On rade he north the plain,
His seem in thrang of fiercest strife1,
When winner aye the same.
Hardyknute.
Colonel Grahame of Claverhouse met the family, assembled in the hall of the Tower, with the same serenity2 and the same courtesy which had graced his manners in the morning. He had even had the composure to rectify3 in part the derangement4 of his dress, to wash the signs of battle from his face and hands, and did not appear more disordered in his exterior5 than if returned from a morning ride.
“I am grieved, Colonel Grahame,” said the reverend old lady, the tears trickling6 down her face, “deeply grieved.”
“And I am grieved, my dear Lady Margaret,” replied Claverhouse, “that this misfortune may render your remaining at Tillietudlem dangerous for you, especially considering your recent hospitality to the King’s troops, and your well-known loyalty7. And I came here chiefly to request Miss Bellenden and you to accept my escort (if you will not scorn that of a poor runaway) to Glasgow, from whence I will see you safely sent either to Edinburgh or to Dunbarton Castle, as you shall think best.”
“I am much obliged to you, Colonel Grahame,” replied Lady Margaret; “but my brother, Major Bellenden, has taken on him the responsibility of holding out this house against the rebels; and, please God, they shall never drive Margaret Bellenden from her ain hearth-stane while there’s a brave man that says he can defend it.”
“And will Major Bellenden undertake this?” said Claverhouse hastily, a joyful9 light glancing from his dark eye as he turned it on the veteran — “Yet why should I question it? it is of a piece with the rest of his life. — But have you the means, Major?”
“All, but men and provisions, with which we are ill supplied,” answered the Major.
“As for men,” said Claverhouse, “I will leave you a dozen or twenty fellows who will make good a breach10 against the devil. It will be of the utmost service, if you can defend the place but a week, and by that time you must surely be relieved.”
“I will make it good for that space, Colonel,” replied the Major, “with twenty-five good men and store of ammunition11, if we should gnaw12 the soles of our shoes for hunger; but I trust we shall get in provisions from the country.”
“And, Colonel Grahame, if I might presume a request,” said Lady Margaret, “I would entreat13 that Sergeant14 Francis Stewart might command the auxiliaries15 whom you are so good as to add to the garrison16 of our people; it may serve to legitimate17 his promotion18, and I have a prejudice in favour of his noble birth.”
“The sergeant’s wars are ended, madam,” said Grahame, in an unaltered tone, “and he now needs no promotion that an earthly master can give.”
“Pardon me,” said Major Bellenden, taking Claverhouse by the arm, and turning him away from the ladies, “but I am anxious for my friends; I fear you have other and more important loss. I observe another officer carries your nephew’s standard.”
“You are right, Major Bellenden,” answered Claverhouse firmly; “my nephew is no more. He has died in his duty, as became him.”
“Great God!” exclaimed the Major, “how unhappy! — the handsome, gallant19, high-spirited youth!”
“He was indeed all you say,” answered Claverhouse; “poor Richard was to me as an eldest20 son, the apple of my eye, and my destined21 heir; but he died in his duty, and I— I— Major Bellenden”—(he wrung22 the Major’s hand hard as he spoke23)—“I live to avenge24 him.”
“Colonel Grahame,” said the affectionate veteran, his eyes filling with tears, “I am glad to see you bear this misfortune with such fortitude25.”
“I am not a selfish man,” replied Claverhouse, “though the world will tell you otherwise; I am not selfish either in my hopes or fears, my joys or sorrows. I have not been severe for myself, or grasping for myself, or ambitious for myself. The service of my master and the good of the country are what I have tried to aim at. I may, perhaps, have driven severity into cruelty, but I acted for the best; and now I will not yield to my own feelings a deeper sympathy than I have given to those of others.”
“I am astonished at your fortitude under all the unpleasant circumstances of this affair,” pursued the Major.
“Yes,” replied Claverhouse, “my enemies in the council will lay this misfortune to my charge — I despise their accusations26. They will calumniate27 me to my sovereign — I can repel28 their charge. The public enemy will exult29 in my flight — I shall find a time to show them that they exult too early. This youth that has fallen stood betwixt a grasping kinsman30 and my inheritance, for you know that my marriage-bed is barren; yet, peace be with him! the country can better spare him than your friend Lord Evandale, who, after behaving very gallantly31, has, I fear, also fallen.”
“What a fatal day!” ejaculated the Major. “I heard a report of this, but it was again contradicted; it was added, that the poor young nobleman’s impetuosity had occasioned the loss of this unhappy field.”
“Not so, Major,” said Grahame; “let the living officers bear the blame, if there be any; and let the laurels32 flourish untarnished on the grave of the fallen. I do not, however, speak of Lord Evandale’s death as certain; but killed, or prisoner, I fear he must be. Yet he was extricated33 from the tumult34 the last time we spoke together. We were then on the point of leaving the field with a rear-guard of scarce twenty men; the rest of the regiment35 were almost dispersed36.”
“They have rallied again soon,” said the Major, looking from the window on the dragoons, who were feeding their horses and refreshing37 themselves beside the brook38.
“Yes,” answered Claverhouse, “my blackguards had little temptation either to desert, or to straggle farther than they were driven by their first panic. There is small friendship and scant39 courtesy between them and the boors40 of this country; every village they pass is likely to rise on them, and so the scoundrels are driven back to their colours by a wholesome41 terror of spits, pike-staves, hay-forks, and broomsticks. — But now let us talk about your plans and wants, and the means of corresponding with you. To tell you the truth, I doubt being able to make a long stand at Glasgow, even when I have joined my Lord Ross; for this transient and accidental success of the fanatics42 will raise the devil through all the western counties.”
They then discussed Major Bellenden’s means of defence, and settled a plan of correspondence, in case a general insurrection took place, as was to be expected. Claverhouse renewed his offer to escort the ladies to a place of safety; but, all things considered, Major Bellenden thought they would be in equal safety at Tillietudlem.
The Colonel then took a polite leave of Lady Margaret and Miss Bellenden, assuring them, that, though he was reluctantly obliged to leave them for the present in dangerous circumstances, yet his earliest means should be turned to the redemption of his character as a good knight43 and true, and that they might speedily rely on hearing from or seeing him.
Full of doubt and apprehension44, Lady Margaret was little able to reply to a speech so much in unison45 with her usual expressions and feelings, but contented46 herself with bidding Claverhouse farewell, and thanking him for the succours which he had promised to leave them. Edith longed to enquire47 the fate of Henry Morton, but could find no pretext48 for doing so, and could only hope that it had made a subject of some part of the long private communication which her uncle had held with Claverhouse. On this subject, however, she was disappointed; for the old cavalier was so deeply immersed in the duties of his own office, that he had scarce said a single word to Claverhouse, excepting upon military matters, and most probably would have been equally forgetful, had the fate of his own son, instead of his friend’s, lain in the balance.
Claverhouse now descended49 the bank on which the castle is founded, in order to put his troops again in motion, and Major Bellenden accompanied him to receive the detachment who were to be left in the tower.
“I shall leave Inglis with you,” said Claverhouse, “for, as I am situated50, I cannot spare an officer of rank; it is all we can do, by our joint51 efforts, to keep the men together. But should any of our missing officers make their appearance, I authorize52 you to detain them; for my fellows can with difficulty be subjected to any other authority.”
His troops being now drawn53 up, he picked out sixteen men by name, and committed them to the command of Corporal Inglis, whom he promoted to the rank of sergeant on the spot.
“And hark ye, gentlemen,” was his concluding harangue54, “I leave you to defend the house of a lady, and under the command of her brother, Major Bellenden, a faithful servant to the king. You are to behave bravely, soberly, regularly, and obediently, and each of you shall be handsomely rewarded on my return to relieve the garrison. In case of mutiny, cowardice55, neglect of duty, or the slightest excess in the family, the provost-marshal and cord — you know I keep my word for good and evil.”
He touched his hat as he bade them farewell, and shook hands cordially with Major Bellenden.
“Adieu,” he said, “my stout-hearted old friend! Good luck be with you, and better times to us both.”
The horsemen whom he commanded had been once more reduced to tolerable order by the exertions56 of Major Allan; and, though shorn of their splendour, and with their gilding57 all besmirched58, made a much more regular and military appearance on leaving, for the second time, the tower of Tillietudlem, than when they returned to it after their rout59.
Major Bellenden, now left to his own resources sent out several videttes, both to obtain supplies of provisions, and especially of meal, and to get knowledge of the motions of the enemy. All the news he could collect on the second subject tended to prove that the insurgents60 meant to remain on the field of battle for that night. But they, also, had abroad their detachments and advanced guards to collect supplies, and great was the doubt and distress61 of those who received contrary orders, in the name of the King and in that of the Kirk; the one commanding them to send provisions to victual the Castle of Tillietudlem, and the other enjoining62 them to forward supplies to the camp of the godly professors of true religion, now in arms for the cause of covenanted63 reformation, presently pitched at Drumclog, nigh to Loudon-hill. Each summons closed with a denunciation of fire and sword if it was neglected; for neither party could confide64 so far in the loyalty or zeal65 of those whom they addressed, as to hope they would part with their property upon other terms. So that the poor people knew not what hand to turn themselves to; and, to say truth, there were some who turned themselves to more than one.
“Thir kittle times will drive the wisest o’ us daft,” said Niel Blane, the prudent66 host of the Howff; “but I’se aye keep a calm sough. — Jenny, what meal is in the girnel?”
“Four bows o’ aitmeal, twa bows o’ bear, and twa bows o’ pease,” was Jenny’s reply.
“Aweel, hinny,” continued Niel Blane, sighing deeply, “let Bauldy drive the pease and bear meal to the camp at Drumclog — he’s a whig, and was the auld67 gudewife’s pleughman — the mashlum bannocks will suit their muirland stamachs weel. He maun say it’s the last unce o’ meal in the house, or, if he scruples68 to tell a lie, (as it’s no likely he will when it’s for the gude o’ the house,) he may wait till Duncan Glen, the auld drucken trooper, drives up the aitmeal to Tillietudlem, wi’ my dutifu’ service to my Leddy and the Major, and I haena as muckle left as will mak my parritch; and if Duncan manage right, I’ll gie him a tass o’ whisky shall mak the blue low come out at his mouth.”
“And what are we to eat oursells then, father,” asked Jenny, “when we hae sent awa the haill meal in the ark and the girnel?”
“We maun gar wheat-flour serve us for a blink,” said Niel, in a tone of resignation; “it’s no that ill food, though far frae being sae hearty69 or kindly70 to a Scotchman’s stamach as the curney aitmeal is; the Englishers live amaist upon’t; but, to be sure, the pock-puddings ken8 nae better.”
While the prudent and peaceful endeavoured, like Niel Blane, to make fair weather with both parties, those who had more public (or party) spirit began to take arms on all sides. The royalists in the country were not numerous, but were respectable from their fortune and influence, being chiefly landed proprietors71 of ancient descent, who, with their brothers, cousins, and dependents to the ninth generation, as well as their domestic servants, formed a sort of militia72, capable of defending their own peel-houses against detached bodies of the insurgents, of resisting their demand of supplies, and intercepting73 those which were sent to the presbyterian camp by others. The news that the Tower of Tillietudlem was to be defended against the insurgents, afforded great courage and support to these feudal74 volunteers, who considered it as a stronghold to which they might retreat, in case it should become impossible for them to maintain the desultory75 war they were now about to wage.
On the other hand, the towns, the villages, the farm-houses, the properties of small heritors, sent forth76 numerous recruits to the presbyterian interest. These men had been the principal sufferers during the oppression of the time. Their minds were fretted77, soured, and driven to desperation, by the various exactions and cruelties to which they had been subjected; and, although by no means united among themselves, either concerning the purpose of this formidable insurrection, or the means by which that purpose was to be obtained, most of them considered it as a door opened by Providence78 to obtain the liberty of conscience of which they had been long deprived, and to shake themselves free of a tyranny, directed both against body and soul. Numbers of these men, therefore, took up arms; and, in the phrase of their time and party, prepared to cast in their lot with the victors of Loudon-hill.
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1
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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2
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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3
rectify
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| v.订正，矫正，改正 | |
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4
derangement
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| n.精神错乱 | |
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5
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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6
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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7
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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10
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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11
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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12
gnaw
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| v.不断地啃、咬；使苦恼，折磨 | |
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13
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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14
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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17
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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18
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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19
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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20
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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21
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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22
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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23
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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24
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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25
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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26
accusations
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| n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名 | |
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27
calumniate
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| v.诬蔑，中伤 | |
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28
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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29
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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30
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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31
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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32
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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33
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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39
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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40
boors
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| n.农民( boor的名词复数 )；乡下佬；没礼貌的人；粗野的人 | |
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41
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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42
fanatics
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| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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46
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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47
enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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48
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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49
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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50
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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51
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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52
authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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53
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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54
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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55
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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56
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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57
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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58
besmirched
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| v.弄脏( besmirch的过去式和过去分词 )；玷污；丑化；糟蹋（名誉等） | |
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rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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62
enjoining
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| v.命令( enjoin的现在分词 ) | |
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covenanted
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| v.立约，立誓( covenant的过去分词 ) | |
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64
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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66
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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70
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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71
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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72
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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73
intercepting
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| 截取（技术），截接 | |
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74
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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75
desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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76
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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77
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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78
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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