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The Seaforth News, 1939-06-08, Page 6PAGE SIX THE SEAFORTH NEWS. THURSDAY, JUNE 8 1939 The Legend "Reverend sir," said 'Captain Dal- ,getty, in respect of the use to be de- rived, I forgive you the unsavoriness of your comparison; and also remit to the gentleman in the red ;bonnet, the disparaging epithet of fellow 'which he has discourteously applied to me, who am in no way to be dis- tinguished by 'the same, unless in se far as I have been called fellow -sold- ier )by the great Gustavus Adolphus, the .lion of the north, and other 'choice commanders, !both in Germany and the low countries, But, touching Sir Duncan Campbell's 'guarantee of my safety, I will gage my life upon .his making my words good there- anent, •when ha 'comes 'hither to- morrow." '`If Sir Duncan be soon expected, my lord," said one of the intercessors, "it would be a pity to anticipate mat- ters with this poor man," "Besides that," said another, "your lordship — I 'sp'eak with reverence — shoulld, at least, consult the Knight of Ardenvohr's letter, and learn the terms on which this Major Dalgetty, as he calls himself, has been sent hither by him," They closed around the Marquis, and conversed together in a low tone, both in Gaelic and English. The patri- archal power of •the chiefs was very great, and that of the Marquis of Argyle, armed with all his grants of hereditary jurisdiction, was particul- arly absolute. But there interferes some check of one kind or other even in the most despotic government. That which mitigated the power of The Celtic Chiefs was the necessity which they lay ender of conciliating the kinsmen, who, ,under them, led out the lower •orders to 'battle, and who formed a sort of council of the tribe in times of !peace. The Marquis on this occasion thought himself un- der the necessity of attending to the remonstrances of this senate, or more properly couroultai, of the name of Campbell, and, slipping out of the circle, gave orders for the prisoner to be removed to a place of security. "Prisoner!" exclaimed Dalgetty, ex- erting himself with such force as well nigh to shake off two Highlanders, who for some minutes past had wait- ed the signal to seize him, and kept for that purpose close check at his back. Indeed the soldier had so near- ly attained his liberty, that the Mar - gals of Argyle changed color, and stepped back two paces, laying, .how- ever, his hand on his sword chile several of his clan, with ready devo- tion, threw themselves betwixt him and the apprehended vengeance of the prisoner. But the Highland guards were too strong to' be shaken off; and the unlucky Captain, after baying had his offensive weapons taken from him, 'was dragged off and conducted through several gloomy passages to a small side -door grated with iron, within which was another of wood. These were opened by a grim old Highlan'de'r, with .a lang white beard, and displayed a very steep and nar- row flight df steps leading downward. The Captain's guards pushed him down two or .three steps, then, un- loosing his arms, left him to grope his way to the bottom as he could; a task which 'became 'difficult and even. dangerous,. when the two doors being successively looked left the .prisoner in total 'darkness. CHAPTER XIII. Whoe'er he be 'that sajou'rns here, I pity much his case, Unless' he comes to wait upon The Lord their God, his Grace. Burns's Epigram on a Visit to I nverary. The Captain, finding 'himself de- prived of light in the manner we have described, and 'placed in a very un- certain .situation, proceeded to descend the narrow and 'broken stair with all the caution in his power, !hoping that he might .find at the ''bottom some place to repose 'himself. But with all leis care be could not finally.' avoid '!Ifine honest 'friend,"" said 'he, "you limbs .cm'the roue or wheel, with the coulter of a plough, or otherwise put- ting you to death by torture, sur- passes my comprehension. Were I. you, Ranald, I would he for m'isken- ring Sir Duncan, keeping my own secret, and departing quietly by suffo- cation, like your ancestors before you.,, "Yet hearken, stranger," said the Highlander. "Sir Duncan of Arden •vohr' had four children. Three . died under' our dirks, but the 'fourth sur- vives; and more would he give to dandle on his knee the fourth child which remains, than to rack these se old bones, which care little for the utmost indulgence of his wrath. •One', word, if I list to speak it, could turn his .day of humiliation and 'fasting into a day of thankfulness •and rejoicing, and breaking of 'bread. O'h, I know it by my awn heart! Dearer to me .is the ohild 'Kenneth, who chaseth 'the but- tedfly .on the banks of the Alven, than ten sons who are mouldering in earth, :or are prayed on by the fowls of the air." "I .presume, Ranald," .continued Dalgetty, "that the three ;pretty fel- lows wham I saw yonder in the market -!place, strung up by the head like rizzered haddodks, claimed some interest in you:" There was a ;brief pause ere the Highlander replied, lin a tone of .strong emotion,—+"T'hey were my sans! -blood of my !blood—bone 'of my bone! -]fleet of foot—unerring in aim—unvanquished by •foemen till the sons of Diarmid overcame them by numbers! Why do I wish to survive them! The old trunk will less feel the 'rending up of its roots, than it has felt the lopping off of its graceful boughs. But Kenneth must be trained to revenge — the young eagle must ,learn from the old bow bo swoop on his foes. I will purchase for his sake my life and my freedom, by discover- ing my secret to the 'knight of Ard- envohr." "You may attain your end more easily," said a third voice, mingling in the conference, "by intrusting it to me." All Highlanders are superstitious. "The Enemy of Mankind is among usl" said Ranald Mac Eagh. springing to his feet. His chains clattered as he rose, while he drew himself as far as they permitted from the quarter whence the voice appeared to pro- ceed. His fear in some degree -conm- municated itself to Captain Dalgetty, who began to repeat, in a sort of polyglot gibberish, all the exorcisms Ile had ever heard of, without being able to remember more than a word or two of each. 'In nomine Domini, as we said at Mareschal College,—santissima madre di Dios, as the Spaniard has it— alle guten geister loben den Herrn, saith the blessed Psalmist, in. Dutch trans- lation"— and 1, lbeing'comrades at bed and board, should' be 'better. acquainted, I ani Du'gal'd Dalgetty of Drum- thwaeket, and so forth, Major. in .a regiment of loyal Irishes, and Envoy. Extraordinary a of. a High and 'Mighty Lord, James Earl of Montrose. -Pray, what may your name he?" "It will avail you little to know," replied.' his more !taciturn companion. "Let ane judge of that natter," an- swered the .soldier. then—Randal M'acRa'gh is my name—that is, Ranald, Son of the Mist. "S'on of the Mist! ejaculated ]Tal gebty. "Sen of litter darkness, say I But Rauaid, since that is your name, how came you in 'possession of the provost's court of guard? what the devil 'brought you 'here, that is to' say?" "My misfortunes and wiry crimes," answered Ranald. "Know ye the Knight of Ardenvohr?" "I do know that honorable 'person," replied'Dal'getty. "But know ye where he now is?" replied Ranald. "Fasting this day at Ardenvohr," answered the •Envoy, "that he !tray 'fe'as't to -morrow at Inverary; in which last purpose id be chance to •fail, my lease of h'unvan service will 'be some- thing precarious." "Then let 'him lgvow, one claims his intercession, 'who is h'i's worst foe and his 'best friend," answered Ranald. "Truly, I shall desire .to carry a less questionable message," answered Dalgetty. "Sir 'Duncan is not a person to play at reading 'riddles with." "Craven Saxon," said the 'prisoner, "tell him I ant the raven that, fifteen years since, stooped on his tower of strength and the !pledges the dead left therei am the hunter that found out the wol'f's den on the rocks, and 'destroyed his offspring—I am the leader of the band •which surprised Ardenvohr yesterday 'was 'fi'fteen years, and 'gave his dour children to the sword." "Truly, my honest dniend, if that is your best recommendation to Sir Deincan's favor, •I would pretermit my ;pleading thereupon, in respect I have Observed that even the animal 'creation are incensed against those who intromit with their offspring for- cibly, much more any rational and Christian 'creatures, who have had violence .done upon their small fam- ily. But I pray you in courtesy , to tell me, whether you assailed the castle from the hillock called Drums - nab, whitk I uphold to be the true point of attack, unless it were to be protected by a sconce." 'We ascended 'the cliff by. ladders of writhes or saplings," said the pris- oner, "drawn ap 'by an accomplice and clansman, who had served six months in the ,castle to enjoy that one night of unlimited 'vengeance. The owl whooped around ns as we hung betwixt heaven and earth; the tide roared against the foot of the rock, and dashed asunder our skill, yet no man's heart failed 'him. In the morn- ing there was 'blo'od and ashes, where there had been :peace and joy at the sunset." "It was a pretty aamisade, I 'doubt not, Ranald MacEagh, a very suffic- ient onslaught, and not unworthily discharged. Nevertheless I would have pressed the house from that little hill- •ack called Drumsnab. But yours is a pretty irregular Scythian fashion of warfare, Ranald, much resembling that of Turks, Tartars, and other Asiatic people—But the reason, my friend, the .cause of this war—the te- terrima .eausa, as I may say? •Deliver me that, Ranald." "We had been pushed at by ,the M•'Aulays, and other western tribes," said Ranald, `till our possessions be- came unsafe for us." "Ah hal" said Dalgetty; "I have 'faint remembrance of having heard of that matter. Did you not put bread and cheese into a man's mouth, 'when he had never a stomach whereunto to transmit the same?" "You have heard, then," said Ran- ald, "'the tale of our revenge on the 'haughty Forester?" "I bethink me that I .have," said Dalgetty, "and that of an old date. It was a merry jest that, of cramming the bread into the dead man's mouth, but somewhat too wild and savage for civilized, acceptation, besides wast- ing the good victuals. I have seen when at a siege or a leaguer, Ranald, a living soldier would have 'been the better, Ranald, for that 'crust of bread whil'k you threw away on a 'dead pow" "'We were attacked by Sir Dun- can," continued 'MadEa'gh, "and my brother was slain—his head was withering on the battlements which we scaled—I vowed revenge, and it is a vow I have never broken." 'It may be so," said Dalgetty, "and every thoroughbred soldier will confess that revenge ;is a sweet mor- sel; 'but in what manner the story will interest Sir Duncan in your justi- fication, uniess it should move him to intercede .with the Marquis to change the manner thereof from hanging, or simple suspension, to 'breaking your making a false step, which brought hili down the 'four or five last steps too hastily bo preserve his 'equilibrium. At the bottom 'he stumbled over a bundle of something soft, which stir- red and guttered a tgroan, so deranging the Captain's descent, that be 'flound erered Toward and 'finally dell swan leis hands and knees on the floor of a clamp and stone -paved dungeon. When Dalgetty had recovered, his first demand was to know over wham he 'had stumbled. "He was man a month since," answered a hollow and broken 'voice. "And -what is he now, then," said Dalgetty, 'tthat he thinks it fitting to lie upon The lowest step of the stairs, and 'clew'd up like a hnrchin, that 'hon- orable 'cavaliers, who chance to be in trouble, may break their noses over him?" "What is he now?" replied the same voice; '"he is a wretched trunk, from which bhe boughs have one by one 'been lopped away, 'which cares little how soon it is torn up and hewed into 'billets for 'the furnace." "Friend," said Dalgetty, "I am sor- ry for you; but 'patienza, as the Span- iard says. 11 you bad but 'been as quiet as a log, as you 'call you'rsel'f, I should have saved some excoriations on my hands and knees." "You are a soldier," replied his fel- low prisoner; "do you complain on account of a fall for which a boy would not 'bemoan himself? "A soldier?" said the Captain; "and how do you 'know, in this 'cursed clack cavern, that 1 am a soldier?" "I heard your armor clash as yon fell," replied the prisoner, "and now I see it glimmer. When you have re- mained as long as I in this darkness, your eyes will distinguish the smallest eft that crawls on the 'floor." "1 had rather the devil picked them out!" said Dalgetty; "if this be the case, I shall wish for a short turn of the rope, a soldier's prayer and a leap from a ladder. But what sort of prev- ent have you got here—what food, I mean, 'brother in affliction?" 'Bread and water once a day," re- plied the voice, "Prithee, friend, let me taste your loaf," said Dalgetty; "I hope we shall play good comrades while we dwell together in this abominable pit." "The loaf and jar of water," an- swered' the other prisoner, "stand in the corner, two steps to your right hand, Take them and welcome. With earthly fond I have well-nigh done." Dalgetty •did not wait far a second invitation but, groping out the provi- sions, began to munch at the stale black oaten loaf with as much hearti- ness as we have seen him play his part at better viands. "This !bread," he said, muttering (with his mouth full at the same time), "is not very savory; neverthe- less it is not much worse than that which 'we ate at the 'famous leaguer at Werben, where the valorous Gus- tavus 'foiled all the efforts of the .cele- brated Tilly, that terrible old hero, who had driven two 'kings out of the field—namely, Ferdinand of B,dhemia and Christian of Denmark, And anent this water, which is none of the most sweet, I drink in the same to your speedy deliverance, 'com'rade, not for- getting mine own, and devoutly wish- ing it were Rhenish wine, or bum- ming Lubeck beer, et the least, were it but in honor of the .pledge." While Dalgetty raison in 'this way, his teeth kept time with his tongue, and the speedily finished the provi- sions which the ,benevolence or ,in- difference of his companion in mis- fortune had abandoned to :his vorac- ity. When this task was accomplished, he wrapped 'himself in his 'cloak, and seating himself in a 'corner of the dungeon in which the 'could obtain a a support on each side '('for he had al- ways 'been an admirer of elbow -chairs,' he remarked, even from his youth 'up- ward), he began to question his fellow captive. "A truce with you exorcisms," said the voice they had beard 'before; "though 1 come strangely among you, I am mortal like yourselves, and my assistance may avail you in your pre- sent strait, if you are not too proud to be counseled." While the stranger thus spoke, he withdrew the shade of a dark lantern, by whose feeble light Dalgetty could only discern 'that the speaker who had thus mysteriously united himself to their company, and mixed in their conversation. was a tall man dressed in a livery cloak of the 'Marquis. His first glance was to his feet, but he saw neither the cloven foot which Scattis legends assign to the foul fiend, nor the horse's hoof by which he is distinguished in Germany. His first inquiry was, how the stranger had .come among them. "For," said he, "'the creak of these rusty bars would .have'been heard had the door been made patent; and if you passed through the keyhole, truly, sir, put what face you will on it, you are not fit to 'be enrolled in a regiment of living men." "I reserve my secret," .ansnwere'd the stranger, "until you shall merit the discovery by communicating 'to me some of yours. It may be 'that I shall be moved to let you out where I my- self came in." "It cannot 'be through the keyhole, then," said Captain Dalgetty, "for my corselet would stick in.the passage,' were it possible that my head' piece could get 'through. As .for secrets, I have none of my own, .and but few appertaining to others. But impart to us what 'secrets you desire to 'know: or, as Professor Snuffeegreek used to say at 'the Mareschal College. :Aber- deen, speak that I may know thee" "It is not with you I have first to. do," replied the stranger, turning his light full on the 'wild and 'wasted features, and the limlbs of the. High- lander, Ranald MacEagh, 'w'h'o close drawn ep against the walls of the dungeon, seemed yet uncertain w'he- ther his guest was a living being. "I have brought you something, my friend," said the stranger, in a more soothing tone, "to mend your fare: if 3,011 are to 'd'ie to -morrow, it is no reason wherefore you should not live to night" 'None at all—no reason in the cre ation," replied the ready Captain Dal- getty, who forthwith"'b'e'gan to unpack the contentsof a small basket which the stranger had-bron'ght• ander his cloak, While the Highlander, either In suspicion or disdain, paid no attention to the good !cheer. "Here's to thee,my. friend:" said the Captain, 'who 'having already des- patched' a: 'huge piece of roasted 'kid, was now taking a pull at the wine - flask. "What is thy name, my good 'friend?" "Murdoch'Campbell, sir," answer- ed the servant, "a 'lackey ,of .the Ma r- qui5 of Argyle, and occasionally act- ing as underwarden." "Then here is to thee once more, Murdoch," said Dalgetty, "drinking to you by your proper name for the better look 'sake. This wine I take to ,be Calcavdlla. Well, 'honest .'Murdoch, I take it on nee to say, thou deservest to 'beupper-warden, since thou show - est thyself 'twenty times ;better ac- quainted with the way of victualing honest gentlemen that are under mis- fortune, 'than thy principal, Bread and water! out upon him! It •was enough, Murdoch, 'to destroy the credit of the Marquis's 'dungeon. But I see you would converse with my friend, Ran- ald MacEagh 'here. Never mind my presence; I'll get me into this corner with the basket, and I will warrant my jaws, make noise enough to prev- ent my ears from hearing you." Notwithstanding this promise, haw - ever, the veteran listened with all the attention .he could to gather their dis- course, or as he 'described it himself, laid his ears 'back in his neck, like Gustavus, when he heard the key turn in the Igirnell kist. He could, there- fore, 'owing to the narrowness of the 'dungeon, easily overhear the follow- ing 'dialogue. "Are you aware, Son of the Mist," said the Campbell, "that you will never leave this place, excepting for the gilbbet?" "Those who are dearest to me," an- swered MacEagh, '!have trode that path before me," "Then you 'would do nothing," asked the visitor, "to shun following them?" The prisoner writhed himself in his chains before returning an PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical answer. "I would do much," at lengthhe said; "not for my own life, 'but for the sake of the pledge in the glen of Strathaven." "And What would you do to turn away the 'bitterness of the hour?" again demanded Murdoch; "I care not for what 'cause ye mean to shun it" "I would do what a man might do, and still call himself a man." "Do you call yourself a man," said the interrogator, 'wveho have done the .deeds of a wolf?" "I do," answered 'the outlaw; "I ani a man like my forefathers—while wrapt in the mantle of peace, we were lambs—it was rent from us, and ye now call us wolves. Give us the 'huts ye have burned, our children whom ye have starved—collect from the gib- bet and the ,pole the mangled carcases and whitened skulls of our .kinsmen— bid them live and bless us, and we will 'be your vassals and brothers— till then, let death and blood, and mutual wrong, draw a 'dark veil of division between us." "Yon will then 'do nothing for your liberty?" said the Campbell. "Anything — 'but call myself the 'friend of your tribe," answered Mac- Eagh. "We scorn the friendship of bandit- ti and caterans," retorted Murdoch, "and would not stoop to accept it.— What I demand to know from you, in exchange for your liberty, is, where the daughter and heiress of the knight of Ardenvohr is now to be found?" "That you may wed ,her to some beggarly 'kinsman of your great mas- ter," said Ranald, 'after the fashion of the children od Diarmidl Does not the valley of Glenorquhy, to this very hour, cry shame on the violence off- ered to a helpless infant whom . 'her kinsmen were •conveying to the court of the Sovereign? 'W'ere not her es - cart compelled to hide her 'beneath a cauldron, round which they fought till not one remained to tell the tale? and was not the girl brought to this fatal castle, and afterwards 'wedded to the brother of M"Callum More, and all for the sake of her broad lands?" .(Such a story is told Of the 'heiress of Calder, who was made prisoner in the manner described, and afterward wedded to Sir Duncan Campbell, from which union the Campbells of Caw- dor have 'their descent.) (Continued) It was at a certain well -(known football 'grounds and all through the game, one of the home club's •sup- porters was howling at the 'visiting steam for all he was worth, "How much have you paid to •corns in?" asked one of ,the spectators. "A bob. Why?" said the noisy ono. "Well,.' go 'back and as'k 'ern for a taper hack," carie the reply, "you're only watching one side." SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Gradu- ate of University of Toronto, J. D. Colquhoun, M.D.; C.M., Grad- uate of rad-uate'of "Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped wibb complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D., L.A.B.P Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic. last Thursday in every month from 3 to 6 p.m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday inevery month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well-ba'by clinic will be 'held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 'p.m. JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H, Ross' office. Phone 5 J W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office 'John St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of Landon Hos- pital, London, England. Special at. tention to diseases of the eye, ear, hose ani throat. Office and aesidenae behind Dominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 144. DR. F. J. BURROWS, Office Main St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment. Residence, 'Goderich St, two doors west of United Church, Phone 46. DR, F. J. R. FRSTER - Eye • Ear, Nose and Throat, Graduate .in Medicine, University of Toronto .11847. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and 'Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in eaclj month from 1.30 p:m, to 5 p.m. MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.D. London, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate of American Board of •Pedi- atrics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af- ternoon, each month Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auetiot. eer ,for Perth and Huron Sounties. . Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, •chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell, Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. - THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance ; HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. - AGEN.TS F. MoKeroher, R.R,11y Dublin; John E. Pepper, RR.1, Brucefiekl; E. R. G. Yarmouth, B'rodhagen;. James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm, Yea, Ho1mesville. DIIRIECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No, 3; James S'holdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Lon des'boro; George Leech arch, Bornholm No. 1; Frank/ MoGregol, Clinbr:n No. 5; James Connolly, 'God. erich; Alex 'NIcEwing, Beyth Ns, 1: Thomas Mayi'an, . Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. ,Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post- o'ffices.