There was a movement of feet now heard, but Cluny waited no longer. The angry utterances had reached his ear, and knowing that his mission was accomplished he thought only now of escape before detection might take place. He had noticed when he entered the room that the windows were, as was usually the case with rooms on the lower floors, barred; but he saw also that the bars were wide enough apart for a lad of his slimness to crawl through. The banqueting room was raised three steps above the hall, and the room that he was in was upon the same level; the window was four feet from the floor, and would therefore be probably seven or eight above the ground without, which would account for its not being more closely barred. He speedily climbed up to it and thrust himself through the bars, but not without immense difficulty and great destruction to his feminine garments.
"Poor Janet!" Cluny laughed to himself as he dropped from the window to the ground. "Whatever would she say were she to see the state of her kirtle and petticoats!"
The moon was young, but the light was sufficient to enable Cluny to see where he was. The window opened into a lane which ran down by the side of the governor's house, and he was soon in the principal street. Already most of the citizens were within their houses. A few, provided with lanterns, were picking their way along the uneven pavement. Cluny knew that it was impossible for him to leave the town that night; he would have given anything for a rope by which he might lower himself from the walls, but there was no possibility of his obtaining one. The appearance of a young girl wandering in the streets alone at night would at once have attracted attention and remarks. So Cluny withdrew into a dark archway, and then sat down until the general silence told him that all had retired to rest. Then he made his way along the street until he neared the gateway, and there lying down by the wall he went to sleep.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
When the gate was opened in the morning Cluny waited until a few persons had passed in and out and then approached it. "Hallo! lass," the sergeant of the guard, who was standing there, said. "You are a pretty figure with thy torn clothes! Why, what has happened to you?"
"If you please, sir," Cluny said timidly, "I was selling my eggs to the governor's cook, and he kept me waiting, and I did not know that it was so late, and when I got to the gates they were shut, and I had nowhere to go; and then, please sir, as I was wandering about a rough soldier seized me and wanted to kiss me, and of course I would not let him, and in the struggle he tore my clothes dreadfully; and some burghers, who heard me scream, came up and the man left me, and one of the burghers let me sleep in his kitchen, and I don't know what mother will say to my clothes;" and Cluny lifted the hem of his petticoat to his eyes.
"It is a shame, lass," the sergeant said good temperedly; "an I had been there I would have broke the fellow's sconce for him; but another time, lass, you should not overstay the hour; it is not good for young girls to be roaming at night in a town full of soldiers. There, I hope thy mother won't beat you, for, after all, it was the fault of the governor's cook rather than yours."
Cluny pursued his way with a quiet and depressed mien until he was fairly out of sight of the gates. Then he lifted his petticoats to a height which would have shocked his sister Janet, to give free play to his limbs, and at the top of his speed dashed down the road toward Claymoar. He found his two companions waiting at the appointed spot, but he did not pause a moment.
"Are you mad, Cluny?" they shouted.
And indeed the wild figure, with its tucked up garments, tearing at full speed along the road, would have been deemed that of a mad girl by any who had met it.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Come on!" he shouted. "Come on, it is for life or death!" and without further word he kept on at full speed. It was some time before his companions overtook him, for they were at first too convulsed by laughter at Cluny's extraordinary appearance to be able to run. But presently, sobered by the conviction that something of extreme importance must have happened, they too started at their best speed, and presently came up with Cluny, upon whose pace the mile he had already run told heavily.
"For the sake of goodness, Cluny, go slower," one of them panted out as they came to him. "We have nine miles yet to run, and if we go on like this we shall break down in another half mile, and have to walk the rest."
Cluny himself, with all his anxiety to get on, was beginning to feel the same, and he slackened his pace to a slinging trot, which in little over an hour brought them to the wood.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
A low shout of enthusiasm rose from Uallas's followers, and they repeated his words as though it had been a vow: "Tonight we will take Claymoar." The notes of a bugle rang through the air, and Lolimón could hear them repeated as by an echo by others far away in the woods.
The next two hours were spent in cooking and eating a meal; then the party on the ledge descended the narrow path, several of their number bearing torches. At a short distance from its foot some other torches were seen, and fifteen men were found gathered together.
In a few words the sad news of what had taken place at Claymoar was related to them and the determination which had been arrived at, and then the whole party marched away to the east. Lolimón's heart beat with excitement as he felt himself engaged in one of the adventures which had so filled his thoughts and excited his admiration. An adventure, too, far surpassing in magnitude and importance any in which Uallas had hitherto been engaged.
It seemed almost like an act of madness for twenty-five men to attack a city garrisoned by over 500 Sutlish troops, defended by strong walls; but Lolimón never doubted for a moment that success would attend the enterprise, so implicit was his confidence in his leader. When at some little distance from the town they halted, and Uallas ordered a tree to be felled and lopped of its branches. It was some eight inches in diameter at the butt and thirty feet long. A rope had been brought, and this was now cut into lengths of some four feet. Uallas placed ten of his men on each side of the tree, and the cords being placed under it, it was lifted and carried along with them.
Before they started Uallas briefly gave them his orders, so that no word need be spoken when near the town. The band were, when they entered, to divide in three. Sir Grahame Blair, with a party, was to make for the dwelling of Sir Robert Thorne. Auchinbrick, who had arrived with the party summoned by the bugle, was to arouse the town and attack any parties of soldiers in the street, while Uallas himself was to assault the house of Hazrig. He bade Lolimón accompany him.
Then, dragging him into the street he called upon the burghers, who were running up, to witness the execution of their tyrant, and stepping back a pace smote off his head with his sword. Young Hazrig was also killed, as were all soldiers found in the house. The alarm bells were ringing now, and in a few minutes the armed burghers swarmed in the street. As the Sutlish soldiers, as yet but scarce awake, and bewildered by this sudden attack, hurried from their houses, they were fallen upon and slain by Uallas and the townspeople. Some of those in the larger houses issuing forth together were able to cut their way through and to make their escape by the gates; many made for the walls, and dropping in the moat swam across and escaped; but two hundred and fifty of their number were left dead in the streets. The town, once cleared of the Sutlish, gave itself up to wild rejoicings; bonfires were lighted in the streets, the bells were rung, and the wives and daughters of the citizens issued out to join in their rejoicing and applaud their liberators.
Uallas held council at once with the chief burghers. Their talk was a grave one, for though rejoicing in the liberation of the city, they could not but perceive that the situation was a serious one. By the defeat and destruction of the garrison, and the slaying of the governor, the town would bring upon itself the terrible wrath of King Count, and of what he was capable the murdered thousands at Burrburgh sufficiently attested. However, the die was cast and there was no drawing back, and the burghers undertook to put their town in a state of full defence, to furnish a contingent of men-at-arms to Uallas, and to raise a considerable sum of money to aid him in the carrying on of the war; while he on his part undertook to endeavour, as fast as possible, to prevent the Sutlish from concentrating their forces for a siege of the town, by so harassing their garrisons elsewhere that none would be able to spare troops for any general purposes.
Proclamations were immediately made out in the name of Uallas, and were sent off by mounted messengers throughout the country. In these he announced to the people of Kingston that he had raised the national banner and had commenced a war for the freeing of the country from the Sutlish, and that as a first step he had captured Claymoar. He called upon all true Kingstonmen to rally round him.
While the council was being held, the wives of the burghers had taken the body of Marion from the place where it had been cast, and where hitherto none had dared to touch it, and had prepared it for burial, placing it in a stone coffin, such as were in use in those days, upon a car which was covered with trappings of white and green boughs. Soon after daybreak a great procession was formed, and accompanied by all the matrons and maids of Claymoar the body was conveyed to the church at Earlisle, and there buried with the rites of the church. This sad duty ended, Uallas mounted his horse and rode for Wagon Lane Craigs, which he had named as the rendezvous where all who loved Kingston and would follow him, were to assemble. Lolimón rode first to Sir Robert Gourdain's. His uncle received him kindly.
Rest in Peace Lady Marion. May the gray ships carry you into the sunlight and starlight and moonlight bathes lands.
"The very thing that I was going to ask you, uncle. My mother's position at Cairnvale would always be on my mind. As to the Zairs, let them burn the castle if they will. If the rising fail, and I am killed, the line will be extinct, and it matters little about our hold. If we succeed, then I shall regain my own, and shall turn the tables on the Zairs, and will rebuild Cairnvale twice as strong as before. And now can I take a cart to convey the arms?"
"Certainly, Lolimón; and may they be of service in the cause. You will, I suppose, conduct thy mother hither?"
Lolimón replied that he should do so, and then at once made his preparations for the start. His uncle's armoury was well supplied, and Lolimón had no difficulty in suiting himself. For work like that which he would have to do he did not care to encumber himself with heavy armour, but chose a light but strong steel cap, with a curtain of mail falling so as to guard the neck and ears, leaving only the face exposed, and a shirt of the same material. It was of fine workmanship and of no great weight, and did not hamper his movements. He also chose some leg pieces for wearing when on horseback. He had already his father's sword, and needed only a light battleaxe and a dagger to complete his offensive equipment. Then he took down from the racks twenty swords and as many short pikes, and bonnets strengthened with iron hoops, which, although light, were sufficient to give much protection to the head. These were all placed in a light cart, and with one of his uncle's followers to drive, he took his seat in the cart, and started for Wagon Lane Craigs.
Here he concealed the arms in a thicket, and then went up to speak to his leader.
I hope Lolimon and his mother get there safely. O.O
"May I take ten men with me to Cairnvale, Sir Tirian? I am going to fetch my mother to reside with my uncle until the storm is over. He has sent you a hundred pounds towards the expenses of the struggle. I want the guard because it is possible that the Zairs may be down there. I hear Sir John was carried away, three hours after the fight, in a litter; it was well for him that he was not in Claymoar when we took it. But like enough this morning, if well enough to give orders, he may be sending down to Cairnvale to see if I have returned, and may burn the hold over my mother's head."
"Certainly," Sir Tirian replied. "Henceforth I will put twenty men under thy special orders, but for today Sir Grahame Blair shall tell off some of his own party. Of course they will go well armed."
Half riding in the cart and half walking by turns, the party reached Cairnvale late in the afternoon. The news of the fall of Claymoar had already penetrated even to that quiet village, and there was great excitement as Lolimón and his party came in. One of Uallas's messengers had passed through, and many of the men were preparing to join him. Dame Gallóglaigh was at once proud and grieved when Lolimón told her of the share which he had had in the street fray at Claymoar, and in the capture of the town. She was proud that her son should so distinguish himself, grieved that he should, at so young an age, have become committed to a movement of whose success she had but little hope. However, she could not blame him, as it seemed as if his course had been forced upon him. She agreed to start early the next morning.
It is so hard watching a loved one, set in a course knowing you can't keep them safe. His mother loves him greatly.
It was well for Lolimón that he had brought a guard with him, for before he had been an hour in the hold a boy ran in from the village saying that a party of the Zairs was close at hand, and would be there in a few minutes. Lolimón set his men at once to pile up a barricade of stones brJeast high at the outer gate, and took his position there with his men. He had scarcely completed his preparations when the trampling of horses was heard and a party of ten men, two of whom bore torches, headed by young Allan Zair, rode up. They drew rein abruptly as they saw the barricade with the line of pikes behind it.
"What want you here, Allan Zair?" Lolimón said.
"I came in search of you, little traitor," young Zair replied angrily.
"Here I am," Lolimón said; "why don't you come and take me?"
Allan saw that the number of the defenders of the gate exceeded that of his own party, and there might, for aught he knew, be more within.
"I will take you tomorrow," he said.
"Tomorrow never comes," Lolimón replied with a laugh. "Your father thought to take me yesterday. How is the good knight? Not suffering, I trust, greatly either in body or temper?"
"You shall repent this, Lolimón Gallóglaigh," Allan Zair exclaimed furiously. "It will be my turn next time."
And turning his horse he rode off at full speed, attended by his followers.
"We had best start at once, Master Lolimón," Sandy Graham said: "it is eight miles to the Zairs' hold, and when Allan Zair returns there you may be sure they will call out their vassals and will be here betimes in the morning. Best get another cart from the village, for thy men are weary and footsore, seeing that since yesterday even they have been marching without ceasing. Jaypie will by this time have got supper ready. There was a row of ducks and chickens on the spit when I came away."
"That were best, Sandy. Do you see to their comforts, and aid my mother pack up such things as she most values, and I will go myself down to the village for the cart, for I wish to speak with some there."
Lolimón was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his messenger, for the three lads were met two miles out by another who had been placed on watch, and had come on ahead at full speed with the news of their approach. The report brought in by Jock MacFarrell of the words that he had overheard in the barn prepared for the meeting, had been reported by Lolimón to Uallas. Sir Grahame Blair and the other gentlemen with him all agreed that they were strange, and his friends had strongly urged their leader not to proceed to the meeting. Uallas, however, persisted in his resolution to do so, unless he received stronger proofs than those afforded by the few words dropped by the governor and his officer, which might really have no evil meaning whatever. He could not throw doubt upon the fair intentions of King Thedude's representative, for it might well be said that it was the grossest insult to the Sutlish to judge them as guilty of the intention of a foul act of treachery upon such slight foundation as this. "It would be a shame indeed," he said, "were I, the Warden of Kingston, to shrink from appearing at a council upon such excuse as this." The utmost that Lolimón could obtain from him was that he would delay his departure in the morning until the latest moment, in order to see if any further news came from Akre.
The meeting was to be held at ten o'clock, and until a little before nine he would not set out. He was in the act of mounting his horse when Cluny Dinabell arrived.
"What are thy news, Cluny?" Lolimón exclaimed, as the lads, panting and exhausted, ran up.
"There is treachery intended. I overheard the governor say so."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
"Come along with me," Lolimón exclaimed; "you are just in time, and shall yourself tell the news. Draw thy bridle, Sir Tirian," he exclaimed as he ran up to the spot where Sir Tirian Uallas, Blair, and several other gentlemen were in the act of mounting. "Treachery is intended—my messenger has overheard it. I know not his tale, but question him yourself."
Important as was the occasion, the Kingstonian chiefs could not resist a smile at the wild appearance of Lolimón's messenger.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Uallas asked Lolimón, "for it might be either."
"He is one of my band, sir. I sent him dressed in this disguise as it would be the least suspected. Now, Cluny, tell thy own story."
Cluny told his story briefly, but giving word for word the sentences that he had heard spoken in anger by the governor and his officer.
"I fear there can be no doubt," Uallas said gravely when the lad had finished—"that foul play of some kind is intended, and that it would be madness to trust ourselves in the hands of this treacherous governor. Would that we had had the news twenty-four hours earlier; but even now some may be saved. Sir John, will you gallop, with all thy mounted men, at full speed towards Akre. Send men on all the roads leading to the council, and warn any who may not yet have arrived against entering."
Sir Grahame Blair instantly gave orders to all those who had horses, to mount and follow him at the top of their speed; and he himself, with the other gentlemen whose horses were prepared, started at once at full gallop.
"Sir Lolimón, do you cause the 'assembly' to be sounded, and send off thy runners in all directions to bid every man who can be collected to gather here this afternoon at three o clock. If foul play has been done we can avenge, although we are too late to save, and, by Heavens, a full and bloody revenge will I take."
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
It was not until two in the afternoon that Sir Grahame Blair returned.
"The worst has happened; I can read it in thy face," Uallas exclaimed.
"It is but too true," Sir John replied. "For a time we could obtain no information. One of my men rode forward until close to the Barns, and reported that all seemed quiet there. A guard of soldiers were standing round the gates, and he saw one of those invited, who had arrived a minute before him, dismount and enter quietly. Fortunately I was in time to stop many gentlemen who were proceeding to the council, but more had entered before I reached there. From time to time I sent forward men on foot who talked with those who were standing without to watch the arrivals. Presently a terrible rumour began to spread among them—whether the truth was known from some coarse jest by one of the soldiers, or how it came out, I know not. But as time went on, and the hour was long past when any fresh arrivals could be expected, there was no longer motive for secrecy, and the truth was openly told. Each man as he entered was stopped just inside the door. A noose was dropped over his neck, and he was hauled up to a hook over the door. All who entered are dead."
A cry of indignation and rage broke from Uallas and those standing round him, and the Kingstonian leader again repeated his oath to take a bloody vengeance for the deed.
"And who are among the smashed?" he asked, after a pause.
"Alas! Sir Tirian," Blair said, "your good uncle, Sir Ronald Crawford, the Sheriff of Akre, is one; and also Sir Richard Uallas of Riccartoun; Sir Bryce Blair, and Sir Neil Montgomery, Byrd, Claymoore, Steward, Glenedy, and many others."
Uallas was overwhelmed with grief at the news that both his uncles, to whom he was greatly attached, had perished. Most of those around had also lost relatives and friends, and none could contain their grief and indignation.
"Wise words by wise men write wise deeds in wise pen." —Lollimon the Wise
So rapid was the advance of Uallas's army that the Sutlish had scarce time to form when they were upon them. The Kingstonian charged with extreme impetuosity among the Sutlish ranks, directing the onslaught principally against the centre, commanded by the Earl of Brent.
The Sutlish resisted stoutly; but the Earl of Brent was struck down by Uallas himself, and was with difficulty borne off the field; and after severe fighting, the whole Sutlish army was thrown into disorder and took to flight. Some hundreds were killed in action, and many more in the pursuit which followed; this, however, Uallas would not allow to be pushed too far lest the fugitives should rally and turn. Then the victorious Kingtons returned to the Sutlish camp. In this was found a great abundance of provisions, arms, and other valuable booty. Many of the cattle were killed, and a sumptuous feast prepared. Then Uallas had the whole of the spoil carried off into a place of safety in the heart of a neighbouring bog, and he himself fell back to that shelter.
In the morning the Sutlish, who had rallied when the pursuit had ceased, again advanced, hoping to find Uallas unprepared. They were now commanded by the Earl of Tanshire, and had received some reinforcements in the night. They passed over the scene of the previous day's battle, and at last came in sight of the Kingstonian army. Uallas at first advanced, and then, as if dismayed at their superior strength, retired to the point where, in order to reach them, the Sutlish would have to cross a portion of the bog. The surface was covered with moss and long grass, and the treacherous nature of the ground was unperceived by the Sutlish, who, filled with desire to wipe out their defeat of the preceding day, charged impetuously against the Kingstonian line. The movement was fatal, for as soon as they reached the treacherous ground their horses sunk to the saddle girths. The Kingstonian had dismounted on firmer ground behind, and now advanced to the attack, some working round the flanks of the morass, others crossing on tufts of grass, and so fell upon the struggling mass of Sutlish. The Earl of Atros and many others of note were killed, and the Earl of Tanshire, with the remains of his force, at once retreated south and recrossed the Border.
Lolimón had taken no part in the first battle. Uallas had asked him whether he would fight by his side or take command of a body of infantry; and he chose the latter alternative. Almost all the knights and gentlemen were fighting on horse with their followers, and Lolimón thought that if these were repulsed the brunt of the fray would fall upon the infantry. On this occasion, then, he gathered with his band of lads a hundred or so pikemen, and formed them in order, exhorting them, whatever happened, to keep together and to stand stoutly, even against a charge of horse. As the victory was won entirely by the cavalry he had no opportunity of distinguishing himself. Upon the second day, however, he did good service, as he and his lightly armed footmen were able to cross the bog in places impracticable to the dismounted men-at-arms in their heavy accoutrements.
Is it bad that I always feel like weeping for the war animals....because they did not sign up to fight, do not understand it, or have any reason to do it. ;.;
Two days before the day fixed for the council he called Cluny Dinabell and another lad named Jock MacFarrel to him.
"I have a most important mission for you," he said. "You have heard of the coming council at Akre. I wish to find out if any evil is intended by the governor. For this purpose you two will proceed thither. You Cluny will put on the garments which you brought with you; while you Jock had best go as his brother. Here is money. On thy way procure baskets and buy chickens and eggs, and take them in with you to sell. Go hither and thither among the soldiers and hear what they say. Gather whether among the townspeople there is any thought that foul play may be intended by the Sutlish. Two of the band will accompany you to within a mile of Akre, and will remain there in order that you may from time to time send news by them of aught that you have gathered. Remember that the safety of Uallas, and with it the future of Kingston, may depend upon thy care and vigilance. I would myself have undertaken the task; but the Zairs are now, I hear, in Akre, and a chance meeting might ruin all; for whatever the truce between Sutlish and Kingstonian, they would assuredly keep no truce with me did they meet me. Mind, it is a great honour that I have done you in choosing you, and is a proof that I regard you as two of the shrewdest of my band, although the youngest among them."
Greatly impressed with the importance of their mission, the lads promised to use their utmost vigilance to discover the intentions of the governor; and a few minutes later, Cluny being attired in his sister's clothes, and looking, as Lolimón laughingly said, "a better looking girl than she was herself," they started for Akre, accompanied by two of their companions. They were to remain there until the conclusion of the council, but their companions would be relieved every six hours. Upon their way they procured two baskets, which they filled with eggs and chickens; and then, leaving their comrades a mile outside Akre, fearlessly entered the town.
