Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

DEEMOKD. 283
N'ow no horn resounded from the distant dingle, and the rustling that
occurred among the bushes "was occasioned by some wild animal bursting
from its lair where it had taken shelter for the night without the fear of
intrusion on its solitude. As the darkness increased it became more diffi-
:cult for the wanderers to trace their way through the thickness and black-
ness of tlie trees, and the sounding of their horns awoke no response
! apart from mocking echoes. At length the trees became thinner and
, thinner, until a wild stretch of moor was reached, with no other trace of
vegetation save clumps of furze, short, unwholesome grass, and here and
1 there a patch of moss and heather. The soil was somewhat soft, and the
horses sank fetlock deep with every step, so that progress was more re-
tarded than ever. The riders had the greatest difficulty in keeping their
saddles, and the jackmen who travellecl on foot had to lead the horses
forward so as to avoid the pools and cj^uagmires which occurred at frequent
' intervals. There was the advantage of better light, and the absence of
obstructing trees and underwood, but the fear of being lost in a moving
bog was worse tlian all the dangers of the forest combined, notwithstaud-
. ing the wolves and other ravenous animals which infested the wilds of
the Highlands at the time of our narrative. After going about half a
league further a more level and sounder portion of the country was
emerged upon, and all held briskly onward in the hope of falling in Avith
the main body under command of the King ; but as the advancing night
cast its gloomy shadows over the open moor, as well as the thickly
studded forest, a path more intricate and rough, running through a lonely
glen was reached. A little brook rattled along this solitary vale, and the
course of the stream was followed in tlie hope of reaching some human
habitation erected on its banks. The search, however, was altogether
unsuccessful, and although several imagined that they had descried a light
ghmmering in the distance, the more superstitious of the jackmen set it
down to the movements of some "Will-o'-the-wisp or Jack- o'-Lanthorn who
was bent on leading them further out of the way. They were obliged to
give up in despair, and notwithstanding the howl of the hungry wolf on
the hills set a few shivering with fear, they were so weary and worn with
the fatigues of the day that they turned aside resolved upon spending the
night among the bracken on the slope.
One of the jackmen was ordered to keep guard over the prisoner while
the rest resigned themselves to slumber, but Dermond was too weary in mind
as well as body to sleep soundly. Lying dozing away carefidly wrapped in
his Highland plaid, he became doubly sensible of his captivity, and the
weakness of his guard inclined him to long more ardently for liberty.
Opening his eyes he thought to find the sentinel asleep, probably overcome
by the fatigues of the day, but his glance was instantly returned, and half
satisfied that the least eftbrt without every assurance of success would be
more destructive than ever to his purpose, and might imperil any future
chance of escape, he shut his eyes and allowed himself to fall asleep,
dreaming the while of Bertha and his father's hall. He dreamt of the
mysterious behaviour of his father on parting, and longed to know what
coidd have oppressed the old man's mind. His dreams were long and
vivid, and happiest of all he thought his father had once more regained
the favour of his liege lord Lorn — the torches burned brightly, the ale
flowed in brimming flagons, the guests were loud and merry — he danced