Ay, to bring popish medals in till their very library from that schismatic woman in the north, the Duchess of Gordon."

"Weel, weel, but somebody ye maun hae-What think ye o' Kittlepunt?" "He's an Arminian." "Woodsetter?"

He's, I doubt, a Cocceian." Auld Whilliewhaw?" He's ony thing ye like." "Young Næmmo?" "He's naething at a'."

"Ye're ill to please, neighbour," said Saddletree; I hae run ower the pick o' them for you, ye maun en choose for yoursell; but bethink ye that in the n.altitude of counsellors there's safety.-What say ye to try young Mackenyie? he has a' his uncle's Practiques at the tongue's end."

"What, sir, wad ye speak to me," exclaimed the sturdy presbyterian in excessive wrath," about a man that has the blood of the saints at his fingers' ends? Didna his eme die and gang to his place wi' the name of the Bluidy Mackenyie? and winna he be kend by that name sae lang as there's a Scots tongue to speak the word? If the life of the dear bairn that's under a suffering dispensation, and Jeanie's, and my ain, and a' mankind's, depended on my asking sic a slave Satan to speak a word for me or them, they should a' gae down the water thegither for Davie Deans!" It was the exalted tone in which he spoke this last sentence that broke up the conversation between Butler and Jeanie, and brought them both "ben the house," to use the language of the country. Here they found the poor old man half frantic between grief and zealous ire against Saddletree's proposed measures, his cheek inflamed, his hand clenched, and his voice raised, while the tear in his eye, and the Occasional quiver of his accents, showed that his utmost efforts were inadequate to shaking off the consciousness of his misery. Butler, apprehensive of the consequences of his agitation to an aged and feeble frame, ventured to utter to him a recommendation to patience.

"I am patient," returned the old man, sternly,more patient than any one who is alive to the woful backslidings of a miserable time can be patient; and in so much, that I need neither sectarians, nor sons, nor grandsons of sectarians, to instruct my gray hairs how to bear my cross."

"But, sir," continued Butler, taking no offence at the slur cast on his grandfather's faith, "we must use human means. When you call in a physician, you would not, I suppose, question him on the nature of religious principles?" hindu promswered David-" But 1 wad, though; and if he didna satisfy me that he had a right sense of the right-hand and left-hand defections of the day, not a goutte of his physic should gang through my father's son.'

It is a dangers thing to trust to an illustration. Butler had done so and miscarried; but, like a gallant soldier when his musket misses fire, he stood his ground, and charged with the bayonet. This is too rigid an interpretation of your duty, sir. The sun shines, and the rain descends, on the just and unjust, and they are placed together in life in circumstances which frequently render intercourse between them indispensable, perhaps that the evil may have an opportunity of being converted by the good, and perhaps, also, that the righteous might, among other trials, be subjected to that of occasional converse with the profane."

"Can I be of no use?" said Butler. "My means, alas! are only worth the black coat I wear; but i am young-I owe much to the family-Can I do nothing?"

"Ye can help to collect evidence, sir," said Saddletree; "if we could but find ony ane to say she had gien the least hint o' her condition, she wad be brought aff wi' a wat finger-Mr. Crossmyloof tell'd crown, says he, canna be craved to me sae. Titive was't a positive or a negative they prove a couldna be ca'd to prove ?-it was the tane or the tither o' them, I am sure, and it maksna muckle mat ter whilk. Wherefore, says he, the libel maun be redargued by the panel proving her defences. And canna be done otherwise."

"But the fact, sir," argued Butler, "the fact that this poor girl has borne a child; surely the crown lawyers must prove that?" said Butler.

Saddletree paused a moment, while the visage of Dumbiedikes, which traversed, as if it had been placed on a pivot, from the one spokesman to the other, assumed a more blithe expression.

amid the resounding trot of an Highland pony. He looked behind, and saw the Laird of Dumbiedikes making after him with what speed he might, for it happened fortunately for the Laird's purpose of conversing with Butler, that his own road homeward was for about two hundred yards the same with that which led by the nearest way to the city. Butler "Ye-ye-ye-es," said Saddletree, after some grave stopped when he heard himself thus summoned, interhesitation; "unquestionably that is a thing to be pro-nally wishing no good to the panting equestrian who ved, as the court will more fully declare by an interlo- thus retarded his journey. cutor of relevancy in common form; but I fancy that job's done already, for she has confessed her guilt." "Confessed the murder?" exclaimed Jeanie, with a scream that made them all start.

"No, I didna say that," replied Bartoline. "But she confessed bearing the babe."

"And what became of it, then?" said Jeanie: "for not a word could I get from her but bitter sighs and tears."

"She says it was taken away from her by the woman in whose house it was born, and who assist ed her at the time."

"And who was that woman?" said Butler. "Sure.y by her means the truth might be discovered.-Who was she? I will fly to her directly."

"I wish," said Dumbiedikes, "I were as young and as supple as you, and had the gift of the gab as veel.'

"Who is she?" again reiterated Butler impatient.-" Who could that woman be?"

[ocr errors]

Ay, wha kens that but hersell," said Saddletree; 'she deponed further, and declined to answer that nterrogatory."

"Then to herself will I instantly go," said Butler; 'farewell, Jeanie:" then coming close up to her.Take no rash steps till you hear from me. Farewell!" and he immediately left the cottage.

"I wad gang too," said the landed proprietor, in an anxious, jealous, and repining tone, "but my powny winna for the life o' me gang ony other road than just frae Dumbiedikes to this house-end, and sae straight back again."

"Ye'll do better for them," said Saddletree, as they left the house together, "by sending me the thretty punds."

"Thretty punds?" hesitated Dumbiedikes, who was now out of the reach of those eyes which had inflamed his generosity; "I only said twenty punds."

[ocr errors]

"Uh! uh! uh!" ejaculated Dumbiedikes, as he checked the hobbling pace of the pony by our friend Butler. "Uh! uh! it's a hard-set willyard beast this o' mine." He had in fact just overtaken the object of his chase at the very point beyond which it would have been absolutely impossible for him to have continued the pursuit, since there Butler's road parted from that leading to Dumbiedikes, and no means of influence or compulsion which the rider could possibly have used towards his Bucephalus could have induced the Celtic obstinacy of Rory Bean (such was the pony's name) to have diverged a yard from the path that conducted him to his own paddock.

Even when he had recovered from the shortness of breath occasioned by a trot much more rapid than Rory or he were accustomed to, the high purpose of Dumbiedikes seemed to stick as it were in his throat and impede his utterance, so that Butler stood for nearly three minutes ere he could utter a syllable; and when he did find voice, it was only to say after one or two efforts, "Uh! uh! uhm! I say, Mr.-Mr. Butler, it's a braw day for the ha'rst."

Fine day, indeed," said Butler. I wish you good morning, sir."

Stay-stay a bit," rejoined Dumbiedikes; "that was no what I had gotten to say."

Then, pray be quick, and let me have your commands," rejoined Butler; "I crave your pardon, but I am in haste, and tempus nemini-you know the proverb."

Dumbiedikes did not know the proverb, nor did he even take the trouble to endeavour to look as in he did, as others in his place might have done. He was concentrating all his intellects for one grand proposition, and could not afford any detachment to defend outposts. "I say, Mr. Butler," said he, “ken ye if Mr. Saddletree's a great lawyer."

"I have no person's word for it but his own," anpro-swered Butler, dryly; "but undoubtedly he beat understands his own qualities.".

Ay; but," said Saddletree," that was under testation to add and eik; and so ye craved leave to amend your libel, and made it thretty."

"Did I? I dinna mind that I did," answered Dumbiedikes. "But whatever I said I'll stand to." Then bestriding his steed with some difficulty, he added, "Dinna ye think poor Jeanie's een wi' the tears in them glanced like lamour beads, Mr. Saddletree?"

"I kenna muckle about women's een, Laird," replied the insensible Bartoline;" and I care just as little. I wuss I were as weel free o' their tongues; though few wives," he added, recollecting the necessity of keeping up his character for domestic rule, are under better command than mine, Laird. I allow neither perduellion nor lese-majesty against my sovereign authority."

The Laird saw nothing so important in this observation as to call for a rejoinder, and when they had exchanged a mute salutation, they parted in peace upon their different errands.

CHAPTER XIII.

l'if warrant that fellow from drowning, were the ship no stronger than a nut-shell.-The Tempest.

BUTLER felt neither fatigue nor want of refreshment, although, from the mode in which he had spent the night, he might well have been overcome with either. But in the earnestness with which he hastened to the assistance of the sister of Jeanie Deans, he forgot both.

[ocr errors]

Umph!" replied the taciturn Dumbiedikes, in a tone which seemed to say,, "Mr. Butler, I take your meaning." "In that case," he pursued, "I'll employ my ain man o' business, Nichil Novit, (auld Nichil's son, and amaist as gleg as his father,) to agent Effie's plea."

And having thus displayed more sagacity than Butler expected from him, he courteously touched his gold-laced cocked hat, and by a punch on the ribs, conveyed to Rory Bean, it was his rider's pleasure that he should forth with proceed homewards; a hint which the quadruped obeyed with that degree of alacrity with which men and animals interpret and obey suggestions which entirely correspond with their own inclinations.

Butler resumed his pace, not without a momentary revival of that jealousy, which the honest Laird's attention to the family of Deans had at different times excited in his bosom. But he was too generous long to nurse any feeling, which was allied to selfishness. "He is," said Butler to himself, "rich in what I want; why should I feel vexed that he has the heart to dedicate some of his pelf to render them services, which I can only form the empty wish of executing? In God's name, let us each do what we can. May she be but happy!-saved from the misery and dis grace that ecems impending-Let me but find the means of preventing the fearful experiment of this evening, and farewell to other thoughts, though my heart-strings break in parting with them!"

In his first progress he walked with so rapid a pace He redoubled his pace, and soon stood before the as almost approached to running, when he was sur-door of the Tolbooth, or rather before the entrance prised to hear behind him a call upon nis name, con- where the door had formerly been placed. His interending with an asthmatic cough, and half-drowned view with the mysterious stranger, the message to

wad hae seen the warrant; but if ye come to be incar
cerated of your ain accord, wha can help it, my jo ?"
"So I cannot see Effie Deans, then," said Butler;
and you are determined not to let me out?"
"Troth will I no, neighbour," answered the old
man, doggedly; "as for Effie Deans, ye'll hae eneugh
ado to mind your ain business, and let her mind hers;
and for letting you out, that maun be as the magis
trate will determine. And fare ye weel for a bit, for
I maun see Deacon Sawyers put on ane or twa o' the
doors that your quiet folk broke down yesternight,
Mr. Butler.'

Jeanie, his agitating conversation with her on the subject of breaking off their mutual engagements, and the interesting scene with old Deans, had so entirely occupied his mind as to drown even recollec-" tion of the tragical event which he had witnessed the preceding evening. His attention was not recalled to it by the groups who stood scattered on the street in conversation, which they hushed when strangers approached, or by the bustling search of the agents of the city police, supported by small parties of the militury, or by the appearance of the Guard-House, before which were treble sentinels, or, finally, by the subdued and intimidated looks of the lower orders of There was something in this exquisitely provoking, society, who, conscious that they were liable to sus- but there was also something darkly alarming. To picion, if they were not guilty of accession to a riot be imprisoned, even on a false accusation, has some fikely to be strictly inquired into, glided about with thing in it disagreeable and menacing even to men of an humble and dismayed aspect, like men whose spi- more constitutional courage than Butler had to boast; rits being exhausted in the revel and the dangers of a for although he had much of that resolution which desperate debauch over night, are nerve-shaken, timo- arises from a sense of duty and an honourable desire rous, and unenterprising, on the succeeding day. to discharge it, yet, as his imagination was lively, None of these symptoms of alarm and trepidation and his frame of body delicate, he was far from posstruck Butler, whose mind was occupied with a dif- sessing that cool insensibility to danger which is the ferent, and to him still more interesting subject, until happy portion of men of stronger health, more firm he stood before the entrance to the prison, and saw it nerves, and less acute sensibility. An indistinct idea defended by a double file of grenadiers, instead of of peril, which he could neither understand nor ward Dolts and bars. Their "Stand, stand!" the black-off, seemed to float before his eyes. He tried to think ened appearance of the doorless gate-way, and the over the events of the preceding night, in hopes of winding staircase and apartments of the Tolbooth, discovering some means of explaining or vindicating now open to the public eye, recalled the whole pro- his conduct for appearing among the mob, since it ceedings of the eventful night. Upon his requesting immediately occurred to him that his detention must to speak with Effie Deans, the same tall, thin, silver be founded on that circumstance. And it was with haired turnkey, whom he had seen on the preceding anxiety that he found he could not recollect to have evening, made his appearance. been under the observation of any disinterested wit"I think," he replied to Butler's request of admis-ness in the attempts that he made from time to time sion, with true Scottish indirectness, "ye will be the to expostulate with the rioters, and to prevail on same lad that was for in to see her yestreen ?" Butler admitted he was the same person. "And I am thinking," pursued the turnkey, "that ye speered at me when we locked up, and if we locked up earlier on account of Porteous ?"

"Very likely I might make some such observation," said Butler; "but the question now is, can I sce Effie Deans?"

"I dinna ken-gang in by, and up the turnpike stair, and turn till the ward on the left hand."

them to release him. The distress of Deans's family, the dangerous rendezvous which Jeanie had formed, and which he could not now hope to interrupt, had also their share in his unpleasant reflections. Yet impatient as he was to receive an eclaircissement upon the cause of his confinement, and if possible to obtain his liberty, he was affected with a trepidation which seemed no good omen; when, after remaining an hour in this solitary apartment, he received a summons to attend the sitting magistrate. He was conducted from prison strongly guarded by a party of soldiers, with a parade of precaution, that, however ill-timed and unnecessary, is generally displayed after an event, which such precaution, if used in time, might have prevented.

The old man followed close behind him, with his keys in his hand, not forgetting even that huge one which had once opened and shut the outer gate of his dominions, though at present it was but an idle and useless burden. No sooner had Butler entered the room to which he was directed, than the experi- He was introduced into the Council Chamber, as enced hand of the warder selected the proper key, and the place is called where the magistrates hold their locked it on the outside. At first Butler conceived sittings, and which was then at a little distance from this manoeuvre was only an effect of the man's habit- the prison. One or two of the senators of the city ual and official caution and jealousy. But when he were present, and seemed about to engage in the ex heard the hoarse command, "Turn out the guard!" amination of an individual who was brought forward and immediately afterwards heard the clash of a sen- to the foot of the long green-covered table round tinel's arms, as he was posted at the door of his which the council usually assembled. "Is that the apartment, he again called out to the turnkey, "My preacher?" said one of the magistrates, as the city good friend, I have business of some consequence officer in attendance introduced Butler. The man with Effie Deans, and I beg to see her as soon as answered in the affirmative. "Let him sit down possible." No answer was returned. "If it be against there for an instant; we will finish this man's busiyour rules to admit me," repeated Butler, in a stillness very briefly."

[ocr errors]

louder tone, "to see the prisoner, I beg you will tell Shall we remove Mr. Butler ?" queried the asme so, and let me go about my business.-Fugit ir-sistant. revocabile tempus muttered he to himself.

If ye had business to do, ye suld hae dune it before ye cam here," replied the man of keys from the outside; "ye'll find it's easier wunnin in than wunnin out here there's sma' likelihood o' another Por-lighted; but by chance, or the skill of the architect, teous-mob coming to rabble us again-the law will haud her ain now, neighbour, and that ye'll find to your cost."

"What do you mean by that, sir?" retorted Butler. "You must mistake me for some other person. My name is Reuoen Butler, preacher of the gospel."

"I ken that weei enengh," said the turnkey. "Well, then, if you know me, I have a right to know from you in return, what warrant you have for detaining me; that, I know, is the right of every British subject."

"Warrant?" said the jailer," the warrant's awa to Libberton wi' twa sheriff officers seeking ye. If ve had staid at name, as honest men should do, ye Vol. III.A D

"It is not necessary-Let him remain where he is." Butler accordingly sate down on a bench at the bottom of the apartment, attended by one of his keepers. It was a large room, partially and imperfectly who might happen to remember the advantage which might occasionally be derived from such an arrange nent, one window was so placed as to throw a strong light at the foot of the table at which prisoners were usually posted for examination, while the upper end, where the examinants sate, was thrown into shadow Butler's eyes were instantly fixed on the person whose examination was at present proceeding, in the idea that he might recognise some one of the conspiratore of the former night. But though the features of this man were sufficiently marked and striking, he could not recollect that he had ever seen them before, The complexion of this person was dark, and his age somewhat advanced. He wore his own

[ocr errors]

and mony a thrawart job I hae had wi' her first and last; but the auld jaud is no sae ill as that comes toI aye fand her bark waur than her bite"

And if you do not expect the gallows, to which you are condemned, (for the fourth time to my knowledge,) may I beg the favour to know," said the magistrate, "what it is that you do expect, in consideration of your not having taken your flight with the rest of the jail-birds, which I will admit was a line of conduct little to have been expected ?"

combed smooth down, and cut very short. It was jet black, slightly curled by nature, and already motled with gray. The man's face expressed rather knavery than vice, and a disposition to sharpness, cunning and roguery, more than the traces of stormy and indulged passions. His sharp, quick black eyes, acute features, ready sardonic smile, promptitude, and effrontery, gave him altogether what is called among the vulgar a knowing look, which generally implies a tendency to knavery. At a fair or market, you could not for a moment have doubted that he was a horse- "I would never have thought for a moment of jockey, intimate with all the tricks of his trade; yet staying in that auld gousty toom house," answered had you met him on a moor, you would not have ap- Ratcliffe," but that use and wont had just gien me prehended any violence from him. His dress was a fancy to the place, and I'm just expecting a bit post also that of a horse-dealer-a close-buttoned jockey- | in't." coat, or wrap-rascal, as it was then termed, with A post?" exclaimed the magistrate; huge metal buttons, coarse blue upper stockings, call- ping-post, I suppose, you mean?" ed boot hose, because supplying the place of boots, and a slouched hat. He only wanted a loaded whip under his arm, and a spur upon one heel, to complete the dress of the character he seemed to represent. "Your name is James Ratcliffe ?" said the magistrate.

"Ay-always wi' your honour's leave."

"That is to say, you could find me another name if I did not like that one?"

"Twenty to pick and choose upon, always with your honour's leave," resumed the respondent. "But James Ratcliffe is your present name?— what is your trade?"

"I canna just say, distinctly, that I have what ye wad ca' preceesely a trade."

"But," repeated the magistrate, "what are your means of living-your occupation ?"

"Hout tout-your honour, wi' your leave, kens that as weel as I do," replied the examined.

"No matter, I want to hear you describe it," said the examinant.

"Me describe ?-and to your honour?-far be it from Jemmie Ratcliffe," responded the prisoner.

"Come, sir, no trifling-I insist on an answer." "Weel sir," replied the declarant, "I maun make a clean breast, for ye see, wi' your leave, I am looking for favour-Describe my occupation, quo' ye?troth it will be ill to do that, in a feasible way, in a place like this-but what is't again that the aught command says?"

Thou shalt not steal," answered the magistrate. "Are you sure o' that?" replied the accused."Troth, then, my occupation, and that command, are sair at odds, for I read it, thou shalt steal; and that makes an unco difference, though there's but a wee bit word left out."

"To cut the matter short, Ratcliffe, you have been a most notorious thief," said the examinant.

"I believe Highlands and Lowlands ken that, sir, forby England and Holland," replied Ratcliffe, with the greatest composure and effrontery.

"And what d'ye think the end of your calling will be ?" said the magistrate.

"I could have gien a braw guess yesterday--but I dinna ken sae weel the day," answered the prisoner. "And what would you have said would have been your end, had you been asked the question yesterday?" Just the gallows" replied Ratcliffe, with the same

composure.

"You are a daring rasca, str," said the magistrate; "and how dare you hope times are mended with you 10-day ?"

Dear, your honour," answered Ratcliffe, "there's muckle difference between lying in prison under sentence of death, and staying there of ain's ain proper accord, when it would have cost a man naething to get up and rin awa-what was to hinder ine from stepping out quietly, when the rabble walked awa wi' Jock Porteous yestreen?-and does your honour really think I staid on purpose to be hanged?"

"I do not know what you may have proposed to vourself; but I know," said the magistrate, "what the law proposes for you, and that is to hang you next Wednesday eight days."

"Na. n, your honour," said Ratcliffe firmly, craving your honour's pardon, I'll ne'er believe that till see it. I have kend the Law this mony a year,

[ocr errors]

'a whip

"Na, na, sir, I had nae thoughts o' a whuppin'post. After having been four times doomed to hang by the neck till I was dead, I think I am far beyond being whuppit."

"Then, in Heaven's name, what did you expect?" "Just the post of under-turnkey, for I understand there's a vacancy," said the prisoner; "I wadna think of asking the lockman's place ower his head, it wadna suit me sae weel as ither folk, for I never could put a beast out o' the way, much less deal wi'

a man."

"That's something in your favour," said the ma gistrate, making exactly the inference to which Ratcliffe was desirous to lead him, though he mantled his art with an affectation of oddity. "But," continued the magistrate, "how do you think you can be trusted with a charge in the prison, when you have broken at your own hand half the jails in Scotland?"

Wi' your honour's leave," said Ratcliffe, "if I kend sae weel how to wun out mysell, it's like I wad be a' the better a hand to keep other folk in. I think they wad ken their business weel that held me in when I wanted to be out, or wan out when I wanted to haud them in."

The remark seemed to strike the magistrate, but he made no further immediate observation, only desired Ratcliffe to be removed.

When this daring, and yet sly freebooter, was our of hearing, the magistrate asked the city-clerk "what he thought of the fellow's assurance?"

"It's no' for me to say, sir," replied the clerk; "but if James Ratcliffe be inclined to turn to good, there is not a man e'er came within the ports of the burgh could be of sae muckle use to the Good Town in the thief and lock-up line of business. I'll speak to Mr. Sharpitlaw about him."

Upon Ratcliffe's retreat, Butler was placed at the table for examination. The magistrate conducted his inquiry civilly, but yet in a manner which gave him to understand that he laboured under strong suspicion. With a frankness which at once became his calling and character, Butler avowed his involuntary presence at the murder of Porteous, and, at the request of the magistrate, entered into a minute detail of the circumstances which attended that unhappy affair. All the particulars, such as we have narrated, were taken minutely down by the clerk from Butler's dictation.

When the narrative was concluded, the cross-ex amination commenced, which it is a painful task even for the most candid witness to undergo, since a story, especially if connected with agitating and alarming incidents, can scarce be so clearly and distinctly told, but that some ambiguity and doubt may be thrown upon it by a string of successive and minute interrogatories.

The magistrate commenced by observing, that Butler had said his object was to return to the village

* Lockman, so called from the small quantity of meal (Sco tice, lock) which he was entitled to take out of every boll expo

sed to market in the city. In Edinburgh the duty has been very long commuted; but in Dumfries the finisher of the law still exercises, or did lately exercise, his privilege, the quantity takon being regulated by a small iron ladle, which he uses as the mea sure of his perquisite. The expression lock, for a small quantity of any readily divisible dry substance, as corn, meal, flax, or the tion, as the lock and gowpen, or small quantity and handful, paylike, is still preserved, not only popularly, but in a legal descrip able in thirlage cases, as in-town multure.

of Libberton, but that he was interrupted by the mob of the West Port. "Is the West Port your usual way of leaving town when you go to Labberton ?" said the magistrate, with a sneer.

“No, certainly," answered Butler, with the haste of a man anxious to vindicate the accuracy of his evidence; "but I chanced to be nearer that port than any other, and the hour of shutting the gates was on the point of striking."

That was unlucky," said the magistrate, dryly. "Pray, being, as you say, under coercion and fear of the lawless inultitude, and compelled to accompany then through scenes disagreeable to all men of humanity, and more especially irreconcilable to the profession of a minister, did you not attempt to struggle, resist, or escape from their violence?"

Butler replied, "that their numbers prevented him from attempting resistance, and their vigilance from effecting his escape."

the peace

countenancing great
of the country is liable to be shaken. I will deal
plainly with you. I am not at all satisfied with this
story, of your setting out again and again to seek your
dwelling by two several roads, which were both circuit-
ous. And, to be frank, no one whom we have examined
on this unhappy affair could trace in your appear
ance any thing like your acting under compulsion.
Moreover, the waiters at the Cowgate Port observed
something like the trepidation of guilt in your conduct,
and declare that you were the first to command them
to open the gate, in a tone of authority, as if still pre-
siding over the guards and outposts of the rabble
who had besieged them the whole night.

"God forgive them!" said Butler; "I only asked
free passage for myself; they must have much mis-
understood, if they did not wilfully misrepresent me.
"Well, Mr. Butler," resumed the magistrate, "I
am inclined to judge the best and hope the best, as
am sure I wish the best; but you must be frank with
me, if you wish to secure my good opinion, and lessen
to secure
the risk of inconvenience to yourself. You have al-
lowed you saw another individual in your passage
through the King's Park to St. Leonard's Crags-I
must know every word which passed betwixt you.'

Thus closely pressed, Butler, who had no reason for concealing what passed at that meeting, unless because Jeanie Deans was concerned in it, thought it best to tell the whole truth from beginning to end. "Do you suppose," said the magistrate, pansing, "that the young woman will accept an invitation so mysterious?"

"I fear she will," replied Butler.

[ocr errors]

"Why do you use the word fear it?" said the magistrate.

That was unlucky," again repeated the magistrate, in the same dry inacquiescent tone of voice and manner. He proceeded with decency and politeness, but with a stiffness which argued his continued suspicion, to ask many questions concerning the behaviour of the mob, the manners and dress of the ringleaders; and when he conceived that the caution of Butler, if he was deceiving him, must be lulled asleep, the magistrate suddenly and artfully returned to former parts of his declaration, and required a new recapitulation of the circumstances, to the minutest and most trivial point, which attended each part of the melancholy scene. No confusion or contradiction, however, occurred, that could countenance the suspicion which he seemed to have adopted against Butler. At length the train of his interrogatories reached Madge Wildfire, at whose name the magistrate and town-clerk exchanged significant glances. If the fate of the Good Town had depended on her careful magistrate's knowing the features and dress of this personage, his inquiries could not have been "Her safety shall be cared for," said the magismore particular. But Butler could say almost nothing trate. "Mr. Butler, I am concerned I cannot immeof this person's features, which were disguised appa-diately discharge you from confinement, but I hope rently with red paint and soot, like an Indian going to battle, besides the projecting shade of a curch or coif, which muffled the hair of the supposed female. He declared that he thought he could not know this Madge Wildfire, if placed before him in a different dress, but that he believed he might recognise her voice. The magistrate requested him again to state by what gate he left the city.

[ocr errors]

By the Cowgate Port," replied Butler. "Was that the nearest road to Libberton ?"

"No," answered Butler, with embarrassment; "but it was the nearest way to extricate myself from the mob."

The clerk and magistrate again exchanged glances. "Is the Cowgate Port a nearer way to Libberton from the Grassmarket than Bristo Port?"

[ocr errors]

"No," replied Butler; "but I had to visit a friend." Indeed? said the interrogator-"You were in a hurry to tell the sight you had witnessed, I suppose?" Indeed I was not," replied Butler; nor did I speak on the subject the whole time I was at St. Leonard's Crags."

[ocr errors]

"Which road did you take to St. Leonard's Crags?" "By the foot of Salisbury Crags," was the reply, "Indeed?"-you seem partial to circuitous routes," again said the magistrate. "Whom did you see after you left the city ?"

"Because I am apprehensive for her safety, in meeting, at such a time and place, one who had something of the manner of a desperado, and whose message was of a character so inexplicable."

you will not be long detained.-Remove Mr. Butler, and let him be provided with decent accommodation in all respects.

He was conducted back to the prison accordingly; but, in the food offered to him, as well as in the apartment in which he was lodged, the recommendation. of the magistrate was strictly attended to.

CHAPTER XIV.

Old Ballad.

Dark and eerie was the night,
And lonely was the way,
As Janet, wi' her green mantell,
To Miles' Cross she did gae.
LEAVING Butler to all the uncomfortable thoughts
attached to his new situation, among which the most
predominant was his feeling that he was, by his con-
finement, deprived of all possibility of assisting the
family at Saint Leonard's in their greatest need, we
return to Jeanie Deans, who had seen him depart,
without an opportunity of further explanation, in all
that agony of mind with which the female heart bids
adieu to the complicated sensations so well described
by Coleridge,-

Hopes, and fears that kindle hope,
An undistinguishable throng;
And gentle wishes long subdued-
Subdued and cherish'd long

One by one he obtained a description of every one of the groups, who had passed Butler, as already It is not the firmest heart (and Jeanie, under her noticed, their number, demeanour, and appearance; russet rokelay, had one that would not have disgraced and, at length, came to the circumstance of the mys- Cato's daughter) that can most easily bid adieu to terious stranger in the King's Park. On this subject these soft and mingled emotions. She wept for a Butler would fain have remained silent. But the few minutes, bitterly, and without attempting to remagistrate had no sooner got a slight hint concern-frain from this indulgence of passion. But a moing the incident, than he seemed bent to possess himself of the most minute particulars. Look ye, Mr. Butler," said he, " you are a young man, and bear an excellent character; so much I will myself testify in your favour. But we are aware there has been, at times, a sort of bastard and fiery zeal in some of your order, and those, men irreproachable in other points, which has led them into doing and

ment's recollection induced her to check herself for a grief selfish and proper to her own affections, while her father and sister were plunged into such deep and irretrievable affliction. She drew from her pocket the letter which had been that morning flung into her apartment through an open window, and the con tents of which were as singular as the expression was violent and energetic. "If she would save a hu

« VorigeDoorgaan »