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Weel, thinks I, there's nae place in this country they ca' Roman Gilead it will be some gate in the west muirlands; and or we win there I'll see to slip awa wi' this mither o' mine, for I winna rin my neck into a tether for ony Kettledrummle in the country side Aweel," continued Cuddie, relieving himself by detailing his misfortunes, without being scrupulous concerning the degree of attention which his companion bestowed on his narrative, "just as I was wearying for the tail of the preaching, cam word that the dragoons were upon us.
"Mither," cried Cuddie, affecting to speak as to a deaf person, "the gentleman wants to ken if ye will renunce the Covenant of Works?" "With all my heart, Cuddie," said Mause, "and pray that my feet may be delivered from the snare thereof." "Come," said Bothwell, "the old dame has come more frankly off than I expected. Another cup round, and then we'll proceed to business.
"He may escape, he may escape!" said Edith; "oh, would he but take the by-road!" But Lord Evandale, determined to face a danger which his high spirit undervalued, commanded his servants to follow him, and rode composedly down the avenue. Old Gudyill ran to arm himself, and Cuddie snatched down a gun which was kept for the protection of the house, and, although on foot, followed Lord Evandale.
Lord Evandale had just rode off, when several of the insurgents, who were in the front of the pursuit, came up, denouncing vengeance on Henry Morton and Cuddie for having aided the escape of a Philistine, as they called the young nobleman. "What wad ye hae had us to do?" cried Cuddie. "Had we aught to stop a man wi' that had twa pistols and a sword?
Cuddie at this instant returned with a horse. "God-sake, munt munt, and ride like a fleeing hawk, my lord," said the good-natured fellow, "for ne'er be in me, if they arena killing every ane o' the wounded and prisoners!" Lord Evandale mounted the horse, while Cuddie officiously held the stirrup. "Stand off, good fellow, thy courtesy may cost thy life.
The secret was, therefore, in their own family, and Jenny was resolved it should remain so. "For, to be sure," she said, "although her lady and Halliday kend Mr. Morton by broad daylight, that was nae reason I suld own to kenning him in the gloaming and by candlelight, and him keeping his face frae Cuddie and me a' the time."
Morton took the billet, and crimsoning up to the ears, between joy and surprise, read these words: "If you can serve these poor helpless people, you will oblige E. B." It was a few instants before he could attain composure enough to ask, "And what is your object, Cuddie? and how can I be of use to you?"
Cuddie at this instant returned with a horse. "God-sake, munt munt, and ride like a fleeing hawk, my lord," said the good-natured fellow, "for ne'er be in me, if they arena killing every ane o' the wounded and prisoners!" Lord Evandale mounted the horse, while Cuddie officiously held the stirrup. "Stand off, good fellow, thy courtesy may cost thy life.
"But, oh! bide to eat a mouthfu'," entreated the affectionate housekeeper, "and I'll mak it ready for you as I used to do afore thae sad days," "It is impossible," answered Morton. "Cuddie, get our horses ready." "They're just eating their corn," answered the attendant. "Cuddie!" exclaimed Ailie; "what garr'd ye bring that ill-faur'd, unlucky loon alang wi' ye?
This is indeed a day of deliverance to the righteous, a day of pouring out of wrath to the persecutors and the ungodly!" "Lord save us, mither," said Cuddie, "haud the clavering tongue o' ye, and lie down ahint the cairn, like Kettledrummle, honest man! The whigamore bullets ken unco little discretion, and will just as sune knock out the harns o' a psalm-singing auld wife as a swearing dragoon."
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