Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

400 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
D E E M N D.
A Tale of Knightly Deeds Done in Old Days.
—Tennyson,
BOOK II.— "A SYLVAN COURT."
Chapter XI.
The bison, fiercest race of Scotia's breed,
Whose bounding course outstripped the red deer's speed,
By hunters chased, encircled on the plain,
He frowning shook his yellow lion-mane,
Spurned with black hoof in bursting lage the ground,
And fiercely toss'd his moony horns around.
—Leyden.
In order to make good their escape, Dermond and Olave had chosen the
thickest and most intricate part of the forest, where no horseman would
ever have dared to penetrate. The young chieftain, however, might easily
have lost his way hut for the guidance of his faithful henchman, who
knew every wood and mountain for many a league around Dunkerlyne, as
well as every tide and wiud along the western and northern coasts.
They soon succeeded in baffling every effort of their pursuers to over-
take them, and as the grey light of the morning stole over the tops of the
mountains, lighting up the red and yellow tints of the fading woodlands,
panting and breathless the two fugitives had gained the side of a sloping
eminence, which commanded a fair prospect of theii" surroundings.
Pausing and looking back they could perceive nothing to indicate the
whereabouts of Bruce or his followers tliroughout the vast extent of shaggy
forest and bare moorland. Away in the distance the mountains seemed
to sleep in the folds of the snowy clouds, and a thick haze hid the sea
entirely from view.
" Now that we are safe," said Dermond, " and before considering what
we shall do next, tell me how you managed to escape and find me out on
the hillside yonder."
" Ha ! my good sir," said Olave laughing, *' I was certain to undo the
carles in the end ; and, though I say it, 'twas no craven feat."
" rU warrant you," said Dermond, "and what now shall Kate, that
sprightly wench, say to the doing o't T
" Nay, now let that rest. We have something else to settle for the
fair Kate and the good Lady Bertha," returned the Norseman, at the same
time causing a shadow to fall over the face of the young chieftain.
"As you say we have, Olave, and 'tis that which troubles me. Now,
when 1 think on't, I can only curse the freedom you have given me, for
I cannot face the lady to acknowledge my failure."
" A murrain on such foolery," was the answer. " I'd have you think
no more about the matter. Why should you rashly risk your neck in a
hopeless enterprise 1 Look you now, sir, I have been as anxious as thy-
self — if thou'lt pardon me saying so — concerning this message we, and not
you alone, have undertaken to deliver for the relief of the distressed damsel,
under pain of forfeiting aU reputation we may have for honour and