 Volume 2, Chapter 15th, of the Antiquary. Craved age and youth cannot live together. Youth is full of pleasant, age is full of care. Youth like summer mourn, age like winter weather. Youth like summer brave, age like winter bear. In the morning of the following day, the Antiquary, who was something of a slugger, was summoned from his bed a full hour earlier than is custom by Caxon. "'What's the matter now?' he exclaimed, yawning and stretching forth his hand to the huge gold repeater, which, bedded upon his India silk handkerchief, was laid safe by his pillow. "'What's the matter now, Caxon? It can't be eight o'clock yet.' "'Nicer, but my Lord's man sought me out, for he fancies me, Your Honour's Valley de Chame. And so I am. There's nine doubt at it. Both Your Honour's and the Minister's. At least ye I know other than I can of. And I got a help to Sir Arthur, too, but that's more in the way of my profession.' "'Well, well, never mind that,' said the Antiquary. "'Happiest he that is his own Valley de Chame, as you call it. But why disturb my morning's rest?' "'Oye, sir, the great man's been up since people day.' And he steered the town to get away and express to Fetch's carriage, and it would be here brief the end. He would like to see Your Honour before he guides away.' "'Gadso!' ejaculated Old Buck. These great men used one's house in time, as if they were their own property.' "'Well, it's once in a way. Has Jenny come to her centre, yet, Caxon?' "'Try, sir.' "'But just middling,' replied the barber. She's been in a swither about the jacqueline this morning, and was like to a tomb to hide out into the Slap Basin, and drink it herself in her ecstasies. But she's won over with it, with the help of Miss Mintire. Then all my women kind are on foot in scrambling, and I must enjoy my quiet bed no longer. If I would have a well-regulated house.' "'Let me my gown, and what are the news at Fairport?' "'Oye, sir.' "'What can they be about but this grand news of my Lord?' answered the old man. "'That hasn't been or the door-stein.' They threeped to me. "'For this twenty years, this grand news of his coming to visit your honour.' "'Ah,' said Mock Barnes, "'and what do they say of that, Caxon?' "'Deeds are thy various opinions, thy fattives, that are the Democrats, as they call them. That are again the king in the law, and hair-powter, and dressed in a gentleman's wigs. Hween black-arts. They say he's come down to speak with your honour about bringing down his heel-dads and hand-intentury, to break up the meetings of the friends, i. the people. And when I said your honour, never meddled with the like-asick things, where there was like-to-be strikes and bloodshed, they said, "'If you didn't know, your noivoe did, and that he was willed kin to be a kingsman, that would fight knee-deep, and that you were the head, and he was the hand, and that the year was to bring out to the men and the slither.' "'Come,' said the antiquary of Apin, I'm glad the war is to cost me nothing but counsel. "'Nine, nigh,' said Caxon, nobody thinks your honour would either fight yourself, or go I only fick a slither to any side of the question. Well, that's the opinion of the Democrats, as you call them. What say the rest of the airport?' "'In truth,' said the candid reporter, I kind of say it's muck o' better. Captain Coquett of the volunteers, that's him that's to be the new collector, and some of the other gentlemen of the blue and high the blue club. Are just saying it's no right to let Popis, that I sign money French friends as the url of Glen Allen, gang through the country and, but your honour will maybe be angry. "'Not I, Caxon,' said Old Buck, far away as if you were Captain Coquett's whole platoon. I can stand it.' "'Riovin,' they say, sir, that as you didn't encourage the petition about the peace, and win a petition in favour of the new tax, and as you were against bringing in the yeomanry at the mill mob, but just for settling the folk with the constables, they say you're not a good friend to government, and that they sort of meetings between sick of powerful man, and the url, and sick wise man as you. Hoy they think they should be looked after, and some say you should bite the Shankerife till Edinburgh Castle.' "'On my word,' said the antiquary, I am infinitely obliged to my neighbours for their good opinion of me. And so I, that have never interfered with their bickereens, but to recommend quiet and moderate measures, I am given up on both sides, as a man very likely to commit high treason either against king or people. "'Give me my coat, Caxon. Give me my coat. It's lucky I live not in their report.' "'Have you heard anything of Taffel and his vessel?' "'Caxon's countenance fell. Nicer, and the winds hyping high, and this is a fearful coast to cruise on, in thy eastern gales. The headlands rinse high far out, that a vessel is inbade afore I could sharp a razor, and there's thy hardware city of refuge on our coast, highs crags and breakers. A vessel that rins ashore with us, flees asunder like the powder when I shake the pluff, and it's as zeal to gather on out again.' I tell my daughter, thy things when she grows worried for a letter from a lieutenant Taffel. It's I an apology for him. He soon will blame them, says I. Honey, for ye, little Ken would may have happened. "'Hi, I, Caxon. Thou art as good a comforter as a valet des chants. Give me a white stock, man. Do you think I can go down with a handkerchief about my neck when I have company?' "'Dear sir, the captain says a three-nuked handkerchief is the most fashionable overly, and that stocks belong to your honor and me, that her old world folk. I beg pardon for mentioning us twice together, but it was what he said.' "'The captain's a puppy, and you are a goose, Caxon.' "'His fair I'd like and may be say,' replied the acquiescent barber, I'm sure your honor, Ken's best.' Before breakfast, Lord Glen Allen, who appeared in better spirits than he had evinced in the former evening, went particularly through the various circumstances of evidence which the exertions of old buck had formally collected, and pointing out the means which he possessed of completing the proof of his marriage, expressed his resolution instantly to go through the painful task of collecting and restoring the evidence concerning the birth of Evelyn, Neville, which Ellsworth had stated to be in his mother's possession. "'And yet, Mr. Old Buck,' he said, I feel like a man who receives important tidings, eerie as yet fully awake, and doubt whether they refer to actual life, or are not rather a continuation of his dream. "'This woman, this Ellsworth, she is in the extremity of age, and approaching in many respects to dotage. Have I not, is it a hideous question, have I not been hasty in the admission of her present evidence against that which she formerly gave me to a very, very different purpose?' Mr. Old Buck paused a moment, and then answered with firmness. "'No, my lord, I cannot think you have any reason to suspect the truth of what she has told you, last, from no apparent impulse but the urgency of conscience.' Her confession was voluntary, disinterested, distinct, consistent with itself and with all the other known circumstances of the case. I would lose no time, however, in examining and arranging the other documents to which she is referred, and I also think her own statement should be taken down, if possible, in a formal manner. We thought of setting about this together, but it will be a relief to your lordship, and moreover have a more impartial appearance where I do attempt the investigation alone in the capacity of a magistrate. I will do this, at least I will attempt it, so soon as I shall see her in a favourable state of mind to undergo an examination.' Lord Glenellen wrung the antiquary's hand in token of grateful acquiescence. "'I cannot express to you,' he said. Mr. Old Buck, how much your countenance and cooperation in this dark and most melancholy business gives me relief and confidence. I cannot enough applaud my software yielding to this sudden impulse, which impaled me, as it were, to drag you into my confidence, and which arose from the experience I had formerly of your firmness in discharge of your duty as a magistrate, and as a friend to the memory of the unfortunate. Whatever the issue of these matters may prove, and I would feign hope there is a dawn breaking on the fortunes of my house, though I shall not live to enjoy its light. But whatsoever be the issue, you have laid my family and me under the most lasting obligation.' "'My lord,' answered the antiquary, "'I must necessarily have the greatest respect for your lordship's family, which I am well aware of as one of the most ancient in Scotland, being certainly derived from Amir de Geraldine, who sat in Parliament at Perth in the reign of Alexander II, and who by the less vouched yet plausible tradition of the country is said to have been descended from the Marmar of Clock-Nelbin. Yet with all my veneration for your ancient descent, I must acknowledge that I find myself still more bound to give your lordship what assistance is in my limited power, from sincere sympathy with your sorrows, and detestation at the frauds which have so long been practised upon you. But, my lord, the mutton-meal is, I see, now prepared. Permit me to show your lordship the way through the intricacies of my synubitium, which is rather a combination of cells, jostled oddly together, and piled one upon the top of the other, and then a regular house. I trust you will make yourself some amends for the spare diet of yesterday.' But this was no part of Lord Glenallon's system, having saluted the company with the grave and melancholy politeness which distinguished his manners. His servant placed before him the slice of toasted bread with a glass of fair water, being the fair on which he usually broke his fast. While the morning's meal of the young soldier and the old antiquary was dispatched in much more substantial manner, the noise of wheels was heard. Your lordship's carriage, I believe, said Old Buck, stepping to the window, on my word a handsome quadriga. For such, according to the best scolium, was the woke's signata of the Romans, for a chariot, which, like that of your lordship, was drawn by four horses. And I will venture to say, cried Hector, eagerly gazing from the window, that four-handsomer bays never were put in harness. What fine forehands, what capital-chargers they would make! Might I ask if they are of your lordship's own breeding? I—I rather believe so, said Lord Glenallon, but I've been so negligent on my domestic matters that I'm ashamed to say I must apply to Calvert, looking at the domestic. Thereof your lordship's own breeding, said Calvert, got by Mad Tom out of Gemina and Yaraco, your lordship's brood-mairs. Are there more of the set, said the Lord Glenallon? Two, my lord, one rising four, the other five off this grass, both very handsome. The Lent Dawkins bring them down to Monk Barn's to-morrow, said the Earl. I hope Captain Mentire will accept them, if they are at all fit, for service. Captain Mentire's eye sparkled, and he was profuse in grateful acknowledgments, while Old Buck, on the other hand, seizing the Earl's sleeve, endeavored to intercept a present which boated no good to his corn-chest and hayloft. My lord, my lord, much obliged, much obliged, but Hector is a pedestrian, and never mounts on horseback in battle. He is a Highland soldier, moreover, and his dress ill-adapted for Calvary's service. Even MacPherson never mounted his ancestors on horseback, though he has the impudence to talk of their being car-borne. And that, my lord, is what is running in Hector's head. It is the vehicular, not the equestrian, exercise which he envies. His noodle is running on a curicle, which he has neither money to buy, nor skill to drive, if he had it. And I assure your lord that the present of two such quadrupeds would prove a greater scrape than any of his jewels, whether with human foe or with my friend the foca. You must command us all at present, Mr. Oldbuck, said the Earl politely, but I trust you will not ultimately prevent my gratifying my young friend in some way that may afford him pleasure. Anything useful, my lord, said Oldbuck, but no curriculum. I protest he might as rationally propose to keep a quadriga at once. And now I think of it. What is that old post-chase from Fairport come jiggling here for? I did not send for it. I did, sir, said Hector, rather sulkily, for he was not much gratified by his uncle's interference to prevent the Earl's intended generosity, nor particularly inclined to relish either the disparagement which he cast upon his skill as a charioteur, or the mortifying allusion to his bad success in the adventures of the dual and the seal. You did, sir, echoed the antiquary in answer to his concise information, and pray, what may be your business with the post-chase? Is this splendid equipage, this biga, as I may call it, to serve for an introduction to a quadriga or a curriculum? Really, sir, replied the young soldier, if it be necessary to give you such a specific explanation, I am going to Fairport on a little business. Will you permit me to inquire into the nature of that business, Hector? Answered his uncle, who loved the exercise of a little brief authority over his relative. I should suppose any regimental affairs might be transacted by your worthy deputy, the sergeant, and honest gentleman, who is so good as to make Monk Barnes his home since his arrival among us. I should, I say, suppose that he may transact any business of yours without your spending a day's pay on two dog-courses, and such a combination of rotten wood, cracked glass, and leather, such a skeleton of a post-chase as that before the door. It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me, and, since you insist upon knowing, I must inform you Caxon has brought word this morning that old oakletree, the beggar, is to be brought up for examination today, previous to his being committed for trial, and I am going to see that the poor old fellow gets fair play, that's all. I? I heard something of this, but could not figure it serious, and pray, Captain Hector, who are so ready to be every man second on all occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the sea-beach. What is your special concern with old Ediocletree? He was a soldier of my father's company, sir, replied Hector, and besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, as you could have done yourself. And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it, eh, Hector? Come, confess it was thrown away. Indeed it was, sir, but I see no reason that my folly should make me less grateful for his intended kindness. Bravo, Hector! That's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say. But always tell me your plans with that reserve. Why, I will go with you myself, man. I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist him in such a scrape much more factually than you can do. Besides, it will save three half a guinea, my lad, a consideration which I hardly pray you to have more frequently before your eyes. Lord Glenn Allen's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with the ladies when the dispute between the uncle and nephew appeared to grow rather too animated to be fit for the year of a stranger, but the earl mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the antiquary expressed amity. Having received a brief account of the mendicant and of the accusation brought against him, which old buck did not hesitate to ascribe to the malice of Douster Swivel, Lord Glenn Allen asked whether the individual in question had not been a soldier formally. He was answered in the affirmative. Had he not continued his lordship, of course blew code or gown with a badge. Was he not a tall, striking-looking old man with gray beard and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect and talked with an air of ease and independence which formed a strong contrast to his profession. All this is an exact picture of the man, refumed old buck. Wyvern continued, Lord Glenn Allen, although I fear I can be of no use to him in his present condition, yet I owe him a debt of gratitude for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost importance. I would willingly offer him a place of comfortable retirement when he is extricated from his present situation. I fear my lord, said old buck, he would have difficulty in reconciling his vagrant habits to the acceptance of your bounty, at least I know the experiment has been tried without effect. To beg from the public, at large, he considers as independence, in comparison to drawing his whole support from the bounty of an individual. He is so far a true philosopher as to be a contemner of all ordinary rules of hours and times. When he is hungry he eats, when thirsty he drinks, when weary he sleeps, and with such indifference with respect to the means and appliances about which we make of us, that I suppose he was never ill-dined or ill-lodged in his life. Then he is, to a certain extent, the oracle of the district through which he travels, their genealogist, their newsman, their master of the revels, their doctor at a pinch, or their divine. I promise you, he has too many duties and is too zealous in performing them to be easily bribed to abandon his calling. But I should be truly sorry if they sent the poor light-hearted old man to lie for weeks in a jail. I am convinced the confinement would break his heart. Best finished the conference. Lord Glen-Allen, having taken leave of the ladies, renewed his offer to catch him entire, of the freedom of his manners for sporting, which was joyously accepted. I can only add, he said, that if your spirits are not liable to be damned by dull company, Glen-Allen house is at all times open to you. On two days of the week, Friday and Saturday, I keep my apartment, which will be rather a relief to you, as you will be left to enjoy the society of my Elminer, Mr. Gladsmore, who is the scholar and a man of the world. Hector, his heart exulting at the thoughts of ranging through the preserves of Glen-Allen house, and over the well-protected moors of Clock-Nabon, nay, joy of joys, the dear forests of Strath-Bonnell, made many acknowledgments of the honour and gratitude he felt. Mr. Oldbuck was sensible of the Earl's attention to his nephew. Miss Mintire was pleased because her brother was gratified, and Miss Griselda Oldbuck looked forward with glee to the potting of whole bags of morphal and black game of which Mr. Blattergall was a professed admirer. Thus, which is always the case when a man of rank leaves a private family where he is studied to appear obliging. All were ready to open in praise of the Earl, as soon as he had taken his leave, and was wheeled off in his chariot by the four admired bays. But the panagiric was cut short, for Oldbuck and his nephew deposited themselves in their fairport-hack, which, with one horse-trotting, and the other, earned to a canter, creaked, jiggled, and hobbled towards that celebrated sea-port, in a manner that formed a striking contrast to the rapidity and smoothness with which Lord Glenn Allen's equipage had seemed to vanish from their eyes. CHAPTER XVI. Yes, I love just as well, as well as you do, but since the good dames blind, she shall excuse me, if time and reason fitting, I prove dumb. The breath I utter now shall be no means to take away from me my breath in future. OLD PLAY. By dint of charity, from the townspeople, in aid of the load of provisions he had brought with him into endurance, any oak-tree had passed a day or two's confinement, without much impatience, regretting his want of freedom, the less, as the weather proved broken and rainy. The prison, he said, was beside dooms about a place that it was kind. Yet I, a good roof over your head, defend thy through weather. And if the windows weren't aggrieved, it was the merriery and pleasant for the summer season. And there were folks in Al to crack with, and he had brought enough to eat, and what need he, feish himself about the restite. The courage of our philosophical mendicant began, however, to abate when the sun-beams shone fair on the rusty bars of his grated dungeon, and a miserable linnet, whose cage, some poor debtor had obtained permission to attach to the window, began to greed him with his whistle. Here in better spirits than I am, said Eddie, addressing the bird, for I can neither whistle nor sing, for thinkin' all the bunny-burn sides, and green shies, that I should have been daundren beside in weather like this. But, hi, there are some crumbs to ye, and ye are a sign, Mary, and truth, ye have some reason to sing, and ye can't it, for your cage comes by noy foe to your eye, and I may think myself that I am closed up in this very place. Uncle Tree's soliloquy was disturbed by a peace-officer, who came to summon him to attend the magistrate. So he set forth an awful procession between two poor creatures, neither of them so stout as he was himself, to be conducted into the presence of inquisitorial justice. The people, as the aged prisoner, was led along by his decrepit guards, exclaimed to each other, eh, see, sickle-gray-haired man as that is, chive committed a highway robbery with eye fit in the grave, and children congratulated the officers, objects of their alternate dread and sport, Puggy Orock and Jock Ormston, on having a prisoner as old as themselves. Thus marshaled forward, Eddie was presented, by no means for the first time, before the worshipful Bailey Little John, who, contrary to what his name expressed, was a tall portly magistrate, on whom corporation crusts had not been conferred in vain. He was the zealous loyalist of that zealous time, somewhat rigorous and premptery in the execution of his duty, and a good deal inflated with the sense of his own power and importance, otherwise an honest, well-meaning, and useful citizen. Bring him in, bring him in, he exclaimed. Upon my word these are awful and unnatural times. The very beatsmen and retainers of his majesty are the first to break his laws. Here has been an old blue gown committing robbery. I suppose the next will reward the royal charity which supplies him with his garb, pension, and begging license, by engaging in high treason, or sedition at least. But bring him in. Eddie made his obeisance, and then stood, as usual, firm and erect, with the sight of his face turned a little upward, as if to catch every word which the magistrate might address to him. With the first general questions, which respected only his name and calling, the mendicant answered with readiness and accuracy. But when the magistrate, having caused his clerk to take down these particulars, began to inquire where about the mendicant was on the night when Dauster Swivel met with his misfortune. Eddie demurred to the motion. Can you tell me now, baby, you that understand the law, what good would it do me to answer on your your questions? Good. No good certainly, my friend, except that giving a true account of yourself, if you are innocent, may entitle me to set you at liberty. But it seems my reasonable to me now that you, baby, or anybody that has anything to say against me, should prove my guilt, and know to be bidding me prove my innocence. I don't sit here, answered the magistrate, to dispute points of law with you. I ask you, if you choose to answer my question, whether you were at Ring and Akewood, the foresters, upon the day I have specified. Pretty sir, I didn't have found myself caught on to remember. Reply at the cautious beatsman. Or whether in the course of that day or night, continued the magistrate, you saw Stephen, or Steny, muckleback it. You knew him, I suppose. Hoy, broadly did I ken Steny, per fellow. Reply at the prisoner. Would I kind of condescend, on any particular time I have seen him lately? Were you at the ruins of St. Ruth, any time in the course of that evening? Baby, dear sir John, said the mendicant, if it be your owner's pleasure, we would cut to Lang Taylor's short, and I'll just tell you, I have no money to answer any of the questions. I am more of an older traveler to let my tongue bring me into trouble. Right down, said the magistrate, that he declines to answer all interrogatories, in respect to that, by telling the truth, he might be brought to trouble. Nine, nine, said Ogletree. Hanoi hae that set down, as only part of my answer. But I just meant to say that, hen I in my memory and practice, I never saw any good, comma, answering idle questions. Right down, said the Bailey, that being acquainted with judicial interrogatories, by long practice, and having sustained injury by answering questions put to him on such occasions, the declarant refuses. Nine, nine, baby, reiterated Eddie, you're not to come in on me on that to gate neither. Dictate the answer yourself then, friend, said the magistrate, and the clerk will take it down from your own mouth. High, high, said Eddie. That's what I cried fairly. Eyes do that without loss of time. Thine, ever, you may just write down that Eddie Ogletree, the declarant, stands up for the liberty. Nine, I'm going to say that neither. I'm not a liberty boy. I have fought again them in the riots in Dublin. Besides, I have ate the king's bread money a day. Stay, let me see. I write that Eddie Ogletree, the blue gown, stands up for the prerogative. See that you spell that word right, hits a line, nine. For the prerogative of the subjects of land, have when to answer a single word that shall be asked at him this day, unless he sees a reason for it. Put down that young man. Then, Eddie, said the magistrate, since you will give no information on the subject, I must send you back to prison till you shall be delivered in due course of law. Howe'er, sir, if it's heaven's will and man's will, nigh doubt I must admit, replied the mendicant. I nigrate objection to the prison, only that a body kind of went out tight, and if it would please you as well, Bailey, I would give you my word to peer for the lords at the circuit, or in any other court you like, on any day you are pleased to appoint. I rather think my good friend, answered Bailey little John, your word might be a slender security, where your neck may be in some danger. I am apt to think you would suffer the pledge to be forfeited. If you could give me sufficient security, indeed, at this moment the antiquary and captive entire entered the apartment. Good morning to you gentlemen, said the magistrate. You find me toiling in my usual vocation, looking after the iniquities of the people, laboring for the Republica, Mr. Oldbuck, serving the king, our master, captive entire, for I suppose you know I have taken up the sword. It is one of the emblems of justice, doubtless, answer the antiquary, but I should have thought the scales would have suited you better, Bailey, especially as you have them ready in the warehouse. Very good, Monk Barnes, excellent, but I do not take the sword up as justice, but as a soldier. Indeed, I should rather say the musket in bayonet. There they stand at the elbow of my gouty chair, for I am scarce fit for drill yet. A slight touch of our old acquaintance, Podagra. I can keep my feet, however, while one sergeant puts me through the manual. I shall like to know, captive entire, if he follows the regulations correctly. He brings us but awkwardly to the present. And he hobbles towards his weapon to illustrate his doubts and display his proficiency. I rejoice for you such zealous defenders, Bailey, replied Mr. Oldbuck, and I daresay Hector will gratify you by communicating his opinion on your progress in this new calling. Why, you rival the heckate of the ancients. My good sir, a merchant on the mart, a magistrate in the townhouse, a soldier on the lynx. Quid non pro, patria? But my business is with the justice. So let commerce and war go slumber. Well, my good sir, said the Bailey, and what commands have you for me? Why, here is an old acquaintance of mine, called Ediocaltree, whom some of your mermidons have mewed up in jail on account of an alleged assault on that fellow duster-swivel, of whose accusation I do not believe one word. The magistrate here assumed a very grave countenance. You have to have been informed that he is accused of robbery, as well as assault, a very serious matter indeed. It is not often such criminals come under my cognizance. And, replied Oldbuck, you are tenacious of the opportunity of making the very most of such as occur. But is this poor old man's case really so very bad? It is, rather, out of rule, said the Bailey. But as you are in the commission, Monk Barnes, I have no hesitation to show you duster-swivel's declaration, and the rest of the precognition. And he put the papers into the antiquaries' hands, who assumed his spectacles, and sat down in a corner to peruse them. The officers, in the meantime, had directions to remove their prisoner into another apartment. But before they could do so, Mentire took an opportunity to greet Old Edi, and to slip a guinea into his hand. Lord bless your honour, said the old man. It's a young soldier's gift, and it should surely thrive with an eye dine. I is no refuse it, though it's beyond my rules. For they seek me up here, my friends are like enough to forget me. How to sight, out of mind, is a true problem. And it wouldn't be credible for me, that I am the king's beadsman, and entitled to beg by word of mouth, to be efficient for bobbies out at the jail window, with the feet to his stocking. Hand to string. As he made this observation, he was conducted out of the apartment. Mr. Duster-swivel's declaration contained an exaggerated account of the violence he had sustained, and also of his loss. But what I should have liked to have asked him, said Mark Barnes, would have been his purpose in frequenting the ruins of St. Ruth, so lonely a place, at such an hour, and with such a companion as Eddie Oakletree. There is no road lies that way, and I do not conceive a mere passion for the picturesque would carry the German dither in such a night of storm and wind. Depend upon it, he has been about some roguery, and in all probability, has been caught in a trap of his own setting. Neck-lex, justitator, ulla. The magistrate allowed there was something mysterious in that circumstance, and apologized for not pressing Duster-swivel, as his declaration was voluntarily omitted. But for the support of the main charge, he showed the declaration of the Acre Woods concerning the state in which Duster-swivel was found, and establishing the important fact that the mendicant had left the barn in which he was quartered, and did not return to it again. Two people belonging to the Fairport Undertaker, who had that night been employed in attending the funeral of Lady Glen-Ellen, had also given declarations that being sent to pursue two suspicious persons, who left the ruins of St. Ruth as a funeral approach, and who, it was supposed, might have been pillaging some of the ornaments prepared for the ceremony. They had lost and regained sight of them more than once, owing to the nature of the ground, which was unfavorable for riding, but had at length fairly lodged them both in Mucklebackett's cottage. And one of the men added that, he, the Declarent, having dismounted from his horse and gone close up to the window of the hut, he saw the old blue-gown and young Steny Mucklebackett, with others eating and drinking in the inside, and also observed the said Steny Mucklebackett show a pocketbook to the others. And Declarent has no doubt that Ogletree and Steny Mucklebackett were the persons whom he and his comrade had pursued, as above mentioned. And being interrogated why he did not enter the said cottage declares, he had no warrant so to do, and that his Mucklebackett and his family were understood to be rough-handed folk. He, the Declarent, had no desire to meddle or make with their affairs. Causa, Cientencia, Potet, all which he declares to be truth, etc., what do you say to that body of evidence against your friend? said the magistrate, when he had observed the antiquary had turned the last leaf. Why, word in the case of any other person, I own I should say it looked prima facia, a little ugly, but I cannot allow anybody to be in the wrong for beating Doster Swivel. Had I been an hour younger, or had but one single flash of young warlike genius Bailey, I should have done it myself long ago. He is Nebulo Nebulonum, an impudent, fraudulent, mendacious quack, that has cost me a hundred pounds by his roguery, and my neighbour Sir Arthur, God knows how much. Emphasis, Bailey, I do not hold him to be a sound friend to government. Indeed, said Bailey, little John, if I thought that, it would alter the question considerably. Right. Foreign beating him, observed Old Buck, the beadsman must have shown his gratitude to the king by thumping his enemy, and in robbing him he would only have plundered an Egyptian whose wealth it is lawful to spoil. Now, suppose this interview in the ruins of St. Ruth had relation to politics, and this story of hidden treasure and so forth was a bribe from the other side of the water for some great man, or the funds destined to maintain a seditious club. My dear Sir, said the magistrate, catching at the idea, you hit my very thoughts. How fortunate should I be if I could become the humble means of sifting such a matter to the bottom? Don't you think we'd better call out the volunteers and put them on duty? Not just yet, while Podagra deprives him of an essential member of their body. But will you let me examine Ochletree? Certainly, but you'll make nothing of him. He gave me distinctly and understand he knew the danger of a judicial declaration on the part of an accused person, which, to say the truth, has hanged many an honester man than he is. Well, but Bailey, continued Old Buck, you have no objection to let me try him. None in the world, mongmarns. I hear the sergeant below. I'll rehearse the manual in the meanwhile. Baby, carry my gun in bayonet down to the room below. It makes less noise there when we ground arms. And so exit the marshal magistrate, with his maid behind him bearing his weapons. A good squire that wench for a gouty companion observed Old Buck. Hector, my lad, hook on, hook on. Go with him, boy. Keep him employed, man, for half an hour or so. Butter him with some more-like terms. Praise his dress and address. Capt him entire, who, like many of this profession, looked down with infinite scorn on those citizen soldiers who had assumed arms without any professional title to bear them, rose with great reluctance, observing that he should not know what to say to Mr. Little John, and that to see an old gouty shopkeeper attempting the exercise and duties of a private soldier was really too ridiculous. It may be so, Hector, said the antiquary, who seldom agreed with any person in the immediate proposition which was laid down. It may possibly be so in this and some other instances, but at present the country resembles the suitors in a small debt court, where parties plead in person, for lack of cash to retain the professed heroes of the bar. I am sure in the one case we never regret the want of the acuteness and eloquence of the lawyers. And so I hope, in the other, we may manage to make shift with our hearts and muskets, though we shall lack some of the discipline of you, Martinettes. I have no objection, I am sure, sir, that the whole world should fight, if they please, if they will but allow me to be quiet, said Hector, rising with dogged reluctance. Yes, you are a very quiet personage indeed, said his uncle, whose art of recorreling cannot pass so much as a poor foca sleeping upon the beach. But Hector, who saw which way the conversation was tending, and hated all illusions to the foil he had sustained from the fish, made his escape before the antiquary concluded the sentence. End CHAPTER XVI. Well, well, at worst, tis neither theft nor coinage, Granton I knew all that you charged me with. What though the tomb hath borne a second birth, and given the wealth to one that knew not aunt, yet fair exchange was never robbery, far less pure bounty. OLD PLAY. The antiquary, in order to avail himself of the permission given him to question the accused's party, chose rather to go to the apartment in which oakle tree was detained than to make the examination a pure formal, by bringing him again to the magistrate's office. He found the old man seated by a window, which looked out on the sea, and as he gazed on that prospect, large tears found their way, as if unconsciously, to his eye, and from thence trickled down his cheeks and white beard. His features were nevertheless calm and composed, and his whole posture, and mean, indicated patience and resignation. Old Buck had approached him without being observed, and roused him out of his musing by saying kindly, I'm sorry, Eddie, to see you so much cast down about this matter. The mendicant started, dried his eyes, very hastily, with the sleep of his gown, and, endeavouring to recover his usual tone of indifference and jocularity, answered, but with a voice more tremulous than usual. I might read a judge, among barns, if it was you or the like of you, was coming in to disturb me, for its eye great advantage to prisons and courts of justice, that you may greet your eye, after you like. A nine of the folk that's concerned about them, will ever ask you what it's for. Well, Eddie, replied Old Buck, I hope your present cause of distress is not so bad, but it may be removed. And I had hoped, monk barns, answered the mendicant, in a tone of reproach, that yet can be better than to think that this bit trifling trouble of my eye, would bring tears into my odd eye, that I seen far different kind of distress. Nine I, but here's been the perlass, Caxon's daughter, seeking comfort, and has gotten uncool little. There's been no spirits, had trefles gone big since the last gale, and folk report on the key that a kingship has struck on the reef of Ratre, and all hands lost. God forbid, for sure as you live, monk barns, the poor lad level that you like say will, must have perished. God forbid, indeed, I go the antiquary, turning pale, I would rather monk barns' house were on fire. My poor dear friend and coagulator, I will down to the key instantly. I'm sure you'll earn nothing more than I had told you, sir, said Oakletree, for the officer folk here were very civil, that is, for the like of them, and who could up hide their letters and authorities, and could throw no light on either I way or another. It can't be true. It shall not be true, said the antiquary, and I won't believe it, if it were. Taffel's an excellency, men and level, my poor level, has all the qualities of a safe and pleasant companion by land or by sea, one, Eddie, whom, from the ingenuousness of his disposition, I would choose, did I ever go a sea voyage, which I never do unless across the ferry, to be the companion of my risk, as one against whom the elements could nourish no vengeance. No, Eddie, it is not. It cannot be true. It is a fiction of the idle jade rumour, whom I wish hanged with her trumpet about her neck, that serves only with its scree-child tones to fright on his folks out of their senses. Let me know how you got into this, scrape of your own. Hayayiskinnyi has a magistrate, monk-barns, or is it just for your own satisfaction? For my own satisfaction, solely, replied the antiquary. Put up your pocket-book, and your kitty-vine pen, then, for I don't have speak, haddying, high-writing materials in your hands. There's a scourge for an earned folk like me. Hoid. High enough the clerks in the nice room will clink down in black and white as Mukuliz would hang a man, before Anken's would he say an. Monk-barns complied with the old man's humor, and put up his memorandum-book. Eddie then went with great frankness through the part of the story already known to the reader, informing the antiquary of the scene which he had witnessed between Dr. Swivel and his patron in the ruins of St. Ruth, and frankly confessing that he could not resist the opportunity of decoying the adept once more to visit the tomb of Mysticot, with the purpose of taking a comic revenge upon him for his quackery. He'd easily persuaded Stiney, who was a bold, thoughtless young fellow, to engage in the frolic along with him, and the jest had been inadvertently carried a great deal farther than was designed. Concerning the pocket-book, he explained that he'd expressed his surprise and sorrow as soon as he found it had been inadvertently brought off, and that publicly, before all the inmates of the cottage, Stiney had undertaken to return at the next day, and had only been prevented by his untimely fate. The antiquary pondered a moment and then said, Your account seems very probable, Eddie, and I believe it from what I know of the parties, but I think it likely that you know a great deal more than you have thought it proper to tell me about this matter of the treasure-trove. I suspect you have acted the part of the Laar Familiaris in Plautus, a sort of brownie, Eddie, to speak to your comprehension, who watched over hidden treasures. I do but think me you were the first person we met when Sir Arthur made his successful attack upon Mysticot's grave, and also that when the laborers began to flag, you, Eddie, were again the first to leap into the trench and to make the discovery of the treasure. Now you must explain all this to me, unless you would have me use you as ill as you, Cleo, does Staphila, in the Alularia. Lord Sakeser, replied the mendicant, What do I care about your Alularia? It's more like a dog's language than a man's. You knew, however, of the box of treasure being there, continued Old Buck. Dear Sir, answered Eddie, Assuming the countenance of great simplicity, What likelihood is there of that? Do you think Saiparnod creatures me would akin to sick a thing, without getting some good art? Had you but realized what nine and guide nine, like Mokoskotsman, What concern could I have with it? That's just what I want you to explain to me, said Old Buck, for I am positive you knew it was there. Your honour is a positive man, Mokborns, and for a positive man I must need to allow you are often in the right. You allow then, Eddie, that my belief is well-founded. Eddie nodded, acquiescence. Then please do explain to me the whole affair from beginning to end, said the antiquary. If it were a secret of mine, Mokborns, replied the beggar, You sooner ask twice, for I have I said a hint your back, that for I have in own sense maggots, that she was taken to your head, you are the most wise and discreet of all our country gentles. But I, as I am, be open-hearted with you, and tell you that this is a friend's secret, and that they so draw me with wild horses, or saw me asunder, as they did the children of Amon, sooner than I would speak a word more about the matter, accepting this, that there was nigh ill intended, but Mokko good, and that the purpose was to serve them, that are worth twenty-hundred a me. Where there is nigh lie, trial, that makes it a sin to ken, where there foes, still there is, if we didn't pit hand to art ourselves. Old Mokk walked once or twice up and down the room, in profound thought, endeavoring to find some plausible reason for transactions of a nature so mysterious, but his ingenuity was totally at fault. He then placed himself before the prisoner. This story of yours, friend Eddie, is an absolute enigma, and would require a second Oedipus to solve it. Who Oedipus was, I will tell you some other time if you remind me. However, whether it be owing to the wisdom, or to the maggots with which you compliment me, I am strongly disposed to believe that you have spoken the truth, the rather, that you have not made any of those obtestations of the superior powers, which I observe you and your comrades always make use of when you mean to deceive folks. Here Eddie could not suppress a smile. If therefore you will answer me one question, I will endeavor to procure your liberation. If you let me hear the question, said Eddie, with the caution of a canny scotchman, I will tell you whether I will answer or not. It is simply, said the antiquary, did Dausterswivel know anything about the concealment of the chest of Bullion? He, to hear fired loon, answered Eddie, with much frankness of manner. There would have been little sparrings, I had Dausterswivel, kind it was there. It would have been butter in the black dog's house. I thought as much, said Old Buck. Well Eddie, if I procure your freedom, you must keep your day, and appear to clear me of the bail bond. For these, for these are not times for prudent men to incur forfeitures, unless you can point out another Alamari Plenum Quadrilibrum, another search, number one. Hi, said the beggar, shanking his head, hide out the bird-flown that laid thy golden eggs, for I wouldn't cry at her goose, though that's the guided stance in the storybook. But I'll keep my day, monk-barns. There's no loss of penny by me, and truth I would feign re-out again, now the witherscine, and then I hay the best chance I hear in the first news of my friends. Well Eddie, as the bouncing and thumpy beneath has somewhat ceased, I presume Bailey Littlejawn has dismissed his military preceptor, and has retired from the labours of Mars to those of Themis. I will have some conversation with him, but I cannot and will not believe any of those wretched news you were telling me. Gorge St. Geronner may be right, said the mendicant, as Old Buck left the room. The antiquary found the magistrate, exhausted with the fatigues of the drill, reposing in his gaudy chair, humming the air, how merrily we live that soldiers be, and between each bar comforting himself with a spoonful of mock-turtle soup. He ordered a similar refreshment for Old Buck, who declined in observing that not being a military man, he did not feel inclined to break his habit of keeping regular hours for meals. Soldiers like you, Bailey, must snatch their food as they find means in time, but I am sorry to hear ill news of young Taffelsbrigg. Ah, poor fellow, said the Bailey. He was accredit to the town, much distinguished on the first of June. But, said Old Buck, I am shocked to hear you talk of him in the preterite tents. Troth, I fear there may be too much reason for it, Monk Barnes. And yet, let us hope the best. The accident is said to have happened in the rat-ray reef of Rocks, about 20 miles from the northward, near Dinternallon Bay. I have sent to inquire about it, and your nephew run out himself, as if he had been flying to get the gazette of a victory. Here Hector entered, exclaiming as he came in. I believe it's all a damned lie. I can't find the least authority for it, the general rumor. And pray, Mr. Hector, said his uncle, if it had been true, whose fault would have been that Lovell was on board? Not mine, I am sure, answered Hector. It would have been only my misfortune. Indeed, said his uncle, I should not have thought of that. Why, sir, with all your inclination to find me in the wrong, replied the young soldier, I suppose you alone, my intention was not to blame in this case. I did my best to hit Lovell, and if I had been successful, it is clear my scrape would have been his, and his scrape would have been mine. And whom or what do you intend to hit now, that you are lugging with you that leather magazine there, marked gunpowder? I must be prepared for Lord Glen Allen's Moors on the twelfth, sir, said Mentire. Ah, Hector, thy great chaise, as the French call it, would take place best. Omni cum prodius pecus agitaret, viscera montes. Could you meet but with a marshal foca, instead of an unwarlike heathbird? The devil take the seal, sir, or foca, if you choose to call it so, it's rather hard one can never hear the end of a little piece of folly like that. Well, well, subtle buck, I am glad you have the grace to be ashamed of it. As I detest the whole race of nimrods, I wish them all as well matched. Nay, never start off at a jasmine, I have done with the foca, though I dare say the Bailey could tell us the value of seal skins just now. There are up, said the magistrate, there are well up, the fishing has been unsuccessful lately. We can bear witness to that, said the tormenting antiquary, who was delighted with the hank this incident had given him over the young sportsman. One word more, Hector, and we'll hang a seal skin on thy recreation lens. Aha, my boy, come, never mind, and I must go to business. Bailey, a word with you. You must take bail, moderate bail, you understand, for old oak trees' appearance. You don't consider what you ask, said the Bailey. The offence is assault and robbery. Hush, not a word about it, said the antiquary. I gave you a hint before. I will possess you more fully hereafter. I promise you, there is a secret. But, Mr. Old Buck, if the state is concerned, I— Who do the whole drudgery business here really have a title to be consulted? And until I am hush, hush, said the antiquary, winking and putting his finger to his nose, you shall have the full credit, the entire management, whenever matters are ripe. But this is an obstinate old fellow, who will not hear of two people being as yet, led into his mystery, and he has not fully acquainted me with the clue to Dalster Swivel's devices. Ah, so he must tip that fellow of the alien act, I suppose. To say truth, I wish you would. Say no more, said the magistrate. It shall forthwith be done. He shall be removed, tan, quam, suspect. I think that's one of your own phrases, Monk Barnes. It is classical, Bailey. You improve. Why, public business has of late pressed upon me so much that I have been obliged to take my foreman into partnership. I have had two several correspondences with the Undersecretary of State, one in the proposed tax on Riga, Hempstein, and the other on putting down political societies. So you might as well communicate to me as much as you know of this old fellow's discovery of a plot against the State. I will, instantly, when I am master of it, replied Old Buck, I hate the trouble of managing such matters myself. Remember, however, I do not say decidedly a plot against the State. I only say I hope to discover, by this man's means, a foul plot. If it be a plot at all, there must be treason in it, or a sedition at least, said the Bailey. Will you bail him for four hundred mercs? Four hundred mercs of an old blue gown. Think on the Act 1701, Regulating Bail Bonds. Strike off a cipher from the sum. I am content to bail him for forty mercs. Well, Mr. Old Buck, everybody in Fairport is always willing to oblige you. And besides, I know that you are a prudent man, and one that would be as unwilling to lose forty as for a hundred mercs. So I will accept your bail. Mayo periculo. What say you to that law phrase again? I had it from a learned counsel. I will vouch at my lord, he said, Mayo periculo. And I will vouch for Eddie Ogletree, Mayo periculo, in like manner, said Old Buck. So let your clerk draw at the bail bond, and I will sign it. When this ceremony had been performed, the antiquary communicated to Eddie the joyful tidings that he was once more in liberty, and directed him to make the best of his way to Monk Bonds' house, to which he himself returned with his nephew, after having perfected their good work. End Chapter 17. Volume 2, Chapter 18 of the antiquary. This labor box recording is in the public domain. The antiquary by Sir Walter Scott, Chapter 18. Full of wise saws and modern instances. As you like it. I wish to heaven, Hector, said the antiquary. Next morning, after breakfast, you would spare our nerves and not be keeping snapping that archboss of yours. Well, sir, I'm sorry to disturb you, said his nephew. Still handling his valine piece. But it's a capital gun. It's a Joe Manton, that cost forty guineas. A fool and his money are soon parted, nephew. There is a Joe Mueller for your Joe Manton. Answer the antiquary. I'm glad you have so many guineas to throw away. Everyone has their fancy, uncle. You are fond of books. I, Hector, said the uncle, and if my collection rewars, you would make it fly to the gunsmith, the horse market, the dog breaker. Coentus, Undekei, Noblis, Libros. Mutari, Loracus, Ibrus. I could not use your books, my dear uncle, said the young soldier. That's true, and you will do well to provide for their being in better hands. But don't let the faults of my head fall on my heart. I'm not part with a quarry that belonged to an old friend, to get a set of horses like Lord Glenn Allen's. I don't think you would, lad. I don't think you would, said his softening relative. I love to tease you a little sometimes. It keeps up the spirit of discipline and habit of subordination. You will pass your time happily here, having me to command you, instead of captain or colonel, or a knight in arms, as Milton has it. And instead of the French, he continued, relapsing into his ironical humor. You have the gents, Hameda Ponte. For as Virgil says, sternet sesamne, diversen littura focaille, which might be rendered. Here focaille slumber on the beach within our Highland hector's reach. Nay, if you grow angry, I have done, besides, I see old Eddie in the courtyard, with whom I have business. Good-bye, hector. Do you remember how she splashed into the sea, like her master Proteus? Et sei hactu, dead it, aquar in altum, min tire, waiting, however, till the door was shut, then gave way to the natural impatience of his temper. My uncle is the best man in the world, and in his way the kindest, but rather than hear any more about the cursed focaille, as he is pleased to call it, I would exchange for the West Indies, and never see his face again. Miss Mintire, gratefully attached to her uncle, and passionately fond of her brother, was on such occasions the usual envoy of reconciliation. She hastened to meet her uncle on his return, before he entered the parlor. While now, Miss Womankind, what is the meaning of that imploring countenance? Has Juno done any more mischief? No, uncle, but Juno's master is, in such fear of your joking him about the seal, I assure you he feels it much more than you would wish. It's very silly of him to be sure, but then you can turn everybody so sharply into ridicule. While, my dear, answered Old Buck, propitiated by the compliment, I will reign in my satire, and, if possible, speak no more of the foca. I will not even speak of sealing the letter, but say, umph, and give a nod to you when I want the wax light. I'm not Monitoribos Asper, but, heaven knows, the most mild, quiet, and easy of human beings, whom sister, niece, and nephew guide just as best pleases them. With this little panagiric on his own docility, Mr. Old Buck entered the parlor, and proposed to his nephew a walk to the Muscle Crag. I have some questions to ask of a woman at Mucklebacket's Cottage, he observed, and I would willingly have a sensible witness with me. So, for fault of a better hector, I must be contented with you. There's old Eddie, sir, or Caxon, could not they do better than me? Answered Mintire, feeling somewhat alarmed at the prospect of a long tete-a-tete with his uncle. Upon my word, young man, you turned me over to pretty companions. I'm quite sensible of your politeness, replied Mr. Old Buck. No, sir, I intend the old blue gown shall go with me, not as a competent witness, for he is at present, as our friend Bailey Little-John says, blessings on his learning. Tong-quam suspectus, and you are suspicione mayor, as our law has it. I wish I were a major, sir, said hector, catching only the last and, to a soldier's ear, the most impressive word in the sentence. But without money or interest, there is little chance of getting the step. Well, well, most stouty sound of priam, said the antiquary, be ruled by your friends, and there's no saying what may happen. Come away with me, and you shall see what may be useful to you, should you ever sit upon a court-martial, sir. I have been on many a regimental court-martial, sir, answered captain Mintire, but here's a new cane for you. Much obliged, much obliged. I bought it from our drum-major, added Mintire, who came into our regiment, from the Bengal Army, when it came down the Red Sea. It was cut on the banks of the Indus, I assure you. Upon my word, it is a fine retin, and, while replaces that, which the— what was I going to say? The party, consisting of the antiquary, his nephew, and the old beggar, now took the sands towards Muscle Crag, the former in the very highest mood of communicating information, and the others under a sense of former obligation, and some hope for future favors, decently attentive to receive it. The uncle and nephew walked together, the mendicant, about a step and a half behind, just near enough for his patron to speak to him by a slight inclination of his neck, and without the trouble of turning round. Petri, in his essay on good-breeding, dedicated to the magistrates of Edinburgh, recommends, upon his own experience, as tutor in a family of distinction, this attitude to all lead captains, tutors, dependents, and bottle-holders of every description. Thus this Gordon, the antiquary, moved along, full of his learning, like a lordly man of war, and every now and then, yelling to Starboard and Larboard to discharge a broadside upon his followers. And so it is your opinion, said he to the mendicant, that this windfall, this arca alry, as Plautus has it, will not greatly avail Sir Arthur in his necessities. Unless you could find ten times as much, said the beggar, and that I am sorry to ask for love, I heard Puggy Oric and the Tother Thief of a sheriff officer, or messenger, speaking about it, and things are in life when the like of them can speak crowsly about only gentlemen's affairs. Hideouts through Arthur will be in stying ways for debt, unless there is swift help in certain. You speak like a fool, said the antiquary. Nephew, it is a remarkable thing that, in this happy country, no man can be legally imprisoned for debt. Indeed, sir, said Mentire, I never knew that before, that part of our law would suit some of our mess well. And if they are not confined for debt, said Ogletree, What is it that Thames sawing money poor creatures to buy it in the toll booth of Fairport Yonder? They I say, they were put there by their creditors. Wait, they won't like it better than I do, if they're there a free win. A very natural observation, Eddie, and many of your betters would make the same, but it is founded entirely upon ignorance of the feudal system. Hector, be so good as to attend, unless you are looking out for another. Hector compelled himself to give attention to this hand. And you, Eddie, it may be useful to you, Rerum cogniserie causus, the nature and origin of warrant for caption, Haud alienum a scully woe-lie studious. You must know then once more that nobody can be arrested in Scotland for debt. I had no local concern with that, said the old man, for nobody would trust Dobodo to a garbillensee. I pre-the peace, man. As a compulsor, therefore, of payment, that being a thing to which no debtor is naturally inclined, as I have too much reason to warrant from the experience I have had with my own, we had first the letters of four forms, a sort of gentle invitation, by which our sovereign lord, the king, interesting himself, as a monarch should, in the regulation of his subjects' private affairs, at first by mild exhortation, and afterwards by letters of more strict enjoyment and more hard compulsion. What do you see extraordinary about that bird, Hector? It's but a seamaw. It's a pictarniser, said Eddie. Well, what and if it were, what does that signify at present? But I see you're impatient, so I will waive the letters of four forms and come to the modern process of diligence. You suppose now a man's committed to prison because he cannot pay his debt? Quite otherwise. The truth is, the king is so good as to interfere at the request of the creditor, and to send the debtor his royal command to do him justice within a certain time, fifteen days or six, as the case may be. Well, the man resists and disobeys, what follows? Why, that he be lawfully and rightfully declared a rebel to our gracious sovereign, whose command he has disobeyed, and that by three blasts of a horn at the marketplace of Edinburgh, the metropolis of Scotland, and he is then legally imprisoned, of any civil debt, but because of his ungrateful contempt of the royal mandate. What say you to that, Hector? There's something you never knew before. Footnote. The doctrine of mock barns on the origin of imprisonment for civil debt in Scotland may appear somewhat whimsical, but was referred to and admitted to be correct by the bench of Supreme Scottish Court on 5th December, 1828, and in the case of Thome v. Black. In fact, the Scottish law is in this particular more jealous of the personal liberty of the subject than any other code in Europe. End footnote. No, uncle, but I own. If I wanted money to pay my debts, I would rather thank the king to send me some than to declare me a rebel for not doing what I could not do. Your education has not led you to consider these things, replied his uncle. You are incapable of estimating the elegance of the legal fiction, in the manner in which it reconciles that to us, which for the protection of commerce it has been found necessary to extend towards refractory debtors, with the most scrupulous attention to the liberty of the subject. I don't know, sir, answered the unenlightened Hector, but if a man must pay his debt or go to jail, it signifies but little whether he goes as a debtor or a rebel, I should think. But you say this command of the kings gives a license of so many days. Now, ye God, rye in the scrape, I would beat a march and leave the king of the creditor to sell it among themselves before they came to extremities. So I would, I, said Eddie, I would guide them leg-bale to a certainty. True, replied Monk Barnes, for those whom the law suspects of being unwilling to abide her formal visit, she proceeds with, by means of a shorter and more unceremonious call, as dealing with persons on whom patience and favour would be utterly thrown away. I, said Ogletree, that will be with the Khai the Fuggy warrants. I some skill in them. There's border warrants, too, in the South Country, uncourachan-canny things. I was taken up a nine at St. James's Fair, and keep it in the old Kirk at Kelso, the high day and night, at a cold, gausty place it was, I, as a sure ye. But when to waste this with her to create it under back? It's poor Maggie herself, I'm thinking. It was so. The poor woman's sense of her loss, if not diminished, was become at least mitigated by the inevitable necessity of attending to the means of supporting her family, and her salutation to Old Buck was made in an odd mixture between the usual language of solicitation, with which she plied her customers, and the tone of lamentation for her recent calamity. How's it with ye the day, Mock Barnes? I haven't had the grace yet to come down to thank your honour for the credit you did, poor Stiney. We've lay in his head in a wrath grave, per fellow. Here she whimpered, and wiped her eyes with a corner for blue apron. But the fishing comes on, not that ill, though the good man hasn't had the heart to gang to see himself. I tweeted I would feign to tell him it would do him good to put hand to work, but I must fear to speak to him. And it's an uncouth thing to hear I know I speak that gay to a man. However, I have some dainty colour-headies, and they shall be but three shillings a dozen, for I hide night-pith to drive a bargain in now, and mine just take what only Christian body would give with few words and night-flighting. Which shall we do, Hector? said Old Buck, pausing. I got into disgrace with my womankind for making a bad bargain with her before. These maritime animals, Hector, are unlucky to our family. Who, sir, what would you do? Give poor Maggie what she asks, or allow me to send a dish of fish up to Mock Barnes. And he held up the money to her, but Maggie drew back her hand. Nae, nae, Captain, you're over-young and over-free of your sciller. You should never take a fish-wife's first boat, and, truth, I think maybe a flight with he. The old housekeeper at Mock Barnes, or Miss Grizzle, would do me some good. And I went to see what that helicate queen Jenny Ruther outstood. Folk said she was no ill. She'd be vexing herself about Stiney, the silly toppy, as if he would ever look at our shoulder at the like of her, who he and Mock Barnes. There, broad, color-harris, and delbir me uncool little, indeed, at the house, if you want crappet heads, today. And so on she paced with her burden, grief, gratitude for the sympathy of her betters, and the habitual love of traffic, and of gain, chasing each other through her thoughts. I know that we are before the door of their hut, said Old Quotree, how it feign Ken Mock Barnes, would as guard you plague yourself with me at this length. I tell you sincerely, I know pleasure in ginging here. I don't abide to think how the young, how fine none, are sights of me, and left me in useless old stump, with hardly a green leaf on't. This old woman, said Old Buck, set you on a message to the Earl of Gnallin, did she not? Hi! said the surprise mendicant, how can you that she would? Lord Gnallin told me himself, answer the antiquary. So there is no delation, no breach of trust on your part, and, as he wishes me to take her evidence down on some important family matters, I chose to bring you with me. Because in her situation, hovering between doadage and consciousness, it is possible that your voice and appearance may awaken trains of recollection, which I should otherwise have no means of exciting. The human mind. What are you about, Hector? I was only whistling for the dog, sir, replied the captain. She always roves too wide. I knew I should be troublesome to you. Not at all, not at all, said Old Buck, resuming the subject of his disquisition. The human mind is to be treated like a skein of ravelled silk, where you must cautiously secure one free end before you can make any progress in disentangling it. I can nothing about that, said the grabber-lunzi. But my noble acquaintance Spear said, or anything like herself, she may come to end a supern. It's for some bith to see and hear her when she lampishes about her arms and gets to her English, and speaks as if she were a print book, let it be an old Fisher's wife. But, indeed, she had a grand education, and was muckled taken, out of force she married an uncoupit beneath herself. She's older than me by half a score years, but, in my will enough, they made as muckled work about her, make an half-merk, marriage with seamen Mucklbacket, this Saunders' father. As if she had been nine of the gentry. But she got in a favour again, and then she lost it again, as I heard her son say, when he was a Muckl child. And then they got Muckl Silder, and left the Countess's land, and settled here. But things never throw over them. How some ever, she's a well-educated woman. And then she went for English, as I heard her do at an older time. She may come to fickle assault. END CHAPTER XIII. VOLUME II. CHAPTER XIX. OF THE ANTIQUERY. This labor box recording is in the public domain. THE ANTIQUERY by Sir Walter Scott. CHAPTER XIX. Life ebbs from such old age, unmarked and silent, as the slow, neap tide, leaves you on stranded galley. Late she walked merrily, at the least impulse, that wind or wave could give. But now her kill is settling on the sound. Her mast has taken an angle with the sky, from which it shifts not. Each wave receiving shakes her less and less, till, bedded on the strand, she shall remain useless as motionless. OLD PLAY. As the antiquery lifted the latch of the hut, he was surprised to hear the shrill, tremulous voice of Elspeth, chanting forth an old ballad in a wild and dullful recitative. The herring loves the merry moonlight, the macro loves the wind, but the oyster loves the dreading sighing, for they come of a gentle kind. A diligent collector of these legendary scraps of ancient poetry, his foot refused to cross the threshold when his ear was thus arrested, and his hand instinctively took pencil and memorandum book. From time to time the old woman spoke as if to the children. Oh, I can ease, wished, wished, and I'll begin a bonny rind than that. Now, I heard your tongue, by th' wife and Carly, and this in great and smite, and I was sing of Glenallon's earl, that fought on the red harlot. The chronics cried on Benachie, and on the dawn and I, and Hyland and Lannand, may mournful be, for the sorrow filled of harlot. I didn't mind the nice verse we had, my mummer's fad, and there's only who thoughts come o'er me. God keep us fry temptation. Hear her voice sunken, indistinct muttering. It's a historical ballad, said Old Buck, eagerly, a genuine and undoubted fragment of minstrelsy. Percy would admire its simplicity. Ritzen could not impune its authenticity. Hy, but it's a sad thing, said Ogletree, to see human nature sci-far overtaken, as to be scurly Ninoid songs on the back of a lost like hers. Hush, hush, said the antiquary, she's gotten the thread of the story again. And as he spoke, she sung. They saddled a hundred milk-white steeds, they had riddled a hundred black, with a chaffrin of steel on each horse's head, and a good night upon his back. Chaffrin, exclaimed the antiquary, equivalent, perhaps, to chevron. The words worth a dollar. And down it went, in his red book. They hadn't ridden a mile a mile, a mile but barely ten, when Donald came wrinking down the bay with twenty thousand men. Their tartans they were waving wide, their glaives were glancing clear. Their pre-brocks rung, fry side to side, with deafened ye to hear. The great hurl in his stirrup stood, that Highland host to see. Now here a night, that stout and good, may prove a jeopardy. What would stout do, my squire so gay, than rides beside my rein? Were you good on Allen's Earl the day, and I were rollin' chine? To turn the rain were sin and shame, to fight for wondrous peril. What would you do now, rollin' chine, were you glin' Allen's Earl? You unken honeys, that this rollin' chine, first poor and old as I sit in the chimney-nuke, was my forebear, and an old friend Manny was, that day in the fight. But specially after Earl had fine, for he blamed himself for the consul he gave, to fight before Mara came up with Mirrens, and Aberdeen, and Angus. Her voice rose, and became more animated, as she recited the warlike counsel of her ancestor. For I glin' Allen's Earl this tide, and you were a rollin' chine, the spur should be in my horse's side, and the bridle upon his mane. If they eye twenty thousand blades, and we twice ten times ten, yet they eye but their tartan-plates, and we are male-clad men. My heart shuddered through rank Cyrood, as through the warlin' fern, been nearer than the gentle norman' blood, growl culled for high lin' curn. Do you hear that, nephew? said old buck, you observe your Gaelic ancestors were not held in high repute formally by the lowlind warriors. I hear, said Hector, a silly old woman sing a silly old song. I'm surprised, sir, that you, who will not listen to Ocean's songs of sama, can't be pleased with such trash. I vow I have not seen or heard a worse half-penny ballad. I don't believe you could match it in any peddler's pack in the country. I should be ashamed to think that the honor of the Highlands could be affected by such dog-roll. And tossing up his head, he snuck the air indignantly. Apparently, the old woman heard the sound of their voices. For seizing her song, she called out, Come in, sirs, come in. Good will never halted at the door-stain. They entered and found to their surprise Elzbeth alone, sitting ghastly on the hearth, like the personification of old age in the hunter's song of the owl. Wrinkled, tattered, vile, dim-eyed, discolored, torpid. Reader's note. Seen Mrs. Grant on the Highlands superstitions, Volume 2, page 260, for this fine translation from the Gaelic. End Reader's note. Thry out, she said, as they entered. But I knew a sit of ink somebody will be in. If you have business with my good daughter or my son, they'll be in, by the way. I never speak on business with myself. Thry out. Bairns, guide them seats. The bairns are high-guying out, I troll. Looking around her, I was crooning to keep them quite a wee while since, but they cropped out some gait. Sit down, sirs. They'll be in, by the way. And she dismissed her spindle from her hand, to twirl upon the floor, and soon seemed exclusively occupied in regulating its motion, as unconscious of the presence of the strangers, as she appeared indifferent to their rank or business there. I wished, said Old Buck, she would resume that canticle or legendary fragment. I always suspected there was a skirmish of cavalry before the main battle of the harlot. If your honor pleases, said Eddie, I should not better proceed to the business that were to sigh here. It's engaged to get you the sigony time. I believe you're right, Eddie. Do manus, I submit, but how shall we manage? She sits there the very image of dotage. Speak to her, Eddie. Try if you can make her recollect having sent you to Glen Allen House. Eddie rose accordingly, and crossing the floor, placed himself in the same position which she had occupied during his former conversation with her. I'm fain to see your look inside, weird-comer, the mar that the black oxes trumped on you since I was beneath your roof-tree. Hi, said Osbeth. But rather from a general ideal of misfortune, than any exact recollection of what had happened. To her has been distressed among us of late. I wonder how younger folk bite it. I bite it. I kind of hear the wind whistle, and the sea roar, but I think I see the cobble-womble to keel up, and some of them struggling in the waves. I, sirs, sick weary dreams as folk hide between sleeping and waking, before they wind to the lying sleep and the sound. I could at least think why was my son, or Elstini, Mayoy, was dead, and that had seen the burial. Isn't that a queer dream for a deft old carding? What for should any of them die before me? It's how to the course of nature you can. I think you'll make very little of this stupid old woman, said Hector, who, still nourished, perhaps, some feelings of the dislike, excited by the disparaging mention of his countrymen in her lay. I think you'll make but little of her, sir, and it's wasting our time to sit here and listen to her dotage. Hector, said the antiquary, indignantly, if you do not respect her misfortunes, respect at least her old age and gray hairs. This is the last stage of existence, so finally treated by the Latin poet. Sororum necultis agnesit amici, cum queis proterita, coinaud nocta, nec ilos, quos henuit, quos eduxit. That's Latin, said Elspeth, rousing herself as if she had attended to the lines which the antiquary recited with great pomp of diction. That's Latin. And she cast a wild glance around her. Has there a priest's fund me out at last? You see, nephew, her comprehension is almost equal to your own of that fine passage. I hope you think, sir, that I knew it to be Latin as well as she did. Why is to that? But stay, she's about to speak. I'd have no priest none, said the beldam, with impotent vehemence. As I have lived, I will die. None shall say that I betrayed my mistress, though it were to save my soul. That bespoke of all conscience, said the mendicant. I wish she would make a clean breast, and it were but for her sake. And he again assailed her. Heard, good wife, I do your errand to the earl. To what herd? I can nile. I can decound to science. I wished to heaven, I had never kinder. For by that acquaintance, neighbor, there came. And she counted her withered fingers as she spoke. First prayed, thin malice, thin revenge, thin false witness. Had murder trialled at the doorpin, if he could have been. And weren't thy pleasant guests, think ye, to take up their quarters in I woman's heart? I trod there was wroth a company. But come her, continued the beggar. It was not the count as a glenalin I meant, but her son, him that was Lord Geraldine. I mind it now, she said. I saw him know that lying sign, and we had a heavy speech together. Hey, sirs, the company young lord has turned as old and red as I am. It's muckled at sorrow and heartbreak, and crossing of true love. We'll do with young blood. But sooner his mother had a look at that, her said. We were but to do her bidding, you ken. I'm sure there's nobody can blame me. He was not my son, and she was my mistress. You ken, Hathorine says. I have most forgotten how to sing, or else the tunes left my old head. He turned them right and round again, said, score nigh at my mother. Light loves I may get money I'n, but many near another. Then he was but of the half-bloody ken, and hers was the right glenalin after I. No, no, I might never mind doing and suffering for the countess Josephine. Never would I mean for that. Then drawing her flax from the distaff, with the dog at air of one who has resolved to confess nothing, she resumed her interrupted occupation. I had heard, said the mendicant, taking his cue from what old Buck had told him of the family history. I had heard, come'er, that some ill-tongued soda come between the earl, that's Lord Geraldine, and his young bride. Ill-tongued, she sighed in hasty alarm, and what had she to fear of finding a tongue? She was good and fair enough, at least of what he said say. But had she keep it her eye and tongue, I feather-folk, she might have been of a naked lady, for I that's come and gone yet. But I heard say, good wife, continued Ogletree. There was a clatter in the country, that her husband and her were over-sib when they married. What d'er speak of that? Said the old woman hastily. What d'er say they were married? What kind of that? Not the countess, nor I. If they wedded in secret, they were severed in secret. They drank of the fountains of their eye and deceit. No, wretched Beldom, exclaimed old Buck, who could keep silence no longer. They drank the poison that you and your wicked mistress prepared for them. Hi, hi, she replied, I thought you'd come to this. It's but to sit in silent when they examine me. There's nine torturer in our days, and if there is, let them run me. It's ill of the vassal's mouth that betrays the bread it eats. Speak to her, Eddie, said the antiquary. She knows your voice and answers to it most readily. We shall make nothing mire out of her, said Ogletree. When she has clinked herself down that way and avoided her arms, she wouldn't speak a word they say for weeks together. And besides, to my thinking, her face has started to change since we come in. However, I should try once more to satisfy your honour. So you cannot keep in mind, Comer, that your own mistress, the countess Jocelyn, has been removed. Removed, she exclaimed. For that name never failed to produce its usual effect upon her. Didn't we mind a follow? I mind ride when she is in the saddle. Tell them to let go of Jocelyn, Ken were on before them. Bring my hood and scarf. You wouldn't have had me gang in the carriage with my lady, had my hair in this fashion. She raised her shriveled arms and seemed busy like a woman who puts on her cloak to go abroad. Then dropped them slowly and stiffly. And the same idea of a journey still floating apparently through her head, she proceeded in a hurried and interrupted manner. Comress Neville, what do you mean by Lady Geraldine? I said, Heavenly Neville, not Lady Geraldine. There's nigh, Lady Geraldine. Tell her that, and better change her wet gown, and no looks I pay on. Baron, what should you do with a Baron? Maiden's high night, I troll. Theresa, Theresa, my lady calls us. Bring a candle. The grand staircase is eye-merk as a old midnight. We are coming, my lady. With these words she sunk back on the settle, and from then sighed long to the floor. Eddie ran to support her, but hardly got her in his arms before he said, It's eye-over, she's passed away, even with that last word. Impossible, said Old Buck, hastily advancing, as did his nephew. But nothing was more certain. She had expired with the last hurried word. That left her lips, and all that remained before them were the mortal relics of the creature who had so long struggled with an internal sense of concealed guilt, joined to all the distresses of age and poverty. God grant that she beguined to a better place, said Eddie, as he looked on the lifeless body. But, oh, there was something mine hard and heavy at her heart. I have seen money of I&D, both in the field of battle, and a fair stride death at home. But I would rather see them eye-over again, as sick of fearful fleeting as hers. We must call in the neighbors, said Old Buck, when he had somewhat recovered his horror and astonishment, and give warning of this additional calamity. I wish she could have been brought to a confession. And, though a far less consequence, I could have wished to transcribe that metrical fragment. But Heaven's will must be done. They left the hut accordingly, and gave the alarm in the hamlet, whose matrons instantly assembled to compose the limbs, and arranged the body of her, who might be considered as the mother of their settlement. Old Buck promised his assistance for the funeral. Your honour, said Alison Brack, who was next in age to the deceased, said send down something to us for keeping up our hearts at the like-wake. For I, Sunder's gin, poor man, was drunken out of the burial-destiny, and will not get money to sit dry-lipped beside the corpse. Elizabeth was uncoup clever in her young days, as I can mind right real. But there was I a word of her, no being that chancy. And Sunder speak ill of the dead. Marred by Tolkien, Ion's comrade-neighbour. But there was clear things said about the lady, and a baron, or she left the craigburn foot. In sigh and good truth, it would be a poor like-wake, and that your honour sends us something to keep us cracking. You shall have some whisky, answered Old Buck, the rather that you have preserved the proper word for that ancient custom of watching the dead. You observe Hector, this is genuine teutonic, from the gothic, leitknam, a corpse. It is quite erroneously called late-wake, though brand favours that modern corruption and derivation. I believe, said Hector to himself, my uncle would give away monk-barons to anyone who would come to ask it in genuine teutonic. Not a drop of whisky, with the old creatures of God, had their president asked it for the use of the late-wake. While Old Buck was giving some farther directions and promising assistance, a servant of Sir Arthur's came riding very hard along the sands, and stopped his horse when he saw the antiquary. There had something, he said, very particular happened at the castle. He could not, or would not explain what. And Miss Mordor had sent him off express to monk-barons, to beg that Mr. Old Buck would come to them without a moment's delay. I am afraid, said the antiquary, his course also is drawing to a close. What can I do? Do, sir, exclaim, Hector, with his characteristic impatience. Get on the horse and turn his head homeward. You will be at Nockwinnett Castle in ten minutes. He is quite a free-goer, said the servant, dismounting to adjust the girths and stirrups. He only pulls a little if he feels a dead weight on him. I should soon be a dead weight off him, my friend, said the antiquary. What the devil-neth you, are you weary of me? Or do you suppose me weary of my life that I should get on the back of such a busephalus as that? No, no, my friend, if I am to be at Nockwinnett today, it must be by walking quietly forward on my own feet, which I will do with as little delay as possible. Captain Mentire may ride that animal himself, if he pleases. I have little hope I could be of any use, uncle, but I cannot think of their distress without wishing to show sympathy, at least, so I will ride on before and announce to them that you are coming. I'll trouble you for your spurs, my friend. You will scarce need them, sir, said the man, taking them off at the same time and buckling them upon Captain Mentire's heels. He is very frank to the road. Old books are astonished at this last act of temerity. Are you mad, Hector? he cried. Or have you forgotten what is said by Quintus Curdius, with whom, as a soldier, you must needs be familiar? Novelis. Ekus Umbra. Quidem. Wyrga. Raghettur. Ignawus. Ni. Kalkari. Quidem. Exitari. Potest. Which plainly shows that spurs are useless in every case, and, I may add, dangerous in most. But, Hector, who cared little for the opinion of either Quintus Curdius or of the antiquary, upon such a topic, only answered with a heedless, Never fear, never fear, sir. With that he gave his able horse the head, and, bending forward, struck his armed heels against the panting-sides of his poor jade, up to the row-head, and, starting so, he seemed and running to devour the way, staying no longer questioned. There they go, well-matched, said Old Buck, looking after them as they started, a mad horse and a wild boy, the two most unruly creatures in Christendom, and all to get half an hour sooner to a place where nobody wants him. For, I doubt Sir Arthur's griefs are beyond the cure of our light horsemen. It must be the villainy of Dostrosoul, for whom Sir Arthur has done so much, for I cannot help observing that, with some natures, tacituses, maxim, holdeth good. From which a wise man might take caution not to oblige any man beyond the degree in which he may expect to be requited, lest he should make his debtor a bankrupt in gratitude. Murmuring to himself such graphs of cynical philosophy, our antiquary pays the sands towards Noquinic, but it is necessary we should outstrip him for the purpose of explaining the reasons of his being so anxiously summoned thither. Readers Note Note H, Battle of Harla The Great Battle of Harla, herein formally referred to, might be said to determine whether the Gaelic or the Saxon race should be predominant in Scotland. Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had at that period the power of an independent sovereign, laid claim to the Earldom of Ross during the Regency of Robert, Duke of Albany. To enforce his supposed right, he ravaged the north with large army of Highlanders and Islesmen. He was encountered at Harla, in the Garriac, by Alexander, Earl of Mar, at the head of the northern nobility in Gentry of Saxon and Norman descent. The battle was bloody and indecisive, but the invader was obliged to retire in consequence of the loss he sustained, and afterwards was compelled to make submission to the regent, and renounced his pretensions to Ross, so that all the advantages of the field were gained by the Saxons. The Battle of Harla was fought 24th July, 1411. Note I, Elzbeth's death The concluding circumstance of Elzbeth's death is taken from an incident said to have happened at the funeral of John, Duke of Roxburgh. All who were acquainted, without accomplishing a woman, must remember that he was not more remarkable for creating and possessing a most curious and splendid library, than for his acquaintance with the literary treasures it contained, in arranging his books, fetching and replacing the volumes which he wanted, and carrying on all the necessary intercourse which a man of letters holds with his library. It was the Duke's custom to employ not a secretary or librarian, but a livery servant called Archie, whom Habid had made so perfectly acquainted with the library that he knew every book, as a shepherd does the individuals of his flock, by what is called headmark, and could bring his master whatever volume he wanted, and afford all the mechanical aid the Duke required in his literary researches. To secure the attendance of Archie, there was a bell hung in his room, which was used on no occasion, except to call him individually to the Duke's study. His grace died in St. James's Square, London, in the year 1804. The body was to be conveyed to Scotland, to Lyon State at his mansion of floors, and to be removed from thence to the family burial place at Bowden. At this time Archie, who had been long attacked by a liver complaint, was in the very last stage of that disease, yet he prepared himself to accompany the body of the master, whom he had so long and so faithfully waited upon. The medical persons assured him he could not survive the journey. It signified nothing, he said, whether he died in England or Scotland. He was resolved to assist in rendering the last honors to the kind master, from whom he had been inseparable for so many years, even if he should expire in the attempt. The poor invalid was permitted to attend the Duke's body to Scotland, but when they reached floor he was totally exhausted and obliged to keep his bed, in a sort of stupor which announced speedy dissolution. On the morning of the day fixed for removing the dead body of the Duke to the place of burial, the private bell by which he was want to summon his attendant to his study was rung violently. This might easily happen in the confusion of such a scene, although the people of the neighbourhood prefer believing that the bell sounded of its own accord. Ring, however, it did, and Archie, roused by the well-known summons, rose up in his bed and faltered in broken accents. Yes, my Lord Duke, yes, I will wait on your grace instantly. And with these words on his lips he said to have fallen back and expired.