Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

DEEMOND. 403
They called me a boasting, craven-hearted cox-comb. * Release these
I bands,' I said, * give me a good sword, and I shall teach these jackanapes
how to chase a buU and clear the pass.' ' Come then, what say you,' he
I said, turning to his followers, ' if we arm this knave and have him face
j the roaring animal to put his crowing out of fashion.' Each eager to have
I the irksome duty disposed of, said I should be worthy of a yeoman's
j acres. Accordingly I was liberated from my bonds, and armed Avith a
i good sharp sword — the same I carry in my belt — I marched forw^ard to
' meet my foe, who, seeing me advance, grew more infuriated, set up a
great bellowing, heaved high his head, and boimded towards me like a
i warrior's horse in tournay. My ears were dinned wath the shouts of the
j spectators as they drew back alarmed, and yet straining with expectation,
I* but I was not the fool to fight for the mere safety of my enemies. I saw
I the hunters coming in full course behind, the swarthy Douglas in the
j van — and heard their shouts. 'Twas but the work of a moment to elude
the careering buU as he rushed past me, flinging the froth in the air and
roaring in his madness. I heard the yells of those behind me as he
bounded on them, but heeding not I swung myseK down the face of the
; clift', clinging to the brushwood, but missmg my footing I fell, somewhat
'■ stunned, among some hazel bushes at the foot of the rock. A cry came
; from above, but I soon got on my feet and fled across the stream, halting
i not until I came within a bowshot of where you and the squire and jack-
I men were journeying Avith a hopeless endeavour to fall in with the main
j body. I followed you at a considerable distance, but had some difiiculty
j in escaping detection, but I felt secure as darkness came on. When you
i reached the hillside yonder I bedded in the bracken close to where you
! lay, and did all I could to attract your attention with the result which
you already know."
" Bravo !" said Dermond, as the doughty henchman concluded his
-narrative. " 'Twould garnish a tale withaL But did they not attempt
to foUow ?"
" Faith, I know not," said Olave. " The hunters were too eager in
their sport, and as for the craven-hearted fools who watched I heard their
shouts of terror. 'Tis true a few arrows lighted on my way, but I was
too hurried to look and learn whether they were aimed at me or the bull ;
and as for descending that rock I swear I should not have attempted it
i imder any other circumstances."
'' Your training as a mountaineer has not been spent in vain," said
I the young chieftain,
They were now going down the other side of the hill looking towards
the Vale of Hasendean, and away in the distance tar beneath they saw
I the tall pines and shaggy beech trees that hid from view the little chapel
of Father Dominick, close to the mountain loch that glistened in the sun-
' light. A "wreath of blue smoke rising gently through the branches and
foliage betokened the situation of the holy man's dwelling. The morning
was not far gone, the turf was stUl wet and sparkling with the evening
j dew, and the breeze was laden with the freshness and fragrance of the
forest and mountain.
(To 1)6 Continued.)