HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Signal, 1883-03-23, Page 6Vt
FIRE AND SWORD :
A STORY OF THE MASSACRE ()F
G LENCOE.
CHAPTER X.
rue ata(:lANT's yAl.fe'e troit.l.b.
When Malcolm anise from sleep on
the following morning the incident of
the previous evening sou Iresh in his
mind, and the simple requirements of
the Sergeant's challenge immediately .,c-
cupied his attention.
An ordinary broadsword which hung
above his bed was taken down and ex-
amined.
It was a weighty and somewhat coarse
but trusty weapon, well suited for either
attack or defence when wielded by a
strong arm.
But it was chosen in preference to a
lighter and finer blade because of its re-
sisting powers, as Malcolm had early re-
solved to disarm his opponent, and then
hand hint bac! his life. He felt he had
confidence in himself and his ability to
bring the swaggering Sergeant to his
knees without either taking or receiving
a single cut. In reasoning thus he had
not calculated on the deep craft of his
opponent, which was to outwit him in a
way he had nut anticipated.
He had resolved, imetediatoly he was
aware of the nature of the Sergeant's
note of challenge, not to inform Helen
Cameron of its contents, well knowing
that ahc would strive to confute his ac-
ceptance of it, and all that day he stud-
iottsly avoided the locality, of the farm
at the Crags.
The place of assignation named by the
Sergeant was at the head of a wild, rug-
ged, and secluded gully, situated mid-
way in the Glen, and known as the "De-
vil's Staircase."
Fell of a brave, if unwise, determine-
„ bon to 'meet and put to proof the Ser-
geant's reckless challenge, Malcolm sat
early out, and arriving,at the sput,found
his opponent pacing up and down in mo-
mentary expectation of his arrival.
"What ! unarmed ?" questioned the
Sargeant, failing to notice the short
sword secreted under the young High-
landers plaid.
Throwing back a fold of his plaid Mal-
colm touched the hilt of the weapon sig-
nificantly in answer to the question.
"Follow me," said the Sergeant, and,
turning about, he strode northward for
a considerable way along the cloven base
*fan impending parapet of hill.
In perfect silence they strode ou, not
s word was spoken by either party.
It was a fine evening early in Sept m-
ber, and the gay gloaming was settling
quickly down on the hill& The lordly
eagle had sought hie lonely eyrie on the
rocky face of the mountain, and only a
solitary hawk, or rather a golden plover,
stirred the air with a passing wing.
Following up several paces in the rear
Maleolm had thus ample time and ..p -
pert unity to note the gait au.l exterior
of the Sergeant.
• That he was a man of very consider-
able bodily strength was evident at a
• glance. The sleep chest •acid square
shoulders which showed well under tl
4ray military cloak he wore, foretoke
the Ioseeasi.mn of great physical 'Armlet
and endurance, and the natural ewtyg
of She walk betrayed the self cimscinu
pride anti high passion of the man.
Malcolm weighed his chance .gains
these, and l.ehecing in his own dexterit
;net acknowledged strength of arm,Await
ed the issue of the combat with assur
twee devoid of fetor.
Itut he had nut sufficiently estimated
the malicems duplicity of his opponent
which was a more dangerous olwnent to
cope with than au.tht else.
In tho NUen generosity of his wind he
had never for a moment suspected the
Sergeant of possible treachery in thus
loading hint for au ostensible purpose
whether hu would. Honorable in his
own actions towards men, Le rinito e at -
orally judged other uteu ritually just.
Furthetumre,thc pis: -session of a trusty
claymore, pined to his perfect know-
ledge of the lonely mouutaiu ease
.amidst which they wants I, bi:imbed
trots his 11.1 d every thought of fear.
They had now reached a lonely pint
eau, a cnnriderable dtstat,ce north of the
Glen, when the sereteint v heeled .about,
.sad faced his wit iuehine rival.
"This spilt will do," he .aid ; "M ai-
t.es will reit be Jure interrupted by the
protecting emi,ra..e of a hyst.sricel fe-
male Lot us prepare' ' alol he threw
off his grey ck,k prepatatnry to eugagmag
on the deadly cosiflite.
The s•.-trim!'!:orlon w Hideo came -
eon a uurorotessir•.n between them on the
evto.e etenrrn; Sinn. M:tIenlo. into a
pasei•.nete relined .1 words.
"1 sue ready. sir. and will wring an
apl.ingy out . f yea before 1 quit this
spa.- and, wetiu ell his plat.! and 6w
homer, der uusheaths.l his treaty *word,
snd st.wnl p.epue 1 to erre! an a,meilt.
The gr ui.d on whim they &toed was
.narshy and w t, lout the si.i, a of th
snip eithtaatre .4 hills wliwb res *grm t
'hest, won, gla.riuoa Le the fading evening 1
lisrht with golden g•ns" and the pure le
oilmen .4 the histh«r.
THE HURON SIGNAL. FRIAl, MA1 c! 23 188;';.
ground ; ou tkse other, a dark t.aru ..r
hill "lochan" lay within a few yams of
them. Not a scrod was anywhere sth-
ring, and the hills ennead, with the grey
gloW unintt &saline over. them, looked as
ets4..que and as duinUy'deur an the
drapeds of ancient sculpture.
Oueetwic. Malcolm noticed, al-
most acct 'tally, the sullen eye of his
opponeut casting furtive gleuces towards
the coppice ridge, and w sh,;ht stirring
behind the bushes somewhere moment-
arily arrested his attention.
"Only a startled leveret," remarked
the Sorgeaut aasuringly, noticing Mal-
eulm's observation .,f it. "One dues
feel unduly nervous en *au occasion of
this tort --rather," and as he 'puke he.
uuaheethed it long bright -polished blade.
"Ready ?"
"An hour ago,' retorted Malcolm,
white with ,suppressed passiuu at the
Sergeant's sneering words.
"Then let us measure awe de. I rath-
er think I have :he advantage of von in
length," and he extended his hand for
Maloulm's weapoo.
"I accept the difference, Sergeant.
Pray guard yourself.
"Nay, but I insist on fair play, or no
play at all. Let us fairly n.eeeure wea-
pon&
Involuntary and without the suspicion'
of possible duplicity Malcolm handed his
opponent his sword, who stepped back a
yard or two, and suddenly said with
great force of arm Sang it sheer into the
middle of the small lech to the right.
"Dastard !" exclaimed Malculm, mak-
ing a rush towards the Sergeant, who
suddenly drew s pistol 'n hint and
checked his precipitancy.
Immediately, as by concerted signal,
two men —one of whom was rudely mask-
ed—dashed out from theirplac.of hiding
behind the coppice and rushed towards
him
The action was so sudden and unex-
pected that Malcoir•, sheet paralysed for
the moment, but was recalled to action
by the unscrupulous Sergeant snapping
his pistol at him, which fortunately mis-
sed fire.
In another moment the sergeant's two
accomplices were on him, and dashing
aside the mask from the fain of the fent,
he discovered him to be the Red Hug -
hie
"Wretch ."" cried Melo i:n,andsnatch-
ing from him a small dirk, he buried it
to the hilt in a fleshy part of the should'
er, hen dashing him on the heath, he
eshaped the second 'eau, and fled the
spot.
Crack ! went the Sergeant's pistol
after him, and he hoard the ball whistle
over his uncovered Lead.
A few deer -like bounds, and the athle-
tic young Highlander waa presently a
considerable way in advance of his pur-
suers.
Unarmed as he was, it was matchless,
he knee', to stand and confront them,
yet he wished, and almost resolved to do
so. If he had only had poeeseaaion of hi,
good broadsword, or had even retained
the small dirk which he had driven deep
into the Red Hughis's flesh ! But he
was entirely defenceless, and had to pru-
dently curb the daring wish.
Reaching the crest of a piece of raising
mixt. mud, he looked hack on hia putaaers
11 : and found that they had given up the
h chime.
er
$
y
way yet have revenge. if the old fax DOIDiniou carriage WOrku,
61'lru remains recusant to the last, thea
1 aw safe feint revenge. Ha! who's
here f"
„Villain "' exclaiute.l Malcolm, spring-
ing from concealment, "We are equal
now," and he snatched the Sergeant's
sword frau its sheath and brandished it
..ter hint as he spoke.
"Nay, 1 am defenceless," whined the
other, extending his !rands towards hie
accuser in a halt -reproving. half -suppli-
cating manner.
"Were juatice done 1 should run this
blade through your dastard body ; and
had 1 my own weapon I would force you
is defend your miserable life. But go
(thrusting him from him), and I shall re-
tain this seaport until you or your ouw-
ardly accomplice+ fish my own out of the
waters of loch. "Go !" and he directed
the crestfallen Sergeant from the spot
at the point of the sword.
"We will meet again," he scowled as
he turned to leave the ground.
"And if •we ever chance to meet on
equal terns I shall ring contribution
from you," retorted Malcolm.
The humbled braggart, short at once
of his malice and boasting arrogance,
stopped not to hear the sentence out,
but hurried off es fast as he could.
His noble revenge completed, Mal-
colm then proceeded to retrace his steps
towards the marshy plateau by the hill -
look, where he motored possession of
his plaid and his bonnet. Reoovery of
his sword was, course, out of the ques-
tion, so he merely stopped to sbake the
wet from he. plaid, and throwing it
across hie shoulders set off fur Auche-
naion •
On his way home he diverged from
the path that he might pans a brief mo-
ment with Helen Cameron at the
Com"
Night had desoouded on the hills, but
the moon was shining like a silver crest
in the heavens, and the stars were mul-
titudinous and full of bright and pal-
pitating lustre.
Applwching the small, turf-liappit
shislin at the " Crags," Malcolm first
stuck the Sergeant's sword halfway up
to the hilt in a clump of moss heather,
that he might show the beloved one no
evidence of the quarrel, and putting
aside from his manner all signs of recent
ezcitemeut, he lifted the latch of the
humble domicile, and was met in the
lobby by Sandy and the dogs.
Helen was knitting by the fireside
when he entered, and joyful, though in -
effusive, was their homely but sincere
greeting.
Malcolm," at length said the old
crofter, breaking a long silence. " have
you heard the news 7"
-Malcolm looked ignorance, end wait-
ed an explanation.
" The Proclamation's out, Sign for the
King, or diel ' Malcolm maintained
silence.
" A messenger iromn the Chief dropped
the information at the Int this evening,
and I have just hrnugh: it along !sere."
' • ,knd how did M'Iaa reseti e the pap -
els neat toned Diaicolns.
Threw them from him and sworn :at
the King and his Court like a trate roan
and true Macdonald."
' • There's trouble in store f..-, the :t.en
cif. the ,(ileo. I fear, Seedy - bait if
thiuga vane to „--sora, for 51'Eat •a.-
Screening himself free. •.bset•v..ti•ai, stand or fall "
he was able to take note of tffeir l.cn_ed-
`• ldnvr, tr::c !ad ' racLuwc' :tis r::•
i{ie tlulsiaatie and .zealous rlanish .rd cr'.f-
l.etnrning to their fallen cenganion, ,
It• saw them lift him up,ter : "1 iese your .old .p:r;r But it's.
and attempt to the craft ..f the sad ria
staunch the bleeding wound with a bald- er i f ear ratlt-
- kerchief. er flan she t••n{csn•:r of !;e King's
Getcrnmet.r. , hdo:. r •!1 the `r
Then the wounded ratan, supported by wicked M•.w!:;a .lest! i•at1L
his associates, walked slowly away, and harry u, nut ',.-r„•gv ' t>•
, the Sergeant, having picked up his n.ili
tary cloak turned raft in soother direr- "IgcvEr fat', ..anal:. •cher .s at 7.
tion, and made a debt from the hill- el ship anti old f 'riu"h.
t
path, as if anxious to ch I:allarhhlis
(3( ,)C }. I(:
ALEX. MORTON
�Hau,.:rt
tut, •.f !emit Ulan. (a: mase'
tarRI AMRING 11 Alt SIIAMCIfi A SrECiALTY.
(Shop Opposite Colborue Hotel.)
Tables Tea t. a !thee...
The morning after the Princess carne
the colored maid, who was left there by
Mr. Triuuuingham, was told by one of
the English maids that it was her duty to
carry up at an early hour tea and biscuit
to the Princess' bedroom. She was shy
about doing so, and told the maids that
she did not know what to say. and so on
However they duly instructed her to
knock and say, "Your Royal Highness,
your tea. " So she proceeded up stain on
her errand, knocked at the door, and
upon its being opened by the Princes
the lessen was evidently forgotten, as
she exclaimed : "My Royal Highness
has brought your tea." The Princess,
perhaps desirous of having more of this
style of speech, called the girl into the
nom and had quite a talk while giving
directions about certain things she wish-
ed her to attend to to the chamber. I
can vouch for this story, but it is said
that an old colored woman, whom I
know well, met the Princess, stopped
the carriage and begged her to shake
hands, which she did, and old fine ex-
claimed, as I know she can, "My, what
a pretty creetur you are ; how is your
dear mat Why didn't yon bring her to
Bermuda with you ?" I know the poor
old soul said before the Princess came
out that she had almost killed herself
getting ready for her, for she had scrub-
bed the Inglewood floors from on. end
of the house to the other.—(Bermuda
letter to the Pittsburgh, D.apatBh.
Catarrh is the seed of Coosumptiun and
unless taken in time is a veay dangerous
disease. Hall's Catarrh Cure never fail
to tore. Prime 75 cents. Sold by Geo.
Rhynas, sole agent for Qodsrich. 3m :
A despatch from Geneve, dated March
13th, says a party of Enghiah tourists
while sounding Murat Blase were over-
taken•by a snow storm, sad, losing thea
way, fell over a preoipso+. It is est
yet known how many lives are lost.
"Blood will tell." A face adorned
with Pimples, Boils, Blotches .f c., is
not a pertloutarly pleasant sight, and in-
variably betokens an impure state of the
Blood. Dr. Carton's Stomach Bitten
free the system Erma all gross l.umctors,
renders the Blood pure.and cool, aids di-
gestion and gives a healthy appetite.
For sale by all Druggists in large bottles
at 30 cents.
a rlea..aat Aetteewledsem.rel.
Had sour stomach and atisetable
appetite for mouths, and grew thin every
day. I need Burdock Bl. --el Bitters with
the moat marvelous results : feel splen-
did. ' 'alit+ .f(.+rrs .Jot+N.,.,'. Pitts-
burvh, 1'.
"Why shr.gda a.:,.,o .:,n. -.e 1.1 .4 is worm
vrlthnr
Sit ik.. hieegrarti.,.rc cot in alabaster?
Or let tiis hair grew rusty, scant and thin.
when • 0:NGtheaeR.ar•rrvr.R arilltnak°
i! grow ; fester For Hale by J. Wil-
son 2.11
by a short way, and alone.
ilalcul:u burned for retenge, Lir i
was mit the revenge a mean malice the
animated him. tine of a sect of men
who acro in many respects little latter
than satagea, Malcolm was a savage o
the nobler order, w' -o instinctively nut
Honor before Self as a nocessity of their
nature, and on equal grounds he n(.w
h "Two bundrert i..er. rna:••h'd qr. •1 ;..
ti'Ith b words gglae.ans rar^Iv
rete:rt a gas had lit the hill. •
The far were a.t�y. r• fairer "
t
AnaG.— H— ^=,S
Ana ;a ;{'east' of !lige hridn irradiating his �,,,/
brow, itlalcoinu hese t.
Another niieeent and the fond lorer
had snatched . war•:t 'cies from :sae lips
of his betrothed. .and was presently ••et-
• arae me his liheiewaru pati.
Tri nit onsviathin
more than ever desired to show the un-
scrupulous Sergeant that he was both
I morally and physically his superior.
The possibility of that rpportunity was
now !wing played into his hands, and
hire l.;c;tst swelled at tine thought of it.
He wield watch and follow his *eon
along the hillaido and within the shadow
of approaching night, maul smg;e•handed
test his courage and strength
Full t.f this determination he el:.ott,-s:d
fermi the cover of the sill, and hurried-
ly et t
urries!-lystt .•?with the intention of intercept-
ing the Sergeant's path. Hie serillueo
o! hod, and knowledge of the locality
esabkd hia to overtake ani waylay hi*
within a very short tine.
As for the Ilerawant, he hurh.ed h• ars-
watds with adefeated hostility of malice
1n his boast and a rend of im hating re
Ants in his mind
"(loci ! if i hast only ciui!..r.f him
where Le stood." he mentallyefeculated,
his features working eonvuisitely udder
be influence of the halals! positing
which enthralled "bio. "(lose that
hlibk pistol -flint which wos1i.'t li�tt.
(b. she tine side, x 1..w ampule ridge of 1 B
.r•. •and bre Is ro edged the. rifling/ 1 a
art the King's 'Iheselaoatisat' whirr its
hermit tee of twelve -jot ion, is net, and ll�
THIR rQl Alth 1t'!:
.`Sys Dryden
"She knows her :a.5:-. 14E01 w .et. .o.:ant
and swear
Can draw you t.. Ler with a wtnsie hair.'
But it twist he beautiful hair to have
such pnwrr ; ar.d beautiful hair can be
sheered by the use of Clfh:ald*a hLix
Rrxaws:. Sold It 50 et. r.y J Wilder
.t. ti..' Kat• f.hate eitivets..1 b.fure
the Nsing .or do r:niney Diseases
have the mely *Lea Dt. VAS iluallll'a
Komar ('znr is faithfully unseat atwwd-
iwr d, dir.a•tior yak ewer Omagh' Vi-
et
•r"
BLACK, SAVE MONEY IN BUYING.
Beer Nur kap seweoi.sR mess, a..t er.lato
cess.. B►Mtttf and BMt
}at Iwo.
The Great G..o:in lswignrwrns a the
only specific for .mul..teaey, nerv.was de.
bilary, ui1 versa) Isasitede, f..rgetfstiMem
pain .n the back or web., no o.atl�o me
shattered the argent bray he frntn e. A tAMNsssr� wast
seises d s hired, the orrat Gonna„
Rowed, win tester.. the hat funcrltions 1'hls is a Genuine Offer, as 1 am anxious to Clear cff MS
and seism e. i health a sad h pinna Sh,b00
y Selected lot of aroccries, (
Winter per boa, six box* for 0( yell by to Stock.
•
all lhruegiet. drat .wt receipt of pid r,
reams paid, by F J. Cheney, Toledo,
lNdtni «sale egret Our itis'/.' Mates. Or
I MISS
�.. T' -srtT e re
Galan and tests-nonilb re free. $nisi I G eo. H. Old.i
tl e- Replan wiltisk e Oren for (isle I
oifiogit4444444411
Seib*
�Da
reit Tea
/art Tea
1...
- t.ee
nett e;,ler la 'rows.
10 soman for 7r.ser.
to saw !Met Tra t writ t.. Bras b, aa, Skied
Relu.:L n., v e, r ,,, a, 3%4 •:eaaged Par •
JAPAN,
I
ri DesiFos 111 Will Papers.
No,. a, the tint-. at you wish one or two aloe rooms at hem& to see Butler's rutin paper
-He has over
20,000 Rolls of the Latest Designs
Beautiful colors, ant &t prowls'' than trry mach inferior goods. ('a:1 and N'•-IL.o, r:. -
aro the beet veler fa town. and must be 'old
The LakI Baaar Palms Fasktous.
HARDWARE.
R.W. M cKENLIE'S
YOUR
CrossCutSaws & Axes
COW CH&I
YOUR
Tab1,Nut Pocket Cutlery --Beet Value,
ASA lial✓)pest Aameetassat Is the rowdy, also a tuft tine of Shelf Hardware.
Paints and Oils at Bottom Prices.
---SEE HIS—
Barb Wire--BestMacie.
R_ W_ 1v CIS —'NZ= -
DANIEL GORDON
CABINET MAKER,
--ext,•►---
TEE LEAPING MIDEILTATICE11,
-
AL__- -- -
FI is \ ITt'RE AT tlOTTI1M PRICES FOR CASH. 'RS
I have now on hand a vlut Iter. stock, much as
Chairs of all kinds, Tables, Bedste4..ds
Parlor Setts, Side Boards, Rat-
tan Chairs, So., Sic., 8zc.
2 Doors West, oPthe Post Office.
CHAS. A. NAIRN
NEW FRUITS
CHRISTMAS.
NEW ARRIVINI? EVERY DAY.
An Inspection Invited.
('fit r RT 1,101,1411 teQU A Rt
ANI) 'sRRF.N.
TEA 8
A Discount of 12i per cent Allowed on all Cash Purchases in
;Feathers, Silk Velvets. Flowers, gats, etc., eta„ etc.