United States or Monaco ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The marauder snapped his piece at him, which, fortunately for our honest friend, did not go off; while Earnscliff, firing at the same moment at the narrow aperture and slight mark afforded by the robber's face, grazed the side of his head with a bullet.
Ye see I hae been thinking it wad be a sair thing on twa young folk, like Grace and me, to put aff our marriage for mony years till I was abroad and came back again wi' some gear; and they say folk maunna take booty in the wars as they did lang syne, and the queen's pay is a sma' matter; there's nae gathering gear on that and then my grandame's auld and my sisters wad sit peengin' at the ingle-side for want o' me to ding them about and Earnscliff, or the neighbourhood, or maybe your ainsell, Elshie, might want some good turn that Hob Elliot could do ye and it's a pity that the auld house o' the Heugh-foot should be wrecked a'thegither.
The moon shone more brightly as he spoke thus, and Earnscliff observed that he held out his right hand armed with some weapon of offence, which glittered in the cold ray like the blade of a long knife, or the barrel of a pistol.
"No I say not guilty to that lever bluidy unless there's resistance, and that sets a man's bristles up, ye ken. And this is nae great matter, after a'; just to cut the comb of a young cock that has been crawing a little ower crousely." "Not young Earnscliff?" said the Solitary, with some emotion.
I will swear by all that is sacred, that I was carried off by ruffians, whose persons and object were alike unknown to me, and am now restored to freedom by means of this gentleman's gallant interference." "By whom, and wherefore, could this have been done?" pursued Mareschal. "Had you no knowledge of the place to which you were conveyed? Earnscliff, where did you find this lady?"
"I would sooner lodge by mysell in the deepest of the Tarras-flow," again whispered Hobbie. "Pass on your way," rejoined the figure, the harsh tones of his voice still more exalted by passion. "I want not your guidance I want not your lodging it is five years since my head was under a human roof, and I trust it was for the last time." "He is mad," said Earnscliff.
"I tell you, my friend," again replied Earnscliff, "you are incapable of judging of your own situation you will perish in this wilderness, and we must, in compassion, force you along with us." "I'll hae neither hand nor foot in't," said Hobbie; "let the ghaist take his ain way, for God's sake!"
Earnscliff left the moor with mingled sensations of pity and horror, pondering what strange and melancholy cause could have reduced to so miserable a state of mind, a man whose language argued him to be of rank and education much superior to the vulgar.
"Now, Earnscliff;" exclaimed Hobbie, "I am glad to meet your honour ony gate, and company's blithe on a bare moor like this it's an unco bogilly bit Where hae ye been sporting?" "Up the Carla Cleugh, Hobbie," answered Earnscliff, returning his greeting. "But will our dogs keep the peace, think you?" "Deil a fear o' mine," said Hobbie, "they hae scarce a leg to stand on.
No entreaties could prevail upon the hag to give Miss Vere any information on the object of her being carried forcibly off, and confined in this secluded place. The arrival of Earnscliff, with a strong party of horsemen, before the tower, alarmed the robber.
Word Of The Day