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"But, look," he added, "you doubted my word when I told you the rising was at an end. The beacon fires on Boulsworth Hill and on the Grange of Cliviger are extinguished; that on Padiham Heights is expiring nay, it is out; and ere many minutes all these mountain watch-fires will have disappeared like lamps at the close of a feast." "By our Lady, it is so," cried the abbot, in increasing terror.
Such were the distinguishing features of the gorge of Cliviger when Nicholas traversed it. Now the high embankments and mighty arches of a railway fill up its recesses and span its gullies; the roar of the engine is heard where the cry of the bird of prey alone resounded; and clouds of steam usurp the place of the mist-wreaths on its crags.
The sun had already set as Nicholas Assheton reached Todmorden, then a very small village indeed, and alighting at a little inn near the church, found the ale so good, and so many boon companions assembled to discuss it, that he would fain have tarried with them for an hour or so; but prudence, for once, getting the better of inclination, and suggesting that he had fifteen or sixteen miles still to ride, over a rough and lonely road, part of which lay through the gorge of Cliviger, a long and solitary pass among the English Apennines, and, moreover, had a large sum of money about him, he tore himself away by a great effort.
And as he spoke, he seized a brand and plunged it into the peat fire, while his example was followed by the two monks. "It is the beacon on Blackstone Edge," cried the abbot; "and look! a second blazes over the Grange of Cliviger another on Ightenhill another on Boulsworth Hill and the last on the neighbouring heights of Padiham. Our own comes next.
Noting the sharp spire of Burnley Church, relieved against the rounded masses of timber constituting Townley Park; as well as the entrance of the gloomy mountain gorge, known as the Grange of Cliviger; his far-reaching gaze passed over Todmorden, and settled upon the distant summits of Blackstone Edge. Dreary was the prospect on all sides.
I shall ride over to Middleton in the course of the day, to confer with Dick Assheton upon what has just occurred, and get the money from him the three hundred pounds, you understand and when my errand is done, I will turn bridle towards Whalley. I shall return by Todmorden, and through the gorge of Cliviger.
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