第4章
"Hownow，ruffian！"demandedtheDwarf，"isthyjobchared？"
"Ay，ay，doubtnotthat，Elshie，"answeredthefreebooter；"WhenIride，myfoesmaymoan。TheyhavehadmairlightthancomfortattheHeugh-footthismorning；there’satoombyreandawide，andawailandacryforthebonnybride。"
"Thebride？"
"Ay；CharlieCheat-the-Woodie，asweca’him，that’sCharlieFosterofTinningBeck，haspromisedtokeepherinCumberlandtilltheblastblawby。Shesawme，andkendmeinthesplore，forthemaskfellfraemyfaceforablink。Iamthinkingitwadconcernmysafetyifsheweretocomebackhere，forthere’smonyo’theElliots，andtheybandweelthegitherforrightorwrang。
Now，whatIchieflycometoaskyourredein，ishowtomakehersure？"
"Wouldstthoumurderher，then？"
"Umph！no，no；thatIwouldnotdo，ifIcouldhelpit。Buttheysaytheycanwhilesgetfolkcannilyawaytotheplantationsfromsomeoftheoutports，andsomethingtobootforthemthatbringsabonnywench。They’rewantedbeyondseasthaefemalecattle，andthey’renothatscarcehere。ButIthinko’doingbetterforthislassie。There’saleddy，that，unlessshebea’thebetterbairn，istobesenttoforeignpartswhethershewillorno；
now，IthinkofsendingGracetowaitonher——she’sabonnylassie。Hobbiewillhaeamerrymorningwhenhecomeshame，andmissesbaithbrideandgear。"
"Ay；anddoyounotpityhim？"saidtheRecluse。
"WadhepitymewereIgaeinguptheCastlehillatJeddart？[
Theplaceofexecutionatthatancientburgh，wheremanyofWestburnflat’sprofessionhavemadetheirfinalexit。]AndyetI
ruesomethingforthebitlassie；buthe’llgetanither，andlittleskaithdune——aneisasgudeasanither。Andnow，youthatliketohearo’splores，heardyeevero’abetteranethanIhaehadthismorning？"
"Air，ocean，andfire，"saidtheDwarf，speakingtohimself，"theearthquake，thetempest，thevolcano，areallmildandmoderate，comparedtothewrathofman。Andwhatisthisfellow，butonemoreskilledthanothersinexecutingtheendofhisexistence？
——Hearme，felon，goagainwhereIbeforesentthee。"
"TotheSteward？"
"Ay；andtellhim，ElshendertheReclusecommandshimtogivetheegold。But，hearme，letthemaidenbedischargedfreeanduninjured；returnhertoherfriends，andletherswearnottodiscoverthyvillainy。"
"Swear"saidWestburnflat；"butwhatifshebreakheraith？Womenarenotfamousforkeepingtheirplight。Awisemanlikeyoushouldkenthat。——Anduninjured——whakenswhatmayhappenwereshetobeleftlangatTinning-Beck？CharlieCheat-the-Woodieisaroughcustomer。Butifthegoldcouldbemadeuptotwentypieces，IthinkIcouldensureherbeingwi’herfriendswithinthetwenty-fourhours。"
TheDwarftookhistabletsfromhispocket，markedalineonthem，andtoreouttheleaf。"There，"hesaid，givingtherobbertheleaf——"But，markme；thouknowestIamnottobefooledbythytreachery；ifthoudaresttodisobeymydirections，thywretchedlife，besure，shallanswerit。"
"Iknow，"saidthefellow，lookingdown，"thatyouhavepoweronearth，howeveryoucamebyit；youcandowhatnaeothermancando，baithbyphysicandforesight；andthegoldisshelleddownwhenyecommand，asfastasIhaveseentheash-keysfallinafrostymorninginOctober。Iwillnotdisobeyyou。"
"Begone，then，andrelievemeofthyhatefulpresence。"
Therobbersetspurstohishorse，androdeoffwithoutreply。
HobbieElliothad，inthemeanwhile，pursuedhisjourneyrapidly，harassedbythoseoppressiveandindistinctfearsthatallwasnotright，whichmenusuallytermapresentimentofmisfortune。
Erehereachedthetopofthebankfromwhichhecouldlookdownonhisownhabitation，hewasmetbyhisnurse，apersonthenofgreatconsequenceinallfamiliesinScotland，whetherofthehigherormiddlingclasses。Theconnexionbetweenthemandtheirfoster-childrenwasconsideredatiefartoodearlyintimatetobebroken；anditusuallyhappened，inthecourseofyears，thatthenursebecamearesidentinthefamilyofherfoster-son，assistinginthedomesticduties，andreceivingallmarksofattentionandregardfromtheheadsofthefamily。SosoonasHobbierecognisedthefigureofAnnaple，inherredcloakandblackhood，hecouldnothelpexclaimingtohimself，"Whatillluckcanhaebroughttheauldnursesaefarfraehame，herthatneverstirsagun-shotfraethedoor-staneforordinar？——Hout，itwilljustbetogetcrane-berries，orwhortle-berries，orsomesuchstuff，outofthemoss，tomakethepiesandtartsforthefeastonMonday。——Icannotgetthewordsofthatcankeredauldcrippledeil’s-buckieouto’myhead——theleastthingmakesmedreadsomeillnews。——O，Killbuck，man！weretherenaedeerandgoatsinthecountrybesides，butyebehovedtogangandworryhiscreature，bya’otherfolk’s？"
BythistimeAnnaple，withabrowlikeatragicvolume，hadhobbledtowardshim，andcaughthishorsebythebridle。Thedespairinherlookwassoevidentastodepriveevenhimofthepowerofaskingthecause。"Omybairn！"shecried，"gangnaforward——gangnaforward——it’sasighttokillonybody，letalanethee。"
"InGod’sname，what’sthematter？"saidtheastonishedhorseman，endeavouringtoextricatehisbridlefromthegraspoftheoldwoman；"forHeaven’ssake，letmegoandseewhat’sthematter。"
"Ohon！thatIshouldhavelivedtoseetheday！——Thesteading’sa’inalow，andthebonnystack-yardlyingintheredashes，andthegeara’drivenaway。Butgangnaforward；itwadbreakyouryoungheart，hinny，toseewhatmyauldeenhaeseenthismorning。"
"Andwhohasdaredtodothis？letgomybridle，Annaple——whereismygrandmother——mysisters？——WhereisGraceArmstrong？——God！——
thewordsofthewarlockareknellinginmyears！"
HesprangfromhishorsetoridhimselfofAnnaple’sinterruption，and，ascendingthehillwithgreatspeed，sooncameinviewofthespectaclewithwhichshehadthreatenedhim。Itwasindeedaheart-breakingsight。Thehabitationwhichhehadleftinitsseclusion，besidethemountain-stream，surroundedwitheveryevidenceofrusticplenty，wasnowawastedandblackenedruin。Fromamongsttheshatteredandsablewallsthesmokecontinuedtorise。Theturf-stack，thebarn-yard，theofficesstockedwithcattle，allthewealthofanuplandcultivatoroftheperiod，ofwhichpoorElliotpossessednocommonshare，hadbeenlaidwasteorcarriedoffinasinglenight。Hestoodamomentmotionless，andthenexclaimed，"Iamruined——ruinedtotheground！——Butcurseonthewarld’sgear——Haditnotbeentheweekbeforethebridal——ButIamnaebabe，tositdownandgreetaboutit。IfIcanbutfindGrace，andmygrandmother，andmysistersweel，IcangotothewarsinFlanders，asmygude-siredid，undertheBellendenbanner，wi’
auldBuccleuch。Atonyrate，Iwillkeepupaheart，ortheywilllosetheirsa’thegither。"
ManfullystrodeHobbiedownthehill，resolvedtosuppresshisowndespair，andadministerconsolationwhichhedidnotfeel。
Theneighbouringinhabitantsofthedell，particularlythoseofhisownname，hadalreadyassembled。Theyoungerpartwereinarmsandclamorousforrevenge，althoughtheyknewnotuponwhom；
theelderweretakingmeasuresforthereliefofthedistressedfamily。Annaple’scottage，whichwassituateddownthebrook，atsomedistancefromthesceneofmischief，hadbeenhastilyadaptedforthetemporaryaccommodationoftheoldladyandherdaughters，withsucharticlesashadbeencontributedbytheneighbours，forverylittlewassavedfromthewreck。
"Arewetostandherea’day，sirs，"exclaimedonetallyoungman，"andlookattheburntwa’sofourkinsman’shouse？Everywreathofthereekisablastofshameuponus！Letustohorse，andtakethechase。——Whohasthenearestbloodhound？"
"It’syoungEarnscliff，"answeredanother；"andhe’sbeenonandawaywi’sixhorselangsyne，toseeifhecantrackthem。"
"Letusfollowhimthen，andraisethecountry，andmakmairhelpasweride，andthenhaveattheCumberlandreivers！Take，burn，andslay——theythatlienearestusshallsmartfirst。"
"Whisht！haudyourtongues，daftcallants，"saidanoldman，"yedinnakenwhatyespeakabout。What！wadyeraisewaratweentwopacificatedcountries？"
"Andwhatsignifiesdeavinguswi’talesaboutourfathers，"
retortedtheyoung；man，"ifwe’retositandseeourfriends’
housesburntowertheirheads，andnoputouthandtorevengethem？Ourfathersdidnotdothat，Itrow？"
"IamnosayingonythingagainstrevengingHobbie’swrang，puirchield；butwemauntakethelawwi’usinthaedays，Simon，"
answeredthemoreprudentelder。
"Andbesides，"saidanotheroldman，"Idinnabelievethere’sanenowlivingthatkensthelawfulmodeoffollowingafrayacrosstheBorder。Tamo’Whittramkenda’aboutit；buthediedinthehardwinter。"
"Ay，"saidathird，"hewasatthegreatgathering，whentheychasedasfarasThirlwall；itwastheyearafterthefightofPhiliphaugh。"
"Hout，"exclaimedanotherofthesediscordingcounsellors，"there’snaegreatskillneeded；justputalightedpeatontheendofaspear，orhayfork，orsiclike，andblawahorn，andcrythegathering-word，andthenit’slawfultofollowgearintoEngland，andrecoveritbythestronghand，ortotakegearfraesomeotherEnglishman，providingyeliftnaemairthan’sbeenliftedfraeyou。That’stheauldBorderlaw，madeatDundrennan，inthedaysoftheBlackDouglas，Deilaneneeddoubtit。It’sasclearasthesun。"
"Comeaway，then，lads，"criedSimon，"gettoyourgeldings，andwe’lltakeauldCuddiethemuckletaskerwi’us；hekensthevalueo’thestockandplenishingthat’sbeenlost。Hobbie’sstallsandstakesshallbefouagainornight；andifwecannabiguptheauldhousesaesoon，we’selayanEnglishaneaslowasHeugh-footis——andthat’sfairplay，a’thewarldower。"
Thisanimatingproposalwasreceivedwithgreatapplausebytheyoungerpartoftheassemblage，whenawhisperranamongthem，"There’sHobbiehimsell，puirfallow！we’llbeguidedbyhim。"
Theprincipalsufferer，havingnowreachedthebottomofthehill，pushedonthroughthecrowd，unable，fromthetumultuousstateofhisfeelings，todomorethanreceiveandreturnthegraspsofthefriendlyhandsbywhichhisneighboursandkinsmenmutelyexpressedtheirsympathyinhismisfortune。WhilehepressedSimonofHackburn’shand，hisanxietyatlengthfoundwords。"Thankye，Simon——thankye，neighbours——Ikenwhatyewada’say。Butwherearethey？——Whereare——"Hestopped，asifafraideventonametheobjectsofhisenquiry；andwithasimilarfeeling，hiskinsmen，withoutreply，pointedtothehut，intowhichHobbieprecipitatedhimselfwiththedesperateairofonewhoisresolvedtoknowtheworstatonce。Ageneralandpowerfulexpressionofsympathyaccompaniedhim。"Ah，puirfallow——puirHobbie！"
"He’lllearnthewarsto’tnow！"
"ButItrustEarnscliffwillgetsomespeeringso’thepuirlassie。"
Suchweretheexclamationsofthegroup，who，havingnoacknowledgedleadertodirecttheirmotions，passivelyawaitedthereturnofthesufferer，anddeterminedtobeguidedbyhisdirections。
ThemeetingbetweenHobbieandhisfamilywasinthehighestdegreeaffecting。Hissistersthrewthemselvesuponhim，andalmoststifledhimwiththeircaresses，asiftopreventhislookingroundtodistinguishtheabsenceofoneyetmorebeloved。
"Godhelpthee，myson！Hecanhelpwhenworldlytrustisabrokenreed。"——Suchwasthewelcomeofthematrontoherunfortunategrandson。Helookedeagerlyround，holdingtwoofhissistersbythehand，whilethethirdhungabouthisneck——"I
seeyou——Icountyou——mygrandmother，Lilias，Jean，andAnnot；
butwhereis——"（hehesitated，andthencontinued，asifwithaneffort），"WhereisGrace？Surelythisisnotatimetohidehersellfraeme——there’snaetimefordaffingnow。"
"O，brother！"and"OurpoorGrace！"wastheonlyanswerhisquestionscouldprocure，tillhisgrandmotherroseup，andgentlydisengagedhimfromtheweepinggirls，ledhimtoaseat，andwiththeaffectingserenitywhichsincerepiety，likeoilsprinkledonthewaves，canthrowoverthemostacutefeelings，shesaid，"Mybairn，whenthygrandfatherwaskilledinthewars，andleftmewithsixorphansaroundme，withscarcebreadtoeat，orarooftocoverus，Ihadstrength，——notofmineown——butI
hadstrengthgivenmetosay，TheLord’swillbedone！——Myson，ourpeacefulhousewaslastnightbrokenintobymoss-troopers，armedandmasked；theyhavetakenanddestroyedall，andcarriedoffourdearGrace。Prayforstrengthtosay，Hiswillbedone！"
"Mother！mother！urgemenot——Icannot——notnowIamasinfulman，andofahardenedrace。Maskedarmed——Gracecarriedoff！
Giememysword，andmyfather’sknapsack——Iwillhavevengeance，ifIshouldgotothepitofdarknesstoseekit！"
"Omybairn，mybairn！bepatientundertherod。WhoknowswhenHemayliftHishandofffromus？YoungEarnscliff，Heavenblesshim，hastaenthechase，withDavieofStenhouse，andthefirstcomers。Icriedtolethouseandplenishingburn，andfollowthereiverstorecoverGrace，andEarnscliffandhismenwereowertheFellwithinthreehoursafterthedeed。Godblesshim！he’sarealEarnscliff；he’shisfather’strueson——alealfriend。"
"Atruefriendindeed；Godblesshim！"exclaimedHobbie；"let’sonandaway，andtakethechaseafterhim。"
"O，mychild，beforeyourunondanger，letmehearyoubutsay，HISwillbedone！"
"Urgemenot，mother——notnow。"Hewasrushingout，when，lookingback，heobservedhisgrandmothermakeamuteattitudeofaffliction。Hereturnedhastily，threwhimselfintoherarms，andsaid，"Yes，mother，ICANsay，HISwillbedone，sinceitwillcomfortyou。"
"MayHegoforth——mayHegoforthwithyou，mydearbairn；andO，mayHegiveyoucausetosayonyourreturn，HISnamebepraised！"
"Farewell，mother！——farewell，mydearsisters！"exclaimedElliot，andrushedoutofthehouse。
CHAPTERVIII。
Nowhorseandhattock，criedtheLaird，——
Nowhorseandhattock，speedilie；
TheythatwinnarideforTelfer’skye，Letthemneverlookinthefaceo’me。BorderBallad。
"Horse！horse！andspear！"exclaimedHobbietohiskinsmen。
Manyareadyfootwasinthestirrup；and，whileElliothastilycollectedarmsandaccoutrements，noeasymatterinsuchaconfusion，theglenresoundedwiththeapprobationofhisyoungerfriends。
"Ay，ay！"exclaimedSimonofHackburn，"that’sthegatetotakeit，Hobbie。Letwomensitandgreetathame，menmustdoastheyhavebeendoneby；it’stheScripturesays’t。"
"Haudyourtongue，sir，"saidoneoftheseniors，sternly；"dinnaabusetheWordthatgate，yedinnakenwhatyespeakabout。"
"Haeyeonytidings？——Haeyeonyspeerings，Hobbie？——O，callants，dinnabeowerhasty，"saidoldDickoftheDingle。
"Whatsignifiespreachingtous，e’enow？"saidSimon；"ifyecannamakehelpyoursell，dinnakeepbackthemthatcan。"
"Whisht，sir；wadyetakevengeanceoryekenwhahaswrang’dye？"
"D’yethinkwedinnakentheroadtoEnglandasweelasourfathersbeforeus？——Allevilcomesouto’thereaway——it’sanauldsayingandatrue；andwe’lle’enawaythere，asifthedevilwasblawingussouth。"
"We’llfollowthetracko’Earnscliff’shorsesowerthewaste，"
criedoneElliot。
"I’llprickthemoutthroughtheblindestmoorintheBorder，antherehadbeenafairheldtherethedaybefore，"saidHugh，theblacksmithofRingleburn，"forIayeshoehishorsewi’myainhand。"
"Layonthedeer-hounds，"criedanother"wherearethey？"
"Hout，man，thesun’sbeenlangup，andthedewisaffthegrund——thescentwillneverlie。"
Hobbieinstantlywhistledonhishounds，whichwererovingabouttheruinsoftheiroldhabitation，andfillingtheairwiththeirdolefulhowls。
"Now，Killbuck，"saidHobbie，"trythyskillthisday"andthen，asifalighthadsuddenlybrokeonhim，——"thatill-faur’dgoblinspaksomethingo’this！Hemaykenmairo’t，eitherbyvillainsonearth，ordevilsbelow——I’llhaeitfraehim，ifIshouldcutitouto’hismis-shapenboukwi’mywhinger。"Hethenhastilygavedirectionstohiscomrades："Fouro’ye，wi’Simon，haudrightforwardtoGraeme’s-gap。Ifthey’reEnglish，they’llbeforbeingbackthatway。Therestdispersebytwasomeandthreesomethroughthewaste，andmeetmeattheTrysting-pool。
Tellmybrothers，whentheycomeup，tofollowandmeetusthere。
Poorlads，theywillhaeheartsweelnighassairasmine；littlethinktheywhatasorrowfulhousetheyarebringingtheirvenisonto！I’llrideowerMucklestane-Moormysell。"
"AndifIwereyou，"saidDickoftheDingle，"IwouldspeaktoCannyElshie。Hecantellyouwhateverbetidesinthisland，ifhe’ssaeminded。"
"HeSHALLtellme，"saidHobbie，whowasbusyputtinghisarmsinorder，"whathekenso’thisnight’sjob，orIshallrightweelkenwhereforehedoesnot。"
"Ay，butspeakhimfair，mybonnyman——speakhimfairHobbie；thelikeo’himwillnobearthrawing。Theyconversesaemucklewi’
thaefractiousghaistsandevilspirits，thatitcleanspoilstheirtemper。"
"Letmealanetoguidehim，"answeredHobbie；"there’sthatinmybreastthisday，thatwouldower-maistera’thewarlocksonearth，anda’thedevilsinhell。"
Andbeingnowfullyequipped，hethrewhimselfonhishorse，andspurredhimatarapidpaceagainstthesteepascent。
Elliotspeedilysurmountedthehill，rodedowntheothersideatthesamerate，crossedawood，andtraversedalongglen，ereheatlengthregainedMucklestane-Moor。Ashewasobliged，inthecourseofhisjourney，torelaxhisspeedinconsiderationofthelabourwhichhishorsemightstillhavetoundergo，hehadtimetoconsidermaturelyinwhatmannerheshouldaddresstheDwarf，inordertoextractfromhimtheknowledgewhichhesupposedhimtobeinpossessionofconcerningtheauthorsofhismisfortunes。
Hobbie，thoughblunt，plainofspeech，andhotofdisposition，likemostofhiscountrymen，wasbynomeansdeficientintheshrewdnesswhichisalsotheircharacteristic。Hereflected，thatfromwhathehadobservedonthememorablenightwhentheDwarfwasfirstseen，andfromtheconductofthatmysteriousbeingeversince，hewaslikelytoberenderedevenmoreobstinateinhissullennessbythreatsandviolence。
"I’llspeakhimfair，"hesaid，"asauldDickonadvisedme。
Thoughfolksayhehasaleaguewi’Satan，hecannabesicanincarnatedevilasnototakesomepityinacaselikemine；andfolkthreephe’llwhilesdogood，charitablesorto’things。
I’llkeepmyheartdounasweelasIcan，andstrokehimwi’thehair；andifthewarstcometothewarst，it’sbutwringingtheheado’himaboutatlast。"
InthisdispositionofaccommodationheapproachedthehutoftheSolitary。
Theoldmanwasnotuponhisseatofaudience，norcouldHobbieperceivehiminhisgarden，orenclosures。
"He’sgottenintohisverykeep，"saidHobbie，"maybetobeouto’thegate；butI’sepu’itdounabouthislugs，ifIcannawinathimotherwise。"
Havingthuscommunedwithhimself，heraisedhisvoice，andinvokedElshieinatoneassupplicatingashisconflictingfeelingswouldpermit。"Elshie，mygudefriend！"Noreply。
"Elshie，cannyFatherElshie！"TheDwarfremainedmute。"Sorrowbeinthecrookedcarcassofthee！"saidtheBordererbetweenhisteeth；andthenagainattemptingasoothingtone，——"GoodFatherElshie，amostmiserablecreaturedesiressomecounselofyourwisdom。"
"Thebetter！"answeredtheshrillanddiscordantvoiceoftheDwarfthroughaverysmallwindow，resemblinganarrowslit，whichhehadconstructednearthedoorofhisdwelling，andthroughwhichhecouldseeanyonewhoapproachedit，withoutthepossibilityoftheirlookinginuponhim。
"Thebetter！"saidHobbieimpatiently；"whatisthebetter，Elshie？DoyounothearmetellyouIamthemostmiserablewretchliving？"
"Anddoyounothearmetellyouitissomuchthebetter！anddidInottellyouthismorning，whenyouthoughtyourselfsohappy，whataneveningwascominguponyou？"
"Thatyedide’en，"repliedHobbie，"andthatgarsmecometoyouforadvicenow；theythatforesawthetroublemaunkenthecure。"
"Iknownocureforearthlytrouble，"returnedtheDwarf"or，ifIdid，whyshouldIhelpothers，whennonehathaidedme？HaveI
notlostwealth，thatwouldhaveboughtallthybarrenhillsahundredtimesover？rank，towhichthineisasthatofapeasant？society，wheretherewasaninterchangeofallthatwasamiable——ofallthatwasintellectual？HaveInotlostallthis？
AmInotresidinghere，theveriestoutcastonthefaceofNature，inthemosthideousandmostsolitaryofherretreats，myselfmorehideousthanallthatisaroundme？Andwhyshouldotherwormscomplaintomewhentheyaretroddenon，sinceIammyselflyingcrushedandwrithingunderthechariot-wheel？"
"Yemayhavelostallthis，"answeredHobbie，inthebitternessofemotion；"landandfriends，goodsandgear；yemayhaelostthema’，——butyene’ercanhaesaesairaheartasmine，foryene’erlostnaeGraceArmstrong。Andnowmylasthopesaregane，andIshallne’erseehermair。"
Thishesaidinthetoneofdeepestemotion——andtherefollowedalongpause，forthementionofhisbride’snamehadovercomethemoreangryandirritablefeelingsofpoorHobbie。ErehehadagainaddressedtheSolitary，thebonyhandandlongfingersofthelatter，holdingalargeleathernbag，wasthrustforthatthesmallwindow，andasitunclutchedtheburden，andletitdropwithaclangupontheground，hisharshvoiceagainaddressedElliot。
"There——thereliesasalveforeveryhumanill；so，atleast，eachhumanwretchreadilythinks。——Begone；returntwiceaswealthyasthouwertbeforeyesterday，andtormentmenomorewithquestions，complaints，orthanks；theyarealikeodioustome。"
"Itisa’gowd，byHeaven！"saidElliot，havingglancedatthecontents；andthenagainaddressingtheHermit，"Muckleobligedforyourgoodwill；andIwadblithelygieyouabondforsomeo’
thesiller，orawadsetowerthelandso’Wideopen。ButIdinnaken，Elshie；tobefreewi’you，IdinnaliketousesillerunlessIkenditwasdecentlycomeby；andmaybeitmightturnintosclate-stanes，andcheatsomepoorman。"
"Ignorantidiot！"retortedtheDwarf；"thetrashisasgenuinepoisonaseverwasdugoutofthebowelsoftheearth。Takeit——useit，andmayitthrivewithyouasithathdonewithme！"
"ButItellyou，"saidElliot，"itwasnaaboutthegearthatI
wasconsultingyou，——itwasabrawbarn-yard，doubtless，andthirtyheadoffinercattletherewerenaonthissideoftheCatrail；butletthegeargang，——ifyecouldbutgiemespeeringso’puirGrace，Iwouldbecontenttobeyourslaveforlife，inonythingthatdidnatouchmysalvation。O，Elshie，speak，man，speak！"
"Well，then，"answeredtheDwarf，asifwornoutbyhisimportunity，"sincethouhastnotenoughofwoesofthineown，butmustneedsseektoburdenthyselfwiththoseofapartner，seekherwhomthouhastlostintheWEST。"
"IntheWEST？That’sawideword。"
"Itisthelast，"saidtheDwarf，whichIdesigntoutter；"andhedrewtheshuttersofhiswindow，leavingHobbietomakethemostofthehinthehadgiven。
Thewest！thewest！——thoughtElliot；thecountryisprettyquietdownthatway，unlessitwereJocko’theTodholes；andhe’sowerauldnowforthelikeo’thaejobs。——West！——ByMylife，itmustbeWestburnflat。"Elshie，justtellmeoneword。AmIright？
IsitWestburnflat？IfIamwrang，saysae。Iwadnaliketowyteaninnocentneighbourwi’violence——Noanswer？——ItmustbetheRedReiver——Ididnathinkhewadhaeventuredonme，neither，andsaemonykinasthere’so’us——Iamthinkinghe’llhaesomebetterbackingthanhisCumberlandfriends。——Fareweeltoyou，Elshie，andmonythanks——Idownabefashedwi’thesillere’ennow，forImaunawa’tomeetmyfriendsattheTrysting-place——
Sae，ifyecarenatoopenthewindow，yecanfetchitinafterI’mawa’。"
Stilltherewasnoreply。
"He’sdeaf，orhe’sdaft，orhe’sbaith；butIhaenaetimetostaytoclaverwi’him。"
AndoffrodeHobbieElliottowardstheplaceofrendezvouswhichhehadnamedtohisfriends。
FourorfiveriderswerealreadygatheredattheTrystingpool。
Theystoodincloseconsultationtogether，whiletheirhorseswerepermittedtograzeamongthepoplarswhichoverhungthebroadstillpool。Amorenumerouspartywereseencomingfromthesouthward。ItprovedtobeEarnscliffandhisparty，whohadfollowedthetrackofthecattleasfarastheEnglishborder，buthadhaltedontheinformationthataconsiderableforcewasdrawntogetherundersomeoftheJacobitegentlemeninthatdistrict，andthereweretidingsofinsurrectionindifferentpartsofScotland。Thistookawayfromtheactwhichhadbeenperpetratedtheappearanceofprivateanimosity，orloveofplunder；andEarnscliffwasnowdisposedtoregarditasasymptomofcivilwar。TheyounggentlemangreetedHobbiewiththemostsinceresympathy，andinformedhimofthenewshehadreceived。
"Then，mayIneverstirfraethebit，"saidElliot，"ifauldEllieslawisnotatthebottomo’thehaillvillainy！Yeseehe’sleaguedwi’theCumberlandCatholics；andthatagreesweelwi’whatElshiehintedaboutWestburnflat，forEllieslawayeprotectedhim，andhewillwanttoharryanddisarmthecountryabouthisainhandbeforehebreaksout。"
SomenowrememberedthatthepartyofruffianshadbeenheardtosaytheywereactingforJamesVIII。，andwerechargedtodisarmallrebels。OthershadheardWestburnflatboast，indrinkingparties，thatEllieslawwouldsoonbeinarmsfortheJacobitecause，andthathehimselfwastoholdacommandunderhim，andthattheywouldbebadneighboursforyoungEarnscliff；andallthatstoodoutfortheestablishedgovernment。TheresultwasastrongbeliefthatWestburnflathadheadedthepartyunderEllieslaw’sorders；andtheyresolvedtoproceedinstantlytothehouseoftheformer，and，ifpossible，tosecurehisperson。
Theywerebythistimejoinedbysomanyoftheirdispersedfriends，thattheirnumberamountedtoupwardsoftwentyhorsemen，wellmounted，andtolerably，thoughvariously，armed。
Abrook，whichissuedfromanarrowglenamongthehills，entered，atWestburnflat，upontheopenmarshylevel，which，expandingabouthalfamileineverydirection，givesnametothespot。Inthisplacethecharacterofthestreambecomeschanged，and，frombeingalivelybrisk-runningmountain-torrent，itstagnates，likeablueswollensnake，indulldeepwindings，throughtheswampylevel。Onthesideofthestream，andnearlyaboutthecentreoftheplain，arosethetowerofWestburnflat，oneofthefewremainingstrongholdsformerlysonumerousupontheBorders。Thegrounduponwhichitstoodwasgentlyelevatedabovethemarshforthespaceofaboutahundredyards，affordinganesplanadeofdryturf，whichextendeditselfintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthetower；but，beyondwhich，thesurfacepresentedtostrangerswasthatofanimpassableanddangerousbog。Theownerofthetowerandhisinmatesaloneknewthewindingandintricatepaths，which，leadingovergroundthatwascomparativelysound，admittedvisitorstohisresidence。ButamongthepartywhichwereassembledunderEarnscliff’sdirections，therewasmorethanonepersonqualifiedtoactasaguide。Foralthoughtheowner’scharacterandhabitsoflifeweregenerallyknown，yetthelaxityoffeelingwithrespecttopropertypreventedhisbeinglookedonwiththeabhorrencewithwhichhemusthavebeenregardedinamorecivilizedcountry。Hewasconsidered，amonghismorepeaceableneighbours，prettymuchasagambler，cock-fighter，orhorse-jockeywouldberegardedatthepresentday；aperson，ofcourse，whosehabitsweretobecondemned，andhissociety，ingeneral，avoided，yetwhocouldnotbeconsideredasmarkedwiththeindelibleinfamyattachedtohisprofession，wherelawshavebeenhabituallyobserved。Andtheirindignationwasawakenedagainsthimuponthisoccasion，notsomuchonaccountofthegeneralnatureofthetransaction，whichwasjustsuchaswastobeexpectedfromthismarauder，asthattheviolencehadbeenperpetrateduponaneighbouragainstwhomhehadnocauseofquarrel，——againstafriendoftheirown，——aboveall，againstoneofthenameofElliot，towhichclanmostofthembelonged。Itwasnot，therefore，wonderful，thatthereshouldbeseveralinthebandprettywellacquaintedwiththelocalityofhishabitation，andcapableofgivingsuchdirectionsandguidanceassoonplacedthewholepartyontheopenspaceoffirmgroundinfrontoftheTowerofWestburnflat。
CHAPTERIX。
Sospaktheknicht；thegeauntsed，Lendforthwiththe，theselymaid，Andmakmequileoftheandsche；
Forglaunsingee，orbrowsobrent，Orcheekwithroseandlilyeblent，Melistsnotfichtwiththe。ROMANCEOFTHEFALCON。
Thetower，beforewhichthepartynowstood，wasasmallsquarebuilding，ofthemostgloomyaspect。Thewallswereofgreatthickness，andthewindows，orslitswhichservedthepurposeofwindows，seemedrathercalculatedtoaffordthedefendersthemeansofemployingmissileweapons，thanforadmittingairorlighttotheapartmentswithin。Asmallbattlementprojectedoverthewallsoneveryside，andaffordedfartheradvantageofdefencebyitsnichedparapet，withinwhicharoseasteeproof，flaggedwithgreystones。Asingleturretatoneangle，defendedbyadoorstuddedwithhugeironnails，roseabovethebattlement，andgaveaccesstotherooffromwithin，bythespiralstaircasewhichitenclosed。Itseemedtothepartythattheirmotionswerewatchedbysomeoneconcealedwithinthisturret；andtheywereconfirmedintheirbeliefwhen，throughanarrowloophole，afemalehandwasseentowaveahandkerchief，asifbywayofsignaltothem。Hobbiewasalmostoutofhissenseswithjoyandeagerness。
"ItwasGrace’shandandarm，"hesaid；"Icansweartoitamangathousand。ThereisnotthelikeofitonthissideoftheLowdens——We’llhaveherout，lads，ifweshouldcarryofftheTowerofWestburnflatstanebystane。"
Earnscliff，thoughhedoubtedthepossibilityofrecognisingafairmaiden’shandatsuchadistancefromtheeyeofthelover，wouldsaynothingtodamphisfriend’sanimatedhopes，anditwasresolvedtosummonthegarrison。
Theshoutsoftheparty，andthewindingofoneortwohorns，atlengthbroughttoaloophole，whichflankedtheentrance，thehaggardfaceofanoldwoman。
"That’stheReiver’smother，"saidoneoftheElliots；"she’stentimeswaurthanhimsell，andiswytedformuckleoftheillhedoesaboutthecountry。"
"Whaareye？whatd’yewanthere？"werethequeriesoftherespectableprogenitor。
"WeareseekingWilliamGraemeofWestburnflat，"saidEarnscliff。
"He’snoathame，"returnedtheolddame。
"Whendidheleavehome？"pursuedEarnscliff。
"Icannatell，"saidtheportress。
"Whenwillhereturn？"saidHobbieElliot。
"Idinnakennaethingaboutit，"repliedtheinexorableguardianofthekeep。
"Isthereanybodywithinthetowerwithyou？"againdemandedEarnscliff。
"Naebodybutmysellandbaudrons，"saidtheoldwoman。
"Thenopenthegateandadmitus，"saidEarnscliff；"Iamajusticeofpeace，andinsearchoftheevidenceofafelony。"
"Deilbeintheirfingersthatdrawsaboltforye，"retortedtheportress；"formineshallneverdoit。Thinknayeshameo’
yoursells，tocomeheresiccanabando’ye，wi’yourswords，andspears，andsteel-caps，tofrightenalonewidowwoman？"
"Ourinformation，"saidEarnscliff；"ispositive；weareseekinggoodswhichhavebeenforciblycarriedoff，toagreatamount。"
"Andayoungwoman，that’sbeencruellymadeprisoner，that’sworthmairthana’thegear，twicetold，"saidHobbie。
"AndIwarnyou。"continuedEarnscliff，"thatyouronlywaytoproveyourson’sinnocenceistogiveusquietadmittancetosearchthehouse。"
"Andwhatwillyedo，ifIcarenatothrawthekeys，ordrawthebolts，oropenthegratetosicaclamjamfrie？"saidtheolddame，scoffingly。
"Forceourwaywiththeking’skeys，andbreaktheneckofeverylivingsoulwefindinthehouse，ifyedinnagieitowerforthwith！"menacedtheincensedHobbie。
"Threatenedfolkslivelang，"saidthehag，inthesametoneofirony；"there’stheirongrate——tryyourskeelon’t，lads——ithaskeptoutasgudemenasyouornow。"
Sosaying，shelaughed，andwithdrewfromtheaperturethroughwhichshehadheldtheparley。
Thebesiegersnowopenedaseriousconsultation。Theimmensethicknessofthewalls，andthesmallsizeofthewindows，might，foratime，haveevenresistedcannon-shot。Theentrancewassecured，first，byastronggrateddoor，composedentirelyofhammerediron，ofsuchponderousstrengthasseemedcalculatedtoresistanyforcethatcouldbebroughtagainstit。"Pinchesorforehammerswillneverpickupon’t，"saidHugh，theblacksmithofRingleburn；"yemightasweelbatteratitwi’pipe-staples。"
Withinthedoorway，andatthedistanceofninefeet，whichwasthesolidthicknessofthewall，therewasaseconddoorofoak，crossed，bothbreadthandlengthways，withclenchedbarsofiron，andstuddedfullofbroad-headednails。Besidesallthesedefences，theywerebynomeansconfidentinthetruthoftheolddame’sassertion，thatshealonecomposedthegarrison。Themoreknowingofthepartyhadobservedhoof-marksinthetrackbywhichtheyapproachedthetower，whichseemedtoindicatethatseveralpersonshadverylatelypassedinthatdirection。
Toallthesedifficultieswasaddedtheirwantofmeansforattackingtheplace。Therewasnohopeofprocuringladderslongenoughtoreachthebattlements，andthewindows，besidesbeingverynarrow，weresecuredwithironbars。Scalingwasthereforeoutofthequestion；miningwasstillmoreso，forwantoftoolsandgunpowder；neitherwerethebesiegersprovidedwithfood，meansofshelter，orotherconveniences，whichmighthaveenabledthemtoconvertthesiegeintoablockade；andtherewould，atanyrate，havebeenariskofrelieffromsomeofthemarauder’scomrades。Hobbiegrindedandgnashedhisteeth，as，walkingroundthefastness，hecoulddevisenomeansofmakingaforcibleentry。Atlengthhesuddenlyexclaimed，"Andwhatfornodoasourfathersdidlangsyne？——Puthandtothewark，lads。Letuscutupbushesandbriers，pilethembeforethedoorandsetfiretothem，andsmokethataulddevil’sdamasifsheweretobereestedforbacon。"
Allimmediatelyclosedwiththisproposal，andsomewenttoworkwithswordsandknivestocutdownthealderandhawthornbusheswhichgrewbythesideofthesluggishstream，manyofwhichweresufficientlydecayedanddriedfortheirpurpose，whileothersbegantocollecttheminalargestack，properlydisposedforburning，asclosetotheiron-grateastheycouldbepiled。Firewasspeedilyobtainedfromoneoftheirguns，andHobbiewasalreadyadvancingtothepilewithakindledbrand，whenthesurlyfaceoftherobber，andthemuzzleofamusquetoon，werepartiallyshownatashot-holewhichflankedtheentrance。"Monythankstoye，"hesaid，scoffingly，"forcollectingsaemucklewintereildingforus；butifyestepafootneareritwi’thatlunt，it’sbethedeareststepyeevermadeinyourdays。"
"We’llsuneseethat，"saidHobbie，advancingfearlesslywiththetorch。
Themaraudersnappedhispieceathim，which，fortunatelyforourhonestfriend，didnotgooff；whileEarnscliff，firingatthesamemomentatthenarrowapertureandslightmarkaffordedbytherobber’sface，grazedthesideofhisheadwithabullet。Hehadapparentlycalculateduponhispostaffordinghimmoresecurity，forhenosoonerfeltthewound，thoughaveryslightone，thanherequestedaparley，anddemandedtoknowwhattheymeantbyattackinginthisfashionapeaceableandhonestman，andsheddinghisbloodinthatlawlessmanner？
"Wewantyourprisoner，"saidEarnscliff，"tobedelivereduptousinsafety，"
"Andwhatconcernhaveyouwithher？"repliedthemarauder。
"That，"retortedEarnscliff，"you，whoaredetainingherbyforce，havenorighttoenquire。"
"Aweel，IthinkIcangieaguess，"saidtherobber。"Weel，sirs，Iamlaithtoenterintodeadlyfeudwithyoubyspillingonyofyourbluid，thoughEarnscliffhasnastoppedtoshedmine——andhecanhitamarktoagroat’sbreadth——so，topreventmairskaith，Iamwillingtodeliveruptheprisoner，sincenaelesswillpleaseyou。"
"AndHobbie’sgear？"criedSimonofHackburn。"D’yethinkyou’retobefreetoplunderthefauldsandbyresofagentleElliot，asiftheywereanauldwife’shens’-cavey？"
"AsIlivebybread，"repliedWillieofWestburnflat"AsIlivebybread，Ihavenotasingleclooto’them！They’rea’owerthemarchlangsyne；there’snoahorno’themaboutthetower。ButI’llseewhato’themcanbegottenback，andI’lltakethisdaytwadaystomeetHobbieattheCastletonwi’twafriendsonilkaside，andseetomakeanagreementabouta’thewranghecanwytemewi’。"
"Ay，ay，"saidElliot，"thatwilldoweeleneugh。"——Andthenasidetohiskinsman，"Murrainonthegear！Lordsake，man！saynoughtaboutthem。LetusbutgetpuirGraceouto’thatauldhellicat’sclutches。"
"Willyegiemeyourword，Earnscliff，"saidthemarauder，whostilllingeredattheshot-hole，"yourfaithandtroth，withhandandglove，thatIamfreetocomeandfreetogae，withfiveminutestoopenthegrate，andfiveminutestosteekitandtodrawthebolts？lesswinnado，fortheywantcreishingsairly。
Willyedothis？"
"Youshallhavefulltime，"saidEarnscliff；"Iplightmyfaithandtroth，myhandandmyglove。"
"Waitthereamoment，then，"saidWestburnflat；"orhearye，I
wadratheryewadfa’backapistol-shotfromthedoor。It’snothatImistrustyourword，Earnscliff；butit’sbesttobesure。"
O，friend，thoughtHobbietohimself，ashedrewback，anIhadyoubutonTurner’s-holm，[Thereisalevelmeadow，ontheverymarginofthetwokingdoms，calledTurner’s-holm，justwherethebrookcalledCrissopjoinstheLiddel。Itissaidtohavederiveditsnameasbeingaplacefrequentlyassignedfortourneys，duringtheancientBordertimes。]andnaebodybybuttwahonestladstoseefairplay，Iwadmakeyewishyehadbrokenyourlegereyehadtouchedbeastorbodythatbelangedtome！
"HehasawhitefeatherinhiswingthissameWestburnflat，aftera’，"saidSimonofHackburn，somewhatscandalizedbyhisreadysurrender。——"He’llne’erfillhisfather’sboots。"
Inthemeanwhile，theinnerdoorofthetowerwasopened，andthemotherofthefreebooterappearedinthespacebetwixtthatandtheoutergrate。Williehimselfwasnextseen，leadingforthafemale，andtheoldwoman，carefullyboltingthegratebehindthem，remainedonthepostasasortofsentinel。
"Onyaneortwao’yecomeforward，"saidtheoutlaw，"andtakeherfraemyhandhaillandsound。"
Hobbieadvancedeagerly，tomeethisbetrothedbride。Earnsclifffollowedmoreslowly，toguardagainsttreachery。SuddenlyHobbieslackenedhispaceinthedeepestmortification，whilethatofEarnscliffwashastenedbyimpatientsurprise。ItwasnotGraceArmstrong，butMissIsabellaVere，whoseliberationhadbeeneffectedbytheirappearancebeforethetower。
"WhereisGrace？whereisGraceArmstrong？"exclaimedHobbie，intheextremityofwrathandindignation。