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Outlaws of Ravenhurst - Sister M Imelda Wallace · Mystery & Suspense Library

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Chapter one. The gray cloaked Stranger Night lay on the long,
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: swelling waves of the Chesapeake Bay. No wind, no star,
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  Speaker 1: a murky darkness. The spars of an unlighted ship loomed
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  Speaker 1: through the fog and sank into fog again. Stealthily, from
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  Speaker 1: the bulky gloom of the deck, a dory slid on
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: oiled ropes to the somber waters. Two seamen followed. Then
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  Speaker 1: down the ropes came an object which seemed to be
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  Speaker 1: a man with a bundle wrapped in a long gray cloak.
• 0:33
  Speaker 1: The dory pulled off and was swallowed by the fog
• 0:37
  Speaker 1: for an hour. The ship swung an anchor. Still no
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  Speaker 1: light aloft or low, and no sound saw the dull
• 0:43
  Speaker 1: lapping of the waves. Then from the stern a bell
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  Speaker 1: began to toll. One slow booming tone rolled off and
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  Speaker 1: died away before the next followed. As if drawn out
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  Speaker 1: of the fog by the bell's deep calling, the dory
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  Speaker 1: came gliding back again. Two seamen were at the oars.
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: The anchor sobbed up from the sea's grip. The tide
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  Speaker 1: was offshore, and the ship floated out with a current, unlighted, silent,
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  Speaker 1: back into the white smother from which it had come,
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  Speaker 1: keen and marrow. Searching, the morning wind rose along the
• 1:18
  Speaker 1: shores of Maryland. Dense fog became a fine, drizzling rain,
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: turning to sleep breasting. A long lonely ways among the
• 1:26
  Speaker 1: sand dunes hurried a lean, bent man carrying a bundle
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  Speaker 1: under his cloak, a long, muddied threadbare garment as gray
• 1:35
  Speaker 1: as the rain soaked ashes. The bundle was hard to manage.
• 1:39
  Speaker 1: It seemed to move of its own accord. Once in
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  Speaker 1: a while a sound came out of it, a wailing cry,
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: donkey tee wee, take doerty out sh The man would whisper.
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: His tone was a stern command, but his eyes glowed
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: with great love. The bundle would sniffle a moment or too,
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: then grow quiet. After hours of tramping, the man found
• 2:05
  Speaker 1: a nook where the forests met the last sand dunes. Here,
• 2:09
  Speaker 1: crouched between a low bank and a tree, with his
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  Speaker 1: own body shielding the bundle from the sleet, the man
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  Speaker 1: opened his cloak and loosened the sailcloth and the plaid shawl.
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  Speaker 1: Within A fat fist slipped out of the opening. Then
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  Speaker 1: a tousel of brown curls a gurgling laugh and a
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  Speaker 1: piping voice. Do a donkey tee wee, take it all off. Hush,
• 2:32
  Speaker 1: came the man's thow command, in a tone that would
• 2:35
  Speaker 1: have been menacing, except that it was so deeply kind. Drink.
• 2:40
  Speaker 1: He drew a flask from his cloak. The child drank,
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  Speaker 1: but all the while he stared over the bottle's room
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  Speaker 1: at the man, a wise, wide baby stare. His eyes
• 2:52
  Speaker 1: were blue and deep as the sea, with a flash
• 2:54
  Speaker 1: in their depths that, in the turning of an instant,
• 2:57
  Speaker 1: might be fun or fury. Just now the eyes shone
• 3:00
  Speaker 1: with a puzzled and half angry trust. Even in this
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  Speaker 1: short time, the little fist which guided the flask was
• 3:06
  Speaker 1: growing blue, though it gripped with deft strength a swordsman's
• 3:11
  Speaker 1: right hand still in the making. The stranger hastened to
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: enclose the baby in his warm coverings. He wound the
• 3:18
  Speaker 1: cloak about himself and his bundle, left the shelter and
• 3:22
  Speaker 1: hurried on through the stinging sleet. By mid afternoon they
• 3:26
  Speaker 1: had reached the top of a rough knob. Here the
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  Speaker 1: man seemed to be expecting someone, placing himself on the spot,
• 3:33
  Speaker 1: well screened by the underbrush, He kept a constant eye
• 3:36
  Speaker 1: on a little path which wound around the base of
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  Speaker 1: the hill. It was almost sundown before the expected one arrived,
• 3:44
  Speaker 1: a gentle old man on a steady going bay horse.
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  Speaker 1: His round, low crowned hat, sober clothing, and great saddle
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  Speaker 1: bags gave him the appearance of a missionary passing from
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  Speaker 1: one mast station to another. If the man of the
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  Speaker 1: gray cloak was expecting the meeting, this other person evidently
• 4:02
  Speaker 1: was not. Yet. The stranger studied the missionary's face with
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  Speaker 1: a look of recognition and relief. Then, turning sharply, he
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  Speaker 1: slipped off in an opposite direction, across the hill and
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  Speaker 1: down the other side, until he reached the path at
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  Speaker 1: a point where the horsemen must soon pass. Here, the
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  Speaker 1: stranger took his queer bundle from beneath his cloak and
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  Speaker 1: propped it up against the stump. He loosened the wrappings
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  Speaker 1: from the baby's face and pressed upon the little brow
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  Speaker 1: one long, long kiss. The child awoke and cried out
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  Speaker 1: to him. The gray cloak figure whirled and darted up
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  Speaker 1: the hill into a thicket. Perhaps he feared the horsemen
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  Speaker 1: would come before time. Perhaps he could not trust himself
• 4:43
  Speaker 1: further lest he failed to carry out his plan, The
• 4:47
  Speaker 1: child left suddenly alone, cried out at first as if
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  Speaker 1: it were some game. Then crossed from weariness, he screamed
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  Speaker 1: and struggled with his coverings. At last, as if to
• 4:59
  Speaker 1: wearied a battle longer, his voice dropped to a convulse, sobbing, donkey, donkey,
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  Speaker 1: tee wee. Far up the slope, the stranger knelt between
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  Speaker 1: a ledge and a twisted mass of brush and vine.
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  Speaker 1: His clenched hands were out stretched on the rock, gripped
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  Speaker 1: upon each other till the finger nails bit into the
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  Speaker 1: lean flesh. His hollow, weather furred face was set by
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  Speaker 1: the clenched will behind it, but his eyes were wet
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  Speaker 1: with an agony of love and longing. End of chapter one.
• 5:34
  Speaker 1: Brown Head Goes Fishing. Two boys trotted along an old
• 5:38
  Speaker 1: marilynd path. The brown headed one carried poles and bait.
• 5:43
  Speaker 1: The red headed one held an old flint locked gun.
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  Speaker 1: Joel grumbled the brown head, look at this bait. Not
• 5:50
  Speaker 1: a blessed thing but cabbage worms. We won't get a
• 5:53
  Speaker 1: fish till the owl knows when what's biting on you. George,
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  Speaker 1: that's the best kind a fish can have. White anytime,
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  Speaker 1: he wants to nose along the bank, but he doesn't
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  Speaker 1: get green ones every day anyhow. I had to clean
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  Speaker 1: the cabbage pit this morning. Yeah, I thought you had
• 6:10
  Speaker 1: a lazy man's reason. 'tisn't either lazy man's reason. Red
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  Speaker 1: head tempers red. Better run, he'll kill me dead, mocked George,
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  Speaker 1: leaping over a log and racing downhill. You'll take that back,
• 6:24
  Speaker 1: panted Joel, scrambling after him with the old gun, bouncing
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  Speaker 1: up and down his shoulder like to see you make me.
• 6:32
  Speaker 1: But George's foot caught in the vine, and down he went.
• 6:35
  Speaker 1: Joel sprang astart his back and began bouncing up and down, singing,
• 6:39
  Speaker 1: take it back. No, I won't take it back. I I,
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  Speaker 1: oh won't. You've got to. I'll bounce till you do. Ouch.
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  Speaker 1: Oh my foot. Joel caught his big toe in both
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  Speaker 1: hands with a wigal George was free. Have to take
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  Speaker 1: it back, do I? He sprang over a log, then
• 7:04
  Speaker 1: paused for Joel was still hugging his toe. What's up?
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  Speaker 1: Got a splinter in my toe? Crying for a splinter? Baby,
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  Speaker 1: you'd cry if you had it. Let's see that's a
• 7:20
  Speaker 1: beast singer. Sure it hurts here I'll pull it out
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  Speaker 1: for you. Ouch, muddle, take this sting out. Here's some
• 7:31
  Speaker 1: Was it a honey bee or just no bumble? Honeybee?
• 7:34
  Speaker 1: Seam under the violet. Maybe Daddy will hunt for the
• 7:37
  Speaker 1: bee tree sunday. Look. I must have stepped right on him.
• 7:42
  Speaker 1: His wing is broken and a couple of legs. I
• 7:45
  Speaker 1: don't wonder you stung me back, Old Buzzer say, we'd
• 7:50
  Speaker 1: better be going, or we'll get what Patty gave the drum.
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  Speaker 1: You know, Mother said she didn't send us to go
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  Speaker 1: gallavantin in the woods. She sent us the fish. Then
• 7:59
  Speaker 1: away they jumping over logs, dodging under bushes, setting all
• 8:03
  Speaker 1: the blossoming sprays of maytime dancing in their wake. They
• 8:07
  Speaker 1: paused out of breath on the bank of the stream
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  Speaker 1: and dropped down on the moss to wash the fish,
• 8:12
  Speaker 1: slipping from stone to stone in the pole below. Look
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  Speaker 1: at that, Oriel, whispered George. He is making a twin
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  Speaker 1: for himself in the water. The pole is a good
• 8:23
  Speaker 1: looking glass to make doubles in, agreed, Joel Lee. But
• 8:27
  Speaker 1: your face is dirty, so is yours. Nothing else is
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  Speaker 1: the same. Though we are the least a light for
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  Speaker 1: a pair of twins. Our eyes are the same color.
• 8:39
  Speaker 1: Now look again. Our eyes are blue, but yours are
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  Speaker 1: almost black, and mine are like skim milk. Your nose
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  Speaker 1: is long and there is a hump in it. Mine
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  Speaker 1: turns up at the end. Your jaws are as square
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  Speaker 1: as old Dick's bulldogs. Mine quack quack, says the crazy duck.
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  Speaker 1: I'll pitch you in the creek for calling me a bulldog.
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  Speaker 1: George sat up, sharply, turned and began digging for bait.
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  Speaker 1: The subject seemed to irritate him, Yet brown head hunting
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  Speaker 1: by a rotted stump for worms could not have remembered
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  Speaker 1: the baby brown head propped against the same stump by
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  Speaker 1: the gray cloak stranger some eight years before. I'm glaer
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  Speaker 1: not as much alike as Witch and tother are. I
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  Speaker 1: found Witch out behind the woodpile crying this morning. Toother
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  Speaker 1: stole the cream to feed his cat. Along, came mother
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  Speaker 1: and spanked which for it. If we were alike, I
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  Speaker 1: might get a switch in every time you need it.
• 9:34
  Speaker 1: Where'd you get a lick a miss? But Joel suddenly
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  Speaker 1: had a greater interest. His eyes were on his wooden bob.
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  Speaker 1: Under it went he jerked the line, then drew in.
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  Speaker 1: Quack yourself. Oh, no at all. Cabbage worms won't catch fish.
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  Speaker 1: Look at this one, will you half as long as
• 9:51
  Speaker 1: my armist? What's over there in those bushes where the
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  Speaker 1: big ones on the other side of those tails? Watch
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  Speaker 1: him wiggle? I bett, it's that old fox, Daddy said
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  Speaker 1: to keep an eye out for him. George reached for
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  Speaker 1: the gun. You won't steal any more of our chickens,
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  Speaker 1: old boy. Ready, Joel was picking up a stone. I'll
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  Speaker 1: bring him out for you. Let it fly. The stone
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  Speaker 1: hit the bushes squarely. There was a snarl. The branches parted,
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  Speaker 1: and out sprang not a fox, but a large brown bear.
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  Speaker 1: She looked up at them, growled, and put one foot
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  Speaker 1: in the water. The boys waited for no more, but
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  Speaker 1: dashed up the bank. Joel gave a sharp cry. George turned.
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  Speaker 1: What's the matter with you? Quick? She's swimming. I stepped
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  Speaker 1: on my fish hook. Pull it out. She's comin. Can't
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  Speaker 1: it's all the way in here. Let me get hold
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  Speaker 1: of it. Oh, don't you got to stand it. She's
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  Speaker 1: half way over there. It's out. Come on now. Oh
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  Speaker 1: I can't step. Oh you've turned your ankle. Lean on me.
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  Speaker 1: Hop she's almost here. Hop, I'll help you. Go on, George,
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  Speaker 1: save yourself. Do you think I'd leave you here? Try
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  Speaker 1: to climb this tree? Too little, she can climb. Go on,
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  Speaker 1: you can run. Go on, George, quick, quick, crying climb,
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  Speaker 1: I'll missed you. At last, Joel was astride of crouch
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  Speaker 1: in the tree. George looked at his white face, jerked
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  Speaker 1: off their belts, buckled them together, slipped one end of
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  Speaker 1: the strap around Joel's waist, twisted the rest around the
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  Speaker 1: limb a couple of times, and fastened it securely. You
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  Speaker 1: won't fall. Now. Take the gun you reloaded. A fox
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  Speaker 1: shot won't kill bears. Put in all we've got. The
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  Speaker 1: gun was a muzzle loader, one could put in as
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  Speaker 1: much powder and shot as needed. The bear hasn't come
• 12:00
  Speaker 1: up the bank yet, whispered Jeel. Maybe she'll go down stream.
• 12:05
  Speaker 1: No such luck. I've made a mess of it. There's
• 12:08
  Speaker 1: a cub out on that limb. Wee, she'll come all right.
• 12:14
  Speaker 1: George cut a branch, lopped off the twigs, and tied
• 12:17
  Speaker 1: his knife to it. Then, reaching out, he poked at
• 12:20
  Speaker 1: the cub's feet. The wooly baby whine snarled and back
• 12:24
  Speaker 1: farther out on the branch. His mommy hears him. Wow,
• 12:28
  Speaker 1: she's mad, warned Joel, get him down quick. George gave
• 12:33
  Speaker 1: a swift jab. The cub sprang back and down. He went,
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  Speaker 1: squalling as he fell and bowed to bow and shaking
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  Speaker 1: the branches wildly. George plunged forward, lost his balance, caught
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  Speaker 1: himself again, and climbed into the main fork of the tree.
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  Speaker 1: She's climbed the bank, whispered Jeel, do you want the gun? No,
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  Speaker 1: wait till she's nearer. I might miss. Here she comes.
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  Speaker 1: The old bear came lumbering toward the tree. Her cub
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  Speaker 1: began to crawl to meet her, but whimpered and sat
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  Speaker 1: down on its wooly hunches. Mother Brewin hurried forward and
• 13:10
  Speaker 1: licked its bruises. Maybe she'll go off now, No, she won't.
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  Speaker 1: Hang on tight. Here she comes. The bear charged the
• 13:20
  Speaker 1: tree with all her force, retreated and lunged again. George
• 13:24
  Speaker 1: clung desperately. Joel's wrenched ankle bang back and forth against
• 13:28
  Speaker 1: the trunk until he moaned with pain. But he held
• 13:31
  Speaker 1: the gun tightly and kept the muzzle pointed away from
• 13:33
  Speaker 1: his brother. Three times, the old bear charged the tree.
• 13:38
  Speaker 1: Then she began to climb. Quick, Joel, the gun good,
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  Speaker 1: I've got it. Shoot quick. Look how high she is?
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  Speaker 1: Might miss? Shoot? Will you? She's almost up to you,
• 13:51
  Speaker 1: might miss, She'll get your foot shoot. George was very still.
• 13:58
  Speaker 1: He was looking straight into that great red mouth. He
• 14:02
  Speaker 1: thrust the muzzle against the shining teeth and fired. There
• 14:06
  Speaker 1: was a roar, a snapping and recoil of branches, and
• 14:09
  Speaker 1: a great thud at the base of the tree. Clutching
• 14:11
  Speaker 1: the swaying branches, Joel twisted in his strap to see
• 14:14
  Speaker 1: down through the leaves. George, Oh, George, no sound came
• 14:20
  Speaker 1: from below. Are you hurt? Then Joel saw the bleeding
• 14:25
  Speaker 1: pile at the foot of the tree. The bear was
• 14:28
  Speaker 1: on top of George. Both were still. George, wiggle your
• 14:33
  Speaker 1: foot if you hear me. The bear of foot lay still.
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  Speaker 1: He's dead, sobbed Joe in helpless misery. The rebound of
• 14:42
  Speaker 1: the tree had left him almost suspended by the straps,
• 14:45
  Speaker 1: and the strain on his waist was making him faint.
• 14:49
  Speaker 1: He struggled back into the craft again and began searching
• 14:52
  Speaker 1: for the buckles, but they were out of his reach
• 14:54
  Speaker 1: and behind the limb. George he pleaded, Wiggle your foot,
• 15:00
  Speaker 1: even your toast, just a little bit. No movement below.
• 15:06
  Speaker 1: The silence of the forest closed in upon him, that
• 15:09
  Speaker 1: silence which the noises of the wood folk make, and
• 15:11
  Speaker 1: the more intense A cappir calling his mate. A woodpecker
• 15:16
  Speaker 1: tapping somewhere across the creek. Joel struggled with the strap,
• 15:20
  Speaker 1: trying to break it, but the rowhigh was too tough.
• 15:24
  Speaker 1: Helplessness began to numb him. Would help, could help? Ever come?
• 15:29
  Speaker 1: The folks at home would not think of searching till
• 15:31
  Speaker 1: after supper, and by then, Oh, George, wiggle, kick, do anything.
• 15:38
  Speaker 1: I can't stand this. You're dad an, I'm a dyin'
• 15:42
  Speaker 1: I know I am. Things are so black and swimmy an,
• 15:46
  Speaker 1: I'm so queer inside. There is no one to help us.
• 15:50
  Speaker 1: No one can even hear us. But God, God can
• 15:53
  Speaker 1: hear us. I forgot. Then he prayed as he had
• 15:57
  Speaker 1: never dreamed of praying. There's this dream, sweet sense of wine,
• 16:01
  Speaker 1: unseen but very near. The numbing loneliness was gone. That
• 16:06
  Speaker 1: woodpecker keeps tapping all the time. It's such a queer
• 16:10
  Speaker 1: one too. It goes click a clack. Maybe it's a cricket. No,
• 16:16
  Speaker 1: a frog. They don't go like that either. It sounds
• 16:20
  Speaker 1: like chopping. Can it be Daddy? Out in the new clearing.
• 16:25
  Speaker 1: Joel made a horn of his hands and called Dad, Oh, Daddy.
• 16:31
  Speaker 1: His voice was pitiful and weak. The sound of the
• 16:34
  Speaker 1: chopping went on steadily. He can't hear me. The boy
• 16:39
  Speaker 1: drew a long breath, Oh Dad. The chopping ceased for
• 16:44
  Speaker 1: a moment, then went on, Dad, Oh Dad. Clear about
• 16:50
  Speaker 1: the voices of the woodland came in answering hello. There
• 16:53
  Speaker 1: was silence a while, then a call somewhat nearer, another call,
• 16:58
  Speaker 1: and then a giant, red bearded horseman and came in
• 17:00
  Speaker 1: sight on the bank beyond the creek. Who's there? What's wrong?
• 17:05
  Speaker 1: A bear? It's killed George. There was a splashing in
• 17:10
  Speaker 1: the creek bottom, a rattle of stone's on the bank,
• 17:13
  Speaker 1: and John Abel came crashing through the alders. He sprang
• 17:16
  Speaker 1: from the saddle through the body of the bear backward
• 17:19
  Speaker 1: and passed his hand over the boy's body. Hearts still beating,
• 17:24
  Speaker 1: Thank God, no bones broken, just stunned. I think small
• 17:29
  Speaker 1: thanks to you, Joel. Why didn't you pull the bear off?
• 17:32
  Speaker 1: He was nearly smothered. I couldn't, Daddy, came Joel's voice weakly.
• 17:37
  Speaker 1: I couldn't reach the buckles. John Abel looked up and
• 17:42
  Speaker 1: saw the smallen, bloodstained foot in the white face. Well, son,
• 17:46
  Speaker 1: are you hurt too? Did the bear bite you? No, Daddy,
• 17:51
  Speaker 1: I hurt my foot. Well, you'll have to be a
• 17:54
  Speaker 1: man and stand it a while longer. George needs me more.
• 17:59
  Speaker 1: There was nothing his tone to show which boy was
• 18:01
  Speaker 1: his son. Abel lifted brown head in his powerful arms
• 18:06
  Speaker 1: and carried him to the pole. As he plunged him
• 18:09
  Speaker 1: into the water, the lad gasped and opened his eyes. Oh, dad,
• 18:14
  Speaker 1: he cried as he caught sight of the red bearded face.
• 18:17
  Speaker 1: The bear shall get Joel. You can't run. That bear
• 18:21
  Speaker 1: won't hurt anybody now. Is she dead? Did I hit her?
• 18:26
  Speaker 1: Hit her? You about blew the gizzard out of her.
• 18:29
  Speaker 1: You don't need to fill a gun chalk full even
• 18:31
  Speaker 1: to kill a bear. You blew the gun up? Boy?
• 18:35
  Speaker 1: Oh did I break it? And they cost so much?
• 18:40
  Speaker 1: Never mind the cost this time, son, it's the boy
• 18:43
  Speaker 1: I'm thinking about twas, by the mercy of the Lord,
• 18:46
  Speaker 1: you didn't blow your own head off. But there's only
• 18:48
  Speaker 1: a small powder burn. We'll say a rosy this night
• 18:51
  Speaker 1: in Thanksgiving. Abel laid the boy on the moss. I'm
• 18:56
  Speaker 1: going back to get Joel now, he said. The wounded
• 19:01
  Speaker 1: foot and wrenched ankle were soon bathed and bound. What
• 19:05
  Speaker 1: is your old daddy going to do? Laughed Abel. One
• 19:09
  Speaker 1: dead bear, one live cub, one wounded hunter, and one
• 19:13
  Speaker 1: dead one. They must go home right now. There's only
• 19:17
  Speaker 1: one horse. We'll put the bear across the saddle joke
• 19:21
  Speaker 1: and ride behind. Maybe the cub will follow. I'll carry George.
• 19:27
  Speaker 1: Oh no, Daddy, I can walk, announced the dead hunter,
• 19:31
  Speaker 1: suddenly sitting up. I'm not hurt. I just feel shaky
• 19:35
  Speaker 1: inside all the same, I'm going to carry you for
• 19:39
  Speaker 1: a piece. Sure you think you're as big as a man,
• 19:41
  Speaker 1: since you killed a bear all by yourself. I'll carry
• 19:44
  Speaker 1: you with small trouble. But next time you go hunting,
• 19:48
  Speaker 1: I'll send to the fort for the army surgeon and
• 19:50
  Speaker 1: the hospital corps to care for the dead and the wounded.
• 19:56
  Speaker 1: End of chapter two, Uncle Roger, there is mother at
• 20:01
  Speaker 1: the edge of the clearing, called jul from his perch
• 20:04
  Speaker 1: on the horse's back. I wonder what brought her away
• 20:06
  Speaker 1: out here? Well, if the little twins have let their mother,
• 20:10
  Speaker 1: bring in the cows. They'll hear from me right now,
• 20:14
  Speaker 1: said john Abel sternly. I don't think she's after the cows.
• 20:19
  Speaker 1: It looks to me as if she's crying. Crying. Are
• 20:23
  Speaker 1: you sure of it? Something is wrong? Then slip down, George.
• 20:27
  Speaker 1: You'll have to walk now, and John Abel hurried through
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: the woods. Mary. He called, as soon as they were
• 20:35
  Speaker 1: within speaking distance, what has gone wrong? Whatever it is,
• 20:39
  Speaker 1: don't cry that way. We'll get through somehow, for sure.
• 20:43
  Speaker 1: And God's good. They've come for George. She sobbed. Don't
• 20:50
  Speaker 1: be taking that to heart now. It's one thing to
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: come for him and another to get him. I've had
• 20:56
  Speaker 1: that boy too long to give him up at a
• 20:58
  Speaker 1: minute's notice. They will prove their right before they take him,
• 21:02
  Speaker 1: and we won't cross that bridge until we come to it.
• 21:05
  Speaker 1: What do they say, it's proven enough? They have an
• 21:09
  Speaker 1: more's the pity. The minute I saw the gentleman, I
• 21:12
  Speaker 1: knew he must be kin to George. He is like
• 21:15
  Speaker 1: enough to the boy to be his father, but he
• 21:17
  Speaker 1: is only an uncle. There are letters too, one of
• 21:21
  Speaker 1: rom is excellently Cecil Colvert, and one with the King's
• 21:24
  Speaker 1: own hand and seal davy great folk. John An no mistake.
• 21:30
  Speaker 1: The Squire too is with them. They took Jim and
• 21:33
  Speaker 1: Johnny till we deliver the boy. Oh there's no way
• 21:36
  Speaker 1: at all. We'll have to give George up. Calvert and
• 21:41
  Speaker 1: the King and the Squire too, said Abel slowly. We've
• 21:46
  Speaker 1: come to the bridge. After all, I've no right to
• 21:49
  Speaker 1: keep another man's son. No man would have the right
• 21:52
  Speaker 1: to keep mine. But it's hard, bitter hard. I love
• 21:56
  Speaker 1: the boy. Mother broken, George. They can't take us away
• 22:02
  Speaker 1: from you. You won't let them take us, will you. Daddy?
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: Mary abled you the boy into her arms. You tell
• 22:11
  Speaker 1: him John, She sobbed. I can't do it. Well, there
• 22:16
  Speaker 1: is nothing else to do but say out straight and
• 22:18
  Speaker 1: blunt a thing I never meant that you should know, George,
• 22:22
  Speaker 1: you are not one of the Abels. You are not
• 22:24
  Speaker 1: Joel's twin. You are not my son. Though God knows,
• 22:28
  Speaker 1: there is not one of my own that I love
• 22:30
  Speaker 1: more than I love you. Child. Father Cornwall found you
• 22:34
  Speaker 1: sitting by the roadside and brought you to us. I
• 22:37
  Speaker 1: set you on Mary's knavyside. Joel, and so far as
• 22:41
  Speaker 1: love and care go, you have been ours ever since.
• 22:45
  Speaker 1: It is a bitter thing to me to give you up. Still,
• 22:48
  Speaker 1: I have no right to keep you from your people.
• 22:52
  Speaker 1: Oh you are so sweet. That night sobbed the woman.
• 22:56
  Speaker 1: I asked you your name. You put one arm around me, Joel,
• 23:00
  Speaker 1: and up you looked with your big blue eyes for
• 23:03
  Speaker 1: all the world like a robin Me's Dorty says you
• 23:07
  Speaker 1: me want donkey tee wee me do we thought by
• 23:11
  Speaker 1: that your name was George. What a gentleman called you Gordon?
• 23:16
  Speaker 1: For many a day you cried for donkey tee wee.
• 23:20
  Speaker 1: But John, missus Abel turned towards her husband. There is
• 23:24
  Speaker 1: worse than the taking of him. I don't like the
• 23:27
  Speaker 1: looks of that uncle. Oh how he did curse when
• 23:31
  Speaker 1: he saw the image of our lady on the mantel.
• 23:33
  Speaker 1: Perhaps you will lead our ladd astray. As for leading
• 23:38
  Speaker 1: our lad astray, said Abel, putting one great hairy hand
• 23:42
  Speaker 1: on the boy's shoulder. No man can lead you into sin.
• 23:45
  Speaker 1: If you don't follow him, you will have to stand
• 23:47
  Speaker 1: on your own two feet and be a man. Remember
• 23:51
  Speaker 1: one thing. There is nothing worth buying, not fast horses,
• 23:55
  Speaker 1: nor fine houses, nor even a place in the king's court.
• 23:59
  Speaker 1: If the price you pay for it is the fire
• 24:01
  Speaker 1: of hell for evermore. There was a clatter of hoofs
• 24:05
  Speaker 1: on the bridge in the hollow. Here they come. Now, goodbye, lad.
• 24:10
  Speaker 1: We'll say the beads every day till we know that
• 24:12
  Speaker 1: you are safe. Abel's deep voice trembled, goodbye, boy, and
• 24:18
  Speaker 1: God bless you. The one on the gray horse is
• 24:23
  Speaker 1: his uncle, said Mary, pointing one roughened toil worn hand.
• 24:28
  Speaker 1: You can see the likeness yourself, John. The boy's face
• 24:33
  Speaker 1: is browned, and his jawl was more square, said Abel.
• 24:36
  Speaker 1: Though they are indeed alike. But God grant the boy's
• 24:40
  Speaker 1: face may never be like the man's. It is bitter
• 24:43
  Speaker 1: hard to trust our boy to such a keeper. Bitter hard.
• 24:49
  Speaker 1: The horsemen galloped toward them, straight across the spouting corn.
• 24:53
  Speaker 1: The gentleman sprang from his horse and drew the gauntlet
• 24:56
  Speaker 1: from his right hand. The fingers were long and white.
• 25:00
  Speaker 1: There was a ring one only, but the jowl in
• 25:03
  Speaker 1: it might have shown in the king's crown. He took
• 25:06
  Speaker 1: the brown hand of the boy in his and looked
• 25:08
  Speaker 1: at the face closely. It is the gordon, he said.
• 25:13
  Speaker 1: But whence comes all these bruises, there is a burn
• 25:17
  Speaker 1: turning sharply toward Abel. You will explain this. The lad
• 25:22
  Speaker 1: loaded the gun too heavily. It was old, and blew
• 25:25
  Speaker 1: up with him. Sir. Thanks to the mercy of God,
• 25:28
  Speaker 1: he wasn't hurt badly. God's mercy. What are your own
• 25:33
  Speaker 1: carelessness allowing a mere babe to load a gun? Sir?
• 25:38
  Speaker 1: Here in Marylyn, we don't call boys of ten babies
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: if you think him too young to handle a gun.
• 25:44
  Speaker 1: Look at the bear on my horse, Yonder. That's his
• 25:47
  Speaker 1: hunting bag for this afternoon. There is just a touch
• 25:51
  Speaker 1: of honest pride in John Abel's voice. Gordon killed Yonder,
• 25:56
  Speaker 1: great beast, cried the nobleman. Ah, no wonder. He is
• 26:01
  Speaker 1: the scion of the house of Ravenhurst. The earls were
• 26:04
  Speaker 1: famous huntsmen, all of them. Edwin, remain and bring the skin.
• 26:09
  Speaker 1: It will look well below the fire of the brave's antlers, Eh, Godfrey.
• 26:14
  Speaker 1: Give the fellow the reward. It is a fat purse,
• 26:17
  Speaker 1: and we'll repay you for your trouble. My man. John
• 26:21
  Speaker 1: Abel straightened his shoulders. Keep the money, your lordship, he said, bluntly.
• 26:27
  Speaker 1: The boy is yours. I have no right to keep him,
• 26:30
  Speaker 1: but I'm not selling him to you. Ah, if a
• 26:34
  Speaker 1: man has a cabin in this new land, he fancies
• 26:37
  Speaker 1: himself already a gentleman, sneered Sir Roger. Gordon marchin give
• 26:43
  Speaker 1: the peasantist brats, Walter, bring Lord Gordon his horse. The
• 26:48
  Speaker 1: twins struggled down from the soldier's saddle and ran to
• 26:51
  Speaker 1: their mother. But as Walter came forward with a horse,
• 26:55
  Speaker 1: George drew his hand from his uncle's grasp. I want
• 26:58
  Speaker 1: to say goodbye, please, he said, Walter, give the young
• 27:03
  Speaker 1: gentleman your hand to mount. We've wasted too much time
• 27:06
  Speaker 1: as it is. I'm going to stay till I say
• 27:10
  Speaker 1: good bye, flashed the boy, and I won't go before.
• 27:15
  Speaker 1: Do as your bid, George. It was Mary's quiet voice. Yes, Mother,
• 27:22
  Speaker 1: and the boy mounted. The horseman trotted back across the
• 27:27
  Speaker 1: field and down the road, but the boy's face was
• 27:30
  Speaker 1: turned toward the wood. The little group among the trees
• 27:33
  Speaker 1: dropped out of sight. The cabin came and went as
• 27:37
  Speaker 1: the last, but a smoke was hidden by the trees.
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: The brave lips began to tremble, and the tears came,
• 27:43
  Speaker 1: burning hot and choking. Sir Roger gave a signal the
• 27:48
  Speaker 1: troops swung forward, leaving him and his nephew alone. Is
• 27:53
  Speaker 1: this the gratitude you show to the uncle who has
• 27:55
  Speaker 1: come overseas in search of you. I wanted to say
• 27:59
  Speaker 1: good bye. You wouldn't let me even kiss mother, or
• 28:02
  Speaker 1: tell Joel kiss such dirty. They are not dirty, only
• 28:09
  Speaker 1: from hard work since sun up. They are my folk, Joel,
• 28:13
  Speaker 1: he's my twin. I mean I always thought he was.
• 28:19
  Speaker 1: You're folk, cried the gentleman with a laugh. But you
• 28:24
  Speaker 1: do not know as yet who or what you are.
• 28:27
  Speaker 1: You are Charles Gordon, Lord rock raven the son of
• 28:30
  Speaker 1: James Gordon, Lord of rock Raven, third Earl of Ravenhurst.
• 28:35
  Speaker 1: Your mother is Lea Margaret of Douglas, daughter Sir Wilfrid Douglas,
• 28:39
  Speaker 1: of the line of old Sir Archibald Bell the Cat.
• 28:42
  Speaker 1: There are few and Scotland they can boast such blood
• 28:44
  Speaker 1: as yours, And you are weeping for your folk, the
• 28:47
  Speaker 1: folk of the air of Ravenhurst. He laughed again. John Abel,
• 28:53
  Speaker 1: Lord of a log cabin and a pig stye in
• 28:55
  Speaker 1: sighs and ox and brain a pipkin, his most noble dame,
• 28:59
  Speaker 1: with the faces wrinkled and brown as the apple. She
• 29:02
  Speaker 1: baked glass candlements, a dozen, nay was it fourteen red
• 29:07
  Speaker 1: headed brats, And these are the folk of the Scion
• 29:10
  Speaker 1: of Ravenhurst. A light leaped far down in those deep
• 29:14
  Speaker 1: blue Douglas eyes, a flame that burned up boyish tears
• 29:18
  Speaker 1: to leave a white hot anger, which Roger both knew
• 29:21
  Speaker 1: and feared. Gordon answered, Sir, poor or not, the abels
• 29:28
  Speaker 1: are my folk. End of chapter three, when men play marbles,
• 29:36
  Speaker 1: the good ship and of Glasgow sped all sails, drawing
• 29:40
  Speaker 1: aloft and alow. The wind whistled jig tins in the cordage,
• 29:44
  Speaker 1: and set the tackle box clapping in mimic applause. This
• 29:49
  Speaker 1: was a good sound to the ears of brown Head,
• 29:51
  Speaker 1: for it sang to him of the Maryland woods. He
• 29:54
  Speaker 1: stood by the stern rail, looking back at the ripples
• 29:57
  Speaker 1: of the wake, into the zigzag world of wave tips,
• 30:00
  Speaker 1: and on to the west, where the gray disk of
• 30:02
  Speaker 1: the ocean met the grim vault of the sky. He
• 30:06
  Speaker 1: felt dumbly conscious of his own exceeding smallness in the
• 30:09
  Speaker 1: world of waters, and decidedly smaller in the strange coming
• 30:13
  Speaker 1: world of men, of which Sir Roger preached endlessly During
• 30:17
  Speaker 1: such sermons. The boy listened as little as possible, and
• 30:21
  Speaker 1: the moment they were over set himself to forget. Yet
• 30:24
  Speaker 1: one thing was bitterly clear. Brownhead was no longer George
• 30:28
  Speaker 1: of the gay Marilyn Woods, but my Lord of Gordon.
• 30:33
  Speaker 1: He built a silken knee against the rail and growled, Ho,
• 30:38
  Speaker 1: your lordship, the face you wears hold storm enough to
• 30:41
  Speaker 1: sink the Aunt of Glasgow. Gordon turned half pleased at
• 30:46
  Speaker 1: the interruption, for he knew the voice. It was the
• 30:49
  Speaker 1: man whom Sir Roger called Godfrey. Brownhead almost liked him.
• 30:54
  Speaker 1: At least he was a pleasant fellow with him. To
• 30:56
  Speaker 1: waste an hour what has raised the present glum wind?
• 31:01
  Speaker 1: Godfrey ran on, Sir Roger beamed Gordon. I'd rather swallow
• 31:07
  Speaker 1: Bear's greased than hear him. He's had me in the cabin,
• 31:10
  Speaker 1: talking high and mighty, making me walk on my toes
• 31:13
  Speaker 1: like a top silly girl to a husking bee, ordering
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: me every once in half a crack to flop my
• 31:18
  Speaker 1: head on my shins, and getting as mad as a
• 31:21
  Speaker 1: slap wasp if I fall, sprawling instead of making a
• 31:25
  Speaker 1: court bow correctly. But your Lordship is learning with astonishing
• 31:29
  Speaker 1: rapidity to I have like a jack of dandy for
• 31:33
  Speaker 1: the pleasure of an uncle who does so learly love me.
• 31:36
  Speaker 1: Bah Gordon thrust his hand into his belt wallet and
• 31:42
  Speaker 1: drew out his only treasures. Four I get pebbles roughly
• 31:46
  Speaker 1: rounded by many hammerings, A pioneer boy's marbles. Squatting on
• 31:51
  Speaker 1: the deck. He placed three and began to shoot at
• 31:53
  Speaker 1: them with a fourth. Loves me, he growled, So do
• 31:57
  Speaker 1: wood ticks wants me for so? Ing crooked mean like
• 32:04
  Speaker 1: Gordon shot a marble with a vicious snap, so whistled Godfrey,
• 32:09
  Speaker 1: fixing his keen eyes on the boy's face. For a
• 32:12
  Speaker 1: ten year lad, you are rather more than something shrewd,
• 32:15
  Speaker 1: my young laird o' gordon. You don't like being the
• 32:18
  Speaker 1: marble when Sir Roger is the shooter and it's his game.
• 32:23
  Speaker 1: The lad gathered his marbles with the sleep of his
• 32:25
  Speaker 1: hands and jumped to his feet. Why should I, he demanded.
• 32:30
  Speaker 1: Godfrey chuckled. Listen to day you are the heir the marble.
• 32:36
  Speaker 1: Tomorrow you are the Earl, and Sir Roger is the marble.
• 32:39
  Speaker 1: Wait for your turn. It was the boy's turn to whistle.
• 32:45
  Speaker 1: Godfrey looked out over the sea a moment, then spoke again,
• 32:49
  Speaker 1: your lordship, you have not yet awakened to the fact
• 32:52
  Speaker 1: that you are Earl of Ravenhurst, though as yet a
• 32:55
  Speaker 1: trifle too young to take charge of affairs an earl,
• 32:59
  Speaker 1: a little king in your own domain. But let me
• 33:02
  Speaker 1: show you a picture of what it means to be
• 33:03
  Speaker 1: chief at old Rock raven Now there was fire of
• 33:08
  Speaker 1: the braves. He is not the first chief of your house,
• 33:11
  Speaker 1: but the first to write his name in history. There's
• 33:14
  Speaker 1: been a chieftain's stronghold on Rock Ravens since, oh since
• 33:18
  Speaker 1: first God made the Scot and the devil set Scots
• 33:21
  Speaker 1: a fighting. A bit to the south of Bend under mountain,
• 33:25
  Speaker 1: a headland of black and jagged rock is thrust a
• 33:28
  Speaker 1: good tin bowshots into the froth. The sea beats itself
• 33:32
  Speaker 1: to a fury, roaring about its reckstrem base. This rock,
• 33:36
  Speaker 1: from its shape, or from the ill omen birds which
• 33:39
  Speaker 1: nested there, or because of the fierce marauders who made
• 33:42
  Speaker 1: of it a stronghold has been called since the beginning
• 33:45
  Speaker 1: Rock raven Now Fire the braves of the bold and
• 33:49
  Speaker 1: bloody man. He carried a long two handed claymore, the
• 33:52
  Speaker 1: lag of which no other man ever bore from his
• 33:55
  Speaker 1: wild and lonely tower on Rock Raven. He sallied out
• 33:58
  Speaker 1: for daring raids, driving home cattle, plundering, burning villages and
• 34:03
  Speaker 1: harvest fields. It was for this he was dubbed fire
• 34:06
  Speaker 1: the Braves, a name of terror from the Isles to
• 34:09
  Speaker 1: the English border. An out and out villain and robber,
• 34:14
  Speaker 1: cried the boy softly, softly teased Godfrey. If any knight
• 34:20
  Speaker 1: had gained fire the Braves, a common robber, swords had
• 34:23
  Speaker 1: not supped in scabbards. The chief was but a bold blade.
• 34:27
  Speaker 1: In the rough game of war, boys throw down marbles
• 34:30
  Speaker 1: and play grabs. Men play grabs also, but you're lordship.
• 34:36
  Speaker 1: As a keen sense of honor, fire the Brays lived
• 34:39
  Speaker 1: centuries ago, when even kings were crude. In fact, your
• 34:43
  Speaker 1: house droves from a petty chieftain stronghold to a knight's
• 34:46
  Speaker 1: castle by a rough jest. This fire of the Bras
• 34:50
  Speaker 1: once sprang out from the bracken and single hand it
• 34:52
  Speaker 1: fought with a mighty antler buck and slew him with
• 34:55
  Speaker 1: his claymore under the very eyes of the king, who'd
• 34:57
  Speaker 1: sworn to hang him. Instead, being pleased by the wild
• 35:02
  Speaker 1: highlander's jest, the King made fire the brace's friend, an
• 35:06
  Speaker 1: armored knight and warden to keep other men in order. Yet,
• 35:10
  Speaker 1: if your lordship wishes to hear about a knight of
• 35:12
  Speaker 1: honor as unsullied as the heaven born snow, let me
• 35:16
  Speaker 1: tell you of lang Sword. He was your great great grandfather,
• 35:20
  Speaker 1: the man who raised Dravenhurst to an earldom. It was
• 35:24
  Speaker 1: in that old time began Godfrey, when monarchs crimsoned their
• 35:28
  Speaker 1: own swords and bore the scars of their own battle wounds.
• 35:32
  Speaker 1: James Stuart, King of Scotland, stood on a jutting rock
• 35:36
  Speaker 1: above the frith. The sea is no respector persons. The
• 35:40
  Speaker 1: veering wind that whipped the surf sent its mists to
• 35:42
  Speaker 1: sting the royal face with a storm of another nature,
• 35:46
  Speaker 1: thundered in the voice of James, as he eyed a
• 35:48
  Speaker 1: seeming groveling at his feet. Is this the dog that
• 35:52
  Speaker 1: refused to obey our order? Sire, wailed the wretch. I
• 35:58
  Speaker 1: cannot put my boat across the frill. The storm's racks
• 36:01
  Speaker 1: comin fast. The sail is torn, The hall is a leak,
• 36:06
  Speaker 1: and your coward heart was sink a galley. My Lord
• 36:09
  Speaker 1: of Verin, run a spear through this scoundrel who calls
• 36:12
  Speaker 1: himself a Scottish seaman, pours a jackal against the wall,
• 36:16
  Speaker 1: and ye will fight a lion go to by despair,
• 36:19
  Speaker 1: the man retorted, if ye get the best owen ene me,
• 36:22
  Speaker 1: what matters it this starving wife and child? We were
• 36:25
  Speaker 1: a dead father. Indignation sees the surrounding knights. A hundred
• 36:31
  Speaker 1: swords were drown But James the Fifth was a man
• 36:34
  Speaker 1: of moods, as changeable as the sea. Instead of at it,
• 36:38
  Speaker 1: wrath pity pierced the fury of his eyes, so he said,
• 36:43
  Speaker 1: And it is love of wife and child that makes
• 36:45
  Speaker 1: a coward of a man. He paused, and grief softened
• 36:49
  Speaker 1: that lean, strong passion's stewart face. The royal home was
• 36:53
  Speaker 1: yet in mourning for two bonny princes, sons long hoped,
• 36:57
  Speaker 1: long waited for, that died as fast as ELPs learned
• 37:00
  Speaker 1: to list their father's name. It was the man in James,
• 37:04
  Speaker 1: and not the king, that spoke, and have you then
• 37:07
  Speaker 1: a son? Why sire? It was born of the kind
• 37:12
  Speaker 1: note in the monarch's voice. Three sons and one runs
• 37:15
  Speaker 1: half way doing the hill to meet me as I
• 37:17
  Speaker 1: come bear in my nets at night, and one clings
• 37:20
  Speaker 1: to the skirts of my good wife, and one is
• 37:23
  Speaker 1: we bit yet and sleeps upon her breast. King James
• 37:27
  Speaker 1: turned short about and looked over the sea. A moment
• 37:31
  Speaker 1: so he stood, and then he said, go to your home,
• 37:35
  Speaker 1: good man. Tell them their mute cry has saved you
• 37:38
  Speaker 1: from a coward's grave. And the royal voice sank low.
• 37:43
  Speaker 1: Bid the wee ones pray that God may send the
• 37:45
  Speaker 1: king a son again. The face of James grew stern.
• 37:51
  Speaker 1: He gazed across the waters to the shore beyond the Frith.
• 37:55
  Speaker 1: Was narrow at this point, for from the opposite shore
• 37:58
  Speaker 1: the crags and cliffs had been in under thrust themselves
• 38:01
  Speaker 1: a good mile into the sea. Narrow the strait might be,
• 38:05
  Speaker 1: but calm it seldom was. The wind puffed sharply, reering
• 38:09
  Speaker 1: from north to east, and the scudding cloud rack covered
• 38:12
  Speaker 1: half the sky. On the shore across the frith, a
• 38:16
  Speaker 1: group of men waved torches. It was argyle, signaling for orders,
• 38:21
  Speaker 1: and there was none that dared to put the leaking
• 38:22
  Speaker 1: boat across the strait. A clank of armor broke the suspense,
• 38:27
  Speaker 1: and a young knight dropped on his knees before the King.
• 38:31
  Speaker 1: May it please you, sire, said a noble at the
• 38:34
  Speaker 1: King's right hand, Sir Malcolm Gordon, Crave's audience. The youth
• 38:38
  Speaker 1: is of the blood of old Gordon, fire the braves
• 38:41
  Speaker 1: as brave as he, and his gallantly desirous as serving
• 38:43
  Speaker 1: your majesty. He has dubbed lang'sword and is the laird
• 38:47
  Speaker 1: of Yon little tower that purchased there across the way,
• 38:50
  Speaker 1: like a raven upon a rock, Sire, the face of
• 38:55
  Speaker 1: Lang sword glittered with loyalty and daring. The word I
• 38:59
  Speaker 1: cannot is not said in the house of Gordon. Let
• 39:02
  Speaker 1: the honor of bearing the message be mine. I shall
• 39:05
  Speaker 1: swim the frith, my liege, swim, cried the King, darting
• 39:11
  Speaker 1: his ears. Swim where boat does not dare, Sire, I
• 39:16
  Speaker 1: did it a year ago for pure sport, But not
• 39:20
  Speaker 1: in the face of a coming storm. Nor did I
• 39:23
  Speaker 1: swim them beneath the King's eye, but hark Noble Gordon.
• 39:28
  Speaker 1: Even now the surf booms along the rocks have been ender, Sire.
• 39:33
  Speaker 1: I know where the sandy shallows lie, and at worst
• 39:36
  Speaker 1: I can die at once for you, my liege. No
• 39:40
  Speaker 1: kings ever played dice with the hearts and brains and
• 39:43
  Speaker 1: souls of men as did the Stewart line. And now
• 39:46
  Speaker 1: James smiled. Where was his pride pleased by this us devotion?
• 39:51
  Speaker 1: Almost adoration? And when he spoke, scarcely could praise the
• 39:55
  Speaker 1: bend couched more cunningly, My Lord of Gordon, your loyalty
• 40:00
  Speaker 1: deserves our confidence. You shall know what message it is
• 40:04
  Speaker 1: that you bear, and why the king paused, and those
• 40:08
  Speaker 1: who stood about his majesty stepped off perhaps a dozen paces.
• 40:13
  Speaker 1: Russell has proved himself a thrice compounded villain and traitor.
• 40:16
  Speaker 1: His castle's a very nest for the hatching of border ploths,
• 40:20
  Speaker 1: raids and burnings, bid argy. I'll march on, Russell, raise
• 40:24
  Speaker 1: your own clan and assist success. Attend your valor, Noble Gordon.
• 40:29
  Speaker 1: If you win the day, we pledge that you shall
• 40:31
  Speaker 1: be built at Earl. Langswore kissed the royal hand and
• 40:36
  Speaker 1: strove swiftly down to the beach. Unbuckling his heavy armor,
• 40:39
  Speaker 1: he cast it on the sand. Then, ready for the plunge,
• 40:43
  Speaker 1: he stepped out on a rock, paused and dropped on
• 40:46
  Speaker 1: his knee, and with him knelt those beside the waves.
• 40:50
  Speaker 1: And James of Scotland with his lords on the cliff,
• 40:53
  Speaker 1: the Langslord's prayer was brief, Saint Mary, grant me long
• 40:57
  Speaker 1: wind and strong blood. If I set foot on yonder shore,
• 41:01
  Speaker 1: I vow silver shrine to deck thy chapel in the wood.
• 41:05
  Speaker 1: King James answered Amen. The Langsword stood, he nsappointed for
• 41:11
  Speaker 1: the dive, watching for the outgoing of a wave, the
• 41:14
  Speaker 1: tallest knight in the highlands, leaning with knotty muscles which
• 41:18
  Speaker 1: rose and fell like those that move under a tiger's hide.
• 41:21
  Speaker 1: A sea gulf flew across the face of the racing
• 41:24
  Speaker 1: rack and screamed the wild defiance of the storm. God's speed,
• 41:29
  Speaker 1: called the voices from the shore, Saint Mary. For King James.
• 41:34
  Speaker 1: The Langsword cried and plunged into the sea like a
• 41:38
  Speaker 1: shaft of white light. The body cleft air and water,
• 41:41
  Speaker 1: and was gone. A wave came trembling in, growling, shaking
• 41:46
  Speaker 1: a fiecy maine. The head of the swimmer rose a
• 41:49
  Speaker 1: crest rood above him, broke, crashed over him, carried him
• 41:53
  Speaker 1: back a spear's length. He sank. Those on the cliff
• 41:57
  Speaker 1: and those on the shore leaned gasping. He rose. The
• 42:02
  Speaker 1: long white line of foam was between the swimmer and
• 42:04
  Speaker 1: the shore. Ho Scott well swum called James by Mary's
• 42:10
  Speaker 1: virgin's soul. I swear to deck that shrine with blood
• 42:13
  Speaker 1: red rubies. Thunder mundered along bin under flashes of lightning
• 42:19
  Speaker 1: played on the cloud like lancers tilting before a battle.
• 42:23
  Speaker 1: The stimmer had gained three bow shot space against the sea.
• 42:27
  Speaker 1: His head was a dodging speck, and the king dared
• 42:30
  Speaker 1: not rest his eyes lest he lose sight of it.
• 42:33
  Speaker 1: The storm broke, rain swirling to the mad onslaught of
• 42:36
  Speaker 1: the wind, the frith rose and sank in white, roaring
• 42:40
  Speaker 1: heights and bellowing caverns. The lightning shot its jagged bolts
• 42:45
  Speaker 1: from sky to ocean, and the swimmer the tempest had
• 42:49
  Speaker 1: swallowed him. James Stewart stirred the cliff. Sometimes he purried aloud,
• 42:55
  Speaker 1: and sometimes cursed himself or any that dared adventure, with
• 42:58
  Speaker 1: an earshot of the royal wrath. An hour passed, the
• 43:02
  Speaker 1: storm drew back among the hills, ravage glutted, exhausted, muttering.
• 43:08
  Speaker 1: This day was lost. The noblest knight that ever risked
• 43:11
  Speaker 1: life for Scottish king, so said James Stuart, his face
• 43:16
  Speaker 1: gloomy as the solemn frith below. But aaron peering through
• 43:20
  Speaker 1: the mist, gave a sudden pluck at the royal sleeve.
• 43:24
  Speaker 1: Ho my liege a light on van Ender. The argyle
• 43:27
  Speaker 1: signals two to right, three to left. They have the
• 43:31
  Speaker 1: message Holy God Layingswort has crossed the frith. Godfrey paused,
• 43:39
  Speaker 1: for Gordon stood with his right hand clenched as if
• 43:41
  Speaker 1: it held a sword. He drew his breath through parted lips,
• 43:44
  Speaker 1: and his eyes were like a war eagle's aye, cried Godfrey,
• 43:49
  Speaker 1: your young lordship is a fine keen splinter of old
• 43:51
  Speaker 1: lanksword steel. But the boy was not pleased with the compliment,
• 43:57
  Speaker 1: or with anything that delayed the tale, for he broke in,
• 44:01
  Speaker 1: and Langslord raised the clan joined Argyle, and then like
• 44:06
  Speaker 1: a good knight and true he settled. After Russell chased
• 44:09
  Speaker 1: him well up into the morasses beyond then Ender, the
• 44:12
  Speaker 1: Lowlander fled north towards the Laird of the Isles. Langslord
• 44:16
  Speaker 1: harried the Russell lands and followed with Argyle. He crept
• 44:20
  Speaker 1: upon Russell and the wilds round Strathbogie and caught him
• 44:23
  Speaker 1: in an act of treason. He was pledging to Lord
• 44:26
  Speaker 1: King James to his castle and let the islemen capture
• 44:29
  Speaker 1: the royal person. All this bluff owl of England was
• 44:33
  Speaker 1: paying for, as your lordship knows English kings had ever
• 44:37
  Speaker 1: tried to put Scotland in their hunting bag. Russell was hanged,
• 44:42
  Speaker 1: drawn and quartered as a traitor should be, and Langslord
• 44:45
  Speaker 1: was given o' russell's forfeited lands, made an earl, and
• 44:48
  Speaker 1: became a trusted councilor Great King James. In truth, the
• 44:52
  Speaker 1: plunge of Langsword into the Frifth was a leap into
• 44:55
  Speaker 1: the high sea of royal favor, good, cried Jordan, end
• 45:02
  Speaker 1: of chapter four, Castle Ravenhurst. It was harvest time before
• 45:08
  Speaker 1: the long journey on sea and land ended. They changed
• 45:12
  Speaker 1: horses at the last inn, and the carriage rattled merrily
• 45:15
  Speaker 1: along the Highland road. The tired boy had watched the
• 45:18
  Speaker 1: haymaker's field after field until he had fallen asleep. Sir
• 45:23
  Speaker 1: Roger sat scowling, tapping his boot with a scabbard. Godfrey,
• 45:28
  Speaker 1: who seemed to be something more than a servant, sat
• 45:30
  Speaker 1: watching him. Three long years of labor and the end
• 45:34
  Speaker 1: of failure growled the nobleman failure. Is it the lord
• 45:39
  Speaker 1: of the House of Gordon who cries failure? When the
• 45:42
  Speaker 1: first knock comes, we have the air, and Old Ravenhurst
• 45:45
  Speaker 1: will yet be the greatest earldom in Scotland. The heir
• 45:49
  Speaker 1: we have him, indeed, but what an air we would
• 45:53
  Speaker 1: do better without him. Bred on the farm, he is
• 45:55
  Speaker 1: the manners of a clown. Still he is learning. At
• 46:00
  Speaker 1: least he can bow without falling down. Time and training
• 46:03
  Speaker 1: will remedy his lack of culture. It is the Catholic
• 46:06
  Speaker 1: faith in him which ruins all. The faith of a
• 46:10
  Speaker 1: ten year old boy ruins all, Oh, Sir Roger, is
• 46:14
  Speaker 1: this the spirit of the noble house of Gordon? You
• 46:17
  Speaker 1: see for yourself is stubbornness. Stubbornness that is the best
• 46:22
  Speaker 1: point in the lad Do you think a weakling could
• 46:24
  Speaker 1: ever win back the lands of Ravenhurst. Our work is
• 46:27
  Speaker 1: to turn his strong will from his faith to what
• 46:29
  Speaker 1: we wish, very easily, said my good Godfrey. When it
• 46:34
  Speaker 1: cannot be done, What else have I striven to do
• 46:37
  Speaker 1: since the day I found him? Read at this moment
• 46:39
  Speaker 1: that red bearded Abel has more influence with him than I,
• 46:44
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger. It is a hard mattered to skinted deer
• 46:46
  Speaker 1: with the handle of a knife. The blade does such
• 46:49
  Speaker 1: work much better? What do you mean by that? I
• 46:54
  Speaker 1: mean what I have said from the first. Don't try
• 46:56
  Speaker 1: to drive the boy, lead him, lead him. A ship's
• 47:00
  Speaker 1: cable would not draw that boy one step, my Lord,
• 47:05
  Speaker 1: I said lead, I did not say, draw no more
• 47:09
  Speaker 1: of your riddles, My good Godfrey, speak plainly, Sir, Roger.
• 47:14
  Speaker 1: Fire and sword could not turn that boy from his
• 47:17
  Speaker 1: faith now while he loves it. But let him alone
• 47:20
  Speaker 1: he will forget both able and his teaching. Tell him
• 47:23
  Speaker 1: of fire, the braves and langsword till he longs to
• 47:25
  Speaker 1: be as great an earl as they, nay even the
• 47:28
  Speaker 1: greatest of them all. Then in later years, when it
• 47:32
  Speaker 1: is a choice between Land's castle and the king's favor,
• 47:35
  Speaker 1: or the Catholic faith and poverty, there may be a struggle.
• 47:40
  Speaker 1: But the faith will go to the wall. Perhaps, and
• 47:44
  Speaker 1: perhaps he will die for leaving some fool's chase of
• 47:46
  Speaker 1: a rebellion that has happened before. True, But he is
• 47:51
  Speaker 1: only a child. A child's faith dies easily if it
• 47:54
  Speaker 1: is not nourished. The one I fear is his mother.
• 47:58
  Speaker 1: If you will follow my advice, he will will never
• 48:00
  Speaker 1: see her, never even knows that she lives. I need
• 48:05
  Speaker 1: the mother's evidence that he is the heir. Lady Margaret
• 48:08
  Speaker 1: will not dare to cross my will. She knows the penalty.
• 48:12
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger's face grew very ugly. But Lady Margaret will
• 48:17
  Speaker 1: not dare. Remember that fail and gentlewoman is a Douglas.
• 48:21
  Speaker 1: Who has ever yet bent the will of a Douglas.
• 48:24
  Speaker 1: Let her once speak to him, Let her but once
• 48:27
  Speaker 1: tell him of the old earl, or of that foal
• 48:30
  Speaker 1: Gordon's father. Oh, have a care. It will be an
• 48:34
  Speaker 1: easy task to lead the boy. But the boy with
• 48:37
  Speaker 1: his mother at his back, Aye, that's another tale. She
• 48:41
  Speaker 1: will have more influence with him than a dozen Abeles
• 48:45
  Speaker 1: Douglas or No, My lady will fare ill she crosses
• 48:49
  Speaker 1: wills with me. There is such a thing as the
• 48:51
  Speaker 1: will of a Gordon, as well as that of a Douglas.
• 48:55
  Speaker 1: I am no weakling to bend to a woman. Let
• 48:57
  Speaker 1: her once dare open her lips, Let her once there
• 49:01
  Speaker 1: I execute the law to the fullest extent. The sleeping
• 49:05
  Speaker 1: boy stirred. Sir Roger's voice grew suddenly pleasant. Ah, little nephew,
• 49:11
  Speaker 1: you are sleeping at a strange time. We shall see
• 49:13
  Speaker 1: the castle in a few moments yonder the spot where
• 49:17
  Speaker 1: Gordon fire the Braves killed the great deer. Godfrey pointed
• 49:21
  Speaker 1: to a glen leading into the heart of the mountain.
• 49:25
  Speaker 1: Did you not tell me that the antlers are still
• 49:27
  Speaker 1: in the castle. The boy was wide awake. Now there
• 49:32
  Speaker 1: in the old Earl's room above the fireplace. You may
• 49:34
  Speaker 1: see them tonight if you wish, old Fire. The Braves
• 49:37
  Speaker 1: was a great man in his day. Sir Roger looked
• 49:41
  Speaker 1: at the eagle light in the boy's eyes and smiled
• 49:43
  Speaker 1: at Godfrey. Do you see that point of rocks jutting
• 49:46
  Speaker 1: out from bent Ender into the Frith and the lee
• 49:49
  Speaker 1: of that is the spot where Gordon of the Langslord
• 49:51
  Speaker 1: landed when he swam the Frith from shore to shore
• 49:54
  Speaker 1: and carried the message for the king. The Gordon leaned
• 49:57
  Speaker 1: Wword eagerly. Was there ever a greater earl than the
• 50:01
  Speaker 1: Gordon of the lang Sword. Godfrey has told me so
• 50:03
  Speaker 1: many wonderful deeds that he did. Indeed he was the
• 50:08
  Speaker 1: proudest of them all. The earldom reached its greatest extent
• 50:11
  Speaker 1: in his days. But he died at Solway Moss fighting
• 50:14
  Speaker 1: for King James. The days have been evil for the
• 50:17
  Speaker 1: House of Gordon since then, Sir Roger paused a moment
• 50:21
  Speaker 1: to look at Godfrey, for the boy's face was all ago.
• 50:25
  Speaker 1: Land after land was taken from us. Till when I
• 50:28
  Speaker 1: became regent, we had little more than the bury rock
• 50:30
  Speaker 1: on which the castle stands. I have gained a good
• 50:33
  Speaker 1: portion for you, and you must do the rest. I
• 50:36
  Speaker 1: will do all that can be done until you are
• 50:38
  Speaker 1: a man. But you must be the earl who raises
• 50:40
  Speaker 1: or even Hurst, even higher than she was before she fell.
• 50:45
  Speaker 1: I will try, my lord. The Gordon spoke very slowly,
• 50:51
  Speaker 1: his square little jaw grew a little sharper, his eyes
• 50:54
  Speaker 1: shone with a wild Douglas fire. Godfrey looked at Sir
• 50:58
  Speaker 1: Roger and smiled. The road made a short turn round
• 51:01
  Speaker 1: the cliff. In the depths below, the water foamed among
• 51:04
  Speaker 1: the rocks. Far off down the frith, five great gray
• 51:08
  Speaker 1: towers stood out in the sunset. The slant rays lifting
• 51:12
  Speaker 1: down among them, touched here and their battlement with gold
• 51:15
  Speaker 1: and deep in the purple shadows. From the Seaward tower
• 51:19
  Speaker 1: came upuff of white smoke, and then a roar. Sir
• 51:22
  Speaker 1: Roger rose in the carriage, lifting his plumed hat over
• 51:25
  Speaker 1: the water. The sound of a great bell rolled the rocks,
• 51:29
  Speaker 1: caught the echo, and many an elfin note made answer
• 51:31
  Speaker 1: from crag and cliff and forest far up even to
• 51:34
  Speaker 1: the summit of old Benender. What is all this noise about,
• 51:39
  Speaker 1: whispered the lad Tell me, Godfrey, or I shall make
• 51:42
  Speaker 1: a blunder. Will you never learn that you are the
• 51:46
  Speaker 1: scion of the House of Gordon. The cannon and the
• 51:48
  Speaker 1: bells of old Ravenhurst are welcoming you, my lord. The
• 51:52
  Speaker 1: road turned in among the hills again. The castle was
• 51:55
  Speaker 1: out of sight. Oil Landers have taken our land and
• 51:59
  Speaker 1: made my peep slaves. You told me so long ago.
• 52:04
  Speaker 1: The Gordon spoke, very slowly, what an earl's great as
• 52:08
  Speaker 1: langsordhld win it all back again? You must be that earl.
• 52:13
  Speaker 1: I will do my best. Uncle. There is just one
• 52:16
  Speaker 1: thing standing in the way. Godfrey shook his head and
• 52:20
  Speaker 1: frowned sharply. His lips said not now, not yet, but
• 52:26
  Speaker 1: they made no sound. Sir Roger continued in spite of
• 52:30
  Speaker 1: the warning. He was as certain of victory now as
• 52:33
  Speaker 1: he had been a failure. One thing stands in the way.
• 52:37
  Speaker 1: This one thing will rule in all. If you have
• 52:39
  Speaker 1: not the sense to give it up, you cannot be
• 52:41
  Speaker 1: a Catholic, and went back to Ravenhurst, a rightful place
• 52:44
  Speaker 1: in Scotland. The King is for the new faith and
• 52:47
  Speaker 1: will put down with fire and sword any noble who
• 52:49
  Speaker 1: stands for the old. My lord, said the boy, looking
• 52:55
  Speaker 1: straight into his uncle's eyes. The Earldom cost too much.
• 52:59
  Speaker 1: There's nothing worth the buying. If the price be the
• 53:02
  Speaker 1: fire of hell forevermore, Daddy Abel said so. A chorus
• 53:07
  Speaker 1: of shouts drowned Sir Roger's answer. The Gordon, the Gordon
• 53:11
  Speaker 1: hailed to the young chief I, Sir James's son, And
• 53:14
  Speaker 1: no mistake it was a grip of herdsman watching from
• 53:18
  Speaker 1: a cliff. Another turn among the crags, and he could
• 53:21
  Speaker 1: see the road winding up to the castle, and the
• 53:24
  Speaker 1: crowds of peasants throng after throng along the wayside. The Gordon.
• 53:28
  Speaker 1: The Gordon aye, in very truth, the Earl's own son,
• 53:32
  Speaker 1: God's blessing on his young head. The Gordon. The Gordon
• 53:37
  Speaker 1: right and left. The lad threw civil bobbies out among
• 53:40
  Speaker 1: them as he passed on the long way up to
• 53:42
  Speaker 1: the castle. The great gray drawbage came clanging down across
• 53:46
  Speaker 1: the moat. A double file of soldiers marched out, cheering,
• 53:50
  Speaker 1: as only soldiers can the Gordon, the Gordon, Welcome to
• 53:54
  Speaker 1: the chief. They crossed their blades, and the lad walked
• 53:58
  Speaker 1: on beneath the shining arch. Just deal strayed across the courtyard.
• 54:02
  Speaker 1: Between the files stepped the sturdy little figure. The castle
• 54:06
  Speaker 1: doors swung open. Long lenges of servants in the great
• 54:09
  Speaker 1: hall bowed and cheered as he passed along the polished floor.
• 54:13
  Speaker 1: The massive carbon doors of the drawing room slid back noiselessly.
• 54:18
  Speaker 1: Someone in green and gold called Sir Charles Gordon, Lord
• 54:22
  Speaker 1: rock Raven, Sir Roger of Gordon. The boy looked about
• 54:27
  Speaker 1: him in wide eyed wonder. Never had he dreamed of
• 54:30
  Speaker 1: such a place. Candles, it seemed to the boy there
• 54:33
  Speaker 1: were a thousand made the room as light as day. Pictures,
• 54:37
  Speaker 1: great ones from floor to ceiling, statues, massive furniture and
• 54:41
  Speaker 1: rich tapestry, Ladies and crimson, and ladies in gold, ladies
• 54:45
  Speaker 1: in purple, and ladies in blue. Gentlemen dressed like peacocks
• 54:49
  Speaker 1: with gold lace and jeweled shoe buckles. Here a plaided sheaf,
• 54:53
  Speaker 1: and there in English noble from one hundred throats burst
• 54:57
  Speaker 1: the old old cheer that had greeted the earls of
• 54:59
  Speaker 1: ravenhursts these hundreds of years. The Gordon, the Gordon welcome,
• 55:04
  Speaker 1: my lord thrice welcome. Among them, all the puzzled lads
• 55:08
  Speaker 1: saw one kind face. He was a little woman with
• 55:11
  Speaker 1: snow white hair, a face worn and thin, as if
• 55:14
  Speaker 1: for much suffering, two dark blue eyes that looked straight
• 55:18
  Speaker 1: into his own. He turned to her as to a friend.
• 55:23
  Speaker 1: Aren't you somebody that belongs to me? He whispered. The
• 55:28
  Speaker 1: woman took his face in her frail hands. She looked
• 55:31
  Speaker 1: at him long and lovingly. I am your mother, Gordon,
• 55:35
  Speaker 1: and you are welcome home. Ah, lady Margaret, you must
• 55:39
  Speaker 1: not keep his young wordship all for yourself. Let us
• 55:42
  Speaker 1: kiss him too, cry gay voices. Sir Roger frowned. He
• 55:48
  Speaker 1: had always feared that the boy would show his farm
• 55:50
  Speaker 1: rearing by his clumsiness, and now, at this all important
• 55:54
  Speaker 1: first appearance, there he stood, timid, stammering, clinging to his
• 55:58
  Speaker 1: mother's hands. Not one of those graceful bowels, not one
• 56:02
  Speaker 1: of those neatly turned speeches. Oh, how carefully he had
• 56:06
  Speaker 1: trained him just what to do and say. The red
• 56:10
  Speaker 1: flush brought out the tanin freckles and made him look
• 56:12
  Speaker 1: so common, Sir Roger remarked nervously, his lordship is browned
• 56:18
  Speaker 1: by the voyage. Since when has a weathered face been
• 56:23
  Speaker 1: a disgrace at Ravenhurst, queried Lady Margaret gently. In truth,
• 56:28
  Speaker 1: there never was a carpet knight among the lairds. And more, Gordon,
• 56:31
  Speaker 1: fire the braze to your most noble brother. The lads
• 56:36
  Speaker 1: saw that his mother's words had angered his uncle. He
• 56:39
  Speaker 1: put one arm about her, as if to guard her,
• 56:42
  Speaker 1: and looked straight at them. All the bashfulness was gone,
• 56:46
  Speaker 1: and there was in the boy's figure a certain dignity.
• 56:50
  Speaker 1: How much he resembles his father? Said one, aye, too
• 56:54
  Speaker 1: much like the earl. I fear God grant him a
• 56:57
  Speaker 1: better end. But then remarked the noble, who seemed to
• 57:02
  Speaker 1: some importance, at least in his own eyes. But then
• 57:05
  Speaker 1: he has you, Sir Roger, you will do your duty.
• 57:08
  Speaker 1: We need have no fear of the mother's proving unwise
• 57:11
  Speaker 1: while the uncle is at hand. I will indeed do
• 57:14
  Speaker 1: my duty, my Lord, both by the heir and by Ravenhurst.
• 57:19
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger answered, somewhat stiffly. Lady Gordon will wisely remember
• 57:24
  Speaker 1: that there are laws concerning the imparting of knowledge on
• 57:26
  Speaker 1: certain dangerous subjects to youth of our land. The dark
• 57:31
  Speaker 1: eyes of Lady Margaret looked straightenedo Sir Roger's, I thank
• 57:35
  Speaker 1: your lordship for your kindness. I am well aware of
• 57:38
  Speaker 1: the laws of which you speak, and know how to
• 57:41
  Speaker 1: conform myself to them. Her voice was sweet and low,
• 57:46
  Speaker 1: but there is a ringing firmness in her tone. Alight
• 57:49
  Speaker 1: in the depths of her eyes. She seemed to be
• 57:52
  Speaker 1: a mother eagle guarding her young end of Chapter five.
• 57:59
  Speaker 1: By the old fireplace, this is the old Earl's room.
• 58:04
  Speaker 1: It will be yours now, said Nurse Benson, swinging open
• 58:08
  Speaker 1: a great carved door. May you have a good knight's rest,
• 58:12
  Speaker 1: my lord. The aged servant bowed and closed the door,
• 58:16
  Speaker 1: leaving Gordon alone in a large room. Now this makes
• 58:20
  Speaker 1: two people here that I like. There's my mother and
• 58:23
  Speaker 1: there's Benson. Nurse says, she cared for my father when
• 58:27
  Speaker 1: he was a wee bit Barney. That's why she gave
• 58:30
  Speaker 1: me pigeon pie. He always wanted pigeon pie. Oh what
• 58:35
  Speaker 1: a beautiful fireplace. Indeed, it was a fine piece of
• 58:39
  Speaker 1: Flemish carving. Two yeomen standing on the hearth held the
• 58:42
  Speaker 1: mantle on their spears. The shelf was bare, covered only
• 58:46
  Speaker 1: with white linen. At the end of it, two knights
• 58:50
  Speaker 1: stood crossing swords of a picture. Above it hung a
• 58:53
  Speaker 1: great pair of antlers. Those deer horns must be old fire,
• 58:57
  Speaker 1: the braves uncle said they were in here. I wonder
• 59:02
  Speaker 1: is that his picture too? The boy held up the
• 59:05
  Speaker 1: candle to examine it. The painting represented an old warrior,
• 59:09
  Speaker 1: white haired but large and strong of limb, a kind
• 59:12
  Speaker 1: face that smiled at one and the jaw squirt ugliness.
• 59:17
  Speaker 1: It cannot be fire, the braves, he lives so long ago.
• 59:21
  Speaker 1: Perhaps it is the Gordon of the lang sword. But
• 59:24
  Speaker 1: where in the world did they get that picture of me?
• 59:27
  Speaker 1: Four lands stood by the warrior's knee, who smiled from
• 59:30
  Speaker 1: the canvas, with a face Gordon has seen too often
• 59:33
  Speaker 1: in the fishing pole not to recognize. Then other memories came.
• 59:38
  Speaker 1: He saw another fireplace, not so beautiful as this, but
• 59:42
  Speaker 1: wide and low and very comfortable. Mary Able at one
• 59:46
  Speaker 1: end of the hearth, spinning with swift, sure fingers. Daddy
• 59:50
  Speaker 1: at the other end, his pipe in the corner of
• 59:52
  Speaker 1: his mouth. The zips observe his wet scent on the axe.
• 59:56
  Speaker 1: Joel and the twins rolling over one another on the
• 59:59
  Speaker 1: cabin floor. The boy leaned against the fireplace and cried
• 1:00:03
  Speaker 1: for the first time since he has seen the last
• 1:00:06
  Speaker 1: but of smoke from the able cabin slipping behind the trees.
• 1:00:10
  Speaker 1: There was a gentle touch on his arm. We never
• 1:00:13
  Speaker 1: placed anything on this mantle, my son, and a white
• 1:00:17
  Speaker 1: hand raised the candlestick. Are you lonesome in this grand
• 1:00:21
  Speaker 1: old house? I was thinking of Joel and the folks
• 1:00:25
  Speaker 1: at home. I couldn't even say good bye. Lady Margaret
• 1:00:30
  Speaker 1: sat down in a wide arm chair and drew the
• 1:00:33
  Speaker 1: boy down beside her. Who is this Joel, my son? Joel,
• 1:00:39
  Speaker 1: he's my twin. I mean, we always thought we were twins.
• 1:00:43
  Speaker 1: I didn't bid him good bye then, with a little
• 1:00:47
  Speaker 1: wonder in his voice. But you are not angry. Uncle
• 1:00:51
  Speaker 1: Roger was angry at me because I cried for my folks.
• 1:00:55
  Speaker 1: He thinks being poor is a disgrace, Gordon said his
• 1:01:00
  Speaker 1: mother earnestly. I should indeed be grieved if you had
• 1:01:04
  Speaker 1: no love in your heart for that woman who, in
• 1:01:07
  Speaker 1: spite of her poverty, took a homeless babe to her heart,
• 1:01:10
  Speaker 1: and was so true a mother that you never dreamed
• 1:01:13
  Speaker 1: you were not her son. Some day, if God gives
• 1:01:17
  Speaker 1: you your rights, you must do great things for them.
• 1:01:20
  Speaker 1: But all that we can do now is to write
• 1:01:22
  Speaker 1: and let them know your safe arrival. Oh that would
• 1:01:27
  Speaker 1: please them. Daddy couldn't read it, but they'll wait till
• 1:01:30
  Speaker 1: Father Cornwall comes. Father Cornwall. Lady Margaret's face lost all
• 1:01:37
  Speaker 1: its gentleness. Her eyes were as stern as the old
• 1:01:40
  Speaker 1: Douglas steel. Oh why did every one hate the faith
• 1:01:44
  Speaker 1: he had been taught to love. His hand gripped the
• 1:01:47
  Speaker 1: arm of the chair till the knuckles stood out hard
• 1:01:50
  Speaker 1: and white. Yet he looked straight into those stern eyes
• 1:01:53
  Speaker 1: and answered, the Abels are Catholic, and I am a
• 1:01:57
  Speaker 1: Catholic too. His mother was not looking at him now.
• 1:02:02
  Speaker 1: Her eyes were fixed on the old fireplace, the look
• 1:02:05
  Speaker 1: of deepest joy, Holy Mother of God. She was saying,
• 1:02:10
  Speaker 1: I thank THEE that thou hast kept thy trust. Mother,
• 1:02:15
  Speaker 1: If you are a Catholic, what made you look at
• 1:02:17
  Speaker 1: me like that? I wish to learn of what metal
• 1:02:21
  Speaker 1: you are formed? My son, there is one wiggling in
• 1:02:24
  Speaker 1: the house of Gordon. Had you shown a spirit like
• 1:02:27
  Speaker 1: sir Rogers, had your will bent because you feared me.
• 1:02:31
  Speaker 1: I would have disowned you, my son, though it broke
• 1:02:34
  Speaker 1: my heart. The Earl of Ravenhurst must always stand for
• 1:02:38
  Speaker 1: God and our blessed lady. Let the cost be what
• 1:02:41
  Speaker 1: it may. A gleam came into Lady Margaret's eyes. Now
• 1:02:47
  Speaker 1: most noble, Sir Paul pride. Now will the Countess of
• 1:02:51
  Speaker 1: Ravenhurst conform herself to those lulls of Scotland a fit
• 1:02:55
  Speaker 1: herself most snugly into this first opportunity. The good Uncle's
• 1:03:00
  Speaker 1: very busy talking about himself and all he has done
• 1:03:03
  Speaker 1: or maybe not done, in the colonies. The cunning God
• 1:03:06
  Speaker 1: for Y, also is busy. He must needs open the
• 1:03:09
  Speaker 1: chest and show the wampum, the tomahawks, and even a
• 1:03:12
  Speaker 1: bear skin. Though I doubt somewhat the truth of Sir
• 1:03:16
  Speaker 1: Roger's tale of his great bravery in killing the monster
• 1:03:21
  Speaker 1: killing the bear. He is not cleaning my pelt, is he?
• 1:03:25
  Speaker 1: He didn't have a thing to do with it. I
• 1:03:27
  Speaker 1: killed that bear myself. You killed that beast? Did you
• 1:03:32
  Speaker 1: more than help some hunter? Just a little? The old
• 1:03:36
  Speaker 1: bear had us treed. She ramped her snap right up
• 1:03:38
  Speaker 1: on the gun. I couldn't have missed her if I
• 1:03:41
  Speaker 1: had tried, my son, I came here tonight to speak
• 1:03:45
  Speaker 1: of things more important than a bear's pelt. There was
• 1:03:49
  Speaker 1: that in her voice which made the boy look up,
• 1:03:51
  Speaker 1: a swift constraint of every muscle. Lady Margaret smiled, for
• 1:03:55
  Speaker 1: she saw the war spirit that pulsed in his frame,
• 1:03:58
  Speaker 1: and she knew him to be worthy of confidence. Though,
• 1:04:01
  Speaker 1: but a boy in hand and heart and brain. I
• 1:04:05
  Speaker 1: have much to tell you this night, my son, she said,
• 1:04:08
  Speaker 1: and her deep eyes seemed to reach his soul. Things
• 1:04:12
  Speaker 1: of import matters I could not be trusted to a coward.
• 1:04:16
  Speaker 1: It was for this reason that I chied your metteled boy,
• 1:04:19
  Speaker 1: and your mother's heart was glad to hear it. Bring
• 1:04:21
  Speaker 1: back true Gordon Steele. Of the things I tell you
• 1:04:25
  Speaker 1: this night, speak nothing. You are yet a boy, and
• 1:04:29
  Speaker 1: do not know friend from foe. Whatever be your need,
• 1:04:33
  Speaker 1: put no trust in Godfrey Bertrason. The Lad's brow drew
• 1:04:38
  Speaker 1: up in a puzzle. I thought you were going to
• 1:04:41
  Speaker 1: say not to trust Uncle Roger, he blurted. Lady Margaret laughed.
• 1:04:47
  Speaker 1: Why should I warn you? There is no danger. You
• 1:04:50
  Speaker 1: have already taken the measure of Sir Roger. But I
• 1:04:53
  Speaker 1: warn you trust nothing to Godfrey Bertranson. Then suddenly, after
• 1:04:59
  Speaker 1: a pause, an arrow shot from under a shield. The
• 1:05:02
  Speaker 1: mother sent a question, what do you know about your father?
• 1:05:07
  Speaker 1: The boy frowned a moment, as if searching his memory.
• 1:05:11
  Speaker 1: Not much, Mother, I guess his name, as though they
• 1:05:14
  Speaker 1: told me. She seemed relieved. So you shall learn of
• 1:05:18
  Speaker 1: him from me, And that is well, she said. There
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 1: was in her eyes a look deep, unfathomable, as if
• 1:05:26
  Speaker 1: a mingling of joy and pain. I was an orphan
• 1:05:31
  Speaker 1: in this house, she continued, a child of Douglas Blood,
• 1:05:35
  Speaker 1: a penniless James's Earl of Ravenhurst. Not as it is
• 1:05:39
  Speaker 1: to day, but as it was in the time of
• 1:05:41
  Speaker 1: which you will learn, a bleak winter, time of poverty
• 1:05:44
  Speaker 1: and pain. Yet there are gifts that gold and fame
• 1:05:48
  Speaker 1: can never buy, for God alone has the giving of them.
• 1:05:52
  Speaker 1: God gave to James and me a love that was
• 1:05:54
  Speaker 1: blessed before His throne in heaven. Here, standing before this fireplace,
• 1:05:59
  Speaker 1: we were married. You smile, my son. Some day you
• 1:06:04
  Speaker 1: will know that this great room in the Seaward Tower
• 1:06:07
  Speaker 1: is the room of memories to all of Gordon Blood,
• 1:06:10
  Speaker 1: and this fireplace is a sacred thing to all who
• 1:06:12
  Speaker 1: know its history. James and I had waited long for
• 1:06:17
  Speaker 1: our wedding day, because no priest to come this way
• 1:06:20
  Speaker 1: in many years. He was no longer young, nor was I,
• 1:06:24
  Speaker 1: But we would have gone single to our graves rather
• 1:06:27
  Speaker 1: than be wedded by any other than a priest of
• 1:06:29
  Speaker 1: God's holy Church. God sent his minister to us, and
• 1:06:33
  Speaker 1: the castle rang with mirth and song. Never was there
• 1:06:36
  Speaker 1: a gayer wedding, nor was there one laugh less light.
• 1:06:40
  Speaker 1: Because both bridal pair and merrymaking clan had nothing but
• 1:06:43
  Speaker 1: oakcake and ale to feast upon. Three years, God gave
• 1:06:48
  Speaker 1: joy to James and me, and then he sent the cross,
• 1:06:51
  Speaker 1: my son. For it was ten years ago on this
• 1:06:53
  Speaker 1: very night that the King's dragoons came for your father.
• 1:06:57
  Speaker 1: James was standing by my side as I lay on
• 1:07:00
  Speaker 1: the couch yonder he thought me to be dying. We
• 1:07:04
  Speaker 1: could hear the heavy boots of the soldiers champing in
• 1:07:06
  Speaker 1: the hall below. Courage little comrade at arms, he whispered,
• 1:07:12
  Speaker 1: the battle lowers. The bugle of Christ calls forward, Shall
• 1:07:16
  Speaker 1: we falter in the charge? We follow, a leader crucified.
• 1:07:21
  Speaker 1: Then came the clanking of their armor as they climbed
• 1:07:23
  Speaker 1: the stairs. James took you from my arms, wee bit
• 1:07:27
  Speaker 1: of a newborn babe that you were, and carried you
• 1:07:30
  Speaker 1: over to the fireplace. A little image of our lady
• 1:07:33
  Speaker 1: used to stand there. He laid you down before it
• 1:07:36
  Speaker 1: and prayed, Holy Mother of God, Margaret is dying. I
• 1:07:41
  Speaker 1: am going. God knows where. See there is no one
• 1:07:45
  Speaker 1: to guard the faith of our child, Holy Mother, we
• 1:07:49
  Speaker 1: leave him in your care. James brought you back to me.
• 1:07:54
  Speaker 1: Fear nothing, Margaret, he whispered, the blessed Mother never yet
• 1:07:59
  Speaker 1: has failed those who try her. Then he kissed us
• 1:08:02
  Speaker 1: both and went out, and the dragoons took him. But
• 1:08:07
  Speaker 1: my son, I whether you should know the joy in
• 1:08:09
  Speaker 1: my heart this night, when we see how faithfully our
• 1:08:12
  Speaker 1: lady has kept her trust, O, son, we shall cling
• 1:08:16
  Speaker 1: to each other and trust the Sweet Mother of God.
• 1:08:20
  Speaker 1: Where is my father? Now, asked the boy, his bright
• 1:08:24
  Speaker 1: eyes wide with wondering love. God alone knows. She answered,
• 1:08:30
  Speaker 1: I never learned what befell him. So many years have
• 1:08:33
  Speaker 1: passed that I hope he is dead. Hope that he
• 1:08:37
  Speaker 1: is dead. Yes, Gordon, I hope my brave and noble
• 1:08:42
  Speaker 1: James is dead. For if he is dead, he is
• 1:08:45
  Speaker 1: with other murdered Gordons who stand before the great white throne.
• 1:08:49
  Speaker 1: But if he is living, he is in some foul dungeon,
• 1:08:52
  Speaker 1: suffering hunger thirst. The rack I know not what. Margaret
• 1:08:58
  Speaker 1: was not weeping. She wed worn her pain too long
• 1:09:01
  Speaker 1: for that. But the lad knew now why his mother's
• 1:09:04
  Speaker 1: hair was white, and in his childish way, he strove
• 1:09:07
  Speaker 1: to comfort her mother. The boy ventured, perhaps you see
• 1:09:15
  Speaker 1: father cormonl was so wise. I guess all priests must be.
• 1:09:19
  Speaker 1: But next time we go to Mass, the priest could
• 1:09:21
  Speaker 1: help us find out about father. Lady Margaret smiled. He
• 1:09:26
  Speaker 1: was so eager to comfort her. So powerless, my son,
• 1:09:31
  Speaker 1: you have forgotten that we do not live in Mary's
• 1:09:33
  Speaker 1: Land beyond the sea. I have been present at Holy
• 1:09:36
  Speaker 1: Mass five times in my life. Even should the Holy
• 1:09:40
  Speaker 1: Sacrifice be offered near us, there would be small chance
• 1:09:43
  Speaker 1: of our being there. Sir Roger watches like a hawk.
• 1:09:48
  Speaker 1: I shall tell you what I do when on a Sunday,
• 1:09:51
  Speaker 1: I am willing to live in Liands where mass bells ring.
• 1:09:55
  Speaker 1: I come in here and kneel be for the old fireplace.
• 1:09:59
  Speaker 1: This is the sacred of the House of Gordon. Many
• 1:10:02
  Speaker 1: times and by gone years the priests of God made
• 1:10:05
  Speaker 1: of this mantle and altar. Many times within these walls
• 1:10:09
  Speaker 1: the angels cover their faces with their wings, saying, Holy, Holy,
• 1:10:13
  Speaker 1: Holy Lord, God of Hosts. Once did wicked men spill
• 1:10:18
  Speaker 1: here the blood of God. That silver spot upon the
• 1:10:21
  Speaker 1: hearth marks the place where the drops of precious blood
• 1:10:24
  Speaker 1: fell years and years ago. Therefore to the Holy Room
• 1:10:28
  Speaker 1: I come, and kneel by the fireplace, and pray, awhile
• 1:10:32
  Speaker 1: and kiss the little silver spot, and beg the Good
• 1:10:35
  Speaker 1: Lord Christ to come to me in spirit, since I
• 1:10:38
  Speaker 1: cannot receive him in the holy sacrament. You can do
• 1:10:41
  Speaker 1: this too, But we must not come together, and we
• 1:10:44
  Speaker 1: must not stay more than two or three minutes. If
• 1:10:47
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger were to learn of it, even this small
• 1:10:50
  Speaker 1: comfort would be denied us. Uncle Roger is mean to you,
• 1:10:56
  Speaker 1: cried the boy with sudden anger. But now that I
• 1:10:58
  Speaker 1: am here, if he I dare say a thing to you,
• 1:11:01
  Speaker 1: i'll you will keep your temper and say nothing. That
• 1:11:06
  Speaker 1: is what you will do when things go wrong. If
• 1:11:09
  Speaker 1: you flye into a passion, you will do great harm
• 1:11:11
  Speaker 1: and no good. Keep this little thought to be your
• 1:11:14
  Speaker 1: comfort at such times. Nothing Roger says can wound Only
• 1:11:20
  Speaker 1: those we love can cause us grief. Let me see
• 1:11:23
  Speaker 1: you growing up day by day such a son as
• 1:11:26
  Speaker 1: the child of such a father should be. Then your
• 1:11:29
  Speaker 1: mother will be a happy woman, come what may. Gordon
• 1:11:34
  Speaker 1: felt the strength of her will cross his own, and
• 1:11:37
  Speaker 1: the love in his heart for her deepened into reverence.
• 1:11:40
  Speaker 1: They were silent for a time, and when his mother
• 1:11:42
  Speaker 1: spoke again, it was of other things you have not
• 1:11:47
  Speaker 1: yet told me, of those kind folks who gave you
• 1:11:49
  Speaker 1: shelter in your childhood, She said, How was it that
• 1:11:53
  Speaker 1: they found you? There is something in her tone that
• 1:11:57
  Speaker 1: made him wonder at her question. I don't know much
• 1:12:01
  Speaker 1: about it, he answered, and again he needed a look
• 1:12:04
  Speaker 1: of relief in the depths of her eyes. Daddy said
• 1:12:08
  Speaker 1: that father Cornwall found me and brought me to them.
• 1:12:11
  Speaker 1: They named me George because I call myself Doherty. Did
• 1:12:15
  Speaker 1: you say anything else? Only to ask for donkey tea?
• 1:12:19
  Speaker 1: We did? They tell Roger that Lady Margaret's voice was
• 1:12:25
  Speaker 1: swift and sharp, No, cried Gordon startled at her tone.
• 1:12:31
  Speaker 1: Thank god, she said, and smiled at his troubled face.
• 1:12:36
  Speaker 1: It was for your uncle Stephen that you called well. Indeed,
• 1:12:39
  Speaker 1: would Roger know the meaning of your wail for Donkey
• 1:12:41
  Speaker 1: tee Wee and monmour Neal will be driven into my
• 1:12:44
  Speaker 1: poor brother's coffin. The puzzled boy stared at her. You
• 1:12:50
  Speaker 1: were lost a long time from Uncle Roger, but you
• 1:12:53
  Speaker 1: were not lost at all from your mother, my son.
• 1:12:56
  Speaker 1: After the dragoons took your father, I was ill for
• 1:12:59
  Speaker 1: many months. A year later they again thought me to
• 1:13:02
  Speaker 1: be dying. Even faithful Benson thought my last hour had come,
• 1:13:07
  Speaker 1: and she sent a messenger from my brother. Your uncle
• 1:13:10
  Speaker 1: Stephen is one of our brave hunted priests that neither
• 1:13:13
  Speaker 1: prison nor the fear of death can drive from Scotland.
• 1:13:16
  Speaker 1: He came, at the risk of his life to give
• 1:13:18
  Speaker 1: me the last choce of Holy Church and took you
• 1:13:21
  Speaker 1: with him, promising to find a home for you where
• 1:13:23
  Speaker 1: your faith would be guarded. He passed out with you
• 1:13:27
  Speaker 1: hidden under his long gray cloak. A trusty clansman rode
• 1:13:31
  Speaker 1: him to a sea, going frigate. I have supposed that
• 1:13:34
  Speaker 1: my brother meant to take you to France and place
• 1:13:36
  Speaker 1: you with our kinsmen, Cardinal Beaton. But Stephen is a saint,
• 1:13:41
  Speaker 1: and saints do not reason as worldly people do. He
• 1:13:45
  Speaker 1: considered your soul alone and placed you where he thought
• 1:13:48
  Speaker 1: that pearl most safe. I was not pleased with his choice,
• 1:13:52
  Speaker 1: But he said, where was the only son of the
• 1:13:55
  Speaker 1: king of King's place in a castle or a cot?
• 1:14:00
  Speaker 1: I said, no more, for Stephen is a saint. Why
• 1:14:05
  Speaker 1: didn't uncle tell Daddy Abel instead of just setting me
• 1:14:07
  Speaker 1: down by the roadside. That was a queer thing to do. Rather,
• 1:14:13
  Speaker 1: it was a wise thing to do. Had this kind
• 1:14:15
  Speaker 1: farmer known whose child he took into his house, Sir
• 1:14:18
  Speaker 1: Roger would have put him in prison for helping to
• 1:14:20
  Speaker 1: kidnap you. Neither did Stephen go to a strange land
• 1:14:24
  Speaker 1: and set you down by a roadside and leave you
• 1:14:27
  Speaker 1: to the hand of chance. He knew well the wisdom
• 1:14:30
  Speaker 1: and charity of the good priest to whom he entrusted you,
• 1:14:33
  Speaker 1: and he remained in hiding a few weeks till he
• 1:14:36
  Speaker 1: learned what manner of man was the John Abel in
• 1:14:38
  Speaker 1: whose care you were, then, my son, When Stephen and
• 1:14:43
  Speaker 1: our trusty clansmen thought the time was right for your return,
• 1:14:46
  Speaker 1: we paid a seaman to give Sir Roger a clue
• 1:14:49
  Speaker 1: that he might search for you and bring you back
• 1:14:51
  Speaker 1: to us. But it is also a queer mother. Now
• 1:14:56
  Speaker 1: there is this picture of me you have over the fireplace?
• 1:14:59
  Speaker 1: How did you get it? Lady Margaret laughed, This is
• 1:15:04
  Speaker 1: not your portrait, It is your father's. Now do you
• 1:15:07
  Speaker 1: know why it takes with a glance to let any
• 1:15:09
  Speaker 1: clansmen know whose son you are? And the old warrior
• 1:15:14
  Speaker 1: is he Gordon or the Langsword? Oh? No, that is
• 1:15:19
  Speaker 1: your great grandfather, Angus Gordon, commonly called the old Earl.
• 1:15:24
  Speaker 1: The boy was a bit disappointed. I never heard of
• 1:15:27
  Speaker 1: an Angus Gordon. I thought he looked brave enough to
• 1:15:30
  Speaker 1: be Lang's sword. Godfrey said he was the greatest earl
• 1:15:33
  Speaker 1: of them all, no doubt Godfrey thinks so. But I
• 1:15:38
  Speaker 1: shall tell you of both these heroes, and you shall
• 1:15:41
  Speaker 1: say which was the braver knight. It is not titles,
• 1:15:44
  Speaker 1: liands and gold that make man great. You shall learn
• 1:15:48
  Speaker 1: who are the great men of your house, and who
• 1:15:50
  Speaker 1: have done heroes deeds? And why this old fireplace is
• 1:15:53
  Speaker 1: sacred to all of Gordon blood. Lady Margaret smiled, and
• 1:15:58
  Speaker 1: there was triumph in her glance. Then her look grew
• 1:16:01
  Speaker 1: suddenly grave. My son, I shall tell you many tales
• 1:16:05
  Speaker 1: and time, Yet, lest unknown need should catch you unprepared,
• 1:16:10
  Speaker 1: I must give you one more word of warning. If
• 1:16:13
  Speaker 1: you have need of help in any hour of trouble,
• 1:16:15
  Speaker 1: call on Benson failing her old Edwin the gate warden
• 1:16:20
  Speaker 1: is true, but be watchful. Sometimes walls have ears, and
• 1:16:25
  Speaker 1: do not speak unless your need is very great. Trust
• 1:16:29
  Speaker 1: no one else should you be forced even to fly
• 1:16:32
  Speaker 1: from the castle. You have loyal clansmen living in the
• 1:16:35
  Speaker 1: fastnesses of Benunder's glens. Their chief, and the best of
• 1:16:39
  Speaker 1: them all, is Muckle John of the kloth a seekret.
• 1:16:42
  Speaker 1: Passage opens from this old fireplace, the same way by
• 1:16:46
  Speaker 1: which you fled when fire Steeving carried you in his arms.
• 1:16:50
  Speaker 1: It is not known to Sir Roger. There is the
• 1:16:53
  Speaker 1: spring in the hand of the wooden soldier on the
• 1:16:55
  Speaker 1: right side of the mantel. Turn the store twice to
• 1:16:58
  Speaker 1: the right, and pressed down a panel on the left
• 1:17:01
  Speaker 1: of the fireplace will slide back into the wall. This
• 1:17:04
  Speaker 1: is the beginning of the passage. The end is in
• 1:17:07
  Speaker 1: the woodland near ben Ender. When once in the open,
• 1:17:11
  Speaker 1: make your way to the frith and follow ashore to
• 1:17:14
  Speaker 1: the glen. But mother intrupet the boy a look of
• 1:17:18
  Speaker 1: apprehension darkening his eyes. If we had to go away,
• 1:17:22
  Speaker 1: you would be with me, and you will know where
• 1:17:25
  Speaker 1: the pasts are. Lady Margaret did not answer, the white
• 1:17:30
  Speaker 1: fingers clenched on the arm of the chair, but only
• 1:17:33
  Speaker 1: for a moment. It is not wise to face troubled
• 1:17:36
  Speaker 1: till it comes, she said, with strange quietness. Be brave
• 1:17:41
  Speaker 1: and silent, my son. We shall trust to God and
• 1:17:44
  Speaker 1: our lady, hoping that all may go well. She had
• 1:17:49
  Speaker 1: given these instructions in a tense, clear, exceedingly low turn,
• 1:17:53
  Speaker 1: her lips scarcely moving, though with a last word, her
• 1:17:56
  Speaker 1: voice rose to a merry note, and she began to
• 1:17:59
  Speaker 1: sing as beatable ballad about a Douglas lost in battle
• 1:18:03
  Speaker 1: for the love of the heart of the Bruce. Something
• 1:18:06
  Speaker 1: in her eye told the boy to ask no question.
• 1:18:10
  Speaker 1: Half instinctively, Gordon realized that there had been a sound
• 1:18:13
  Speaker 1: in the outer hole a moment or so before, and
• 1:18:17
  Speaker 1: he heard it again, a faint creaking, as if a
• 1:18:21
  Speaker 1: weight were against the door. End of chapter six, My
• 1:18:27
  Speaker 1: friend Godfrey. There was a ray of light teasing Gordon's eyes.
• 1:18:33
  Speaker 1: He turned sleepily toward the wall. How did he happen
• 1:18:36
  Speaker 1: to be in bed? Who put him there? He could
• 1:18:39
  Speaker 1: not remember, undressing it all? Was it his mother? She
• 1:18:44
  Speaker 1: had been talking to him about his father. What. Oh, yes,
• 1:18:49
  Speaker 1: he was in prison somewhere, or perhaps dead. She had
• 1:18:54
  Speaker 1: been telling him things about a hero greater than Langsword,
• 1:18:58
  Speaker 1: about a sacret stone and a fire place. No, she
• 1:19:02
  Speaker 1: did not tell him, only started to do that, and
• 1:19:05
  Speaker 1: then broke off suddenly, as things will stop in a dream.
• 1:19:09
  Speaker 1: Gordon opened his eyes. My how late, he thought the start.
• 1:19:14
  Speaker 1: It's broad daylight. Gordon turned the cover of the back,
• 1:19:18
  Speaker 1: rolled over, stared a moment, began to rub his eyes.
• 1:19:22
  Speaker 1: I am not in the same room, Yes I am,
• 1:19:26
  Speaker 1: he puzzled. The bed is the same, the windows and
• 1:19:29
  Speaker 1: the pictures. But the fireplace that is not the fireplace
• 1:19:33
  Speaker 1: I saw last night. It can't be the same room.
• 1:19:37
  Speaker 1: Yes it is. There is a chair where we sat.
• 1:19:41
  Speaker 1: There are the antlers belonging to fire the braves last
• 1:19:44
  Speaker 1: night they were right up there on top, But not
• 1:19:47
  Speaker 1: on top of that fireplace. I am all turned round.
• 1:19:52
  Speaker 1: He sat still upon the edge of the bed. There
• 1:19:54
  Speaker 1: was indeed a great carved mantle, a beautiful work of
• 1:19:57
  Speaker 1: old style art. There were four pillars, two above and
• 1:20:00
  Speaker 1: two below the mantle, but the two which rested on
• 1:20:03
  Speaker 1: the hearth were not yeomen of the guard, and the
• 1:20:06
  Speaker 1: two above were not knights. B the con trunks round
• 1:20:09
  Speaker 1: with a grapevine twined here and there. Clusters peeped temptingly
• 1:20:13
  Speaker 1: from among the carved leaves, a beautiful work of brush
• 1:20:17
  Speaker 1: and chisel, But not the fireplace beside which he had
• 1:20:19
  Speaker 1: been seated while his mother spoke of long ago. There
• 1:20:23
  Speaker 1: was a painting above the mantle, just beneath an arch
• 1:20:25
  Speaker 1: of vines, but not the one he had seen last night,
• 1:20:29
  Speaker 1: beneath the crow's swords, the same place, the same size
• 1:20:33
  Speaker 1: and shape, but not the same picture. It was not
• 1:20:36
  Speaker 1: an aged warrior in a lad but a kilt, a
• 1:20:38
  Speaker 1: chieftain of long long ago, standing with one foot upon
• 1:20:42
  Speaker 1: a fallen deer. Below the gilded title shone in the sunlight.
• 1:20:46
  Speaker 1: Sir David Gordon, Lord rock raven, first Laird of Ravenhurst,
• 1:20:51
  Speaker 1: commonly called Old Fire the braves. Lady Margaret had said
• 1:20:55
  Speaker 1: the mantle was held sacred, but many odd trifles lay
• 1:20:59
  Speaker 1: upon it, French nick knacks and shells from beyond the sea.
• 1:21:03
  Speaker 1: The black and hearthstone showed no trace of that silver spot.
• 1:21:07
  Speaker 1: Nothing seemed the same. The door opened, framing Godfrey's smiling face. Well,
• 1:21:13
  Speaker 1: my Lord, are you awake at last? If you had
• 1:21:16
  Speaker 1: slept a little longer, you might have left the clock
• 1:21:18
  Speaker 1: around once more. Very late, isn't it? But Gordon's smile
• 1:21:23
  Speaker 1: was elsewhere. No, my lord, it is still quite early.
• 1:21:27
  Speaker 1: Two o'clock by the sun, dial, sir, two in the afternoon,
• 1:21:32
  Speaker 1: two by the dial, my lord? Why didn't it Benson
• 1:21:35
  Speaker 1: call me Benson? Pray? Who is Benson? Don't you know Benson?
• 1:21:42
  Speaker 1: She's the kind old woman who gave you my supper.
• 1:21:45
  Speaker 1: Oh you mean Betsy? No, I mean Benson. Your lordship
• 1:21:50
  Speaker 1: might call her Ben's daughter, though if my memory played
• 1:21:53
  Speaker 1: me no trick. Her father's name was Tam. I think
• 1:21:56
  Speaker 1: she would not take kindly to the name of Ben's son.
• 1:21:59
  Speaker 1: But all her what you may don't say. She is
• 1:22:01
  Speaker 1: a good old soul. Betsy is a blooming lass turned
• 1:22:05
  Speaker 1: sixteen last candleness. She is old, and her name is Benson.
• 1:22:10
  Speaker 1: I know because she gave me my supper. Have your
• 1:22:13
  Speaker 1: own will, my lord, But I would not take your word,
• 1:22:16
  Speaker 1: nor even your oath, for anything which happened last night. Aye,
• 1:22:20
  Speaker 1: But you were one right royal sleepy head. The guests
• 1:22:23
  Speaker 1: were scarcely seated when down went your head on your
• 1:22:26
  Speaker 1: mother's silking knee, And there was no waking our young
• 1:22:29
  Speaker 1: lord at all, though the great folks for miles round
• 1:22:31
  Speaker 1: had come to see you. So Betsy was called, and
• 1:22:35
  Speaker 1: she led you away. My sakes, Master Godfrey, she said
• 1:22:39
  Speaker 1: to me. Later, I brought him a fine pigeon pie.
• 1:22:42
  Speaker 1: But Dan goes his head on the table and off
• 1:22:44
  Speaker 1: to sleep again, poor tired lamb. I led him to
• 1:22:48
  Speaker 1: this room dressed. Now, will you run upstairs and put
• 1:22:50
  Speaker 1: him to bed? So up I came here. You were
• 1:22:54
  Speaker 1: standing with your head against the fireplace, sound asleep on
• 1:22:57
  Speaker 1: your own two feet, and asleep you've been ever sense
• 1:23:01
  Speaker 1: The puzzled boy rubbed his eyes again, and his mind
• 1:23:04
  Speaker 1: struggled to clear itself. He did have his head against
• 1:23:08
  Speaker 1: the mantle, but not that mantle. It was his mother,
• 1:23:12
  Speaker 1: not Godfrey, who found him. And they sat a long
• 1:23:15
  Speaker 1: time in that great leather chair by the fireplace, But
• 1:23:19
  Speaker 1: not that fireplace. He would ask his mother about it
• 1:23:23
  Speaker 1: sometime when they would be alone. It wouldn't do to
• 1:23:25
  Speaker 1: ask Godfree. Then he spoke aloud, what did my mother
• 1:23:30
  Speaker 1: say when I was not there for breakfast? Oh? She
• 1:23:34
  Speaker 1: had no time to trouble herself about so small a
• 1:23:36
  Speaker 1: matter all, the great folk wrote over to Lindsay Hall
• 1:23:39
  Speaker 1: quite early. The young Lord of Bethune is to be
• 1:23:41
  Speaker 1: married this day, for tonight, and the gentle lady Anne
• 1:23:44
  Speaker 1: of Lindsey is to be his bride. Why does she
• 1:23:48
  Speaker 1: go so soon? The wedding is not to be for
• 1:23:51
  Speaker 1: two weeks. My mother will not be away all that time,
• 1:23:54
  Speaker 1: will she? What would she be doing doing? What would
• 1:23:58
  Speaker 1: any lady be doing? Dancing and riding out with the
• 1:24:01
  Speaker 1: hunt to be sure, having a gay and merry fortnight.
• 1:24:06
  Speaker 1: I cannot see why an old lady like my mother
• 1:24:08
  Speaker 1: would want to dance so much, and she won't come
• 1:24:10
  Speaker 1: back at all till after the wedding. Perhaps not. Then
• 1:24:15
  Speaker 1: you must have a beat in your bonnet for calling
• 1:24:17
  Speaker 1: people old. It is well for you that lady Margaret
• 1:24:20
  Speaker 1: did not hear you say she is one who is
• 1:24:22
  Speaker 1: no longer young. Well she is old, Gordon cried, almost angrily.
• 1:24:28
  Speaker 1: Her hair is snow white, snow white. The Countess of
• 1:24:33
  Speaker 1: Ravenhurst is so old that she is snow white. That
• 1:24:36
  Speaker 1: would be a joke for her rivals. What a sleepy
• 1:24:39
  Speaker 1: eyed child you were last night. Your sweet mother's fair,
• 1:24:43
  Speaker 1: very fair, my lord? As to her age, what sort
• 1:24:47
  Speaker 1: of gray head. Have you that your mother needs to
• 1:24:49
  Speaker 1: be aged? Godfrey laughed merrily, my lord, twas just eleven
• 1:24:55
  Speaker 1: years last Christmas that the old bell rang out her
• 1:24:58
  Speaker 1: Welcome to Ravenhurst. Many a fine ballad was written and
• 1:25:01
  Speaker 1: sung in honor the gallant young Gordon and his bride,
• 1:25:04
  Speaker 1: the White Rose of Douglas. Here you are trying to
• 1:25:08
  Speaker 1: tell me she is old, ay, even white haired? Come come.
• 1:25:13
  Speaker 1: There are many who say the Countess of Ravenhurst is
• 1:25:15
  Speaker 1: the most beautiful woman in Scotland. Her age would you know?
• 1:25:19
  Speaker 1: It is six and twenty? But none would guess it.
• 1:25:23
  Speaker 1: You have never spoken of my father before, cried the lad.
• 1:25:27
  Speaker 1: It hurt him to hear Godfrey speak so lightly of
• 1:25:30
  Speaker 1: his mother. It could not be the same that frail,
• 1:25:33
  Speaker 1: sorrow worn mother of last night and this gay lady
• 1:25:36
  Speaker 1: of the world. But had his mother ever spoken to him,
• 1:25:41
  Speaker 1: Godfrey had found him asleep with his head against this fireplace,
• 1:25:44
  Speaker 1: not that other one. Could all the lungs strange talk
• 1:25:47
  Speaker 1: of last night be but a dream. You never spoke
• 1:25:51
  Speaker 1: of my father before, he repeated, Please tell me of him?
• 1:25:55
  Speaker 1: Where is he? You never asked before? I do not
• 1:26:00
  Speaker 1: like to speak of sad things. He is dead, my lord.
• 1:26:04
  Speaker 1: The old castle rang with hunt and song for two
• 1:26:06
  Speaker 1: short years, and then Lady Margaret was a widow. Your
• 1:26:10
  Speaker 1: father died quite suddenly. A bit of a cold caught
• 1:26:13
  Speaker 1: while hunting, was all it seemed at first. But he
• 1:26:16
  Speaker 1: was gone in a fortnight. The boy sat looking up
• 1:26:20
  Speaker 1: at the fireplace with a troubled countenance. Was the brave
• 1:26:23
  Speaker 1: father of last night? Only a dream? But it would
• 1:26:27
  Speaker 1: not be wise to ask questions, he was sure of that. Come, Come,
• 1:26:32
  Speaker 1: let us talk of more pleasant things, my lord. Now,
• 1:26:35
  Speaker 1: if you wish Lady Margaret to be pleased with you
• 1:26:37
  Speaker 1: when she returns, see how much you can learn in
• 1:26:40
  Speaker 1: a fortnight. How the lad did study, But then what
• 1:26:45
  Speaker 1: else was there to do. He had no playmates of
• 1:26:48
  Speaker 1: his own rank. Others were too far beneath his dignity
• 1:26:51
  Speaker 1: as heir of all Ravenhurst. How he longed for the
• 1:26:54
  Speaker 1: old free days when he hadn't no dignity. So he
• 1:26:57
  Speaker 1: put his whole heart into his studies, and every skin
• 1:27:00
  Speaker 1: apple work he did was safe to show his mother.
• 1:27:03
  Speaker 1: That little mother he had known but a few hours.
• 1:27:06
  Speaker 1: Yet he loved her more than Daddy Abel, Yes, more
• 1:27:09
  Speaker 1: than Mammy too. His heart flood up when thinking of them.
• 1:27:14
  Speaker 1: Yet he knew he loved her more. She is really
• 1:27:18
  Speaker 1: and truly my own mother. That must be why when
• 1:27:22
  Speaker 1: she comes home, she will starting out all the puzzles
• 1:27:24
  Speaker 1: about the first night, so he thought, as he stored
• 1:27:27
  Speaker 1: away those treasures. Sheet after sheet. Gordon had been hard
• 1:27:32
  Speaker 1: at work for three weeks. There was pride in his
• 1:27:35
  Speaker 1: eye as he placed his last page upon the others.
• 1:27:38
  Speaker 1: Godfrey smiled, Well, my lord, that pile in the door
• 1:27:43
  Speaker 1: must be thick. Now what are you planning to do
• 1:27:45
  Speaker 1: with them? Build a monument or use them for the
• 1:27:47
  Speaker 1: breastworks of a fort. Oh, you are laughing at me, Godfrey.
• 1:27:52
  Speaker 1: You see, Mother will come home in a day or two,
• 1:27:55
  Speaker 1: and I want to show them to her, show her
• 1:27:58
  Speaker 1: the last two or three. Then she would hold up
• 1:28:00
  Speaker 1: her dainty hands in horror. If she should see your
• 1:28:02
  Speaker 1: first attempts. Uncle Roger would laugh at them. But she
• 1:28:07
  Speaker 1: will not. She will know I did my best anyway.
• 1:28:11
  Speaker 1: The last are better. You used to say how much
• 1:28:14
  Speaker 1: paper between those blots? And now it's how many blots
• 1:28:18
  Speaker 1: on that paper? There is only one blot on this
• 1:28:22
  Speaker 1: just the place without ache she got its hump on
• 1:28:24
  Speaker 1: the wrong side and I tried to turn it over.
• 1:28:28
  Speaker 1: It looks as if you turned the inkcorn over and
• 1:28:30
  Speaker 1: a spider took a stroll across the page. But never mind,
• 1:28:34
  Speaker 1: you will be ascribed some fine day. Oh Godfrey, See
• 1:28:38
  Speaker 1: where the road turns the point of the cliff. It's
• 1:28:41
  Speaker 1: the carriage, Oh godfrey, it's the carriage. There goes the
• 1:28:44
  Speaker 1: big bell. And the boy was gone, racing down halls,
• 1:28:48
  Speaker 1: sliding down banisters, banging doors. He arrived in three short
• 1:28:52
  Speaker 1: minutes of the castle gate. Then he waited, and then
• 1:28:56
  Speaker 1: he thought he had been good. That is, he had
• 1:29:00
  Speaker 1: been quiet for three long weeks. Now, just when it
• 1:29:03
  Speaker 1: was almost over, he had been a wild man of
• 1:29:06
  Speaker 1: the forest once more. Sir Roger would hear, oh well,
• 1:29:10
  Speaker 1: he was used to his uncle sarcasm. But his mother
• 1:29:14
  Speaker 1: would she be angry? The soldier just beside him, there
• 1:29:19
  Speaker 1: was a twinkle under those bushy eyebrows. Was he laughing?
• 1:29:23
  Speaker 1: He had saluted most gravely? But if he were laughing,
• 1:29:27
  Speaker 1: and the air of all, Ravenhurst had disgraced himself before
• 1:29:30
  Speaker 1: the soldiery. You see, the lag asked, you see my
• 1:29:35
  Speaker 1: mother is coming. You see I forgot my dignity. Please,
• 1:29:39
  Speaker 1: I could not help forgetting about it. I want her
• 1:29:42
  Speaker 1: so the twinkle had grown till the gram old mouth
• 1:29:46
  Speaker 1: was smiling. Also, Lady Margaret had come in. Be she
• 1:29:50
  Speaker 1: no wonder ye swooped down on the wing as you
• 1:29:53
  Speaker 1: flew abounding over the hedge, John, I could but just
• 1:29:56
  Speaker 1: make my old eyes tell me twas the young lare
• 1:29:58
  Speaker 1: at himself and know the gay lair. Jamie, Oh the
• 1:30:01
  Speaker 1: long ago, Jamie, You mean my father? Wasn't he always quiet?
• 1:30:07
  Speaker 1: Did ye ever forget his dignity? There was a chuckle
• 1:30:11
  Speaker 1: alone rumbling in the grizzled soldier's throat. I do not
• 1:30:15
  Speaker 1: mind the day when their Jamie had a dignity to forget.
• 1:30:18
  Speaker 1: If I was on holam Doon from a batlment edge,
• 1:30:21
  Speaker 1: I would be officient' to udo the moat. 'twas his
• 1:30:24
  Speaker 1: young worship Laird Roger the head had the dignity to
• 1:30:27
  Speaker 1: be found for the Orkneys two land's inn. But there, Jamie,
• 1:30:31
  Speaker 1: My ain't Bonnie Jamie. He was ever bold and free
• 1:30:34
  Speaker 1: as the winds of nunder. Your father was a straight
• 1:30:38
  Speaker 1: doorn upstandin Scott, as were all o the Gordon chiefs
• 1:30:41
  Speaker 1: before him. And there will be no body who could
• 1:30:44
  Speaker 1: never turn ye into a pranston prag. Ye'll be as
• 1:30:47
  Speaker 1: the earls who are no more, for ye are true
• 1:30:50
  Speaker 1: splinter for the old Gordon steel. When I ran in
• 1:30:54
  Speaker 1: the halls and I slid down the van, worry no more.
• 1:30:58
  Speaker 1: None but the servants saw ye, nor lad nor lad,
• 1:31:01
  Speaker 1: so them wi taddawing ye for a bag of Bobby's.
• 1:31:05
  Speaker 1: But sh Godfrey be comin', and he may howl to
• 1:31:08
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger that ye broke o the plumes or your dignity.
• 1:31:11
  Speaker 1: If ye find ye talking with a common soldier. Yet
• 1:31:15
  Speaker 1: one word more, my lardie, if ever ye had need
• 1:31:18
  Speaker 1: Old Edwin's at your service. A thought flashed through Gordon's mind,
• 1:31:24
  Speaker 1: keen and clear as the call of the curlew a
• 1:31:26
  Speaker 1: knucko from that first night, Old Edwin the gate warden
• 1:31:30
  Speaker 1: is true. When the tutor came sedately down the great
• 1:31:34
  Speaker 1: stone steps, he beheld the air of old raven hairs
• 1:31:37
  Speaker 1: standing on the velvet sward, gathering rosebuds. The old soldier,
• 1:31:42
  Speaker 1: never a stone in the ancient gateway, was more rigid
• 1:31:44
  Speaker 1: than he. The chains rattled and groaned as the drawbirds
• 1:31:48
  Speaker 1: came creaking down across the moat. There was a hollow
• 1:31:51
  Speaker 1: sound of horses hoofs, and the carriage rolled in. Sir
• 1:31:55
  Speaker 1: Roger stepped out alone. My mother, the boy's voice said,
• 1:32:00
  Speaker 1: a tricking sound. My mother is she ill? Oh? No, Gordon,
• 1:32:06
  Speaker 1: there was no need for her to leave the merry
• 1:32:08
  Speaker 1: making matter's estate brought me. But she may as well
• 1:32:12
  Speaker 1: remain till the end. When will she come? Uncle? And
• 1:32:17
  Speaker 1: a week or so? Perhaps have you studied well? The
• 1:32:22
  Speaker 1: day slipped away one by one. It was fully six
• 1:32:25
  Speaker 1: weeks since Sir Roger's return. Still, the pilot in the
• 1:32:28
  Speaker 1: drawer grew. Gordon was placing his last task upon the others.
• 1:32:33
  Speaker 1: Godfrey laid aside the grammar. Well, my lord, how soon
• 1:32:38
  Speaker 1: will you need a new drawer for that collection? Mother
• 1:32:41
  Speaker 1: will come in a day or two. Surely the drawer
• 1:32:44
  Speaker 1: will not ever flow before then. She will be so
• 1:32:46
  Speaker 1: disappointed if she cannot see them all? Are you sure
• 1:32:50
  Speaker 1: of it? I fear it is you who will be
• 1:32:52
  Speaker 1: disappointed for your pains. When you care that cart load
• 1:32:55
  Speaker 1: to her, she will say, run along, child, and do
• 1:32:58
  Speaker 1: not trouble me with that rubbish. The may must arrange
• 1:33:00
  Speaker 1: my head dress, don't, Godfrey, don't. My mother is not
• 1:33:05
  Speaker 1: such a woman I would hate her if she would like.
• 1:33:07
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger, your mother is a most excellent lady, But
• 1:33:12
  Speaker 1: have a little common sense. Do not trouble her with trifles.
• 1:33:16
  Speaker 1: You have one grave fault, my lord. You are a dreamer.
• 1:33:19
  Speaker 1: You will build an angel in your mind and named
• 1:33:21
  Speaker 1: her mother, then forsooth. If the real lady fail to
• 1:33:25
  Speaker 1: have golden wings, you will hate her. Have a care.
• 1:33:29
  Speaker 1: Your dreams may cause the loss of your head. One
• 1:33:31
  Speaker 1: fine day. You worship a dream church, even as you
• 1:33:35
  Speaker 1: worship that dream mother. No, Godfrey, it is you who
• 1:33:39
  Speaker 1: are the dreamer. I think my mother is a true mother,
• 1:33:43
  Speaker 1: just as mommy Abel was. But I know that the
• 1:33:46
  Speaker 1: church is true, My little lord. Do you see the
• 1:33:50
  Speaker 1: oaks over unben Under last spring, their levees were tender green.
• 1:33:54
  Speaker 1: They grew more beautiful with lengthening summer days. Now the
• 1:33:58
  Speaker 1: glory of autumn is all but faded. A few more
• 1:34:01
  Speaker 1: northern winters, and the oaks will we bear and ugly.
• 1:34:04
  Speaker 1: There a picture of your dream church, fresh and fair
• 1:34:07
  Speaker 1: in her beginning. But days of strength, days of glory,
• 1:34:11
  Speaker 1: came and went, and now she is all but dead. Oh, no, godfree,
• 1:34:17
  Speaker 1: are the oaks dead? Because the leaves have fallen neither
• 1:34:20
  Speaker 1: is the Church of God dead. Now, bravo, there is
• 1:34:25
  Speaker 1: eloquence as well as witten that your brain will be
• 1:34:28
  Speaker 1: as keen an argument as was laying swords steel in battle.
• 1:34:31
  Speaker 1: Let your training be what it should, and mark my words.
• 1:34:35
  Speaker 1: The day will come when the house of lords, ay,
• 1:34:37
  Speaker 1: even the King himself, will hang breathless upon your words. Oh,
• 1:34:42
  Speaker 1: it is not that I know how to argue, But
• 1:34:45
  Speaker 1: you have the wrong side God free. The side that
• 1:34:47
  Speaker 1: is not true always has a hole in it. Well,
• 1:34:51
  Speaker 1: is this a lesson nor a tale which you are
• 1:34:53
  Speaker 1: so interested? Sir Roger was standing beside them a letter
• 1:34:57
  Speaker 1: in his hand. Pardon the interruption, And but lady Margaret
• 1:35:01
  Speaker 1: has sent good news. It will be of great benefit
• 1:35:03
  Speaker 1: to you in time. Oh is she coming home tomorrow?
• 1:35:07
  Speaker 1: What is it coming home? Oh? No, I doubt that
• 1:35:12
  Speaker 1: you will see her again before ye reach manhood. She
• 1:35:14
  Speaker 1: has been chosen maid of honor by the Queen and
• 1:35:17
  Speaker 1: must go to London at once. Sir Roger withdrew. He
• 1:35:22
  Speaker 1: seemed in fine spirits. Gordon walked over to the window
• 1:35:26
  Speaker 1: and stood there, kicking his foot against the wainscoting, whistling
• 1:35:30
  Speaker 1: anything to conquer the tears. Then He walked slowly to
• 1:35:34
  Speaker 1: the drawer, took out that treasured pile and threw it
• 1:35:37
  Speaker 1: on the coals. He leaned against the mantel and watched
• 1:35:41
  Speaker 1: them burn. No, he muttered, no, she was only a dream.
• 1:35:49
  Speaker 1: End of chapter seven The Rooin in the wood march came.
• 1:35:56
  Speaker 1: The Lad stood by his window watching the sunrise. Oh oh,
• 1:36:00
  Speaker 1: how warm it is really spring? At last, I am
• 1:36:03
  Speaker 1: going for a ride before breakfast. He ran out into
• 1:36:06
  Speaker 1: the hall. Godfrey was there? Good news? My lord? Sir
• 1:36:11
  Speaker 1: Roger decided last night that he will send you to
• 1:36:13
  Speaker 1: Glasgow to prepare for the university. You will go in
• 1:36:16
  Speaker 1: the fall. Oh Godfrey, are you going too? And there
• 1:36:21
  Speaker 1: will be all those football games? Football is it? You
• 1:36:25
  Speaker 1: must do more than play football. You must become a
• 1:36:27
  Speaker 1: learned man so that you can bring your earldom to
• 1:36:29
  Speaker 1: its proper place. Oh I know I mean to study,
• 1:36:34
  Speaker 1: but I have not played with a boy for almost
• 1:36:36
  Speaker 1: a year. Yes, yes, I understand I know how you
• 1:36:40
  Speaker 1: feel quite natural for a lad. But here comes your uncle. Well,
• 1:36:46
  Speaker 1: my little Gordon, Sir Roger was smiling. A messenger brought
• 1:36:50
  Speaker 1: this letter a few minutes ago. It is as much
• 1:36:52
  Speaker 1: for you as for me. The Lad took a note,
• 1:36:56
  Speaker 1: a dainty bit of parchment with an odor of roses
• 1:36:59
  Speaker 1: about it. His mother was now in great favor with
• 1:37:02
  Speaker 1: the Queen. She had made a conquest and was soon
• 1:37:05
  Speaker 1: to marry the Earl of something or other. He could
• 1:37:08
  Speaker 1: not make out the name nor the long title. There
• 1:37:12
  Speaker 1: was not a word about himself, not so much as
• 1:37:15
  Speaker 1: my love to the boy. She had forgotten him. The
• 1:37:19
  Speaker 1: bitter spot, which been burning all winter, was almost past bearing.
• 1:37:24
  Speaker 1: He did not ask if she were coming home. He
• 1:37:26
  Speaker 1: wished never to see her again. Why should he, she
• 1:37:30
  Speaker 1: had no love for him. Gordon says Sir Roger as
• 1:37:35
  Speaker 1: he took a note from the boy's hand. I am
• 1:37:38
  Speaker 1: much pleased with your progress and study. You have a brain,
• 1:37:41
  Speaker 1: and use it now. I am going to give you
• 1:37:43
  Speaker 1: the best education to be obtained in Scotland. Oh thank
• 1:37:47
  Speaker 1: you uncle. When am I going, the lad was thinking
• 1:37:51
  Speaker 1: of football. I do want to go so much, and
• 1:37:55
  Speaker 1: I'll study. Oh I will study. Uncle Godfrey will take
• 1:37:59
  Speaker 1: you to Glasgow next fall. But remember you do not
• 1:38:03
  Speaker 1: stir one step till I have your word that there
• 1:38:05
  Speaker 1: will be no Catholic nonsense while you are gone. Gordon
• 1:38:10
  Speaker 1: did not answer with the indignant no, that it had
• 1:38:13
  Speaker 1: always come before. His heart was full bitter, stinging anger.
• 1:38:18
  Speaker 1: He was longing for boyish games as lonely a lonely
• 1:38:21
  Speaker 1: boy can long. He turned on his heel and walked
• 1:38:25
  Speaker 1: down the hall toward the stables with a quick, short step.
• 1:38:29
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger would have followed, but Godfrey touched his arm.
• 1:38:33
  Speaker 1: Let well enough alone, my Lord, let that dose sink in.
• 1:38:38
  Speaker 1: The horse had been in the stable for days. He
• 1:38:40
  Speaker 1: would not stand still, even while Gordon mounted. They were
• 1:38:44
  Speaker 1: under the old arch in a flash, and on to
• 1:38:46
  Speaker 1: the drawbridge before it was fully down. The stea gave
• 1:38:50
  Speaker 1: a little snort and tossed his mane away. He flew
• 1:38:53
  Speaker 1: toward the wood. Gordon leaned forward, away, away, through the
• 1:38:57
  Speaker 1: clear sunshine, over the hedges, the ditches, with a catch
• 1:39:01
  Speaker 1: in his breath, dodging under branches, just bursting into leaf. Oh,
• 1:39:06
  Speaker 1: what a glorious ride. The horse stopped panting at the
• 1:39:10
  Speaker 1: edge of the wood. God's sweet sunshine had put a
• 1:39:13
  Speaker 1: better spirit into the boy. Good ride, old fellow, good ride,
• 1:39:19
  Speaker 1: he cried, slapping the horse's shoulder. Take it easier if
• 1:39:22
  Speaker 1: you want to. You're getting hot. A bird in the
• 1:39:26
  Speaker 1: great larch above him set up a bit of spring tune,
• 1:39:29
  Speaker 1: and Gordon whistled in answer. His hand was deep in
• 1:39:33
  Speaker 1: his pocket, as boy's hands are sure to be. Something
• 1:39:37
  Speaker 1: hard touched his fingers. He drew it out, only a
• 1:39:41
  Speaker 1: brown rosary. Gordon held it up and looked at the
• 1:39:45
  Speaker 1: simple thing, wondering how it came to be in his pocket.
• 1:39:49
  Speaker 1: He had forgotten all about the rosary he meant to
• 1:39:51
  Speaker 1: say every day for the folks back home in Maryland.
• 1:39:54
  Speaker 1: They had promised to say when for him? Would they
• 1:39:57
  Speaker 1: have forgotten? No, Daddy Abel. When he said he would
• 1:40:02
  Speaker 1: do something, he did it. Gordon slipped the beads through
• 1:40:07
  Speaker 1: his fingers. They brought memories the old cabin mother kneeling
• 1:40:11
  Speaker 1: by the cradle, rocking it with her foot, father leading
• 1:40:15
  Speaker 1: the prayers, and all the little Abels answering, Holy Mary,
• 1:40:19
  Speaker 1: Mother of God, pray for us sinners. He saw Daddy
• 1:40:23
  Speaker 1: reaching one hairy hand to give little Witch a cuff
• 1:40:26
  Speaker 1: for tickling tother's feet, but never pausing in the prayer.
• 1:40:30
  Speaker 1: Then he remembered the old balg Church. Father Cromwell's solemn
• 1:40:34
  Speaker 1: voice was still the same sweet prayer that the angel said,
• 1:40:39
  Speaker 1: Hail Mary, full of grace, and the great day. It
• 1:40:43
  Speaker 1: was only a year ago when they made their first communion,
• 1:40:47
  Speaker 1: he and Joel. He thought of the joy of that
• 1:40:50
  Speaker 1: moment when kneeling at the altar rail, he saw the
• 1:40:53
  Speaker 1: priest raise the host above the chalice, and the long
• 1:40:55
  Speaker 1: awaited moment it come. He thought. All the promises, boyish promises,
• 1:41:01
  Speaker 1: earnest loving whispered to the Lord Jesus. He remembered with
• 1:41:06
  Speaker 1: a start that he had given no answer to Uncle
• 1:41:08
  Speaker 1: Roger in the hall. Daddy Abel seemed to be standing
• 1:41:12
  Speaker 1: at the edge of the woodland and saying, no man
• 1:41:15
  Speaker 1: can lead you into sin if you don't follow him,
• 1:41:18
  Speaker 1: stand on your own two feet and be a man.
• 1:41:22
  Speaker 1: Suddenly the horse stood still. There was the wall of
• 1:41:25
  Speaker 1: trees in the way. They were so close to each
• 1:41:27
  Speaker 1: other that none had a chance to grow. Some seemed dying,
• 1:41:32
  Speaker 1: others were dead. The rose stretched out to right and left.
• 1:41:35
  Speaker 1: As far as he could see, it looks like a hedge.
• 1:41:39
  Speaker 1: There is nothing cut, since the owl knows when he thought.
• 1:41:42
  Speaker 1: As he turned to the right and rode along, he
• 1:41:46
  Speaker 1: found an opening farther down and looked through. On the
• 1:41:49
  Speaker 1: other side was a field with a strange row of
• 1:41:51
  Speaker 1: trees running around it. Looks as if it used to
• 1:41:55
  Speaker 1: be an oat field, Gordon mused, with all those bunches
• 1:41:58
  Speaker 1: of old straw among the weeds, But that must have
• 1:42:01
  Speaker 1: been long long ago. Look at all those young trees
• 1:42:04
  Speaker 1: growing in the field. A bush moved, and a deer
• 1:42:07
  Speaker 1: sprang from behind it. Head raised, ears alert, and foot
• 1:42:11
  Speaker 1: up lifted, a frightened sniff, a scamper of hoofs. It
• 1:42:15
  Speaker 1: was gone. The horse, a hunter bread, dashed to the
• 1:42:18
  Speaker 1: opening between the trees. Gordon, quickly, dropping his head against
• 1:42:22
  Speaker 1: the beast's neck, barely escaped the fate of Absalom. They
• 1:42:26
  Speaker 1: bounded away across the field, over the bushes and under
• 1:42:29
  Speaker 1: the trees. Then the deer swerved suddenly and sprang through
• 1:42:32
  Speaker 1: an opening in the dense hedge. I am not going
• 1:42:36
  Speaker 1: through that place, old fellow, cried the lad, tugging at
• 1:42:40
  Speaker 1: the reins. Maybe you can get through there, but I
• 1:42:43
  Speaker 1: want my head for a day or two more. Gordon
• 1:42:46
  Speaker 1: had a good rist for his age, but the horse
• 1:42:48
  Speaker 1: had a good neck for his age. The animal was
• 1:42:51
  Speaker 1: full grown, the boy was not. Can't stop him. He
• 1:42:56
  Speaker 1: gasped his jump off or be raked off, loosening his
• 1:43:00
  Speaker 1: feet in the stirrups. He dropped the reins and jumped.
• 1:43:03
  Speaker 1: Gordon struck, rolled over a few times, and lay still
• 1:43:07
  Speaker 1: until the dizziness when the fall had passed. Then he
• 1:43:10
  Speaker 1: sat up, rubbed himself, and took stock of his injuries,
• 1:43:14
  Speaker 1: kind of shaken up inside, headaches, some knee stings, nothing
• 1:43:20
  Speaker 1: but a bruise and a skinned place. Guess I'm all right.
• 1:43:25
  Speaker 1: Jumping up, he ran to the opening and slipped through.
• 1:43:27
  Speaker 1: The horse was gone, so was the deer. Gordon was
• 1:43:31
  Speaker 1: standing at the edge of an old flower garden. The
• 1:43:34
  Speaker 1: weedy bed beneath his feet had once been a star
• 1:43:36
  Speaker 1: of roses, over which a crested boar's head grown from
• 1:43:39
  Speaker 1: its place on the great sun dial. A cross of
• 1:43:42
  Speaker 1: Malta lay beyond, with a marble fountain at the center.
• 1:43:45
  Speaker 1: But the rose bushes were choked with dead thistles, the
• 1:43:48
  Speaker 1: gravel was covered with moss, and the frog in the
• 1:43:51
  Speaker 1: broken fountain croaked to the lizard that sprawled on the
• 1:43:53
  Speaker 1: sun dial. The building had once been majestic, but fire
• 1:43:58
  Speaker 1: and time made it a fact vast ruin the cloister
• 1:44:02
  Speaker 1: lay in blackened heaps, half covered with moss and vines.
• 1:44:05
  Speaker 1: Here and there an arch yet stood held more by
• 1:44:08
  Speaker 1: the Ivy than by its own strength. The Gothic windows
• 1:44:12
  Speaker 1: of the minster were broken and blackened, but the morning
• 1:44:15
  Speaker 1: sun glinting through them, sent long prisons of light across
• 1:44:18
  Speaker 1: the wee grown lawn. The lead crawled over a broken
• 1:44:21
  Speaker 1: window sill. From the jagged pane above him, smiled our Lady,
• 1:44:25
  Speaker 1: Queen of Heaven. My mother, Gordon whispered, my mother. She
• 1:44:32
  Speaker 1: is like Sir Roger. But you loved your son. If
• 1:44:36
  Speaker 1: I have you, I have a mother still, and I
• 1:44:39
  Speaker 1: all but turned against the faith this morning. Gordon dropped
• 1:44:44
  Speaker 1: down into the rolled minster, the carved staalter about him.
• 1:44:48
  Speaker 1: Many had fallen in summer, half buried beneath parts of
• 1:44:51
  Speaker 1: the roof which had come down years before. There were
• 1:44:55
  Speaker 1: heaps of dead leaves on the moldering beams, plants growing
• 1:44:58
  Speaker 1: upon them, and many vines. A sapling oak leaned over
• 1:45:02
  Speaker 1: the altar, slender, graceful. Beneath it, the tyrannacle door hung
• 1:45:07
  Speaker 1: open on one hinge. A robin perched there, looked at
• 1:45:11
  Speaker 1: the boy with frightened eyes. Her nest was in the
• 1:45:14
  Speaker 1: holy place. Gordon paused on the altar step, and the
• 1:45:17
  Speaker 1: bird flew to the tree He put out his hand
• 1:45:20
  Speaker 1: to take the nest, but stopped. I wonder what is
• 1:45:25
  Speaker 1: worse to leave the nest there, or to put my
• 1:45:27
  Speaker 1: hand into the tarbernacle? Let the poor bird in peace, Gordon,
• 1:45:34
  Speaker 1: came a low, powerful voice. The boy turned with a
• 1:45:38
  Speaker 1: startled cry. Half Way down among the ruined pews stood
• 1:45:42
  Speaker 1: a tall figure in a long gray cloak. His face
• 1:45:45
  Speaker 1: seemed but a yellow skin stretched across the skull. But
• 1:45:48
  Speaker 1: the deep blue eyes were full of life. They were
• 1:45:52
  Speaker 1: kind eyes, and Gordon lost his fears as he looked
• 1:45:54
  Speaker 1: into them. See, you have frightened the little bird. She
• 1:45:59
  Speaker 1: is doing no harm where she is. That place has
• 1:46:02
  Speaker 1: not been God's alter for eighty years and more. How
• 1:46:06
  Speaker 1: is your mother? My mother? All the anger of the
• 1:46:11
  Speaker 1: morning burned in the lad's voice. He spoke, whatt wildly,
• 1:46:14
  Speaker 1: spoke as he had never done before, even with Godfrey
• 1:46:18
  Speaker 1: told it all all that had been burning in his
• 1:46:21
  Speaker 1: heart these long, bitter months. And you believed this, all
• 1:46:27
  Speaker 1: this believed it isn't it true, not one word of it?
• 1:46:34
  Speaker 1: Where is my mother? Then? A great hope of springing
• 1:46:38
  Speaker 1: up in his heart. Perhaps he had not been dreaming,
• 1:46:41
  Speaker 1: Perhaps his real mother had sat with him. Beside the
• 1:46:44
  Speaker 1: fireplace on that first night. I do not know where
• 1:46:47
  Speaker 1: she may be. Then, how can you say the story
• 1:46:51
  Speaker 1: is not true? Why do I know this wild tale
• 1:46:55
  Speaker 1: is untrue? Gordon? I know Margaret of Douglas, Poor Margaret,
• 1:47:00
  Speaker 1: how much she has suffered? And you, boy, how could
• 1:47:04
  Speaker 1: you believe such things of your own mother? But Godfrey
• 1:47:08
  Speaker 1: said so Uncle Roger must have lied to him. Godfrey
• 1:47:14
  Speaker 1: is your friend, the best friend you have, is he not?
• 1:47:19
  Speaker 1: He has always been kind to me. Oh, yes, very kind.
• 1:47:24
  Speaker 1: He tells you what a bright boy you are, and
• 1:47:26
  Speaker 1: that you will be the greatest Lord Old Ravenhurst ever had.
• 1:47:30
  Speaker 1: How did you know that the boy flushed painfully? Godfrey
• 1:47:36
  Speaker 1: is Bertrand's son? Do you know who Bertrand was? Not? Yet?
• 1:47:42
  Speaker 1: In time? You shall a devil with the oil of
• 1:47:45
  Speaker 1: flattery upon his lips. Is a double devil. Boy. The
• 1:47:49
  Speaker 1: stranger paused, as if in thought, So Margaret has been
• 1:47:53
  Speaker 1: gone for seven months. Did she speak to you about
• 1:47:56
  Speaker 1: your faith or your father before she disappeared? Gordon was troubled.
• 1:48:03
  Speaker 1: Had his mother really spoken to him on that first night?
• 1:48:06
  Speaker 1: If that gentle, sorrow worn mother were not a dream,
• 1:48:09
  Speaker 1: she e forbidden him to mention the subject of which
• 1:48:12
  Speaker 1: they had talked. You need not fear to tell me,
• 1:48:16
  Speaker 1: said the stranger, seeming to read the lad's thoughts. You
• 1:48:19
  Speaker 1: know to whom you were speaking, do you not? No, sir,
• 1:48:25
  Speaker 1: who are you that knows so much about my mother
• 1:48:27
  Speaker 1: and me? Stephen Douglas, Uncle Stephen donkey tee wee, you
• 1:48:35
  Speaker 1: have changed much since she used to call me by
• 1:48:37
  Speaker 1: that name. Did your mother speak of Sir James or
• 1:48:40
  Speaker 1: of your religion? Yes, Uncle Stephen, that is. I don't
• 1:48:46
  Speaker 1: know if she did or if I dreamed she did.
• 1:48:49
  Speaker 1: I think she talked to me a long time on
• 1:48:51
  Speaker 1: the night I came from Maryland. Maybe she didn't, And
• 1:48:55
  Speaker 1: I think she told me about my father and was
• 1:48:57
  Speaker 1: going to tell me more. But she stopped strangely, all
• 1:49:00
  Speaker 1: of a sudden. Do you know what penalty she was
• 1:49:04
  Speaker 1: to pay for such talk? No, Uncle, Sir Roger told
• 1:49:09
  Speaker 1: her that if she ever dared to speak to you
• 1:49:11
  Speaker 1: of Sir James or of your faith, he would execute
• 1:49:14
  Speaker 1: the law to the fooleest extent. Do you know what
• 1:49:17
  Speaker 1: that means? No, uncle. If a widowed mother persists in
• 1:49:22
  Speaker 1: teaching the ancient faith to her children, any relative of
• 1:49:26
  Speaker 1: the new faith may take her children from her. Roger
• 1:49:29
  Speaker 1: said that if she went against his will, she would
• 1:49:32
  Speaker 1: never see your face again. If she had told me,
• 1:49:37
  Speaker 1: Margaret would not have told you her own danger. No doubt,
• 1:49:40
  Speaker 1: Godfrey had an ear at the door. Your mother knew
• 1:49:44
  Speaker 1: the risk and took it, fearing you might get into
• 1:49:47
  Speaker 1: trouble by some foolish attempt to rescue her. She did
• 1:49:50
  Speaker 1: not tell you of Sir Roger's threat. That would be
• 1:49:53
  Speaker 1: Margaret's way. God grant the trader had enough mercy to
• 1:49:57
  Speaker 1: put her in a cell above ground. Where do you
• 1:50:01
  Speaker 1: think she is? Some place in the old castle, in
• 1:50:05
  Speaker 1: or under the north tower. The dungeons are there. Gordon
• 1:50:10
  Speaker 1: skirted his heel back and forth among the dry leaves.
• 1:50:14
  Speaker 1: She has been suffering a winter long, and instead of
• 1:50:17
  Speaker 1: helping her, I have been thinking mean things. Let it
• 1:50:21
  Speaker 1: be a lesson to you. Never allow any one to
• 1:50:24
  Speaker 1: come between you and your mother, or between you and
• 1:50:26
  Speaker 1: your God. Those two friends are true. Gordon stood with
• 1:50:32
  Speaker 1: eyes of dumb agony. The gray cloak fire waited watching.
• 1:50:37
  Speaker 1: He knew the metal of that boy, and let the
• 1:50:39
  Speaker 1: pain give the cost to cure, burning out whatever might
• 1:50:43
  Speaker 1: of dross could be within that strong young soul. At last,
• 1:50:48
  Speaker 1: Gordon drew a long breath, as if shouldering a load.
• 1:50:51
  Speaker 1: He looked up at his uncle. On his boyish face
• 1:50:54
  Speaker 1: was the light of awakening manhood, a deep strength scarcely
• 1:50:58
  Speaker 1: expected there but because it was impossible for him to
• 1:51:02
  Speaker 1: open his full heart as yet, when he did speak
• 1:51:06
  Speaker 1: it it was a mere commonplace which he asked, Uncle,
• 1:51:10
  Speaker 1: what does my mother look like? Is she a little,
• 1:51:13
  Speaker 1: white haired, fair old lady? Godfrey said, I had been dreaming,
• 1:51:18
  Speaker 1: He said, my mother is young and very beautiful. Your
• 1:51:22
  Speaker 1: mother is not old in years. She seems old because
• 1:51:25
  Speaker 1: she has suffered so much since that night when the
• 1:51:28
  Speaker 1: dragoons came for your father. Sir James, let me make
• 1:51:31
  Speaker 1: his castle my head quarters. You know I am an
• 1:51:34
  Speaker 1: outlawed child. To give me food or shelter is a
• 1:51:37
  Speaker 1: crying punishable by death. I fear your father gave his
• 1:51:41
  Speaker 1: life for mine. Could you but remember that night which
• 1:51:45
  Speaker 1: followed the arrest of your father, you would know if
• 1:51:48
  Speaker 1: your mother loved you or not. Towards mourning, her heart
• 1:51:52
  Speaker 1: was so faint that Benson whispered to the other watcher
• 1:51:56
  Speaker 1: began the beds again. Jeanie, her soul was passing, but
• 1:52:00
  Speaker 1: Margaret's eyes opened wide. Pray, she gasped, pray that I
• 1:52:05
  Speaker 1: may live. I cannot die, God helping me. I will
• 1:52:09
  Speaker 1: not die. I must live for my son's sake. And you, boy,
• 1:52:14
  Speaker 1: you would let that smooth tongue Godfrey make you hate her? No, no,
• 1:52:19
  Speaker 1: those words were too sharp forgive me, child, You are
• 1:52:23
  Speaker 1: only a lad. How could you know the depths of
• 1:52:26
  Speaker 1: your mother's love? But Gordon suddenly spoke out the thought
• 1:52:30
  Speaker 1: that had been on his lips a moment before, when
• 1:52:33
  Speaker 1: he could not control himself to speak it. Uncle Stephen,
• 1:52:37
  Speaker 1: mother said, you are a priest. Well, I am child?
• 1:52:43
  Speaker 1: Then couldn't I couldn't I go to confession to you? Here?
• 1:52:48
  Speaker 1: And I am fasting? Perhaps that is? Is there any
• 1:52:52
  Speaker 1: way for me to receive Holy communion? Maybe then I
• 1:52:56
  Speaker 1: wouldn't be so fire. Stephen took the here, staying faced
• 1:53:00
  Speaker 1: in his hands. I have frightened you over much, my son.
• 1:53:05
  Speaker 1: You have been sorely tempted. But I do not think
• 1:53:08
  Speaker 1: that you have sinned grievously. If Sir Roger were to
• 1:53:11
  Speaker 1: hear that you would receive the sacraments, he would be
• 1:53:14
  Speaker 1: very angry. He often gets angry. I shall not mind
• 1:53:20
  Speaker 1: that this will be a very different sort of anger.
• 1:53:24
  Speaker 1: He is cruel as all cowards are. There will be
• 1:53:27
  Speaker 1: no one who will dare to defend you. Stephen spoke slowly,
• 1:53:32
  Speaker 1: as if weighing his words. Yet he knew what the
• 1:53:35
  Speaker 1: answer would be. My father suffered and mother is suffering.
• 1:53:40
  Speaker 1: Now there is joy in the soul of Stephen Douglas.
• 1:53:45
  Speaker 1: Many were the prayers he has said, many of the
• 1:53:48
  Speaker 1: penances offered that this day might come. So you are ready, Gordon,
• 1:53:53
  Speaker 1: ready to take your first step on the path of
• 1:53:55
  Speaker 1: those who suffer for God. Then, taking a kerchief from
• 1:54:00
  Speaker 1: his cloak pocket, the fire began to bind it over
• 1:54:02
  Speaker 1: the boy's eyes. Why are you covering my eyes? Cried
• 1:54:07
  Speaker 1: the startled lad. It is not wise for you to
• 1:54:11
  Speaker 1: know where the Good Lord is hiding. Do you think
• 1:54:14
  Speaker 1: I would tell, cried Gordon, cut to the heart. No, no, child,
• 1:54:21
  Speaker 1: you would not tell. I did not mean that. But
• 1:54:24
  Speaker 1: Godfrey will ask sharpe questions and judge by your face
• 1:54:27
  Speaker 1: when he finds the truth. Bertrand's son is cunning, but
• 1:54:31
  Speaker 1: he cannot learn from you what you do not know.
• 1:54:34
  Speaker 1: So you will go with the bandages over your eyes.
• 1:54:37
  Speaker 1: There is a long walk before you. Say your prayers
• 1:54:40
  Speaker 1: as you go a long walk. It was indeed, with
• 1:54:45
  Speaker 1: many turns and twists. At last, fire Stephen spoke, be careful,
• 1:54:50
  Speaker 1: now we are to go down steps, down, down, down
• 1:54:55
  Speaker 1: they went, and then on again. It was damp and cold.
• 1:55:00
  Speaker 1: Gordon knew it was a cellar, but never thought the
• 1:55:02
  Speaker 1: prudent Fire had let him about in the wood, only
• 1:55:05
  Speaker 1: to take him into the same ruin from which he
• 1:55:07
  Speaker 1: had brought him. At last, Stephen turned a key in
• 1:55:11
  Speaker 1: the lock, opened a door, and removed the bandages. They
• 1:55:15
  Speaker 1: were in a place so dark that Gordon could scarcely
• 1:55:17
  Speaker 1: see no little trembling light burned red through the darkness.
• 1:55:22
  Speaker 1: The enemies were too many. Only the holy stillness spoke
• 1:55:26
  Speaker 1: of the divine guest, and Gordon knelt to a door.
• 1:55:32
  Speaker 1: End of chapter eight, The Mercy of a Coward. Sir
• 1:55:38
  Speaker 1: Roger and Godfrey were in high spirits now that the
• 1:55:40
  Speaker 1: air was won almost They chatted a good half hour
• 1:55:44
  Speaker 1: at laying new plans. Sir Roger remarked, Gordon should be
• 1:55:49
  Speaker 1: coming back from a scarlark ride, where it'll be late
• 1:55:52
  Speaker 1: for breakfast. Turning toward the old Earl's room, he added eagerly,
• 1:55:57
  Speaker 1: no doubt I can see him from this window like
• 1:56:00
  Speaker 1: a spured colt. Godfrey sprang alert, yet his voice was
• 1:56:04
  Speaker 1: what mildly persuasive, as he suggested, the view from the
• 1:56:08
  Speaker 1: hall window is far better, my lord, But the Earl's
• 1:56:11
  Speaker 1: is nearer, laughed Sir Roger. As he strolled to the door.
• 1:56:17
  Speaker 1: Godfrey whirled ran noiselessly to the stairs down and out
• 1:56:20
  Speaker 1: of sight, Humming a snatch from an ancient ballad, Sir
• 1:56:24
  Speaker 1: Roger swung open the door of that room of memories
• 1:56:27
  Speaker 1: to all of Gordon blood, that room which the weakling
• 1:56:30
  Speaker 1: of the House of Gordon usually avoided. One glance and
• 1:56:34
  Speaker 1: the smile died with a hiss of fury. He turned
• 1:56:38
  Speaker 1: on Betsy and roared, how comes this the fireplace? Remains
• 1:56:42
  Speaker 1: of a fire on the sacred stone carvings painting? Who dared? Please?
• 1:56:49
  Speaker 1: My Lord? The young gentleman just rose, I had no
• 1:56:53
  Speaker 1: time to clean. I'll have clean it. You know very well,
• 1:56:58
  Speaker 1: every servant knows well that there must never be a
• 1:57:00
  Speaker 1: fire on this hearth, Please, my lord. We thought you
• 1:57:04
  Speaker 1: had changed your mind, my Lord, your orders, my lord,
• 1:57:09
  Speaker 1: my orders? Who said it was my orders? Master Godfree?
• 1:57:13
  Speaker 1: My lord? Did Godfrey come at once, Yes, my Lord,
• 1:57:20
  Speaker 1: and Bessy hurried away. Sir Roger walked up and down
• 1:57:24
  Speaker 1: with a stiff and snapping stride. It is not that
• 1:57:27
  Speaker 1: I have any Romanism in me, he argued, as if
• 1:57:31
  Speaker 1: addressing someone in the back of his own mind. I
• 1:57:34
  Speaker 1: am not a Roman Catholic. I was never one, at
• 1:57:37
  Speaker 1: least not since. My reason has been that of a man,
• 1:57:40
  Speaker 1: a brilliant and thoroughly educated man. But it was my
• 1:57:44
  Speaker 1: mother's request, her deathbed request, that nothing should harm the
• 1:57:48
  Speaker 1: sacred stone. Sacred, no, no, not sacred. A little wine
• 1:57:54
  Speaker 1: fell on it years and years ago, only little wine.
• 1:57:58
  Speaker 1: A man must respect his mother's last request, her deathbed wish.
• 1:58:03
  Speaker 1: Every gentleman does that. Yet, if someone if Godfrey has
• 1:58:08
  Speaker 1: seen my anger, he would have said, but he did
• 1:58:11
  Speaker 1: not see me. Good Please, my Lord, Godfrey cannot be found,
• 1:58:18
  Speaker 1: my Lord, came Betsy's quivering voice from the doorway. But
• 1:58:22
  Speaker 1: Bins with me to help. We'll fix everything just as
• 1:58:25
  Speaker 1: it used to be. The tree trunks were only slipped
• 1:58:28
  Speaker 1: over the soldiers. The stone you wish kept so clean.
• 1:58:32
  Speaker 1: It has not been harmed, my Lord. We placed another
• 1:58:35
  Speaker 1: one on top of it. Less talk girl set to
• 1:58:38
  Speaker 1: work as to the tree trunks, they are mere casings
• 1:58:42
  Speaker 1: made in the day of Sir Angus. To the ski
• 1:58:44
  Speaker 1: is a fireplace when when state papers concerning Mary, Queen
• 1:58:49
  Speaker 1: of Scot's were hidden there, But take them off they're clumsy, unsightly,
• 1:58:54
  Speaker 1: and disfigure the apartment. As to the stone, it must
• 1:58:57
  Speaker 1: always be kept clean, because because the fireplace is an heirloom,
• 1:59:03
  Speaker 1: valued in me as such, but not to be marred
• 1:59:05
  Speaker 1: by common use. Sir Roger stalked out of the room
• 1:59:09
  Speaker 1: of memories, still battling with its own mind, to convince
• 1:59:12
  Speaker 1: that someone in the back of it cleverly turned yes.
• 1:59:16
  Speaker 1: Rather let Betsy repeat my words, who would say there
• 1:59:20
  Speaker 1: was anything unusual? Seated in the library, Sir Roger read
• 1:59:27
  Speaker 1: for five minutes, sent for the butler and fumed at him,
• 1:59:30
  Speaker 1: called for his horse, and raged at the groom because
• 1:59:33
  Speaker 1: he saw a tangle in the main went down to
• 1:59:35
  Speaker 1: breakfast that had been awaiting his pleasure almost two hours.
• 1:59:38
  Speaker 1: Sniffed at everything set before him, nibbled a bit of this,
• 1:59:42
  Speaker 1: took a taste of that, and bolted a goblet of
• 1:59:45
  Speaker 1: strong red wine as he shot one last word to
• 1:59:48
  Speaker 1: silence that ever sary within him. Wine nothing but wine.
• 1:59:53
  Speaker 1: A few drops of blood red wine fell on the
• 1:59:55
  Speaker 1: old hearthstone years and years ago. Suddenly there was a
• 2:00:00
  Speaker 1: noise in the hall as of a heated argument. Sir
• 2:00:03
  Speaker 1: Roger jumped from the table and ran out, slamming the door.
• 2:00:07
  Speaker 1: The voices tied to whispers. Riding all alone in the
• 2:00:10
  Speaker 1: forest without a groom, scarce more than a barony, There comes,
• 2:00:15
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger. You tell him it's your fault, and be
• 2:00:19
  Speaker 1: clapped in the tower. Not I old Edwin broke through
• 2:00:25
  Speaker 1: the group of cringing servants and said to Sir Roger quietly,
• 2:00:29
  Speaker 1: my laird, we had all fear that harm had befallen
• 2:00:32
  Speaker 1: the Gordon. His steed ut trailed in with empty saddle.
• 2:00:36
  Speaker 1: Godfrey be waiting by the gate with your steed, my laird.
• 2:00:40
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger hurried away. A few moments later the horsemen
• 2:00:44
  Speaker 1: clattered out through the great gate. The dogs picked up
• 2:00:47
  Speaker 1: the scent and started towards the woods. Half Way across
• 2:00:50
  Speaker 1: the meadows, Godfrey pointed to a tree near the edge
• 2:00:53
  Speaker 1: of the forest and shouted, there he is. Gordon is
• 2:00:57
  Speaker 1: not limping. No, my lord, but I don't like his step.
• 2:01:03
  Speaker 1: Why nothing seems wrong with him? He is not injured.
• 2:01:07
  Speaker 1: But but what look at him, my lord, head up,
• 2:01:12
  Speaker 1: chest out, tramping along. He has his mind made up,
• 2:01:16
  Speaker 1: that's certain. What do you make of it? Good Gordon
• 2:01:21
  Speaker 1: has decided to go our way, Let's hope so, But
• 2:01:25
  Speaker 1: I doubt it. Look at the jaw of him, all
• 2:01:28
  Speaker 1: the will of the house of Gordon. I've been bristling
• 2:01:30
  Speaker 1: for a fight. Fight, But why that's exactly what I
• 2:01:36
  Speaker 1: wish I knew, my lord. Perhaps Gordon was not thrown,
• 2:01:40
  Speaker 1: maybe got off his horse to talk to someone. Bullo
• 2:01:42
  Speaker 1: would have broken away. It would mean foul luck for
• 2:01:46
  Speaker 1: us if munkle John saw the boy ride to the
• 2:01:48
  Speaker 1: woods alone and contrived. But this is a fair day.
• 2:01:52
  Speaker 1: Mucu John should be far out at sea before sunrise,
• 2:01:55
  Speaker 1: a fishing Stephen Douglas. Is it near enough to easter
• 2:02:00
  Speaker 1: him to be skulking around the old ruin? May the
• 2:02:03
  Speaker 1: fiends defend us from him, that cut throat of a priest,
• 2:02:06
  Speaker 1: to spoil more plans of mine than any other man living.
• 2:02:09
  Speaker 1: If Gordon has been with him, there'll be no doing
• 2:02:12
  Speaker 1: anything with that boy for a year. Hold no, my lord, no,
• 2:02:18
  Speaker 1: Godfrey cried out, for Sir Roger's horse was plunging ahead
• 2:02:21
  Speaker 1: under spur Wait, go slowly. We must find out first,
• 2:02:27
  Speaker 1: find out exactly what I shall do. Not be able
• 2:02:30
  Speaker 1: to do anything with Gordon for a year. Eh. If
• 2:02:34
  Speaker 1: that brad has been with Stephen Douglas, he'll learn before
• 2:02:36
  Speaker 1: he's an hour older, with whom he is dealing. Roger's
• 2:02:41
  Speaker 1: sallow face grew still more ugly. Oh, have a care,
• 2:02:45
  Speaker 1: my lord, have a care. Coffrey pleaded as their horses
• 2:02:49
  Speaker 1: thundered towards the woods. Don't try force, it's the worst.
• 2:02:54
  Speaker 1: Don't try force. Don't try force. That's always your tune.
• 2:02:58
  Speaker 1: Much good and smooth way. You saw this morning the
• 2:03:02
  Speaker 1: effect of my smooth ways. Think. If the boy has
• 2:03:06
  Speaker 1: been with Stephen Douglas, he may be heart and soul,
• 2:03:09
  Speaker 1: said to be a martyr of the Gordon line. I'll
• 2:03:11
  Speaker 1: see that priest on the scaffold yet, But don't try
• 2:03:14
  Speaker 1: force on the boy now, you'll only rouse all this
• 2:03:17
  Speaker 1: stubbornness on him then too. If he has been with
• 2:03:21
  Speaker 1: the priest, he may have received the sacraments. And you
• 2:03:25
  Speaker 1: believe in sacrament magic, sneered Roger. No, but sacraments have
• 2:03:31
  Speaker 1: a strong effect on those who have as strong a
• 2:03:33
  Speaker 1: faith in them as Gordon has. Go gently with the
• 2:03:36
  Speaker 1: lad until we have the facts. Get him up to
• 2:03:39
  Speaker 1: the castle quietly. Then call every man you can trust
• 2:03:42
  Speaker 1: to beat the woods for Douglas. I'll put the bloodhounds
• 2:03:46
  Speaker 1: on that outlaw. Trust me for that. But go gently
• 2:03:49
  Speaker 1: with the boy. If he has received the sacraments, I'll
• 2:03:52
  Speaker 1: teach him the magic of pain. I'll Oh, have a care,
• 2:03:57
  Speaker 1: my lord. Remember your brother James, remember the will of
• 2:04:01
  Speaker 1: the House of Gordon. Neither you nor any other man
• 2:04:04
  Speaker 1: can break his will. Oh think, sir, have a care?
• 2:04:10
  Speaker 1: And of what house do I come? Am? I not
• 2:04:13
  Speaker 1: a sign of the House of Gordon? Can you break
• 2:04:15
  Speaker 1: my will? Weakling of the House of Gordon, snarled Godfrey,
• 2:04:22
  Speaker 1: but his voice was lost in the thud of hoofs.
• 2:04:26
  Speaker 1: The little Earl of Gordon had seen the racing horseman,
• 2:04:29
  Speaker 1: and he was coming straight toward them, a slim, boyish
• 2:04:32
  Speaker 1: figure in the shadow of those ancient trees. His square
• 2:04:35
  Speaker 1: jaw was set the iron jaw afire the braves and
• 2:04:39
  Speaker 1: lang sword, the firm jaw of the old Earl and
• 2:04:42
  Speaker 1: Sir James, the jaw which for centuries had marked the
• 2:04:45
  Speaker 1: chiefs of Clan Gordon. But his eyes were Lady Margaret's
• 2:04:49
  Speaker 1: deep blue, almost black, with a Douglas fire burning in
• 2:04:53
  Speaker 1: the depths of them. Bell the Cat would have been
• 2:04:56
  Speaker 1: proud of this boy had he seen him. But to
• 2:04:59
  Speaker 1: the last it was Daddy Abel's face that rose in
• 2:05:02
  Speaker 1: his mind and in his heart. He spoke as if
• 2:05:04
  Speaker 1: to the front tiersman, uncle is coming blazing mad. Maybe
• 2:05:09
  Speaker 1: I must fight it out with him now, Sir Roger
• 2:05:13
  Speaker 1: drew up his horse with a jerk that turned the
• 2:05:15
  Speaker 1: foam red from the points of the bit. Explain your conduct,
• 2:05:19
  Speaker 1: he roared, conduct sparred Gordon warily, what were you doing
• 2:05:25
  Speaker 1: that your horse should come in with an empty saddle? Oh?
• 2:05:29
  Speaker 1: Is that it? I'm sorry if I caused trouble, Sir
• 2:05:32
  Speaker 1: Bolo took after a deer. I couldn't hold him. I
• 2:05:35
  Speaker 1: had to jump off or be raked off. Sir very
• 2:05:39
  Speaker 1: slyly put nothing else to change you these three hours?
• 2:05:43
  Speaker 1: Did you talk to any person in the wood? Speak up,
• 2:05:47
  Speaker 1: don't try to deceive me. Gordon's tongue was never made
• 2:05:51
  Speaker 1: for cunning speeches. It was always yes or no with him.
• 2:05:55
  Speaker 1: Tell a lie, never tell the truth, betray a priest,
• 2:06:01
  Speaker 1: not all the breath of life was in him. No
• 2:06:04
  Speaker 1: words are needed. Your face speaks for you. You were talking
• 2:06:08
  Speaker 1: to someone, was it? Stephen Douglas denied that if you
• 2:06:12
  Speaker 1: dare Godfrey cutting sharply, Gordon, you do not mean any harm.
• 2:06:19
  Speaker 1: I know. But you went a confession to him and
• 2:06:21
  Speaker 1: the old ruin, didn't you? The Lad's face brightened, guessing
• 2:06:27
  Speaker 1: wrong this time? The flashing thought had scarcely crossed his mind.
• 2:06:33
  Speaker 1: Not at the ruin, eh where? Then at the cave
• 2:06:36
  Speaker 1: among the cliffs, the cavern by the first side, the
• 2:06:39
  Speaker 1: hollow back of Beninder. There was joy in the Lad's heart.
• 2:06:44
  Speaker 1: What he did not know could not be learned from him?
• 2:06:48
  Speaker 1: Answer will you? Snowed Sir Roger, springing from the horse,
• 2:06:53
  Speaker 1: The Gordon does not know, my lord? Can you not
• 2:06:55
  Speaker 1: tell it? From his face? Cried Godfrey. Friar Douglas often
• 2:07:00
  Speaker 1: binds the eyes of children whom he thinks too young
• 2:07:02
  Speaker 1: to trust. You can answer like a gentleman, whether you
• 2:07:06
  Speaker 1: know or not? Answer? Answer will you? Sir? Roger struck
• 2:07:12
  Speaker 1: the boy with his whip. There are few things that
• 2:07:14
  Speaker 1: hurt like the sting of a fine supple lash. Gordon
• 2:07:18
  Speaker 1: sprang back with a sharp cry, A narrow red line
• 2:07:21
  Speaker 1: rose up across his face. Answer, will you you dare
• 2:07:25
  Speaker 1: to be stubborn with me? The whip rose again. Don't,
• 2:07:30
  Speaker 1: my lord, don't, Godfrey cried. The child does not know.
• 2:07:34
  Speaker 1: I tell you keep your place, Godfrey Bertrandson, you have
• 2:07:39
  Speaker 1: done enough harm and to spare. Gordon would have had
• 2:07:42
  Speaker 1: this lesson long ago, But for you stand aside. You
• 2:07:46
  Speaker 1: dare to step in my way? The boy shall learn
• 2:07:48
  Speaker 1: with whom he is dealing open face rebellion, receiving treasonable sacraments,
• 2:07:54
  Speaker 1: talking to outlawed priests, refusing even answer when spoken to.
• 2:07:58
  Speaker 1: Much good your religion? Does you, young gentlemen, did you
• 2:08:01
  Speaker 1: ever hear of the fourth commandment? Fourth commandment says honor
• 2:08:06
  Speaker 1: thy father and mother doesn't say one word about uncles.
• 2:08:11
  Speaker 1: You can find your tongue soon enough, when you wish
• 2:08:13
  Speaker 1: to give impudence with it. You will know whether or
• 2:08:15
  Speaker 1: not you must obey uncles. When I finish with you.
• 2:08:18
  Speaker 1: Stephen Douglas is not your uncle, I suppose, but you'd
• 2:08:22
  Speaker 1: do his bidding. Young upstart Sir Roger struck quick sharp
• 2:08:27
  Speaker 1: blows while he spoke. The lash hissed through the air
• 2:08:30
  Speaker 1: and writhed around the slim body again and again the
• 2:08:34
  Speaker 1: child staggered this way and that from the force of
• 2:08:37
  Speaker 1: the blows. Once or twice, when the Brennan whips struck
• 2:08:40
  Speaker 1: the rising Weltz, there came a sharp cry. That was all.
• 2:08:44
  Speaker 1: He did not say one word. Sir Roger's arm was
• 2:08:48
  Speaker 1: growing tired, but the square jaw was still set, and
• 2:08:51
  Speaker 1: the blue eyes looked straight into his. He began to
• 2:08:55
  Speaker 1: realize that the boy's will was stronger than his own.
• 2:08:58
  Speaker 1: Weakling of the House of Gordon, That taunt had been
• 2:09:01
  Speaker 1: thrown at him since childhood, and now here was a
• 2:09:04
  Speaker 1: boy with a will stronger than his own. Pride stung him.
• 2:09:09
  Speaker 1: The whip fell again and again, but Gordon saw that
• 2:09:12
  Speaker 1: the coward was weakening. The light of victory shone in
• 2:09:15
  Speaker 1: the blazing Douglas eyes. There was new courage in every
• 2:09:19
  Speaker 1: line of that little body, still staggering under the weight
• 2:09:22
  Speaker 1: of the blows. The look in Gordon's eyes stung Sir
• 2:09:26
  Speaker 1: Roger's pride anew yield. Godfrey has seen everything yield. Even
• 2:09:32
  Speaker 1: the groom would sneer. He tried to strike with the
• 2:09:36
  Speaker 1: same force as before, but his arm was weary. Aching
• 2:09:40
  Speaker 1: the whip dropped. He had not the power to give
• 2:09:43
  Speaker 1: as a lad I had the courage to take you.
• 2:09:46
  Speaker 1: May be thankful that I am too merciful to give
• 2:09:48
  Speaker 1: you more than a thought occurred to him. But you
• 2:09:52
  Speaker 1: deserve no mercy. Go at once to the castle, and
• 2:09:55
  Speaker 1: without pausing, go straight to your room. You will stay
• 2:09:59
  Speaker 1: there without food till you tell me all that happened
• 2:10:02
  Speaker 1: this morning. Yes, and until you promised to quit the
• 2:10:05
  Speaker 1: Catholic Church once and for all. Sir Roger was in
• 2:10:10
  Speaker 1: great glee. Here was a punishment that could be carried
• 2:10:13
  Speaker 1: out to the bitter end. It would cost himself no pain.
• 2:10:19
  Speaker 1: And of Chapter nine, Secret of the Fireplace. Betsy was
• 2:10:24
  Speaker 1: wiping the last studs off the hearthston when Gordon walked
• 2:10:27
  Speaker 1: swiftly into his room. He stopped in amazement. The fireplace
• 2:10:32
  Speaker 1: was before him, not the fireplace of the last few months,
• 2:10:36
  Speaker 1: but the one beside which he had sat with his
• 2:10:38
  Speaker 1: mother on that strange first night. Betsy, why, Betsy, what
• 2:10:43
  Speaker 1: has happened? Man six? I do hope your lordship won't
• 2:10:47
  Speaker 1: be put out about it, Sir Roger, he would have
• 2:10:50
  Speaker 1: it changed back again like it used to be. Put
• 2:10:54
  Speaker 1: out No, indeed, but how did it happen? God bless you,
• 2:10:59
  Speaker 1: my lord? You never fuss about things at all. But
• 2:11:02
  Speaker 1: his lordship, Sir Roger, what a temporary flew in when
• 2:11:05
  Speaker 1: he found it was changed? Master God forgave us the orders.
• 2:11:09
  Speaker 1: An we did it whilst you slept. Twas the first night.
• 2:11:13
  Speaker 1: He bade me play off that I was Benson Land's sakes,
• 2:11:17
  Speaker 1: says I to him. Benson and I don't look alike.
• 2:11:20
  Speaker 1: She's old enough to be my granny, but he would
• 2:11:23
  Speaker 1: have it. Betsy twisted the rag with a snap. But
• 2:11:28
  Speaker 1: for mercy of our lady, lad, what's happened to your face,
• 2:11:32
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger, no one else would dare. I'll run for
• 2:11:36
  Speaker 1: some salve. It's nothing, Betsy, never mind. Don't you suppose
• 2:11:41
  Speaker 1: I know how that stings. I'll go right now, my lord. No, Betsy, No,
• 2:11:48
  Speaker 1: I'd rather ask you something. You know some I mean,
• 2:11:52
  Speaker 1: do you know where my mother is? The girl dropped
• 2:11:56
  Speaker 1: her rags and brushed to stay, my lord, she gasped, then,
• 2:12:02
  Speaker 1: after a pause, there is nothing I would not do
• 2:12:06
  Speaker 1: you you but the risk isn't just to me my
• 2:12:11
  Speaker 1: old mother. She's a widow, my Lord. The few pence
• 2:12:14
  Speaker 1: I make as all she has. I I can't lose
• 2:12:18
  Speaker 1: my place, You do know something. Tell me, Betsy, no
• 2:12:23
  Speaker 1: one should ever find out from whom I learned. I
• 2:12:25
  Speaker 1: want to find my mother, pleaded the boy. Well, tis
• 2:12:30
  Speaker 1: little enough, my lord. Only none of us servants ever
• 2:12:34
  Speaker 1: believed that Lady Margaret went gallivanting off to London, not
• 2:12:38
  Speaker 1: but what she would be in honor, even to the
• 2:12:39
  Speaker 1: King's court. But the tale did not fit. Some things
• 2:12:43
  Speaker 1: do not fit with some people. The Countess is gentle,
• 2:12:47
  Speaker 1: my lord, kind, very kind and cheery always, but not gay.
• 2:12:52
  Speaker 1: She was always planning things for the poor, and sending
• 2:12:55
  Speaker 1: little comforts to this old granny or that down in
• 2:12:58
  Speaker 1: the village. The tale that she running from one frolic
• 2:13:01
  Speaker 1: to another did not fit, and not one of us
• 2:13:03
  Speaker 1: believed it. We were ordered on our lives not to
• 2:13:06
  Speaker 1: let the village folk know she was no longer at
• 2:13:08
  Speaker 1: the castle. And from that time Godfrey began to get
• 2:13:12
  Speaker 1: two extra portions from the cook. He always feeds the prisoners,
• 2:13:16
  Speaker 1: And that made us think, prisoners, where are they kept?
• 2:13:21
  Speaker 1: I never saw one. Oh, there are always prisoners in
• 2:13:25
  Speaker 1: great castles like this. They are kept down in the
• 2:13:27
  Speaker 1: dungeons under the north tower. My Lord, you had better
• 2:13:31
  Speaker 1: mind your eye to day. Don't cross Sir Roger. When
• 2:13:34
  Speaker 1: he's in a temper, he would as soon put you
• 2:13:36
  Speaker 1: into one of those black holes as eat his supper.
• 2:13:39
  Speaker 1: I am fearing you were in trouble with him now.
• 2:13:42
  Speaker 1: No one else would dare to strike your lordship. I'll
• 2:13:45
  Speaker 1: run and get something to take out the pain. But
• 2:13:48
  Speaker 1: don't you know anything else, No, my lord, nothing more.
• 2:13:53
  Speaker 1: And picking up her pail and brush and scrubbing rags,
• 2:13:55
  Speaker 1: she hurried out. Heavy step came down the hall, The
• 2:13:59
  Speaker 1: key turned sharply in the lock, and the steps went
• 2:14:02
  Speaker 1: away again a few moments later, Betsey tried the door,
• 2:14:06
  Speaker 1: whispered her comfort through the keyhole, and went back to
• 2:14:09
  Speaker 1: her work. The long hours began to drag. It was
• 2:14:13
  Speaker 1: one thing to bear the blows as they fell when
• 2:14:15
  Speaker 1: his nature had risen for the battle, but quite another
• 2:14:18
  Speaker 1: to endure the never ending smart of the wounds which
• 2:14:21
  Speaker 1: the lash had made. He walked up and down with quick,
• 2:14:24
  Speaker 1: impatient steps, then flung himself on his bed, only to
• 2:14:28
  Speaker 1: spring up again in restless misery. The old wag at
• 2:14:32
  Speaker 1: the wall, steadily ticking all day long, told minutes that
• 2:14:35
  Speaker 1: seemed to be ours. Still no one opened the locked door.
• 2:14:41
  Speaker 1: Thurst had come with the fever. There was a sudden
• 2:14:44
  Speaker 1: clank of keys. Gordon whirled to face the door. In
• 2:14:49
  Speaker 1: came Sir Roger. He smiled coolly. The new punishment worked
• 2:14:53
  Speaker 1: well between pain of body and of mind. The boy
• 2:14:57
  Speaker 1: was very near to madness. Have you had enough of
• 2:15:00
  Speaker 1: disobeying uncles? He sneered, But the child turned in a frenzy.
• 2:15:06
  Speaker 1: You take my mother out of that dungeon, he yelled,
• 2:15:10
  Speaker 1: under age or not, I'm earle, you shall pay for this,
• 2:15:14
  Speaker 1: and for your lies and for Sir Roger's grating laugh
• 2:15:18
  Speaker 1: interrupted him. Hunger will tame you, my angelic nephew. With
• 2:15:23
  Speaker 1: a sudden, high piercing cry, the maddened voice sprang at him.
• 2:15:28
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger jumped back, opened the door, and was out
• 2:15:30
  Speaker 1: with more speed than grace. Shaken and weary, the lad
• 2:15:34
  Speaker 1: stumbled to the arm chair and flung himself into it.
• 2:15:38
  Speaker 1: But the chair awakened. Memories of his mother. Sorrow welled
• 2:15:42
  Speaker 1: up in him, and the pain of his wounds rose
• 2:15:44
  Speaker 1: with a law and excitement. A muran burst from his lips,
• 2:15:48
  Speaker 1: but it was choked on the instant. No, he muttered,
• 2:15:52
  Speaker 1: Uncle Roger shall never hear a whine from me. He
• 2:15:55
  Speaker 1: shall never see the mark of a tear. He can
• 2:15:58
  Speaker 1: do without that much fun. Then slowly the thought dawned
• 2:16:02
  Speaker 1: on his mind, and and in a way, I did
• 2:16:07
  Speaker 1: deserve what I got. No boy was ever so mean
• 2:16:10
  Speaker 1: to his own mother. Gordon slid down on his knees
• 2:16:15
  Speaker 1: and knelt a long time with his head bowed on
• 2:16:17
  Speaker 1: the old chair. Minutes snailed on, the burning of thirst, outted,
• 2:16:21
  Speaker 1: the stinging of welts, and causing sheer misery. Gordon could
• 2:16:25
  Speaker 1: endure inaction no longer. He sprang up and began pacing
• 2:16:29
  Speaker 1: the room, jaw set, eyes blazing. There was no sound
• 2:16:33
  Speaker 1: save the girl of the old wag at the wall,
• 2:16:35
  Speaker 1: dueling out the moments. TikTok, TikTok. At long last, it
• 2:16:40
  Speaker 1: groaned nong nong, nong, and a bugle blared in the
• 2:16:45
  Speaker 1: courtyard below. Gordon sprang to the window, thinking, with a
• 2:16:49
  Speaker 1: swift surge of hope, that's change of guards. Old Edwin
• 2:16:53
  Speaker 1: will be at the gate. Maybe he can help. Down
• 2:16:57
  Speaker 1: on the walls and in the Corporaldo soldiers snapped out
• 2:17:00
  Speaker 1: of and into their positions. Edwin, stiffened the joints, was
• 2:17:04
  Speaker 1: straight as a spear, clanked to his post by the gate.
• 2:17:08
  Speaker 1: Gordon stood waiting the wag of the wall wind on
• 2:17:12
  Speaker 1: TikTok TikTok ed when ed when he would, he would,
• 2:17:17
  Speaker 1: if he could. The monotonous sound beat on the boy's
• 2:17:21
  Speaker 1: ear drums until the irritation all but surpassed the pane.
• 2:17:25
  Speaker 1: He beat his fist on the stone window ledge, but
• 2:17:28
  Speaker 1: he did not stir from his place. The agony wore
• 2:17:31
  Speaker 1: on again. The old wag moaned nong nong, nong nong,
• 2:17:39
  Speaker 1: but Edwin had not yet as much as glanced up
• 2:17:41
  Speaker 1: at the window where Gordon stood. TikTok TikTok ed wing
• 2:17:47
  Speaker 1: can not, can not, for he would if he could,
• 2:17:51
  Speaker 1: can not, can not. A light flashed into Gordon's eyes,
• 2:17:56
  Speaker 1: blinding him. He sprang backward, returned, and was driven back again.
• 2:18:01
  Speaker 1: Rubbing his eyes cautiously, he slipped to the side of
• 2:18:04
  Speaker 1: the window and looked down. A disc of light began
• 2:18:07
  Speaker 1: to play on the ceiling. It was coming from the
• 2:18:09
  Speaker 1: hilt of Old Edwin's claymore, his gnarled hand was just
• 2:18:13
  Speaker 1: below the spot. The disc of light moved in the
• 2:18:16
  Speaker 1: peculiar way along the ceiling, as if drawing something, first
• 2:18:20
  Speaker 1: in the horizontal, then in the vertical horizontal and vertical,
• 2:18:24
  Speaker 1: horizontal and vertical. Then the light died. Edwin's hand is
• 2:18:29
  Speaker 1: slipped up and mishading the point on the hilt from
• 2:18:31
  Speaker 1: which the flash had come. Gordon waited. Nothing more was done.
• 2:18:37
  Speaker 1: He studied the ceiling, trying to find out the meaning
• 2:18:40
  Speaker 1: of the signal. What did Edwin draw? Suddenly Gordon's face brightened.
• 2:18:46
  Speaker 1: Deer horns. He drew deer horns, first lying straight across,
• 2:18:50
  Speaker 1: then standing up and down. Deer horns fire the braised antlers.
• 2:18:55
  Speaker 1: Did Edwin's signal turn the antlers around into shoes and socks?
• 2:19:01
  Speaker 1: For a pioneer boy can climb better barefoot? Up he
• 2:19:04
  Speaker 1: went from the yeoman on the hearth to the mantel shelf,
• 2:19:07
  Speaker 1: Gripping the bronze shield of the House of Gordon with
• 2:19:09
  Speaker 1: his left hand, he took a firm hold on the
• 2:19:11
  Speaker 1: antlers with his right. But what then? The boar's heads
• 2:19:16
  Speaker 1: on the old shield grinned the boy. The antlers would
• 2:19:19
  Speaker 1: not budge for him, no matter how desperately he tugged.
• 2:19:22
  Speaker 1: The deer's head had never known a deer's body. It
• 2:19:25
  Speaker 1: was a finely done bit of wood carving. The antlers
• 2:19:29
  Speaker 1: could not be turned sighwise, but maybe they could be
• 2:19:32
  Speaker 1: pulled forward. Gordon tugged the small portion of the head
• 2:19:36
  Speaker 1: in which the horns were fastened, squeaked a little, then
• 2:19:39
  Speaker 1: moved slowly outward until it was an inch beyond the
• 2:19:42
  Speaker 1: deer's muzzle. There the harbood peg on which it was
• 2:19:45
  Speaker 1: sliding stopped short, and a moment later something metallic clicked.
• 2:19:50
  Speaker 1: Gordon pulled the right antler in line with the deer's muzzle.
• 2:19:53
  Speaker 1: Nothing happened. He swung the left one over. There was
• 2:19:57
  Speaker 1: a sound as of a screw turning. He whirled the
• 2:20:00
  Speaker 1: antlers twice. A crack began to open just behind the
• 2:20:04
  Speaker 1: deer's ears. Swiftly, yet with anxious care, Gordon whirled the
• 2:20:09
  Speaker 1: antlers a moment more, and he could see that there
• 2:20:12
  Speaker 1: was a small door in the back of the head.
• 2:20:14
  Speaker 1: Hope leaped in his heart with a wild glad throbbing.
• 2:20:18
  Speaker 1: Perhaps Edwin had hidden the key behind that tiny door.
• 2:20:22
  Speaker 1: As soon as dark closed dawn he could escape. Edwin
• 2:20:25
  Speaker 1: would help him find the little clansmen. He whirled the
• 2:20:28
  Speaker 1: antlers with shivering fingers. Now he could reach the knob
• 2:20:31
  Speaker 1: of the door. Now he had it open, and when
• 2:20:34
  Speaker 1: his hand something there something wrapped in silk, but not
• 2:20:39
  Speaker 1: a key. He drew it out. A book, only a book,
• 2:20:45
  Speaker 1: Nothing but a book. He flung it, sailing through the
• 2:20:49
  Speaker 1: air until it fell on the bed. Surely there must
• 2:20:52
  Speaker 1: be something worth finding hidden in such a secret place,
• 2:20:56
  Speaker 1: walls top, bottom, back. He felt carefully, there was nothing
• 2:21:00
  Speaker 1: but polished wood. Bitter disappointment, dizziness, a heartbreaking nausea struck him. Slowly, wearily,
• 2:21:09
  Speaker 1: Gordon shut the tiny door and screwed the antlers back
• 2:21:12
  Speaker 1: into place. He worked his way down to the floor,
• 2:21:15
  Speaker 1: stood trembling a moment, put on his shoes and socks,
• 2:21:18
  Speaker 1: and dropped into the old arm chair. The wag of
• 2:21:21
  Speaker 1: the wall began to jeer at him again, TikTok, TikTok.
• 2:21:26
  Speaker 1: Ed Win did not, did not, did not. He sprang
• 2:21:31
  Speaker 1: up with a wild desire to tear down the clock
• 2:21:34
  Speaker 1: and fling it at Edwin's helmet. Then his eyes rested
• 2:21:37
  Speaker 1: on the silken bundle lying on the bed. EBA must
• 2:21:41
  Speaker 1: have thought that would help me in some way, he reasoned,
• 2:21:44
  Speaker 1: Perhaps he's hidden something in the book. With dogged step,
• 2:21:48
  Speaker 1: he went over to the bed, picked up the bundle,
• 2:21:50
  Speaker 1: and unwrapped it listlessly. Oh, beautiful, he whispered. The book
• 2:21:57
  Speaker 1: lay there in his hand, soft brown buck skin, with
• 2:22:00
  Speaker 1: his own coat of arms, told in gold, the three
• 2:22:03
  Speaker 1: boar's heads of Gordon and the crowned heart of Douglas.
• 2:22:07
  Speaker 1: They seem to cry out to him, as do the
• 2:22:09
  Speaker 1: trumpets suppler for the battle, son of a Gordon and
• 2:22:13
  Speaker 1: a Douglas. Can paign wear you down like this? Are
• 2:22:16
  Speaker 1: you flinching in your first real grip with the foe?
• 2:22:19
  Speaker 1: Are you faltering in the charge? You that pledged Stephen
• 2:22:22
  Speaker 1: Douglas this morning to stand for God and our lady,
• 2:22:25
  Speaker 1: You that, like Sir James, your own father, are sworn
• 2:22:28
  Speaker 1: to follow even to the death. A leader crucified. The
• 2:22:33
  Speaker 1: Gordon's second shoulder straightened, A shiver ran through his sturdy frame.
• 2:22:38
  Speaker 1: The book in his hand trembled, opened a little, and
• 2:22:41
  Speaker 1: a bit of foul department fluttered to his feet. My son,
• 2:22:47
  Speaker 1: in prayer, the thought often comes to me that as
• 2:22:50
  Speaker 1: you were sent out all alone to learn your faith,
• 2:22:53
  Speaker 1: so you shall stand out all alone on the day
• 2:22:55
  Speaker 1: when your faith is tried. What will that trial be,
• 2:22:59
  Speaker 1: pain of mind or body of both? I do not know,
• 2:23:04
  Speaker 1: but always I fear I shall not be near to
• 2:23:06
  Speaker 1: blunt the jagged edge of that pane. Yet I can't
• 2:23:10
  Speaker 1: tell you, my son, you are not the first Gordon
• 2:23:13
  Speaker 1: who has suffered. These tales will show how Knights of
• 2:23:16
  Speaker 1: Christ do in their golden spurs courage. Then, my son,
• 2:23:21
  Speaker 1: whether I am living or with the dead, my prayer
• 2:23:24
  Speaker 1: shall lead for you in that hour. And accept a
• 2:23:27
  Speaker 1: small gift. It is all I have to give, child,
• 2:23:31
  Speaker 1: save the heart's deepest love of your mother. End of
• 2:23:36
  Speaker 1: Chapter ten, Return of Langsword. In the great room of
• 2:23:41
  Speaker 1: the Seaward Tower and Castle Ravenhurst, Lady Ann stood beside
• 2:23:45
  Speaker 1: the window and gazed on the surging waters below. Her
• 2:23:49
  Speaker 1: arm encircled a fair strongly boy. And now he spoke,
• 2:23:52
  Speaker 1: pinging oney finger through the bars. My father, the great Langsword,
• 2:23:57
  Speaker 1: comes to day. Welcome most knows Lord, your heir, salutes you.
• 2:24:03
  Speaker 1: He spoke, slowly, essaying each phrase with energy, lisping his
• 2:24:08
  Speaker 1: way through with difficulty. She laughed and kissed his rosy lips,
• 2:24:12
  Speaker 1: and cuddled him with waggish grace. He made his mighty
• 2:24:15
  Speaker 1: speech again. They had stood in that place a thousand times,
• 2:24:19
  Speaker 1: looking across the narrow tossing Bay to the bold headland
• 2:24:22
  Speaker 1: of Beninder, around which the pathway ran that led to
• 2:24:25
  Speaker 1: the war wracked world beyond the rampart of the mountain.
• 2:24:29
  Speaker 1: All his little lifetime, they had waited there, for lang
• 2:24:32
  Speaker 1: Sword had been in France on the King's business, and
• 2:24:35
  Speaker 1: the child had never seen his father's face. So long
• 2:24:39
  Speaker 1: had Lady Gordon hoped and watched and prayed. Standing beside
• 2:24:42
  Speaker 1: the window with Angus her child, on the shoulder of
• 2:24:46
  Speaker 1: ben Ender, where the faint line of the path came
• 2:24:48
  Speaker 1: into sight, rode horsemen outlined sheer against the sky. A
• 2:24:53
  Speaker 1: flash of light sprang toward the watchers, touching the window,
• 2:24:56
  Speaker 1: dazzling their eyes. Lady Gordon drew her boy close. It
• 2:25:01
  Speaker 1: is my lord, she cried, He has caught the sunlight
• 2:25:04
  Speaker 1: on his sword to signore us. Who else would know
• 2:25:07
  Speaker 1: to touch this window with the light? Wave, darling wave,
• 2:25:11
  Speaker 1: Thy father comes, And two white kerchiefs fluttered at the window.
• 2:25:16
  Speaker 1: The heavy masonry around her trembled as the cannon on
• 2:25:19
  Speaker 1: the seaward tower saluted the returning commander above the noisy
• 2:25:23
  Speaker 1: joy of the garrison room the castle bell. The folk
• 2:25:26
  Speaker 1: were hastening from the village. Plows paused mid furrow in
• 2:25:29
  Speaker 1: the fields. Now Langsford and his retinue were returning through
• 2:25:33
  Speaker 1: the town, knights and mail on armored horses, pennants of
• 2:25:37
  Speaker 1: red and gold, and azure glint, a sun on spears
• 2:25:40
  Speaker 1: and helmets, all the gay riot a sound and color
• 2:25:43
  Speaker 1: that marked the height of chivalry. Till the brighton left
• 2:25:47
  Speaker 1: the earphone largis, the cheers of the crowd echoed among
• 2:25:50
  Speaker 1: the turrets, even to the Seaward Tower, where Lady Gordon
• 2:25:53
  Speaker 1: waited with her child. Then the look came over the
• 2:25:56
  Speaker 1: face of the woman, an expression of cold and stately grace,
• 2:26:00
  Speaker 1: as if she had hidden her deep emotion under a
• 2:26:02
  Speaker 1: courtly mask, For in the hall below she must be Anne,
• 2:26:06
  Speaker 1: Countess the Ravenhurst, receding with gracious welcome her Lord the Earl.
• 2:26:11
  Speaker 1: An hour passed, the former welcome was over, and the
• 2:26:15
  Speaker 1: three settled in in the great room in the Seaward Tower.
• 2:26:19
  Speaker 1: Ever since the Holy Three May blessed the home in Nazareth,
• 2:26:22
  Speaker 1: God's vand addiction has been upon the love of father,
• 2:26:25
  Speaker 1: mother and child. They sat on the couch by the window,
• 2:26:30
  Speaker 1: lang sword and Ian and the child, the baby finding
• 2:26:33
  Speaker 1: a thousand shining playthings upon his father's armor, and laughing
• 2:26:37
  Speaker 1: in high glee at the strange distortions of his simpled
• 2:26:40
  Speaker 1: face wrap at every polished curve. The mother spoke, telling
• 2:26:45
  Speaker 1: the many nothings that the little son has said or done.
• 2:26:48
  Speaker 1: The father feasted his eyes on the two that were
• 2:26:51
  Speaker 1: his heaven on this earth. A question gleamed in the
• 2:26:54
  Speaker 1: eyes of Anne a hundred times. It had almost crossed
• 2:26:58
  Speaker 1: her lips, but she feared to ask it, and just
• 2:27:02
  Speaker 1: as often he had seen the look and tried to
• 2:27:04
  Speaker 1: turn her thoughts away, as if he feared to answer.
• 2:27:08
  Speaker 1: Lang Swor was still in full armor in the corporalow.
• 2:27:11
  Speaker 1: The troops sat in their saddles. But surely he had
• 2:27:14
  Speaker 1: come to stay at least a few short weeks. He
• 2:27:18
  Speaker 1: had been gone so long. Trembling, she whispered, Were it
• 2:27:24
  Speaker 1: not better that you lay your armor by? She paused,
• 2:27:28
  Speaker 1: for he had suddenly raised the child before his face,
• 2:27:31
  Speaker 1: tossing it till it screamed with the very pleasure of
• 2:27:33
  Speaker 1: the thrills. Anne could not see her husband's eyes aunt.
• 2:27:38
  Speaker 1: His words gave no answer to her careful question. The
• 2:27:42
  Speaker 1: friars will sing ta Dan for my safe return. We
• 2:27:45
  Speaker 1: shall go there presently. Then came the ride under the
• 2:27:50
  Speaker 1: ancient oaks, crimson and brown, of autumn arched the bridle path.
• 2:27:54
  Speaker 1: The woodland's cloth of gold was spread beneath their feet.
• 2:27:57
  Speaker 1: The lady wrote on her lord's right hand a groom
• 2:28:00
  Speaker 1: at his left were the child. They were alone almost
• 2:28:05
  Speaker 1: the troop, keeping a respectful pace apart. Yet each night
• 2:28:09
  Speaker 1: was alert in his saddle, and the question bit at
• 2:28:12
  Speaker 1: her heart. Like some saints, relic sat An a joled
• 2:28:16
  Speaker 1: shrine lay the great old Friary, now but pitiful ruin
• 2:28:19
  Speaker 1: in the oak wood near Benender lengthening years had watched
• 2:28:23
  Speaker 1: its growth since the day when fire the braves made
• 2:28:26
  Speaker 1: the beginning. While Marauder, though he was lover of the moonlight,
• 2:28:30
  Speaker 1: uproar and the daring raid. After his conversion he was
• 2:28:33
  Speaker 1: prompt to deeds of good, as he had been prompted
• 2:28:35
  Speaker 1: deeds of ill. Now a full two hundred years he
• 2:28:38
  Speaker 1: had slept in the shadow of the sanctuary, clad as
• 2:28:41
  Speaker 1: a humble tertiary of Saint Francis, and at every daybreak
• 2:28:45
  Speaker 1: a mass was said for the repose of the wild
• 2:28:47
  Speaker 1: Gordon's soul. Chief after chief had added to the foundation,
• 2:28:51
  Speaker 1: as his means or piety suggested. Langsore's eye rested on
• 2:28:56
  Speaker 1: the quaint mister chapel. This was his gift, and he
• 2:29:00
  Speaker 1: said to his lady. Here God is praised, and the
• 2:29:03
  Speaker 1: poor of Christ are fed, and ever shall be. She responded,
• 2:29:09
  Speaker 1: But Langslord drew his keen claymore from its scabbard and
• 2:29:12
  Speaker 1: scanned its blue gray edge. And ever shall be if
• 2:29:16
  Speaker 1: Highland's steel ring true, he answered. He looked away from
• 2:29:20
  Speaker 1: her as he spoke, and Anne drew a swift breath
• 2:29:23
  Speaker 1: that held a hidden sob Langsword had come into power
• 2:29:27
  Speaker 1: in time to face the dangers which fire the Braves
• 2:29:29
  Speaker 1: had feared. The centuries of family feuds had left Scott
• 2:29:33
  Speaker 1: so bitter against Scott that it was impossible to present
• 2:29:36
  Speaker 1: a chally united front against any enemy. In past generations,
• 2:29:40
  Speaker 1: at least in moments of national peril, family quarrels would
• 2:29:43
  Speaker 1: be forgotten. In the bloody circle of ladden Field, around
• 2:29:48
  Speaker 1: the royal standard of James the fourth they stood Border
• 2:29:51
  Speaker 1: spears and Perth shore men, Fife and Gordon, Immrce and Argyle,
• 2:29:56
  Speaker 1: feuds forgotten, and hearts of flame for Scotland. While rank
• 2:29:59
  Speaker 1: by they read English bills cut them down, grim death
• 2:30:04
  Speaker 1: clutched them man by man, but none faltered, and none
• 2:30:07
  Speaker 1: fled yeomen spearmen archered, Knight and Earl, twisted in one
• 2:30:11
  Speaker 1: mass of dying men, till with a crash which shakes
• 2:30:14
  Speaker 1: the soul of Scotland. Yet the king charged, and charging fell,
• 2:30:19
  Speaker 1: his life blood flowing on the silken banner of our land,
• 2:30:22
  Speaker 1: down trodden on flodden field. So were the Scots from
• 2:30:26
  Speaker 1: before the days of fire, the Braves till James the Fourth,
• 2:30:30
  Speaker 1: ruining Scotland by their endless petty feuds, yet loving Scotland
• 2:30:34
  Speaker 1: to the death, while among them stirring up strife at
• 2:30:37
  Speaker 1: all times when traitor is paid with foreign gold. Besides,
• 2:30:42
  Speaker 1: this strong spirit of national loyalty, or rather causing it
• 2:30:45
  Speaker 1: and continually reviving it as the feuds killed, it, was
• 2:30:49
  Speaker 1: the one great source of unity the Church in Scotland.
• 2:30:53
  Speaker 1: All Scots were still the one true faith. There are
• 2:30:56
  Speaker 1: sincere men on all sides of all great controversies. But
• 2:31:00
  Speaker 1: Henry the Eighth of England stands in history as an infamous,
• 2:31:03
  Speaker 1: treacherous and most cruel tyrant. Though victorious at Flawdon, his
• 2:31:08
  Speaker 1: taste of Scottish steel was so bitter that he preferred
• 2:31:11
  Speaker 1: to conquer by fraud rather than by war. He sought
• 2:31:14
  Speaker 1: a way to break the one great bond of national
• 2:31:16
  Speaker 1: unity the Church in Scotland. Constance Civil War had left
• 2:31:21
  Speaker 1: many Scottish lairds poor, the lands of the Church loved,
• 2:31:25
  Speaker 1: and comparative peace for centuries were prosperous. Henry whispered in
• 2:31:29
  Speaker 1: the ears of these impoverished nobles to enrich themselves by
• 2:31:32
  Speaker 1: stealing from the House of God. Some took Henry's path
• 2:31:36
  Speaker 1: to wealth. More would have done so, but they feared
• 2:31:39
  Speaker 1: the anger of the young King of Scotland, James the Fifth.
• 2:31:43
  Speaker 1: Though of that passionate nature which has often many sins
• 2:31:46
  Speaker 1: to answer for. James had thus strong faith in God
• 2:31:49
  Speaker 1: and an eternal truce which makes the man repent and
• 2:31:52
  Speaker 1: try to atone. James loved his native land and bent
• 2:31:56
  Speaker 1: every energy to heal the feuds which sapped her life.
• 2:32:00
  Speaker 1: Justice was the only road to this. Many nobles were
• 2:32:03
  Speaker 1: but titled and jeweled, murderers who lived on spoils. James
• 2:32:07
  Speaker 1: put these men in order, and they went hot foot
• 2:32:09
  Speaker 1: to Henry's side. James would hear no word of robbery,
• 2:32:13
  Speaker 1: whether of the war, impoverished common people, or of the
• 2:32:15
  Speaker 1: House of God. The royal expenses were covered by rearing
• 2:32:19
  Speaker 1: sheep upon the crown lands. He bade the nobles follow
• 2:32:22
  Speaker 1: his example, and Langslore was the first to obey. The
• 2:32:27
  Speaker 1: gentle old Friar Warden stood by the gayth of the
• 2:32:30
  Speaker 1: Friary to welcome Langslord, his lady Anne and their son
• 2:32:33
  Speaker 1: Angus Gordon behind him, wrote en Row, reaching back to
• 2:32:37
  Speaker 1: the door of the Minster, were the souls beneath his care,
• 2:32:41
  Speaker 1: files of scholarly men with saintly faces, lay brothers, rude
• 2:32:45
  Speaker 1: and simple toilers, but students of the lower of Saint
• 2:32:47
  Speaker 1: Francis Thorne, from Sister Earth and Brother's storm and sunshine,
• 2:32:51
  Speaker 1: the orphan boys and the sick from the Lazaretto. All
• 2:32:54
  Speaker 1: the eyes of this holy hive returned on Langslore with simple,
• 2:32:57
  Speaker 1: gentle confidence. The wild outer world convents might be destroyed
• 2:33:02
  Speaker 1: and the work of centuries obliterated, but here, beneath the strong,
• 2:33:06
  Speaker 1: kindly rule of their earl almost continue to be well.
• 2:33:10
  Speaker 1: Such was the thought behind the gaze. In the deep
• 2:33:14
  Speaker 1: currents of his soul, Langsford felt the keen joy of
• 2:33:16
  Speaker 1: their trust in him, and it was with reverence that
• 2:33:19
  Speaker 1: he dismounted and came forward to receive the welcome of
• 2:33:21
  Speaker 1: the fire warden. It is with great gladness that we
• 2:33:25
  Speaker 1: hel your return, my lord, said the old Friar. We
• 2:33:29
  Speaker 1: have prayed long that God may make you wise in counsel.
• 2:33:32
  Speaker 1: Only this very fortnight it has been brought home to
• 2:33:35
  Speaker 1: us that we should give great thanks to God that
• 2:33:37
  Speaker 1: we are living on raven Hurst Lands and under our
• 2:33:40
  Speaker 1: good King James. For far our willium and aid of
• 2:33:43
  Speaker 1: our brethren have fled to us from the ruling convent
• 2:33:45
  Speaker 1: in Northumberland. A horrid tale they tell, of theft and
• 2:33:49
  Speaker 1: murder and sacrilege, they say, But may Christ prevent it.
• 2:33:54
  Speaker 1: That King Henry's men are marching toward our borders and
• 2:33:56
  Speaker 1: intend war upon Scotland, and King James will meet them
• 2:34:00
  Speaker 1: on the border. The Earl's voice had in it the
• 2:34:03
  Speaker 1: clink of steel. It is for this reason that I
• 2:34:06
  Speaker 1: come to ask your reverence to bless our banners this
• 2:34:09
  Speaker 1: morning after Holy Mass. Also I bring presents to you
• 2:34:13
  Speaker 1: from our Lord King James, a most beautiful window of
• 2:34:16
  Speaker 1: fine Flanders glass, and bid you in his name to
• 2:34:19
  Speaker 1: have the orphans say daily in ave for our success
• 2:34:22
  Speaker 1: in battle, and for the birth of a royal prince.
• 2:34:25
  Speaker 1: For myself if I should fall, I ask some small
• 2:34:29
  Speaker 1: remembrance in your prayers. So Anne learned the answer to
• 2:34:33
  Speaker 1: her question. Her face expressed neither pain nor fear, but
• 2:34:37
  Speaker 1: her lips grew deadly white with reverent pomp. The ceremonial
• 2:34:42
  Speaker 1: pageant passed. These were days when fires went barefooted and toiled.
• 2:34:47
  Speaker 1: Long hours were coarsely clad and slept on straw. But
• 2:34:51
  Speaker 1: nothing was too rare, too costly to magnificent if we
• 2:34:55
  Speaker 1: were meant to adorn the temple of Almighty God, or
• 2:34:57
  Speaker 1: bring before men's minds the daily renewal of Christ's sacrifice
• 2:35:01
  Speaker 1: on Calvary. To Lady Gordon, crushed in the wine press
• 2:35:05
  Speaker 1: of her pain, The music of chant and beauty of
• 2:35:08
  Speaker 1: symbol spoke of Mary standing by the cross. Silence filled
• 2:35:12
  Speaker 1: the minster, then silent, the clink of steel as armored
• 2:35:15
  Speaker 1: knights spent low before the King of Kings, stirring stole
• 2:35:19
  Speaker 1: through the soul of Ian. She made her sacrifice, offered
• 2:35:23
  Speaker 1: her husband for the cause of Scotland and of God.
• 2:35:28
  Speaker 1: November's winds made desolation of October's beauty. The Lady Gordon
• 2:35:33
  Speaker 1: took again her never ending watch, standing beside the window
• 2:35:36
  Speaker 1: with her child below. Then the first tumbled along the
• 2:35:40
  Speaker 1: gloomy shore, angry menacing a solemn white tip on every
• 2:35:44
  Speaker 1: groveling breaker. The skies dipped with fog, through which the
• 2:35:48
  Speaker 1: dim bulk had been under glowered many days. They had
• 2:35:52
  Speaker 1: been the centuries of endless waiting. Suddenly she clutched the
• 2:35:55
  Speaker 1: child on the shoulder of beninder, where the path should
• 2:35:59
  Speaker 1: be a sty. Something moved through the fog, along and winding,
• 2:36:03
  Speaker 1: something faint, far sounding on the wet air, came the
• 2:36:07
  Speaker 1: notes of the piprock, wailing the Gordons, a wah, the
• 2:36:11
  Speaker 1: Gordons no more, a lack and a woe for the highlands.
• 2:36:15
  Speaker 1: The cannon above her wounded. The castle bell clanged with
• 2:36:18
  Speaker 1: backward stroke, clanged and paused, and clanged again. Anne grasped
• 2:36:24
  Speaker 1: her child with the fierceness of her agony. She watched
• 2:36:28
  Speaker 1: the winding wailing. Something had reached the village through the mist.
• 2:36:32
  Speaker 1: She saw a broken rank of staggering men with spears
• 2:36:35
  Speaker 1: reversed in ensigns, trawling, and in their midst a black
• 2:36:39
  Speaker 1: draped thing. And they that wore it stumbled as they came.
• 2:36:44
  Speaker 1: The voice of the village rose to her tumultuous agony,
• 2:36:48
  Speaker 1: high sounding, wild clan gordon in despair. The countess turned
• 2:36:54
  Speaker 1: from the window. There was a fearful quiet in her face,
• 2:36:57
  Speaker 1: an awful silence surrounding her. An esquire advanced, bowed, and
• 2:37:02
  Speaker 1: lifted the child softly. He followed the lady out of
• 2:37:06
  Speaker 1: the room and down the stairs, till she stood at
• 2:37:09
  Speaker 1: the head of the great hall. Around the outer edge
• 2:37:12
  Speaker 1: of the room, the garrison and the inmates of the
• 2:37:14
  Speaker 1: castle ranged themselves quietly, as if they dared not intrude
• 2:37:18
  Speaker 1: themselves upon her grief. The harsh jangling of the drawbridge
• 2:37:22
  Speaker 1: chains grated on her ears. Then the rattle of bolts
• 2:37:25
  Speaker 1: on the outer doors, the heavy tramp of buckskin feet,
• 2:37:28
  Speaker 1: and through the arch at the lower end of the
• 2:37:30
  Speaker 1: hall came that woeful company. The pibrock was hushed in silence.
• 2:37:36
  Speaker 1: The bearers marched up to the feet of the lady.
• 2:37:39
  Speaker 1: There they laid down their burden and drew back the
• 2:37:41
  Speaker 1: beer cloth. Langsford lay under the eyes of Anne, a
• 2:37:46
  Speaker 1: bruised and sallow face, beneath a broken visor. A groan
• 2:37:50
  Speaker 1: passed over the assembled clan like a winter wind through
• 2:37:53
  Speaker 1: the oaks had been under but the lady made no sound.
• 2:37:58
  Speaker 1: Then tam the armorer addressed Countess flodden Field was lost,
• 2:38:03
  Speaker 1: and every Orphan baron was proud to say, my father
• 2:38:06
  Speaker 1: fell at Fladdon, So weigh Moss is lost, and every
• 2:38:10
  Speaker 1: Scotch shall hang his head for evermore. For Scottish lairs
• 2:38:14
  Speaker 1: were eyed traders. May the word bring my lips that
• 2:38:17
  Speaker 1: I say it. Scottish laird with honor, bought and paid
• 2:38:20
  Speaker 1: for with English shillings, chief o' highlands and Lowlands saw
• 2:38:24
  Speaker 1: stepping it home at the first charge of the southerns
• 2:38:27
  Speaker 1: the yeomen ah wee o for the yeomen that did
• 2:38:30
  Speaker 1: not flee, But where were the leaders? Back stepped the
• 2:38:34
  Speaker 1: lads to get fighting room and balged doomy the morass
• 2:38:37
  Speaker 1: helpless the Suddeners butchered them like polk at Afarin easquatter
• 2:38:42
  Speaker 1: was a choking with blood and with bodies. The English
• 2:38:45
  Speaker 1: came swarmin'er the mill dam Clan Gordon had not faltered yet,
• 2:38:49
  Speaker 1: though all round us were the tumuldo' yon. Trader's flight
• 2:38:53
  Speaker 1: then rose the cry banged swords down with the laird.
• 2:38:58
  Speaker 1: I saw, mayin soul he wrenches him free from his
• 2:39:01
  Speaker 1: dying horse, pilked out the arrow from his own wound.
• 2:39:04
  Speaker 1: Catches the bridle O a riderless beast, and drags himself
• 2:39:07
  Speaker 1: to the saddle. Yellin who said that langsword is down.
• 2:39:11
  Speaker 1: Else with a cowl with my claymore rally God for
• 2:39:15
  Speaker 1: King James forward a Gordon a Gordon. Then lady the
• 2:39:20
  Speaker 1: Laird went down six English bills, piercing his body. I
• 2:39:25
  Speaker 1: lean drawer him as he writhed on the blood sodden clay,
• 2:39:28
  Speaker 1: and heard the gast of his death. Word tell her
• 2:39:32
  Speaker 1: the lairds said, bid my son Angus be a man.
• 2:39:36
  Speaker 1: God's mercy on my soul. And worse yet, must I
• 2:39:40
  Speaker 1: tell ye, Lady Scottan is down the church, Oh, God
• 2:39:44
  Speaker 1: is down for James Bonnie. King James laid him out
• 2:39:47
  Speaker 1: and died after the battle. And worse and worse I
• 2:39:51
  Speaker 1: must tell ye the heir O the throne is born.
• 2:39:54
  Speaker 1: The curse O God, it be upon us. The royal
• 2:39:57
  Speaker 1: baron is a maid child named me. The armorers ceased,
• 2:40:03
  Speaker 1: and a groan passed over the clansmen. Well did they
• 2:40:06
  Speaker 1: know the woes of a civil war that would be
• 2:40:08
  Speaker 1: during the long minority of a queen. Then Anne of
• 2:40:11
  Speaker 1: Gordon spoke somewhere in her deep soul. She had hidden
• 2:40:15
  Speaker 1: her widowed heart. Her voice rang like a bugle call.
• 2:40:19
  Speaker 1: No cause is lost, while true hearts live. We have
• 2:40:22
  Speaker 1: a queen. Long live Mary, Queen of all true Scots.
• 2:40:27
  Speaker 1: Ye have a chief. Step forward, Angus laying Sword's son.
• 2:40:32
  Speaker 1: The child, dimly conscious the great things are being done,
• 2:40:35
  Speaker 1: stood up before them. His grave baby eyes traversed the
• 2:40:39
  Speaker 1: drugged face, then fixed themselves upon his mother. Angus Gordon,
• 2:40:44
  Speaker 1: lay your hand on the heart of your dead father.
• 2:40:47
  Speaker 1: The child obeyed, slowly, word by word. As they fell
• 2:40:51
  Speaker 1: from his mother's lips. He repeated, I, Angus, Lord Gordon,
• 2:40:56
  Speaker 1: Earl of Ravenhurst, do about allegiance to marry Queen of Scotland.
• 2:41:00
  Speaker 1: And I swear to defend my lawful liege Lady in
• 2:41:03
  Speaker 1: God Holy Church from all their enemies, even at the
• 2:41:06
  Speaker 1: cost of my life. The lisping words died out over
• 2:41:11
  Speaker 1: the silence of the whole, then sound at the command
• 2:41:14
  Speaker 1: of Anne of Gordon. Let each man do obeisance to
• 2:41:17
  Speaker 1: the Earl. One by one. The warst guard clansmenne before
• 2:41:21
  Speaker 1: their chief, and his baby hand was wet with warriors tears.
• 2:41:26
  Speaker 1: Short rang the Lady's order, each man to his post.
• 2:41:30
  Speaker 1: We have a queen. We have an Earl Castle Ravenhurst,
• 2:41:34
  Speaker 1: never shall surrender. End of Chapter eleven, last stand of
• 2:41:41
  Speaker 1: the old Earl, Angus Gordon rode in the teeth of
• 2:41:45
  Speaker 1: the march wind Full seventy winters had whitened Langsword's son,
• 2:41:50
  Speaker 1: Yet like the oaks of bent Under, he stood snow
• 2:41:52
  Speaker 1: crowned and strong. Seventy years of storm, civil war and chaos,
• 2:41:57
  Speaker 1: famine and plague Scotland, his scarcely known Shrove Tide peace
• 2:42:02
  Speaker 1: and all that time and Clan Gordon had been in
• 2:42:05
  Speaker 1: the thick of every fray. Sir Angus had kept the
• 2:42:08
  Speaker 1: pledge his infant lips had made there in the feudal
• 2:42:11
  Speaker 1: hall among his warriors, with his hand on his dead
• 2:42:13
  Speaker 1: father's heart. He had been true to Marry Queen of Scots,
• 2:42:17
  Speaker 1: through the wars that raged around her cradle, the tumult
• 2:42:20
  Speaker 1: of her reign, the years of her captivity, true till
• 2:42:23
  Speaker 1: she ended her peerless life on the scaffold, a martyr
• 2:42:26
  Speaker 1: in fact, if not in name. Now it was her
• 2:42:29
  Speaker 1: son that reigned. Six James of the old Stuart Lyne,
• 2:42:32
  Speaker 1: a man like and yet unlike the kings that had
• 2:42:34
  Speaker 1: gone before him. He had the same high and head
• 2:42:37
  Speaker 1: strong pride, the terrible and untamed passions of that race.
• 2:42:41
  Speaker 1: But into his life the gentle influence of the faith
• 2:42:43
  Speaker 1: had never come. He was greater and yet less great
• 2:42:47
  Speaker 1: than they. His scepter swayed two kingdoms, but to gain
• 2:42:51
  Speaker 1: the English crown he made allies of those who murdered
• 2:42:53
  Speaker 1: his own mother. Between the two nations there was peace
• 2:42:57
  Speaker 1: after centuries of conflict on the old border, in the
• 2:43:01
  Speaker 1: debatable Land and the rebellious Highlands, such peace as the
• 2:43:05
  Speaker 1: conquered know under the tyrant's steel shod foot. When James
• 2:43:09
  Speaker 1: crushed the Highlands, he thought it hardly worth his time
• 2:43:12
  Speaker 1: to drive the old Earl of Ravenhurst into exile. He
• 2:43:15
  Speaker 1: had one foot in the grave as matters stood wi spin,
• 2:43:19
  Speaker 1: powder and ball. Taking that strong fortress, which in time
• 2:43:22
  Speaker 1: must fall into the royal hands like a ripe apple,
• 2:43:25
  Speaker 1: his Majesty contented himself with confiscating land after land, till
• 2:43:29
  Speaker 1: the old Earl had but the empty title of greatness
• 2:43:32
  Speaker 1: left to him. Lord of massive buttresses and stately halls,
• 2:43:36
  Speaker 1: wherein dwelt poverty almost starvation, chief of a clan, but clanless.
• 2:43:42
  Speaker 1: This was the plan of that most gracious sovereign James
• 2:43:44
  Speaker 1: the sixth of Scotland, James the first of England. But
• 2:43:48
  Speaker 1: leaders will be followed. As the Lolands have ever brought
• 2:43:51
  Speaker 1: forth riches, so have the Highlands given the world men.
• 2:43:55
  Speaker 1: The clan had pledged itself to Angus Gordon. They who
• 2:43:58
  Speaker 1: made that vow had long when the food of ravens.
• 2:44:01
  Speaker 1: But the sons and grandsons of those men were Clan Gordon,
• 2:44:05
  Speaker 1: and I knew no thought but loyalty. In the wild
• 2:44:08
  Speaker 1: fastness of Benindu's glens, they lived rugged as the thunder
• 2:44:12
  Speaker 1: splintered crags of that mountain. And is true, so the
• 2:44:16
  Speaker 1: Earl rode in the teeth of the march wind. He
• 2:44:18
  Speaker 1: rode a hunting, Not that the weary old man loved
• 2:44:22
  Speaker 1: the sport. But the orphans wandering in the ancient halls
• 2:44:25
  Speaker 1: were many and tired of salt fish. They were begging
• 2:44:28
  Speaker 1: for meat. The men were at work in the barren fields.
• 2:44:32
  Speaker 1: So Sir Angus saddled his own war horse and went
• 2:44:35
  Speaker 1: a hunting. On that bleak March day, the old Earl
• 2:44:39
  Speaker 1: was returning toward evening with a deer cross his saddle,
• 2:44:42
  Speaker 1: when he thought he heard a moan. It was very low,
• 2:44:45
  Speaker 1: but he was so sure that he had heard the
• 2:44:47
  Speaker 1: cry of being in distress, that he searched the bushes
• 2:44:49
  Speaker 1: for some time, finding nothing. He was about to proceed
• 2:44:53
  Speaker 1: upon his way, but he could not bring himself to
• 2:44:56
  Speaker 1: do so, and searched again. At last he saw me
• 2:44:59
  Speaker 1: and lying in the shadow of a log, and hurried
• 2:45:01
  Speaker 1: to him, mother of mercy? Can this be you? Far
• 2:45:05
  Speaker 1: ore Walter a woonawick? He cried, Your ears are sharp,
• 2:45:10
  Speaker 1: my lord, answered the friar with a faint smile. And
• 2:45:14
  Speaker 1: it is a kind heart that makes them so. But go,
• 2:45:18
  Speaker 1: most noble sir, you know that I am outlawed. The
• 2:45:22
  Speaker 1: King's men have done worse than outlaw you. It is
• 2:45:24
  Speaker 1: on the rack you have been. Go, my lord. You
• 2:45:28
  Speaker 1: must not be seen speaking to me. Do you think
• 2:45:31
  Speaker 1: I will leave you here? You are not the first
• 2:45:34
  Speaker 1: outlaw that has found refuge at Ravenhurst. It is in
• 2:45:37
  Speaker 1: my mind that you have been racked for not telling
• 2:45:39
  Speaker 1: that Holy Mass is offered in my castle. It is
• 2:45:42
  Speaker 1: for sparing me that you have suffered. Let it pass, sir,
• 2:45:47
  Speaker 1: angus leave me here. You are risking your life uselessly.
• 2:45:51
  Speaker 1: All will be over by sunrise, and Heaven is as
• 2:45:54
  Speaker 1: near here as elsewhere for yourself. You never think, but
• 2:45:58
  Speaker 1: remember that the clan and the orphans are depending upon you. Father.
• 2:46:03
  Speaker 1: To Ravenhurst, you go, whether you will or not. Had
• 2:46:06
  Speaker 1: I the strength of other days, I would carry you.
• 2:46:09
  Speaker 1: That I cannot do now, But there are those who can.
• 2:46:13
  Speaker 1: He raised his better bugle to those kind old lips,
• 2:46:16
  Speaker 1: and the sweet notes rang out a rescue, a rescue,
• 2:46:20
  Speaker 1: fitting notes in truth, for the last call ever blown
• 2:46:23
  Speaker 1: upon the war horn of that veteran and the cause
• 2:46:26
  Speaker 1: of God. Some workmen in the fields came in answer
• 2:46:30
  Speaker 1: to the bugle. They made a rough litter of bowels, and,
• 2:46:33
  Speaker 1: spreading their plaids upon it, carried the friar to the castle.
• 2:46:37
  Speaker 1: For days, the good priest lay between life and death.
• 2:46:40
  Speaker 1: Sir Angus would not leave his side. At last he
• 2:46:43
  Speaker 1: was better, He could walk about, but the wracked arms
• 2:46:47
  Speaker 1: were still so sore that it went to the heart
• 2:46:49
  Speaker 1: to hear him moan. When the bandages were changed, the
• 2:46:53
  Speaker 1: old Earl took a trusty lad the grandson of Tam
• 2:46:56
  Speaker 1: the armorer, called Michael Johno the Klooth, and sent him
• 2:46:59
  Speaker 1: to fire un a friendly sea captain who would take
• 2:47:01
  Speaker 1: the fire to France. Not that the priest intended to
• 2:47:04
  Speaker 1: give up the Scottish mission. He was to return when
• 2:47:07
  Speaker 1: strong again. Before going fire, Walter determined to stay masked
• 2:47:12
  Speaker 1: so that the faithful might receive their Easter communion. He
• 2:47:15
  Speaker 1: could not move his arms, but he asked sir Angus
• 2:47:18
  Speaker 1: to stand behind him and move them for him. Ah
• 2:47:22
  Speaker 1: Father remonstrated the old earl. How can you bear the
• 2:47:25
  Speaker 1: pain of that? Do you fear for the blessed sacrament?
• 2:47:30
  Speaker 1: Sir Angus, the priest said quietly, I can control my
• 2:47:34
  Speaker 1: fingers fairly well now, and I think I have strength
• 2:47:37
  Speaker 1: enough not to faint. Remember, we can count upon the
• 2:47:40
  Speaker 1: assistance of God, for this Mass is necessary to fulfill
• 2:47:44
  Speaker 1: his law. It may be a year before I can return,
• 2:47:47
  Speaker 1: perhaps longer. The faithful must receive fully communion at Easter time,
• 2:47:52
  Speaker 1: and there is no other way. Mass was said in
• 2:47:56
  Speaker 1: the great chamber of the Seaward Tower. The fireplace in
• 2:47:59
  Speaker 1: this room so serve more purposes than one in those
• 2:48:01
  Speaker 1: wild days. The man's look be drawn out twice its width,
• 2:48:05
  Speaker 1: and lowerds who as to form an altar within the
• 2:48:08
  Speaker 1: carven figures were hidden the sacred vessels of the sacrifice.
• 2:48:12
  Speaker 1: Behind the mantle was a whole large enough to conceal
• 2:48:15
  Speaker 1: min in truth. A cunning piece of Flemish wood carving
• 2:48:19
  Speaker 1: was the fireplace in the Great room of the Seaward Tower.
• 2:48:22
  Speaker 1: All could be hidden in the space of an eye's
• 2:48:24
  Speaker 1: twinkling sacred vessels, holy vestments, even the priest himself. But
• 2:48:29
  Speaker 1: the best laid plans sometimes fail. Judas was one of
• 2:48:33
  Speaker 1: the twelve, and Bertrand was the Earl's most trusted servant.
• 2:48:38
  Speaker 1: He owed his very life to sir Angus. A starving
• 2:48:41
  Speaker 1: helm tracked outlaw, he fled to Ravenhurst, and, as with
• 2:48:45
  Speaker 1: all in sorrow and need, the old Earl had been
• 2:48:48
  Speaker 1: a father to him. But the Master washed the feet
• 2:48:51
  Speaker 1: of Judas, and that same night was betrayed by him.
• 2:48:55
  Speaker 1: Christ's nearest followers have ever found the same fate. Sir
• 2:49:00
  Speaker 1: Angus sent Bertrand to tell the outlaw Catholics that Mass
• 2:49:03
  Speaker 1: was to be said at Ravenhurst on Easter Sunday. Bertrand
• 2:49:07
  Speaker 1: did that in truth, and then ran post taste to
• 2:49:10
  Speaker 1: Rustle to tell him the same. The clink of gold
• 2:49:13
  Speaker 1: was more to him the gratitude or honor, friend or God.
• 2:49:18
  Speaker 1: It was three o'clock on Easter Sunday morning. The Great
• 2:49:21
  Speaker 1: room was nearly filled with the folk kneeling about on
• 2:49:23
  Speaker 1: the floor in the corner. Not four children. They were
• 2:49:27
  Speaker 1: dear to the old Earl. James and Roger were his grandsons.
• 2:49:32
  Speaker 1: The other two, Stephen and Margaret, were orphans of the
• 2:49:35
  Speaker 1: Douglas line, and to them Sir Roger had been more
• 2:49:38
  Speaker 1: than a father. It was to be the children's first
• 2:49:41
  Speaker 1: communion day, and the old warrior had prepared them well
• 2:49:44
  Speaker 1: for the coming of the King of kings. But the
• 2:49:47
  Speaker 1: little ones could not say their prayers. They were watching
• 2:49:50
  Speaker 1: the face of the priest. It was so thin and white,
• 2:49:54
  Speaker 1: yet wonderfully beautiful. The lines about the mouth drew in
• 2:49:57
  Speaker 1: so sharply when Sir Angus moved his arms this way,
• 2:50:00
  Speaker 1: and that they could see the drops of cold sweat
• 2:50:03
  Speaker 1: shining in the candle light. His voice as he said
• 2:50:06
  Speaker 1: the old old prayers, had a strange sweetness in them
• 2:50:09
  Speaker 1: that sank deep into their hearts. Then sunded the little
• 2:50:13
  Speaker 1: bell that warns of the coming of the Lord again,
• 2:50:16
  Speaker 1: the silence, the silver bells, low music once more, the
• 2:50:20
  Speaker 1: sacred hosts raised high in those thin white hands, the
• 2:50:24
  Speaker 1: sweet toned bell through the stillness, the golden chalice with
• 2:50:28
  Speaker 1: the precious blood the Lord, blessing them as they adored.
• 2:50:32
  Speaker 1: There was a clank of armor in the outer hall.
• 2:50:34
  Speaker 1: The door swung open. Something flashed from the doorway through
• 2:50:37
  Speaker 1: the candlelight and struck fire water in the side. He
• 2:50:42
  Speaker 1: lowered the chalice, set it gently upon the altar, and
• 2:50:45
  Speaker 1: sagged against the old Earl. Sir Angus clutched the stricken priest.
• 2:50:50
  Speaker 1: Bertrand had warned the king's men. Bertrand had passed a
• 2:50:54
  Speaker 1: rope to them over the wall. Bertrand, the trusted servant,
• 2:50:58
  Speaker 1: the one left on guard. The soldiers were everywhere. Men
• 2:51:02
  Speaker 1: and women fled helter skelter through a side door, while
• 2:51:05
  Speaker 1: the four frightened children crawled back under the old Earl's
• 2:51:08
  Speaker 1: great bed and lay still by. And by came a silence,
• 2:51:12
  Speaker 1: and they ventured to peep from the hiding place. Some
• 2:51:15
  Speaker 1: twenty troopers were standing at the end of the room
• 2:51:17
  Speaker 1: with drawn swords. They stood as if waiting in order,
• 2:51:21
  Speaker 1: and the captain was slow to give it twenty three
• 2:51:25
  Speaker 1: in number, but they were in downright terror of the
• 2:51:28
  Speaker 1: lang sword in the Earl's right hand. Fire Walter lay
• 2:51:32
  Speaker 1: across the hearth. He was dead on the altar, the
• 2:51:36
  Speaker 1: chalice gleamed in the candle light. Beside it lay the
• 2:51:39
  Speaker 1: sacred host. Just in front of his God stood the
• 2:51:43
  Speaker 1: brave old Earl. It was a strange sight, the white
• 2:51:47
  Speaker 1: haired warrior in the surface of an alkalite, the light
• 2:51:50
  Speaker 1: of battle in the old blue eyes, and clinched in
• 2:51:52
  Speaker 1: his right hand the lang sword that had named his father,
• 2:51:55
  Speaker 1: that had been the ancestral blade of the Knights of
• 2:51:58
  Speaker 1: rock Raven since the days of fire. These by his
• 2:52:01
  Speaker 1: side was the young lad who has served the priest
• 2:52:04
  Speaker 1: at mass Muchel, John, grandson of Tam the Armorer. In
• 2:52:08
  Speaker 1: his hand he held the dirk that had pierced the
• 2:52:10
  Speaker 1: heart of the priest twenty three against two, and it
• 2:52:14
  Speaker 1: was the twenty three that were afraid. The Earl's swordsmanship
• 2:52:18
  Speaker 1: was a toast in two countries. The officer took a
• 2:52:22
  Speaker 1: step forward. One could see he had little liking for
• 2:52:25
  Speaker 1: his work. Captain John Brent said, Sir Angus slowly. I
• 2:52:31
  Speaker 1: was your godfather in baptism by the vows I took
• 2:52:35
  Speaker 1: that day. I tell you that you have committed a
• 2:52:37
  Speaker 1: grievous sin this day. The punishments of God Almighty are terrible.
• 2:52:43
  Speaker 1: My order Sir growled the officer. A soldier must obey orders,
• 2:52:50
  Speaker 1: and since when do the orders of a king make
• 2:52:52
  Speaker 1: it lawful to break the lulls of the king of kings.
• 2:52:56
  Speaker 1: There was a struggle in Brent's face. He was too
• 2:52:59
  Speaker 1: good in me and for such a trade, come, he growled,
• 2:53:04
  Speaker 1: Let's go. We have done enough of the devil's work
• 2:53:06
  Speaker 1: for one day. The men seemed only too willing to obey.
• 2:53:12
  Speaker 1: They had no wish to match swords to the great
• 2:53:14
  Speaker 1: sir Angus Gordon. But Bertrand sprang forward, you white livered cowards.
• 2:53:20
  Speaker 1: He roared, twenty seasoned veterans against the one old fool
• 2:53:23
  Speaker 1: and a fisherman's gilly. A thousand pounds reward for the
• 2:53:26
  Speaker 1: priest's body. The rubies on that chalice are worth rattling guineas.
• 2:53:30
  Speaker 1: Here you stand like whip curs and fear of the
• 2:53:33
  Speaker 1: lang's sword. Don't you know the old cutthroat has reached
• 2:53:36
  Speaker 1: his dadding days. If fight, you will fight, I will,
• 2:53:41
  Speaker 1: shouted Brent. But I draw for the other side. Perhaps
• 2:53:45
  Speaker 1: God may forgive me the sins of this night. He
• 2:53:49
  Speaker 1: will forgive you, said sir Angus. The captain sprang forward,
• 2:53:55
  Speaker 1: but paused and dropped on his knees. As he passed
• 2:53:57
  Speaker 1: the altar. He looked at the blessed sac of meant
• 2:54:00
  Speaker 1: one sorrowful, pleading look. Then he took his place. Two
• 2:54:05
  Speaker 1: troopers tried to follow him down with the turncoats, cried Bertrand.
• 2:54:11
  Speaker 1: Half a dozen swords pierced them. Before they could take
• 2:54:13
  Speaker 1: another step. Something struck the altar. When candle went out,
• 2:54:19
  Speaker 1: the blue light of the lang swords shot in quick
• 2:54:21
  Speaker 1: flashes through the semi darkness. There were curses and wild cries.
• 2:54:25
  Speaker 1: Swords clanged as they struck each other. Brent's down, Whispertrand's voice.
• 2:54:31
  Speaker 1: Finish him. That's a clean stroke. Now back and rest
• 2:54:34
  Speaker 1: a bit. There's only the old fool left. The troopers
• 2:54:38
  Speaker 1: drew off a few steps. Sir Angus stood in a
• 2:54:41
  Speaker 1: pile of dead. Brenton, young muckled John were among them.
• 2:54:46
  Speaker 1: The old earl was straight still, but there was a
• 2:54:48
  Speaker 1: wound above his temple, and the blood tuckled over his
• 2:54:51
  Speaker 1: thin white hair. The good right arm hung limp by
• 2:54:55
  Speaker 1: his side. The lang swer was clinched in his left
• 2:54:59
  Speaker 1: age was beginning to tell for his breath came in quick,
• 2:55:02
  Speaker 1: short gasps, then Stephen grasped his sister's hand, hist Margie.
• 2:55:08
  Speaker 1: He sobbed. Look at the altar. Some sword had struck
• 2:55:13
  Speaker 1: the chalice. It was lying on its side. The precious
• 2:55:17
  Speaker 1: blood was dripping drop after drop from the cloth down
• 2:55:20
  Speaker 1: to the hearth, and mingling with the blood of the
• 2:55:23
  Speaker 1: martyred priest. Bertrand's voice snarled again once more, and the
• 2:55:28
  Speaker 1: job is done up, lads. The lang sword flashed, a
• 2:55:33
  Speaker 1: tripper went staggering back toward the wall. Another fell with
• 2:55:37
  Speaker 1: a wild curse, across that dark pile at the Earl's feet.
• 2:55:40
  Speaker 1: Then Bertrand's sword caught the old man's wrists. The langswords
• 2:55:44
  Speaker 1: sprang high in the air. Sir Angus was down. They
• 2:55:48
  Speaker 1: were dragging him along the floor. Others had the body
• 2:55:51
  Speaker 1: of fire Walter. Then the old earl saw the chalice,
• 2:55:55
  Speaker 1: the overturned chalice, the precious blood, and Bertrand reaching one
• 2:56:00
  Speaker 1: greedy hand for the chalice with the gems that were
• 2:56:03
  Speaker 1: worth rattling guineas the chief's voice sprang, as in the
• 2:56:07
  Speaker 1: battle days, Bertrand, have a care. You has built the
• 2:56:12
  Speaker 1: blood of man this night, brave John's and Brynce, and
• 2:56:16
  Speaker 1: the blood of a holy priest of God. But have
• 2:56:19
  Speaker 1: a care, Bertrand, if you touch that chalice, the blood
• 2:56:23
  Speaker 1: on your hands will be the blood of God. The
• 2:56:27
  Speaker 1: trader turned as if to answer, but a trooper broke in,
• 2:56:31
  Speaker 1: Come on, let it alone. There'll be bad luck with
• 2:56:33
  Speaker 1: the chalice alone. There always is. We had plenty of
• 2:56:37
  Speaker 1: it the day five, all liven out of twenty, and
• 2:56:40
  Speaker 1: all us wound it. It would be not lady's job
• 2:56:43
  Speaker 1: to get the dead one in the thive, one up
• 2:56:45
  Speaker 1: to Castle Russell, and the old earl jail before sun up.
• 2:56:49
  Speaker 1: Matt and Dave cannot help it all. Bertrand snarled, but
• 2:56:53
  Speaker 1: he followed them, muttering under his breath, I can't see
• 2:56:57
  Speaker 1: to that later they're worth gain, rattling Guineas end of
• 2:57:05
  Speaker 1: chapter twelve, Guardians of the King, the struggle was over.
• 2:57:11
  Speaker 1: The children were alone, trembling. They kept from their hiding place, sobbing,
• 2:57:16
  Speaker 1: clinging to one another in their fear. The terror of
• 2:57:19
  Speaker 1: the battle was still upon them, the horror of the
• 2:57:22
  Speaker 1: sacrilege before their eyes. We must not leave the altar,
• 2:57:26
  Speaker 1: so whispered Stephen, stepping forward. No Stephen, No, James drew
• 2:57:33
  Speaker 1: him back. We daren't. It is only for priests to
• 2:57:37
  Speaker 1: touch holy things. But there isn't any priest here now,
• 2:57:41
  Speaker 1: For our Walter was the only one we ever saw.
• 2:57:45
  Speaker 1: There must be one somewhere. I'll go. I'll never stop
• 2:57:48
  Speaker 1: till I find a priest. The fear is taking your wits, Jamie,
• 2:57:52
  Speaker 1: can you go miles and minutes? We must do something now,
• 2:57:56
  Speaker 1: let me be stop holding me back. It's you that
• 2:58:00
  Speaker 1: have lost your wits. We must not, Stephen. You know
• 2:58:04
  Speaker 1: it is a sin to touch holy things at times
• 2:58:07
  Speaker 1: like this. We can when there isn't any priests. No, Stephen,
• 2:58:12
  Speaker 1: not at any time. Don't pull away. It'll be a
• 2:58:15
  Speaker 1: sin on you, Stephen. But Jamie fire Walter said so.
• 2:58:22
  Speaker 1: He said so, Yes, he said so. I heard him,
• 2:58:26
  Speaker 1: I tell you, And Sir Ingus said it too well,
• 2:58:30
  Speaker 1: if you have Father's word for it. The two boys
• 2:58:33
  Speaker 1: took a step forward. Don't go, whined Roger. Aren't you
• 2:58:39
  Speaker 1: afraid to pass those? He pointed to the dead. Stay
• 2:58:44
  Speaker 1: where you are, blazed, James, stay where you are. Margaret
• 2:58:48
  Speaker 1: will take care of you. Roger followed for a step
• 2:58:52
  Speaker 1: or two. He was afraid to go and afraid to stay.
• 2:58:56
  Speaker 1: The other two had picked their way of the dead
• 2:58:58
  Speaker 1: and now knelt before the fire place. Oh, Stephen cried
• 2:59:04
  Speaker 1: Jamie again. Do you know that you are sure that
• 2:59:07
  Speaker 1: you heard him right? But I did hear him right? Well?
• 2:59:12
  Speaker 1: What did he say for us to do? Oh? That's
• 2:59:16
  Speaker 1: what I don't know. We must do whatever should be done,
• 2:59:20
  Speaker 1: but I don't know what should be done. Stephen looked
• 2:59:24
  Speaker 1: with trembling reverence on the sacred hosts, lying there so
• 2:59:26
  Speaker 1: white and still. Oh Lord, he prayed, don't you see
• 2:59:31
  Speaker 1: how it is? We don't know what we ought to do,
• 2:59:34
  Speaker 1: and we must do something. We cannot leave you like this.
• 2:59:39
  Speaker 1: Please forgive us if we make mistakes, and forgive us
• 2:59:42
  Speaker 1: our sins, so that we shall not be too bad
• 2:59:44
  Speaker 1: to touch your sacred body in most precious blood. From
• 2:59:49
  Speaker 1: that moment, both boys lost their fear and knew that
• 2:59:52
  Speaker 1: the Good Lord would reward with his eternal gratitude whatever
• 2:59:55
  Speaker 1: poor little clumsy service they might render him. Now, lying
• 2:59:59
  Speaker 1: as if helpless, as if needing their care, Stephen took
• 3:00:03
  Speaker 1: a clean fingered tawl and raised the chalice with it.
• 3:00:07
  Speaker 1: Then he cut out from the altar cloth the linen
• 3:00:09
  Speaker 1: stained by the precious blood, and laid it gently in
• 3:00:12
  Speaker 1: the chalice with the little linen. James absorbed the pulb
• 3:00:16
  Speaker 1: upon the hearth. He passed the cloth to Stephen, who
• 3:00:20
  Speaker 1: placed it in the chalice. Then he lifted the pattern,
• 3:00:23
  Speaker 1: slipped it under the sacred host, and placed it over
• 3:00:25
  Speaker 1: the chalice, covering all with the corporal and a piece
• 3:00:28
  Speaker 1: of linen cut from the altar cloth. James laid a
• 3:00:32
  Speaker 1: piece of clean linen upon the hearthstone, and over it
• 3:00:34
  Speaker 1: a shield that was the only thing at hand. The
• 3:00:39
  Speaker 1: lads turned from the altar. The dead lay all about
• 3:00:42
  Speaker 1: them in the cold gray light of the dawn. We
• 3:00:45
  Speaker 1: must get these bodies out of here, whispered Stephen. Things
• 3:00:49
  Speaker 1: ought to be tidy. This room is the same as
• 3:00:52
  Speaker 1: a church now. The bodies lay as they had fallen,
• 3:00:57
  Speaker 1: about the old Earl's feet, a tumbled gaslee pile, with
• 3:01:01
  Speaker 1: a great drooper's face upward on top. The look on
• 3:01:04
  Speaker 1: his brutal mouth made them shiver and turn their eyes away.
• 3:01:08
  Speaker 1: There is another face just below. It was peaceful, almost beautiful.
• 3:01:14
  Speaker 1: That is Captain Brent, whispered James. I wonder whether God
• 3:01:19
  Speaker 1: forgave him. Oh, surely he was sorry right away, and
• 3:01:24
  Speaker 1: he died defending the blessed sacrament. Maybe he's looking at
• 3:01:27
  Speaker 1: us from heaven this minute. But that other one is
• 3:01:30
  Speaker 1: he suffering for his sin right now? Didn't get much
• 3:01:34
  Speaker 1: by sinning, did He thought he'd have a lot of money,
• 3:01:38
  Speaker 1: and instead got a slash from the Lang's sword. Say
• 3:01:42
  Speaker 1: we shouldn't be talking. We're forgetting this was a church
• 3:01:44
  Speaker 1: in here? What's that? Nothing but a board creaking? There
• 3:01:51
  Speaker 1: it is again on the stair. It's a step. Maybe
• 3:01:55
  Speaker 1: it's Bertrand. He said he'd come back for the chalice.
• 3:01:59
  Speaker 1: There it is again. Quick, How do you opened that
• 3:02:02
  Speaker 1: place back of the fireplace? That won't do? Bertrand knows
• 3:02:07
  Speaker 1: the hiding place better than we do. Here. Hand it
• 3:02:10
  Speaker 1: to me, wrapped the lin tightly, lusop will get in.
• 3:02:15
  Speaker 1: Stephen had stepped into the fireplace and was clambering at
• 3:02:18
  Speaker 1: the chimney on the rough stones. James passed the chalice
• 3:02:21
  Speaker 1: to him, then ran back to where Roger and Margaret
• 3:02:24
  Speaker 1: were standing. They crawled into their old hiding place under
• 3:02:27
  Speaker 1: the bed and huddled close, their eyes fixed on the door.
• 3:02:32
  Speaker 1: A board creaked in the hall. The children scarcely breathed.
• 3:02:36
  Speaker 1: The door swung open silently. Bertrand crept in. Gone, he snarled, Gone,
• 3:02:44
  Speaker 1: as I am a living man. No wonder they were
• 3:02:46
  Speaker 1: for leaving it for luck came after it themselves. No,
• 3:02:50
  Speaker 1: they couldn't have beaten me. They had to take the
• 3:02:53
  Speaker 1: old fool down to the dungeon. There must have been
• 3:02:55
  Speaker 1: someone left in the house. He slipped back into the
• 3:02:59
  Speaker 1: hall under the bed. The tense little muscles relaxed a moment,
• 3:03:04
  Speaker 1: but the next instant Bertram was gliding back through the door.
• 3:03:08
  Speaker 1: He seemed intent on beginning his search with the secret
• 3:03:10
  Speaker 1: places of the great fireplace. Oh let me get behind you,
• 3:03:15
  Speaker 1: whimpered Roger. You are bigger. He tried to call over Margaret,
• 3:03:20
  Speaker 1: but his foot slipped. There was a scraping sound. What's that?
• 3:03:26
  Speaker 1: Bertram was beside the bed. In a moment. He caught
• 3:03:29
  Speaker 1: James by the foot and drew him out. Where is
• 3:03:32
  Speaker 1: that chalice, he snarled, don't deny that. You know I'm
• 3:03:37
  Speaker 1: not denying it. Where is it? Then? Do you think
• 3:03:41
  Speaker 1: I'm going to tell you? Bertrand gave him a cuff.
• 3:03:45
  Speaker 1: Might as well argue with a mule. There's no time
• 3:03:48
  Speaker 1: to lose who else is underneath? He stooped down to
• 3:03:52
  Speaker 1: look Margaret. Not much better, stubborn piece of baggage. Roger,
• 3:03:57
  Speaker 1: come out here, you, bert And reached in and caught
• 3:04:00
  Speaker 1: the little coward by his lone curls out. Oh, he
• 3:04:06
  Speaker 1: squawled with a man, drew him along without mercy? Where
• 3:04:10
  Speaker 1: did you put that chalice? I didn't touch it, I
• 3:04:14
  Speaker 1: I I didn't do anything. Ouch. Oh don't I say
• 3:04:19
  Speaker 1: I didn't. I even told him not to. Who oh
• 3:04:25
  Speaker 1: stee began Roger. You dare say a word, you little coward?
• 3:04:31
  Speaker 1: Is there no drop of Gordon blood in you? Were
• 3:04:33
  Speaker 1: you changed in the cradle for a swine driver's child,
• 3:04:37
  Speaker 1: a traitor's no brother of mine, blazed James. Let the
• 3:04:41
  Speaker 1: baby alone, Bertrand, He had nothing to do with it.
• 3:04:44
  Speaker 1: If you want to take spite out on any one,
• 3:04:46
  Speaker 1: take it out on me. I'll give you a knap
• 3:04:49
  Speaker 1: before I go. Enoughn' to spare you, mule head. Bertrand
• 3:04:54
  Speaker 1: gave Roger's curls a savage twist. Answer me, Booby, who
• 3:04:58
  Speaker 1: took the chalice? Oh please let me go, whailed the child,
• 3:05:03
  Speaker 1: looking from Bertrand to his brother and back again. The
• 3:05:06
  Speaker 1: poor little weakling did not know whom he feared more.
• 3:05:10
  Speaker 1: Oh don't you hurt? So? Where is it? They'll tell
• 3:05:15
  Speaker 1: mother on me. If I do, say who your mother
• 3:05:19
  Speaker 1: is in prison? Small harm or help can she be
• 3:05:22
  Speaker 1: to you? Oh? Please stop, Bertrand, I'll give you fine
• 3:05:27
  Speaker 1: things when I grow up. If you do, the servant
• 3:05:30
  Speaker 1: laughed derisively, Fine gifts of a young laired landless, he mocked,
• 3:05:35
  Speaker 1: still twisting the child's hair with savage cruelty. It was
• 3:05:40
  Speaker 1: too much pain had triumphed. Oh don't stee Stephen. He
• 3:05:47
  Speaker 1: he's up the chimney with it. Bertrand dropped the sobbing
• 3:05:51
  Speaker 1: boy and ran over to the fireplace. He looked up
• 3:05:54
  Speaker 1: into the black hole, a foot scraped, a clut of
• 3:05:57
  Speaker 1: soot fell. He sprang back, time to miss it. So
• 3:06:02
  Speaker 1: that's your game. My lad suit works two ways. Boy,
• 3:06:06
  Speaker 1: better come down before the fire is lit. No answer
• 3:06:10
  Speaker 1: from Stephen save another gift O soot. There's kindling in
• 3:06:13
  Speaker 1: the hall, Get it, Roger. The sobbing boy turned to obey.
• 3:06:19
  Speaker 1: You just dare, yelled James, springing at him, But Bertran
• 3:06:24
  Speaker 1: caught the odored boy by the collar. Do as I
• 3:06:27
  Speaker 1: bid you, Roger. I'll tend to this meddling brother of
• 3:06:30
  Speaker 1: yours and settle him. Then he rained, kicks and cuffs
• 3:06:33
  Speaker 1: on James until Roger returned with the wood. Take that
• 3:06:37
  Speaker 1: for the stubborn mule that you are and always will be.
• 3:06:40
  Speaker 1: Bertrand snarled, striking a blow that sent the boy's spinning
• 3:06:43
  Speaker 1: across the room. James struck his head against the stone wall,
• 3:06:47
  Speaker 1: but he was on his feet in a moment. Come on, Margaret,
• 3:06:51
  Speaker 1: he called. We've got to keep him from starting that fire.
• 3:06:54
  Speaker 1: It'll kill Stephen. He'll never give up. Blow was streaming
• 3:06:59
  Speaker 1: from the boy's temple, but the pain only roused his
• 3:07:02
  Speaker 1: spirit to madness. The two children sprang upon Bertrand. James
• 3:07:07
  Speaker 1: caught him by one hand and Margaret by the other.
• 3:07:10
  Speaker 1: The boy made a battering rim with his head while
• 3:07:13
  Speaker 1: he kicked with all his might. It was little, so
• 3:07:16
  Speaker 1: small girl could do. Her teeth were sharp, and she
• 3:07:19
  Speaker 1: used them Between the two. They held the servant for
• 3:07:22
  Speaker 1: a time. If Roger had helped, they might have overcome him.
• 3:07:27
  Speaker 1: But he was no help at all. Roger cried Bertrand,
• 3:07:32
  Speaker 1: with a foul oath, light that fire. If you do,
• 3:07:37
  Speaker 1: yelled Jamie. The poor weakling stood sobbing. The fighting midget
• 3:07:42
  Speaker 1: seemed to be holding the man, so Roger obeyed his
• 3:07:46
  Speaker 1: brother that he grew white at Bertrand's muttered threats. The
• 3:07:50
  Speaker 1: strength of the children began to fail. Bertrand caught Margaret's hand,
• 3:07:54
  Speaker 1: then he caught Jamie's. He tied the wrists together with
• 3:07:57
  Speaker 1: a cord wrapped many times around, and swung them up
• 3:08:01
  Speaker 1: over the high carbon back of the bed. There they
• 3:08:04
  Speaker 1: hung on agonizing muscles, for the little girl's feet could
• 3:08:07
  Speaker 1: not touch the cushions, and the boy was dangling down
• 3:08:10
  Speaker 1: the smooth back. James made matters worse for his small comrade,
• 3:08:15
  Speaker 1: without realizing the fact. Being much the heavier, he dragged
• 3:08:19
  Speaker 1: her wrist over to his side of the top, and
• 3:08:22
  Speaker 1: the weight was on her tender flesh. Roger fared little
• 3:08:26
  Speaker 1: better than they. Bertrad now beat him for failing to
• 3:08:29
  Speaker 1: obey him. Then they let the fire. Oh pray, Margie, pray,
• 3:08:35
  Speaker 1: sobbed Jamie. Stephen will die. He'll never give up, Oh,
• 3:08:40
  Speaker 1: he'll die. There was a scraping in the chimney. Poor
• 3:08:45
  Speaker 1: Stephen was trying to climb from the flames. Get a
• 3:08:48
  Speaker 1: little water. Roger sneered, the brute smoke will reach him anywhere.
• 3:08:55
  Speaker 1: The scraping within the chimney seemed still in the same place,
• 3:08:58
  Speaker 1: and Bertrand laughed, put the water down, We do not
• 3:09:02
  Speaker 1: need it yet he can not climb. Let him stick
• 3:09:05
  Speaker 1: there and roast a while. Again, a frantic scratching in
• 3:09:09
  Speaker 1: another place and higher up. Then silence in the chimney.
• 3:09:14
  Speaker 1: He is out of reach of the fire, said Bertrand.
• 3:09:16
  Speaker 1: Pass the water pail to me. Roger, that's a good boy.
• 3:09:20
  Speaker 1: We'll give him a smoking Bertrand dashed water on the fire.
• 3:09:24
  Speaker 1: Smoke rose in a white cloud. No more sound came
• 3:09:28
  Speaker 1: from the chimney. Suddenly, Roger screamed. The trooper on top
• 3:09:33
  Speaker 1: of the dark pile slain was moving. There was no
• 3:09:37
  Speaker 1: doubting it. Broad daylight had come. Now he was slowly rising.
• 3:09:42
  Speaker 1: He could not be living. No man alive ever hasard
• 3:09:46
  Speaker 1: a gash across the throat. But moving he was. His
• 3:09:50
  Speaker 1: head rolled this way and that, His arms rose and
• 3:09:53
  Speaker 1: fell again. Bertrand's face whitened with terror. The trooper raised
• 3:09:59
  Speaker 1: his head till the staring eyes were full upon him.
• 3:10:03
  Speaker 1: Then the head nodded and dropped back. Bertrand waited for
• 3:10:07
  Speaker 1: no more. The children heard his swift steps echoing through
• 3:10:10
  Speaker 1: the vacant holes below. Then silence. James was the first
• 3:10:15
  Speaker 1: to come to his senses. It's not the trooper at all.
• 3:10:19
  Speaker 1: It's muckle John down underneath moving him. Come out and
• 3:10:23
  Speaker 1: cut us down, aren't you hurt? I cannot get oot,
• 3:10:28
  Speaker 1: replied the young sailor. I cannot lift the body. Then
• 3:10:32
  Speaker 1: with a bit of a chuckle, but I lifted him
• 3:10:34
  Speaker 1: so as to give the laugh toyon bertrand here. Roger
• 3:10:39
  Speaker 1: help us down, called James. You won't hurt me. Promise
• 3:10:44
  Speaker 1: you won't. No, you booby, I wouldn't dirty my hands
• 3:10:48
  Speaker 1: by touching you. Hurry, you poor little sneak. Stephen can't
• 3:10:52
  Speaker 1: get out of the chimney, and you know it. Maybe
• 3:10:55
  Speaker 1: the smoke has killed him. Roger freed his brother and
• 3:10:59
  Speaker 1: Margaret as swiftly as possible, probably hoping to curry favor
• 3:11:03
  Speaker 1: and save later trouble. James sprang toward the fireplace as
• 3:11:07
  Speaker 1: soon as his feet touched the floor. Margaret, you roll
• 3:11:11
  Speaker 1: the tipper off, John, can you. I'll help Stephen, he
• 3:11:15
  Speaker 1: called over his shoulder as he raked the smoking embrass
• 3:11:18
  Speaker 1: from the hearth out on the stone floor. Throw water
• 3:11:21
  Speaker 1: on them, Roger, you can do that much. Maybe hurry
• 3:11:25
  Speaker 1: the smoke is mean thaying a shield upon the hot hearth.
• 3:11:30
  Speaker 1: James stepped into the fireplace. Slip down, Stephen, I'll catch you,
• 3:11:35
  Speaker 1: he called. There was no answer. James looked up into
• 3:11:40
  Speaker 1: the black hole. Give me a stole, he called. Stephen
• 3:11:44
  Speaker 1: must have fainted. Be careful, don't set your dress a fire.
• 3:11:49
  Speaker 1: Thank you. Margaret. There, hold it steady. James had climbed
• 3:11:54
  Speaker 1: on the stool and was standing with his head in
• 3:11:55
  Speaker 1: the chimney, trying to loosen Stephen's body. Catch him, Margaret,
• 3:12:00
  Speaker 1: he's slipping, easy the chalice. Be careful, I have it steady.
• 3:12:06
  Speaker 1: Hold Stephen there, you have him. Take him out on
• 3:12:09
  Speaker 1: the floor, can you that's it? Roger help? Will you
• 3:12:14
  Speaker 1: lift him past the coals. Roger and Margaret managed to
• 3:12:18
  Speaker 1: lift Stephen over this making embers. While James was climbing
• 3:12:21
  Speaker 1: from the stool, holding the childice reverently. The cloth was
• 3:12:25
  Speaker 1: still in place. Not a speck could touched the sacred trust.
• 3:12:29
  Speaker 1: Stephen had guarded his lord at a bitter cost to himself.
• 3:12:33
  Speaker 1: He lay where his sister had placed him, his eyes,
• 3:12:36
  Speaker 1: nose and mouth filled with south. The young gentleman's done
• 3:12:40
  Speaker 1: for my lord, Grand muncle John, dragging himself up on
• 3:12:44
  Speaker 1: one elbow. He'd be chokin' or gaspin' if there was
• 3:12:46
  Speaker 1: a breath o life in him. No, no, cried James.
• 3:12:51
  Speaker 1: Drown folk are limp like that when they're not dead yet.
• 3:12:55
  Speaker 1: You fishermen work their shoulders some way. Tell me how
• 3:12:59
  Speaker 1: turn face doom? Na nah? Do not let his face
• 3:13:03
  Speaker 1: bang the floor. If I could but help, ye a wee.
• 3:13:07
  Speaker 1: John sterved dragged himself up and fell back among the dead.
• 3:13:11
  Speaker 1: I'm near done for my own cell. Hould him up
• 3:13:14
  Speaker 1: a bit. Work his shoulders, nah, nah, more roundabout like
• 3:13:18
  Speaker 1: they be, no pump handles. Ah. If I could get
• 3:13:21
  Speaker 1: the lead out to me and help, ye a wee.
• 3:13:24
  Speaker 1: You're doing better, But no right yet. James worked desperately.
• 3:13:30
  Speaker 1: Still there was no sign of life. Margaret had her
• 3:13:33
  Speaker 1: brother's burned feet in her lap, sobbing over them, trying
• 3:13:36
  Speaker 1: to loosen the stockings without breaking the blisters. If he
• 3:13:40
  Speaker 1: would only cough or something wailed James, weary with his struggle,
• 3:13:45
  Speaker 1: or if I had sensed to do what you tell me,
• 3:13:46
  Speaker 1: muckle John suddenly dropping his friend, the boy turned toward
• 3:13:51
  Speaker 1: the altar. Oh lord, he cried, Stephen was hurt. Taking
• 3:13:55
  Speaker 1: care of you. John, can't do anything. We haven't mother,
• 3:14:00
  Speaker 1: or nurse or anybody. Won't you help us? The trustful
• 3:14:05
  Speaker 1: prayer of a child is an arrow that pierces the
• 3:14:07
  Speaker 1: heart of God. Stephen moaned faintly and twisted. Then came
• 3:14:12
  Speaker 1: a sudden coughing, which seemed to tear his little lungs asunder,
• 3:14:15
  Speaker 1: and he spat out quantities of soot. For an hour
• 3:14:19
  Speaker 1: or more, he lay in his friend's arms, racked by
• 3:14:22
  Speaker 1: the maddening cough, in faint from exhaustion. His eyes were dazed,
• 3:14:27
  Speaker 1: but slowly they cleared, and he staggered up, saying, hoop
• 3:14:31
  Speaker 1: with that dirty rag over the blessed sacrament. He stumbled
• 3:14:35
  Speaker 1: over to the altar. Oh, yes, the soup from the chimney.
• 3:14:40
  Speaker 1: He lifted the cloth reverently, and, taking the cleanest bit
• 3:14:43
  Speaker 1: of linen left, laid it over the chalice. Excitement seemed
• 3:14:47
  Speaker 1: to have made the child unconscious of his burns. But
• 3:14:50
  Speaker 1: now that the sacred trust was safe, his face grew
• 3:14:53
  Speaker 1: sick with pain, and he sat down on the floor,
• 3:14:56
  Speaker 1: rocking himself back and forth in his misery. Suddenly, Muncle
• 3:15:00
  Speaker 1: John raised his head and whispered, what be that? I
• 3:15:04
  Speaker 1: heard it twice afore A step in the lower hall.
• 3:15:09
  Speaker 1: Stephen staggered up on his burned feet. Not even the
• 3:15:12
  Speaker 1: fear of more pain couldnt his soul. He was on
• 3:15:15
  Speaker 1: the point of climbing back to his post in the chimney.
• 3:15:17
  Speaker 1: But muncle John whispered, no so quick, my lords tis
• 3:15:21
  Speaker 1: not Bertrand's step tis light, more like a glasses sounds
• 3:15:27
  Speaker 1: like nurse. James dashed into the hall, and they heard
• 3:15:30
  Speaker 1: his joyous shout. Oh Benson. The maid was in the
• 3:15:35
  Speaker 1: room in a moment, a simple, homely country lass. But
• 3:15:39
  Speaker 1: the angel Gabriel could scarcely even more welcome than Benson.
• 3:15:42
  Speaker 1: A babble of tongues greeted her. The tale was told
• 3:15:46
  Speaker 1: in the child's jumble. But whatever a horror the sight
• 3:15:49
  Speaker 1: of death and sacrilege might have made her suffer, she
• 3:15:52
  Speaker 1: spoke cheerily, and her calmness quite at their fears. Poor John,
• 3:15:58
  Speaker 1: I hope the cut is no so deep as you say.
• 3:16:01
  Speaker 1: Never mind, we'll fix it, bless us. What a risk
• 3:16:04
  Speaker 1: my little lady, and such a brave woman she is
• 3:16:08
  Speaker 1: hasn't cried at all. And Stephen, Ah, those barons, laddie.
• 3:16:13
  Speaker 1: But if the spirit o A Douglas your lordship is
• 3:16:15
  Speaker 1: showing sir angus will be that proud o as Bairns,
• 3:16:19
  Speaker 1: but you and your sister must suffer impatience. John has
• 3:16:23
  Speaker 1: lost ever much blood. He is most in need. I
• 3:16:26
  Speaker 1: must care for him first, DearS. Benson's deaf fingers had
• 3:16:31
  Speaker 1: kept pace with her words. She had found linen and
• 3:16:34
  Speaker 1: torn it into bandages. And now she addressed James and Roger.
• 3:16:38
  Speaker 1: Your young lordships are unhurt. Will you please bring me
• 3:16:41
  Speaker 1: the sows from the buttery, a pan of water, also
• 3:16:44
  Speaker 1: warm if there be any, then these bodies must be removed.
• 3:16:48
  Speaker 1: Such things cann't lie before the blessed sacrament. By the
• 3:16:51
  Speaker 1: time you are back, I'll have poor John that I
• 3:16:54
  Speaker 1: dare move him well as I'm caring for the hurt.
• 3:16:57
  Speaker 1: Your lordships make this room fit for him. That's a
• 3:16:59
  Speaker 1: bidy it. But Roger drew himself up with much dignity
• 3:17:04
  Speaker 1: for so small a person. Benson, he stormed, do you
• 3:17:08
  Speaker 1: forget your place? To whom are you speaking? Those are
• 3:17:12
  Speaker 1: servant's duties. The honor due to your noble blood did
• 3:17:16
  Speaker 1: not trouble you over much whiles you were plain servant
• 3:17:18
  Speaker 1: to young bertrand my lord. Your mother, Lady Isabel bade
• 3:17:23
  Speaker 1: me take charge of all things during this black time
• 3:17:26
  Speaker 1: while she lies in prison. And I am to be
• 3:17:28
  Speaker 1: punishing of you, Master Roger, whenever you stand in need
• 3:17:31
  Speaker 1: of the same. Well. She knew the other thie would
• 3:17:34
  Speaker 1: now be given trouble in such a day, O sorrow,
• 3:17:37
  Speaker 1: they knew what is becomeing, O noble blood and their honors,
• 3:17:40
  Speaker 1: know the queer quirks in it that yours has, Lord
• 3:17:43
  Speaker 1: Roger Gordon. Roger was white with anger, but one glance
• 3:17:48
  Speaker 1: from his a rate brother made him cringe. And peace
• 3:17:51
  Speaker 1: reigned under the government of Nurse Benson. At noon, James
• 3:17:56
  Speaker 1: leaned over the chair where Margaret was dozing. Come Myra,
• 3:18:00
  Speaker 1: comraded arms, he said, half tenderly, half a mischief, remembrance
• 3:18:04
  Speaker 1: of the minutes that they had hung upon the high
• 3:18:07
  Speaker 1: carb on top of the bed. Together they passed down
• 3:18:10
  Speaker 1: the hall. The door of the Earl's room was ajar,
• 3:18:14
  Speaker 1: and they tiptoed in. It was the most beautiful place
• 3:18:17
  Speaker 1: the little girl had ever seen. Bentce that had not
• 3:18:20
  Speaker 1: left a spot anywhere Evergreens had been brought up from
• 3:18:24
  Speaker 1: the castle yard. The child, straped in white linen, stood
• 3:18:27
  Speaker 1: between rows of shining candles, and there the good God's
• 3:18:30
  Speaker 1: feet were many new born violets smiling up at him, simple, beautiful,
• 3:18:35
  Speaker 1: like the faces of loving children. Stephen was in prayer.
• 3:18:41
  Speaker 1: The lines of pain were still upon his face, but
• 3:18:44
  Speaker 1: over it there was a look unspeakably holy, the light
• 3:18:47
  Speaker 1: of the joy that shines on those who have suffered
• 3:18:50
  Speaker 1: for the Lord, our God. End of Chapter thirteen. Glory
• 3:18:56
  Speaker 1: of the bitter end. Days themselves into weeks and months.
• 3:19:02
  Speaker 1: One by one, the clansmen and the household came back
• 3:19:05
  Speaker 1: from prison or from their hiding places. Life went on
• 3:19:09
  Speaker 1: almost as before, save for the constant worry over the
• 3:19:12
  Speaker 1: old Earl and the lady Isabel, the mother of James
• 3:19:16
  Speaker 1: and Roger. At last, in May, a carriage swung round
• 3:19:20
  Speaker 1: the shoulder had been under on the old road from
• 3:19:23
  Speaker 1: the outer world till the little world sheltered behind the
• 3:19:26
  Speaker 1: rampart of the mountain. A bit of white fluttered from
• 3:19:29
  Speaker 1: the window. It is mother, Oh I know it is,
• 3:19:33
  Speaker 1: cried James. Then the castle bell pealed joyously down to
• 3:19:38
  Speaker 1: the great gate ran the three children. The oal keeper's
• 3:19:42
  Speaker 1: hand trembled so for very gladness that he could scarcely
• 3:19:45
  Speaker 1: let down the drawbridge. At last Danny came with a
• 3:19:49
  Speaker 1: jolt and a clang, and the carriage rolled in. James
• 3:19:53
  Speaker 1: at the door up before the footman could reach it.
• 3:19:56
  Speaker 1: Oh mother, how well you look, he cried as he
• 3:19:59
  Speaker 1: helped her down. I never saw your cheeks so red.
• 3:20:04
  Speaker 1: God bless you, my son, She whispered, as her hot
• 3:20:08
  Speaker 1: lips touched his forehead. Where is Roger? Ah, my dear
• 3:20:13
  Speaker 1: little ones of Douglas. She stooped to kiss Margaret and Stephen,
• 3:20:18
  Speaker 1: but turned away coughing, and they knew that she was
• 3:20:21
  Speaker 1: in pain. Come inside, mother, said Jamie anxiously. The wind
• 3:20:27
  Speaker 1: is blowing. You have a cold, haven't you? Yes, dear,
• 3:20:33
  Speaker 1: she said, with strange gentleness. Jamie kept close beside her
• 3:20:38
  Speaker 1: all afternoon. He was troubled. He had a fire lighted
• 3:20:42
  Speaker 1: in the grate although it was a warm day, and
• 3:20:45
  Speaker 1: brought a little shawl to put about her shoulders. At last,
• 3:20:49
  Speaker 1: Lady Isabel sent them all out while she spoke with
• 3:20:52
  Speaker 1: the steward. Then James went straight to Benson. Mother is sick,
• 3:20:57
  Speaker 1: he said, I mean, she's very sick, isn't she. The
• 3:21:03
  Speaker 1: good nurse turned away. They were tears in her kind eyes.
• 3:21:08
  Speaker 1: The damp o the dungeon. Oh I knew it, my limbs,
• 3:21:12
  Speaker 1: I knew it. Can she ever get well? I think
• 3:21:17
  Speaker 1: she'd be nigh the gates that made o pearl. But
• 3:21:20
  Speaker 1: play the man, my little Lord Jamie. The more cheery
• 3:21:24
  Speaker 1: we keep her, the longer she'll bide with us. Before
• 3:21:29
  Speaker 1: the last June, roses were in bloom in the castle yard,
• 3:21:32
  Speaker 1: James and Roger were motherless. News came now and then
• 3:21:37
  Speaker 1: from sir Angus, in one of Lord Russell's dungeon cells.
• 3:21:41
  Speaker 1: He was awaiting his trial. At last the House of
• 3:21:44
  Speaker 1: Lords sat upon the case. They found him guilty of
• 3:21:49
  Speaker 1: what all his life, the Earl of Ravenhurst had been
• 3:21:52
  Speaker 1: a traitor. That was why his lands had been given
• 3:21:55
  Speaker 1: to the low Henry of Russell. It was but owing
• 3:21:58
  Speaker 1: to the extreme clemency of his Majesty, King James, that
• 3:22:02
  Speaker 1: sir Angus had not been beheaded long before now. His
• 3:22:06
  Speaker 1: most treasonable conduct had become more than the patience of
• 3:22:09
  Speaker 1: so mild a monarch could endure. He had harbored, I
• 3:22:14
  Speaker 1: harbored with direct will to displease the King, knowingly and
• 3:22:17
  Speaker 1: with full consent within his own castle. Had harbored an
• 3:22:21
  Speaker 1: outlaw and a cursed Catholic friar. He had permitted, nay ordered,
• 3:22:27
  Speaker 1: to be celebrated, the foul and abominable sacrifice of the mass.
• 3:22:31
  Speaker 1: He had drawn the sword against the King's dragoons, and
• 3:22:34
  Speaker 1: had slain twelve of them with his own hand. No
• 3:22:37
  Speaker 1: one spoke of the honor due the twelve bold warriors,
• 3:22:40
  Speaker 1: that let one old man lay them around his feet
• 3:22:43
  Speaker 1: like sproutings slipped from a hedgerow. In truth, the Earl
• 3:22:47
  Speaker 1: of Ravenhurst was guilty of death. He deserved to be
• 3:22:50
  Speaker 1: drawn and quarter like a common villain. But in consideration
• 3:22:54
  Speaker 1: of his great age and the loyal deeds of his father,
• 3:22:57
  Speaker 1: dangs Sword, King James would be satisfied that he be
• 3:23:00
  Speaker 1: merely beheaded. The sentence to be executed upon the popish
• 3:23:04
  Speaker 1: feast of our lady in harvest. Sir Edward Gordon, an
• 3:23:08
  Speaker 1: old knight, whom the Lady Isabel had appointed the guardian
• 3:23:11
  Speaker 1: of the four noble orphans, so that they should go
• 3:23:14
  Speaker 1: to see the execution. Others said, no, such sights were
• 3:23:18
  Speaker 1: not for children. They were too young and would never
• 3:23:21
  Speaker 1: be able to forget the awful spectacle. Forget it, no,
• 3:23:26
  Speaker 1: cried Sir Edward. I want them never to forget it.
• 3:23:30
  Speaker 1: They are the children of martyrs. They must stand for
• 3:23:33
  Speaker 1: the faith, though it cost them their lives. Ay, sirs,
• 3:23:37
  Speaker 1: let them see a martyr whin the palm. Let them
• 3:23:40
  Speaker 1: see and never forget it. The stern Scott had his way.
• 3:23:45
  Speaker 1: The four children rode with him. On the way. He
• 3:23:49
  Speaker 1: spoke to them of the glory of dying for God
• 3:23:51
  Speaker 1: and for native land. Roger listened eagerly. He seemed to
• 3:23:55
  Speaker 1: think some great honor would be shown him as a
• 3:23:57
  Speaker 1: martyr's kinsman. A base nature cannot understand the kind of
• 3:24:02
  Speaker 1: glory of which Sir Edward spoke. As they drew near
• 3:24:06
  Speaker 1: the throng they gatherers. At such a time a man
• 3:24:09
  Speaker 1: turned his head and nudged his companion. The other laughed, Yes,
• 3:24:14
  Speaker 1: I see Ravenhurst Crest the trader's family, no doubt, not
• 3:24:19
  Speaker 1: so much as one retainer with them. They are in
• 3:24:21
  Speaker 1: beggarly poverty, you know, aye, and so it should be.
• 3:24:27
  Speaker 1: The speaker was a mighty broad shoulder scot of a
• 3:24:29
  Speaker 1: covenant route and branch out with all idolatures. He shouted. Now,
• 3:24:36
  Speaker 1: my father boasted the first speaker. He was always telling
• 3:24:40
  Speaker 1: us about the doings of his grandfather, that was at
• 3:24:42
  Speaker 1: the burnin of the convent i the wood aye, that
• 3:24:45
  Speaker 1: was the lutenworth going too. The Catholic caw nothing now,
• 3:24:49
  Speaker 1: But in those days they were grand and fine, silver
• 3:24:52
  Speaker 1: and rubies, silks and cloth of gold, a pile like
• 3:24:55
  Speaker 1: a haycock. That was for the great folk. There'd rustle
• 3:24:59
  Speaker 1: the fine gentlemen and queen best done in England and
• 3:25:02
  Speaker 1: all that. But the poor common soldier did not come
• 3:25:05
  Speaker 1: off with nothing. My grandfather had the smash and of
• 3:25:08
  Speaker 1: the big windows with the virgin on it. Twas give
• 3:25:11
  Speaker 1: to the lazy friars by King James. That's lang dead,
• 3:25:15
  Speaker 1: a barrelful, oh fine lead. My grandfather got uto that same.
• 3:25:19
  Speaker 1: But tis not good sighting the hounds on Catholics. Now
• 3:25:23
  Speaker 1: they'll be as poor as field mice and faminear. Keep still,
• 3:25:28
  Speaker 1: whispered Sir Edward, noting the flush of anger that rose
• 3:25:31
  Speaker 1: on the faces of the children. We're the kinsmen of
• 3:25:34
  Speaker 1: a martyr. We must share his glory with him, poverty
• 3:25:38
  Speaker 1: and shame the dear Christ bore. Keep that before your eyes,
• 3:25:41
  Speaker 1: and be brave. Make room called a brutal voice, here
• 3:25:46
  Speaker 1: be the fine Catholic nobles give place. Let them see
• 3:25:50
  Speaker 1: the old fool pass the crowd opened answer. Edward's party
• 3:25:55
  Speaker 1: pressed close to the roadway down which the Earl must pass.
• 3:26:00
  Speaker 1: Roger let his horse slip behind his brothers. As they
• 3:26:02
  Speaker 1: moved forward. James someone crawling from the saddle. Where are
• 3:26:07
  Speaker 1: you going, he asked, I would not be called a
• 3:26:11
  Speaker 1: trader's child. Roger muttered, they're pointing at us. You are
• 3:26:17
  Speaker 1: not ashamed of grandfather, are you? Whispered James. Don't be
• 3:26:22
  Speaker 1: a coward this time. Words can't hurt when we know
• 3:26:25
  Speaker 1: they are not true. But Roger had slipped from his
• 3:26:28
  Speaker 1: horse and mingled with the crowd. A coarse fellow jostled
• 3:26:33
  Speaker 1: against James, then bowed in mock apology. Be throwing your
• 3:26:37
  Speaker 1: bonnets in the air of lads, he shouted, mates, This
• 3:26:41
  Speaker 1: young gentleman will be ear o the Raven's roost before
• 3:26:43
  Speaker 1: he's now older. Hold your tongue, Bolly called the Great
• 3:26:48
  Speaker 1: Scot of the Covenant, shouldering his way toward the speaker.
• 3:26:52
  Speaker 1: Leave the poor baron in peace. Sorrow enough he has
• 3:26:55
  Speaker 1: afore him. But mind, ye lad, Let the old Earl's
• 3:26:59
  Speaker 1: death be lessen to ye. Wien ye be talk at Ravenhurst,
• 3:27:03
  Speaker 1: Give good riddanenesce to Catholics. James flushed. Then suddenly he turned.
• 3:27:10
  Speaker 1: His child's voice had in it the ring of a
• 3:27:12
  Speaker 1: man's determination. When I am earle, I shall take up
• 3:27:16
  Speaker 1: the battle where my grandfather lays it down. A jeer
• 3:27:21
  Speaker 1: rose from the crowd, But in the eyes of the
• 3:27:23
  Speaker 1: scot there was admiration. And Margaret leaned toward the lad
• 3:27:27
  Speaker 1: and whispered, her eyes bright with pity and pride. No
• 3:27:32
  Speaker 1: cause is dead, while true hearts live. Quick gratitude shone
• 3:27:37
  Speaker 1: in Jamie's glance. Aye, little comrade at arms, he said,
• 3:27:43
  Speaker 1: But the words were not heard by the crowd. A
• 3:27:45
  Speaker 1: sound floated toward them. Heads were creamed, and brutal jests
• 3:27:49
  Speaker 1: broke forth. Then into sight came the prison cart, and
• 3:27:53
  Speaker 1: standing in it, but a ridicule sport of the mob
• 3:27:57
  Speaker 1: was Angus Gordon had shattered the lank sword's son. He
• 3:28:02
  Speaker 1: could scarcely hold himself erect in the jolting cart. But
• 3:28:06
  Speaker 1: a wrecked he was, and a soldier still. The old
• 3:28:10
  Speaker 1: man seemed but the more beautiful, for the marks of
• 3:28:12
  Speaker 1: the dungeon upon him. He was looking straight at the crowd.
• 3:28:16
  Speaker 1: A joyful smile was on his lips. The noise died
• 3:28:20
  Speaker 1: the mighty scud of the covenant turned menacingly toward the
• 3:28:23
  Speaker 1: fellow who seemed to be the leader of the jurors.
• 3:28:27
  Speaker 1: You can hold your driving tongue, he roared, naw doute Russell,
• 3:28:31
  Speaker 1: pay ye will to stir up the mob, But cheer
• 3:28:34
  Speaker 1: your cut on this. I'll pay ye wi my fists
• 3:28:37
  Speaker 1: if ye do. Then, turning to the crowd, he spoke
• 3:28:41
  Speaker 1: his mind like an honest scot. Ye all know me.
• 3:28:44
  Speaker 1: I be no Roman Catholic body. I'll have fought the
• 3:28:47
  Speaker 1: abomination to a roam afore and will again. But mate,
• 3:28:52
  Speaker 1: I fight a man's battle. I would not be one
• 3:28:55
  Speaker 1: o'pack o hounds beset in a lone sheep, or one
• 3:28:58
  Speaker 1: o a mable coward jeer in an old dungeon broken man.
• 3:29:03
  Speaker 1: There was a change on those wild faces, For the
• 3:29:06
  Speaker 1: will of a mob is the will of the wind.
• 3:29:09
  Speaker 1: Sir Edward's party moved forward, and a whisper went through
• 3:29:12
  Speaker 1: the throng. Give place, let them pass. They are the
• 3:29:16
  Speaker 1: old Earl's kinsmen. There was pity in the tone, and
• 3:29:20
  Speaker 1: the crowd followed in silence, perhaps thinking over their own wrongs,
• 3:29:25
  Speaker 1: many among them covenanters. They were men who had suffered
• 3:29:29
  Speaker 1: from the cruelty of the king, almost as greatly as
• 3:29:32
  Speaker 1: had the Catholics. The cart rattled up to the scaffold.
• 3:29:36
  Speaker 1: As it stopped, a dozen hands went out to help
• 3:29:39
  Speaker 1: the old Earl down Lord Russell, who stood on the platform,
• 3:29:43
  Speaker 1: seemed to trifle uneasy. He whispered a moment to a
• 3:29:47
  Speaker 1: knight beside him. Then came a curt order. The soldiers
• 3:29:51
  Speaker 1: drove the crowd back from the foot of the scaffold.
• 3:29:54
  Speaker 1: A muttering rose from the mob. They began to move,
• 3:29:58
  Speaker 1: as if to join a second throng that was coming
• 3:30:00
  Speaker 1: up the roof from the opposite direction. Another whispered consultation
• 3:30:04
  Speaker 1: between Russell and his aids. The action of the Covenanters
• 3:30:08
  Speaker 1: seemed puzzling to them. A troop of cavalry was swiftly
• 3:30:11
  Speaker 1: placed between the two crowds, well planned. Sir Henry of
• 3:30:16
  Speaker 1: Russell muttered, Sir Edward, that second thronger from the Ravenhurst Lands.
• 3:30:22
  Speaker 1: They hate their new master as they loved the old.
• 3:30:25
  Speaker 1: They'd never had the courage to join the outlaws of Beninder.
• 3:30:28
  Speaker 1: But will they stand taintly and see Angus Gordon die.
• 3:30:32
  Speaker 1: The Knight's eye flashed with quick fire. Ho, my bairns,
• 3:30:36
  Speaker 1: we may save him. Yet the Covenanters are now more
• 3:30:39
  Speaker 1: for the Earl than against him. Sir Edward's trained eye
• 3:30:43
  Speaker 1: ran over the field. Then he shook his head. Six
• 3:30:47
  Speaker 1: hundred men, I take it, weapons, sticks, stones, a few swords.
• 3:30:53
  Speaker 1: The other side two hundred horse, three hundred foot well armed. No,
• 3:30:59
  Speaker 1: my children, it would be folly, a sheer waste of life.
• 3:31:02
  Speaker 1: We could never reach the scaffold. Angus Gordon stepped out
• 3:31:07
  Speaker 1: beside the block. He raised his hand as if about
• 3:31:10
  Speaker 1: to speak. A hush fell on the mighty throng. His
• 3:31:14
  Speaker 1: voice was faint, that voice which in years gone by
• 3:31:17
  Speaker 1: had rung above the din of battle. It was feeble now,
• 3:31:21
  Speaker 1: and low, yet piercing sweet, like the notes of some
• 3:31:24
  Speaker 1: far off bugle. Sir Henry of Russell asked what I
• 3:31:29
  Speaker 1: wished to say in answer to the charge of treason
• 3:31:32
  Speaker 1: which now stains my knightly honor. There are stains that
• 3:31:35
  Speaker 1: tell of shame, and there are stains to speak of glory.
• 3:31:39
  Speaker 1: When they brought the standard back from flodden Field, there
• 3:31:42
  Speaker 1: was a stain upon it, aye, a dark blot upon
• 3:31:46
  Speaker 1: the fair silken banner from Dunedin. But that stain was
• 3:31:49
  Speaker 1: the life blood of a king. That torn and blood
• 3:31:52
  Speaker 1: stained banner is a sacred thing, Aye, a sacred thing.
• 3:31:57
  Speaker 1: Now the faith of the king who fell on flowden
• 3:32:00
  Speaker 1: Field is called treason against Scotland. This faith is that
• 3:32:04
  Speaker 1: stain which lies on my honor as a Scottish knight.
• 3:32:07
  Speaker 1: This stain is my glory, as it was the glory
• 3:32:10
  Speaker 1: of those who are no more, which I were worthy
• 3:32:13
  Speaker 1: to fall under the banner of the King of kings,
• 3:32:16
  Speaker 1: worthy of my place in the red robed army led
• 3:32:18
  Speaker 1: by stephen Thank God for the honor done me, and
• 3:32:22
  Speaker 1: stand for God and our lady till we meet again.
• 3:32:26
  Speaker 1: My Lord of Russell, I thank you for your courtesy.
• 3:32:31
  Speaker 1: Sir Angus knelt by the block and laid his white
• 3:32:34
  Speaker 1: head upon it. Sir Henry turned to the headsman, but
• 3:32:38
  Speaker 1: the brawny fellow was sobbing like a child. Go find
• 3:32:42
  Speaker 1: a knave that will do your foul work for you,
• 3:32:45
  Speaker 1: he said, Ah, no, heavenocent blood on these hands. Russell's
• 3:32:50
  Speaker 1: face whitened with anger. A sympathetic growl rose from the mob. Allan,
• 3:32:57
  Speaker 1: said the old earl gently, the son of this lie
• 3:33:00
  Speaker 1: and the judge not upon the executioner. You will be
• 3:33:03
  Speaker 1: merely doing your duty according to law. Do not bring
• 3:33:07
  Speaker 1: trouble on yourself. Through love of me, you may be
• 3:33:11
  Speaker 1: no sin in the eye of the law. Queer laws
• 3:33:13
  Speaker 1: they do be havin these days. Was it your duty
• 3:33:17
  Speaker 1: according to law to send a cow to my brother's wife?
• 3:33:20
  Speaker 1: They were know your tenants. More. If the widow and
• 3:33:23
  Speaker 1: who weave it barns are starvin? What was that to
• 3:33:26
  Speaker 1: you in the eye of the law, But you sent
• 3:33:29
  Speaker 1: the cow. It is little I gave them Allan, do
• 3:33:34
  Speaker 1: your work, lad. I shall bear you no ill will,
• 3:33:38
  Speaker 1: nor will the Good God lay this to your charge. Sir.
• 3:33:41
  Speaker 1: Henry is angry. He will make you suffer. My poor fellow, Sir,
• 3:33:47
  Speaker 1: you gave the best you had, and you gave it
• 3:33:50
  Speaker 1: with kind words. If there be men and young crowd
• 3:33:53
  Speaker 1: angus Gordon does no die this day. I set my
• 3:33:57
  Speaker 1: foot on the scaffold for that I have given my
• 3:33:59
  Speaker 1: word to all true craansmen, that I am not to
• 3:34:02
  Speaker 1: kill our chief, but to see to it that he
• 3:34:04
  Speaker 1: is no killed. Aye, Aye, hauled to it Allan there
• 3:34:09
  Speaker 1: speaks a Gordon came from strong the scattered voices and
• 3:34:13
  Speaker 1: the throng for the handful of ben ender outlaws was
• 3:34:16
  Speaker 1: sprinkled through the mob. Striker Rotten my dungeon, hissed Brussel.
• 3:34:23
  Speaker 1: All know how a good man's blood on these hands,
• 3:34:25
  Speaker 1: retorted the headsman. A roaring applause from the Ravenhurst. Men,
• 3:34:30
  Speaker 1: stand your ground, Allan, You are no alone the day
• 3:34:34
  Speaker 1: it was the voice of the big covenanter, the Gordon.
• 3:34:39
  Speaker 1: The first shout was faint and fearful, but it was
• 3:34:42
  Speaker 1: caught up on the instant. Then the old war cry
• 3:34:45
  Speaker 1: burst like thunder. The Gordon clan Gordon to the rescue.
• 3:34:50
  Speaker 1: The mob surged madly forward, catching at anything that might
• 3:34:54
  Speaker 1: serve as a weapon. Sticks, stones, clubs, and here and
• 3:34:58
  Speaker 1: there a sword. The Angus rose to his feet and
• 3:35:01
  Speaker 1: raised his hand. There was silence. Sticks and stones against
• 3:35:06
  Speaker 1: powder and shot. It is folly, pure folly. You cannot
• 3:35:11
  Speaker 1: save me. Do you think I shall die easier for
• 3:35:14
  Speaker 1: knowing that more Gordon wives are widows, more Gordon orphans
• 3:35:17
  Speaker 1: wail for bread? He knelt again. Let the axe fall, Allan.
• 3:35:23
  Speaker 1: 'tis an easy way to heaven. Lad The clam will
• 3:35:26
  Speaker 1: suffer for this attempt to save me. Let it fall, Allan,
• 3:35:30
  Speaker 1: Let it fall, never cried the headsman. Are you men
• 3:35:35
  Speaker 1: that you dolly? So? A maddened roar came up from
• 3:35:39
  Speaker 1: the people, and an echo faint, solitary yet distinct, from
• 3:35:44
  Speaker 1: somewhere among the soldiers. Quick, or we are lost, whispered
• 3:35:48
  Speaker 1: the Knight at Russell's elbow. The troopers are siding with
• 3:35:51
  Speaker 1: the mob. Run a sword through that mutineer, howled Russell.
• 3:35:57
  Speaker 1: A dozen soldiers sprang upon Alan and dragged him from
• 3:35:59
  Speaker 1: the scaffold. There was a sharp struggle. Alan wrenched himself
• 3:36:04
  Speaker 1: free and joined the mob, yelling the Gordon, the Gordon,
• 3:36:08
  Speaker 1: Gordon forgotten our lady. Thunder the mob. As the stones
• 3:36:12
  Speaker 1: began to fly fire on them, rang Russell's command. Do
• 3:36:19
  Speaker 1: you see that? Roared the Knight in Sir Henry's ear.
• 3:36:22
  Speaker 1: Half of them are firing in the air. They let
• 3:36:24
  Speaker 1: Alan go, quick a headsman, or we are lost, Russell's
• 3:36:29
  Speaker 1: voice rang above the roaring of the mob. A headsman
• 3:36:32
  Speaker 1: fifty pounds for a headsman one hundred five hundred. A
• 3:36:37
  Speaker 1: stone struck him. He dodged back under cover. Allan was
• 3:36:41
  Speaker 1: almost at the scaffold again, his club crashing to right
• 3:36:44
  Speaker 1: and left among the soldiery down with them. Why should
• 3:36:48
  Speaker 1: we stand for King James Russell's a lowlander. Scots are
• 3:36:52
  Speaker 1: we all? It was the big covenanter at Alan's side.
• 3:36:56
  Speaker 1: The tooth wrongs were won. At last, someone was climbing
• 3:37:00
  Speaker 1: the ladder. Russell passed him a purse. He clutched it
• 3:37:03
  Speaker 1: with eager, trembling fingers and sprang to the axe. His
• 3:37:08
  Speaker 1: face was turned and the sunshine full upon it. The
• 3:37:11
  Speaker 1: man was Bertrand. A wild cry from the mob, a
• 3:37:16
  Speaker 1: sudden hush, The steel flashed in the morning light, and
• 3:37:20
  Speaker 1: the grand old man was with his god. End of
• 3:37:26
  Speaker 1: chapter fourteen, the splinter of the lang sword a sound
• 3:37:32
  Speaker 1: struck on Gordon's ear. His mind reeled between living thought
• 3:37:36
  Speaker 1: and living fact. Before his mental eye, the mob still
• 3:37:39
  Speaker 1: surged around the blood soaked scaffold, with the sacred dead still.
• 3:37:43
  Speaker 1: Russell snarled, defiant, guarded by his lords, the traitor Bertrand
• 3:37:49
  Speaker 1: cringing in his shadow. Still over all hovered the martyr's soul,
• 3:37:53
  Speaker 1: just catching the breath of Heaven's welcoming savows of angel hosts,
• 3:37:58
  Speaker 1: trumpets of seraphim hose, honors of the mirrored ranks that
• 3:38:01
  Speaker 1: bare the victor palm, and echoing through the courts of
• 3:38:05
  Speaker 1: bliss the voice from the white throne of God, are they,
• 3:38:08
  Speaker 1: Martyr Christie. But jarring up from the world of fact
• 3:38:13
  Speaker 1: came a key that grated in the lock. The dull
• 3:38:16
  Speaker 1: pain of the chair in which he sat, the familiar
• 3:38:19
  Speaker 1: things crowding on his sight, and the stunning sense the
• 3:38:22
  Speaker 1: enemies were near. His own battle horn was blowing. The
• 3:38:27
  Speaker 1: door creaked as it opened. Sir Roger was there, with
• 3:38:30
  Speaker 1: Godfrey at his elbow. The tutor drew in his breath
• 3:38:34
  Speaker 1: with a hiss. Disappointment darkened Sir Roger's face. He had
• 3:38:38
  Speaker 1: thought to find a lad worn, weary with pain, petulantly defiant,
• 3:38:42
  Speaker 1: but breaking Gordon's hot words a few hours ago had
• 3:38:47
  Speaker 1: shown his self controlled to be weakening. Here, strengthened from
• 3:38:51
  Speaker 1: some unknown source, the boy stood before them. His face
• 3:38:55
  Speaker 1: was swollen and twisted with pain. Yet in his eyes
• 3:38:59
  Speaker 1: there is no fear, no yielding, no weariness, but a
• 3:39:02
  Speaker 1: look of joy, deeper than the wrongs of earth, sweeter
• 3:39:06
  Speaker 1: and stronger than human Godfrey would have slipped out again,
• 3:39:11
  Speaker 1: though his soul was too grossly formed to comprehend the
• 3:39:13
  Speaker 1: boy's exultation. Yet his mind was too cunning to start
• 3:39:17
  Speaker 1: a battle. Lost from the beginning, Sir Roger sprang forward.
• 3:39:22
  Speaker 1: There was that in the boy's look which made his
• 3:39:24
  Speaker 1: soul writhe along the burning ways of memory. His clenched
• 3:39:28
  Speaker 1: fist drew back menacingly. The Gordon looked calmly, almost pityingly,
• 3:39:33
  Speaker 1: on the man's fury. It was as if the boy
• 3:39:36
  Speaker 1: had suddenly become the elder. He spoke with a half
• 3:39:39
  Speaker 1: stern yet sorrowful kindliness, Roger, Uncle Roger, why are you
• 3:39:46
  Speaker 1: the only trader, the only weakling in the house of Gordon?
• 3:39:50
  Speaker 1: Has Bertrand's son led you to this shame? But you
• 3:39:53
  Speaker 1: can throw it off, even yet, Uncle Roger, even yet,
• 3:39:57
  Speaker 1: you can be a man and not a traitor. Blows
• 3:40:01
  Speaker 1: like an avalanche were the weakling's answer. Roger's lean hands
• 3:40:05
  Speaker 1: were gripped about the boy's throat, throttling him, pounding his
• 3:40:09
  Speaker 1: head against the sharp moldings of the chair. One more
• 3:40:12
  Speaker 1: fearful blow and Gordon plunged forward. The heavy, oaken chair
• 3:40:16
  Speaker 1: had come upon them both, a maddening crash upon his temple,
• 3:40:20
  Speaker 1: something warm and wet between his cheek and the stone
• 3:40:23
  Speaker 1: flagging A creeping dullness. Was this death? Death forgodden our
• 3:40:29
  Speaker 1: lady a scuffling sound came faintly. Godfrey pulled Sir Roger
• 3:40:34
  Speaker 1: off he was voicing the frenzied man from the room.
• 3:40:38
  Speaker 1: The lock grated cordonly still and waited. In a moment
• 3:40:43
  Speaker 1: he would hear the songs of the angels. His heart
• 3:40:46
  Speaker 1: went out in a great swell of joy that soon
• 3:40:49
  Speaker 1: died away into a terrible dread, and then to a
• 3:40:52
  Speaker 1: bitter disappointment. The dullness was passing death, with its freedom
• 3:40:57
  Speaker 1: from pain, with its joy beyond the earth fully compare
• 3:41:01
  Speaker 1: was not there, but pain was. Hours before, Gordon had
• 3:41:07
  Speaker 1: thought that he had suffered all a boy could bear.
• 3:41:10
  Speaker 1: Now Bruis had been att it to bruise in his head.
• 3:41:13
  Speaker 1: A hundred hammers seemed pounding, Hunger was gnawing, and thirst
• 3:41:17
  Speaker 1: like a fire burned high over other woes. He was
• 3:41:20
  Speaker 1: alone in his pain, as his mother had said, pitifully alone.
• 3:41:25
  Speaker 1: The great exultation of some minutes before had died, and
• 3:41:29
  Speaker 1: even God, with his beautiful heaven seemed far very far away.
• 3:41:34
  Speaker 1: Gordon drew himself up, slowly, painfully on his elbow and
• 3:41:38
  Speaker 1: wiped the blood from his temple. Then he crawled to
• 3:41:41
  Speaker 1: his feet and stood a bit unsteadily holding to the
• 3:41:44
  Speaker 1: overturned chair. Once again, he read his mother's note. Whether
• 3:41:50
  Speaker 1: I am living or dead, my prayer shall plead for
• 3:41:52
  Speaker 1: you in that hour. At this moment, my mother is
• 3:41:56
  Speaker 1: praying for me, and she herself is suffering below and
• 3:42:00
  Speaker 1: one of those terrible dungeons. The thought gave him new strength.
• 3:42:05
  Speaker 1: Slowly straightening himself as if by so doing he could
• 3:42:09
  Speaker 1: the better shoulder his cross, Gordon walked over to the
• 3:42:12
  Speaker 1: fireplace and looked long and searchingly at the picture above
• 3:42:15
  Speaker 1: the mantle. Was the martyr Gordon, smiling at the lad
• 3:42:20
  Speaker 1: It seemed so as he stood there beneath the crossed swords,
• 3:42:23
  Speaker 1: and that square jawed boy by the earl's knee was
• 3:42:25
  Speaker 1: looking straight into Gordon's eyes. You held out to the end,
• 3:42:30
  Speaker 1: and it was the wreck, the dungeon, the scaffold. I'm
• 3:42:33
  Speaker 1: a coward if I give up, and I won't, but
• 3:42:36
  Speaker 1: you had better pray for me, so I won't ask
• 3:42:39
  Speaker 1: for water. I'll stand as you stood for God and
• 3:42:43
  Speaker 1: our lady. The words were brave, but the noble head
• 3:42:47
  Speaker 1: was bowed on the mantle, the square jaw set, and
• 3:42:51
  Speaker 1: the brown fist clenched by his side. Then the shining
• 3:42:55
  Speaker 1: silver spot on the hearthstone caught his eye, and he
• 3:42:57
  Speaker 1: knelt down beside it. The precious blood fell here, long
• 3:43:02
  Speaker 1: long ago, the lad whispered. Father Cornwall said, it fell
• 3:43:07
  Speaker 1: on the stones all round where they scourged you. Oh,
• 3:43:10
  Speaker 1: how it must have hurt. Uncle Roger brought the blood
• 3:43:14
  Speaker 1: only a few times on me, and you were covered
• 3:43:17
  Speaker 1: with blood. Alled over, Gordon stooped down and kissed the
• 3:43:21
  Speaker 1: spot on the hearthstone. A strange, deep joy came trembling
• 3:43:26
  Speaker 1: through his soul. End of chapter fifteen, Escape evening had come.
• 3:43:35
  Speaker 1: The wag of the Wall agreed with Gordon at last,
• 3:43:38
  Speaker 1: and chimed its slow toned antelus. The shadow of old
• 3:43:42
  Speaker 1: ben Ender lengthened across the meadows from lanen Field. The
• 3:43:46
  Speaker 1: tinkle clinkle of returning herds floated up to the weary boy.
• 3:43:50
  Speaker 1: It was evening, but never had so long a twilight
• 3:43:53
  Speaker 1: follows so long a day, never since the world was made.
• 3:43:58
  Speaker 1: The boy stood by an encasement. The wind blew about him,
• 3:44:02
  Speaker 1: cold and damp, bearing the mists from the sea on
• 3:44:06
  Speaker 1: its wings. He opened his lips and drank in deep drafts,
• 3:44:10
  Speaker 1: vainly hoping the cooling air might do what cooling water could,
• 3:44:14
  Speaker 1: but the raw wind only made the bruises ache with
• 3:44:16
  Speaker 1: a more sickening throb. The fiery thirst burned on. Gordon
• 3:44:21
  Speaker 1: turned and walked back to the fireplace with a restless
• 3:44:24
  Speaker 1: yet lagging step. Then he stood as he had done
• 3:44:27
  Speaker 1: a hundred times, fists clenched, head bowed upon the mantel,
• 3:44:32
  Speaker 1: staring at the silver spot on the hear stone. Strength
• 3:44:35
  Speaker 1: came without appealing look, strength, not joy. Joy had been
• 3:44:40
  Speaker 1: given once that he might have stout courage to fight
• 3:44:42
  Speaker 1: this battle. This was a day on earth to win Heaven,
• 3:44:46
  Speaker 1: not heaven. Come down to earth, Jesus, faith had grown
• 3:44:51
  Speaker 1: in the land of pain. The boy seemed, looking into
• 3:44:54
  Speaker 1: those eyes beneath the crown of thorns, filled with blood
• 3:44:58
  Speaker 1: and dust and tears. Jesus, I am tired. Uncle Roger
• 3:45:03
  Speaker 1: means what he said. I must stay till I give up,
• 3:45:06
  Speaker 1: till I die. If it was only dye and be
• 3:45:10
  Speaker 1: done with it. But I shall live for days. I
• 3:45:13
  Speaker 1: am wearing out, Jesus. And if I slip, oh, I
• 3:45:17
  Speaker 1: don't want to go back on you. But if I slip,
• 3:45:21
  Speaker 1: if the thirst gets more than I can stand, you
• 3:45:24
  Speaker 1: won't let me say those words, Jesus, you won't let
• 3:45:27
  Speaker 1: me fall. A drop of blood splashed on the silver spot.
• 3:45:32
  Speaker 1: Gordon started, opened his hand and looked wonderingly at a
• 3:45:36
  Speaker 1: nail cut in his palm. Then he stooped to wipe
• 3:45:39
  Speaker 1: away the blood. As he did so, a thought stirred
• 3:45:42
  Speaker 1: in his mind, dim uncertain an echo from that strange
• 3:45:47
  Speaker 1: first night. Hadn't his mother said something about flying from
• 3:45:50
  Speaker 1: the castle. Hadn't she told him to go to some
• 3:45:53
  Speaker 1: one whom oh, uncle John, He remembered it now, She
• 3:45:59
  Speaker 1: said to go from this room? But how a secret passage?
• 3:46:03
  Speaker 1: That was it? And Uncle Roger didn't know about it.
• 3:46:07
  Speaker 1: It started at this fireplace and ended near the fishing village.
• 3:46:11
  Speaker 1: Why hadn't he thought of it before? But his going
• 3:46:14
  Speaker 1: to leave his mother alone? Yet? But good could he
• 3:46:18
  Speaker 1: do her by staying? Uncle John would help him to
• 3:46:21
  Speaker 1: save her. Certainly it would be better to go. Gordon
• 3:46:25
  Speaker 1: drew a chair to her, the mantel and climbed on
• 3:46:27
  Speaker 1: it the soldier on the right hand and twisted the
• 3:46:30
  Speaker 1: handle of the sword twice. But it won't move. Perhaps
• 3:46:35
  Speaker 1: it was broken. During that changing. The blade went farther
• 3:46:38
  Speaker 1: down into the handle. Before there is the Mark, Why
• 3:46:42
  Speaker 1: won't it slip down? The lad twisted the handle sharply,
• 3:46:46
  Speaker 1: then pushed the blade downward. It slipped into place with
• 3:46:49
  Speaker 1: a metallic click. That's it now, round it goes one two.
• 3:46:56
  Speaker 1: Springing from the chair, he ran to the left side
• 3:46:58
  Speaker 1: of the fireplace. The handle moved under his fingers, sliding
• 3:47:02
  Speaker 1: silently into the wall and disclosing a black cobwebbed hole.
• 3:47:07
  Speaker 1: Running back again, Gordon pushed the chair into his place,
• 3:47:10
  Speaker 1: wiped the dusty footprint from the seat, straightened the rug,
• 3:47:13
  Speaker 1: and looked about him. There's nothing to show them what
• 3:47:17
  Speaker 1: I've done so far as I can see. Uncle Roger
• 3:47:20
  Speaker 1: will spend some time tomorrow guessing how I got away.
• 3:47:23
  Speaker 1: If I can find this brave John, he will help
• 3:47:25
  Speaker 1: me get mother from the dungeon. The lad hurried to
• 3:47:29
  Speaker 1: the passage and climbed through the opening. His fingers sank
• 3:47:32
  Speaker 1: in powdery dust. A thousand cobwebs clung to him beyond.
• 3:47:37
  Speaker 1: The hole seemed full, and the must in the air
• 3:47:39
  Speaker 1: choked him. Gasping, he thrust his head into the room
• 3:47:43
  Speaker 1: again to draw one more deep breath. Well, let's go
• 3:47:47
  Speaker 1: find John, get Mother, and oh, surely there will be
• 3:47:52
  Speaker 1: some little stream near the outlet in the forest. That
• 3:47:55
  Speaker 1: means a drink. I would go through anything for one
• 3:47:58
  Speaker 1: drop of cold water. Drawing back his head, Gordon slipped
• 3:48:02
  Speaker 1: the panel over the opening. The last ray of light died.
• 3:48:06
  Speaker 1: His groping hand touched a bar as it slid into
• 3:48:09
  Speaker 1: the socket. He heard the lock click far up in
• 3:48:12
  Speaker 1: the soldier's extended hand. Gordon fell about in the darkness.
• 3:48:16
  Speaker 1: The passage was small, scarcely large enough to crawl through,
• 3:48:20
  Speaker 1: and seemed to run along in the wall. His groping
• 3:48:23
  Speaker 1: hands found the floor level for some twenty feet. Then
• 3:48:26
  Speaker 1: came a rough stone stairway. Turning around, he crept down
• 3:48:31
  Speaker 1: backward for a dozen steps, and again the way was level.
• 3:48:34
  Speaker 1: A sharp turned to the left, and a radiant, fan
• 3:48:37
  Speaker 1: shaped light shone far ahead in the darkness. Why there
• 3:48:41
  Speaker 1: is the end? It is not so long after all,
• 3:48:45
  Speaker 1: Gordon hurried forward. But the bright spot was not the end.
• 3:48:48
  Speaker 1: It was only a small hole in the side wall.
• 3:48:52
  Speaker 1: There was a faint hum of voices. Scarcely daring to breathe,
• 3:48:56
  Speaker 1: he crawled on till he was within the dancing moat
• 3:48:58
  Speaker 1: filled light. Oh how small The hole was not half
• 3:49:02
  Speaker 1: so large as his own eye he looked through, then
• 3:49:06
  Speaker 1: drew back in terror. Not a dozen steps from the wall,
• 3:49:09
  Speaker 1: sat Sir Roger. Surely his uncle must have seen him. No,
• 3:49:15
  Speaker 1: the hole was too small and too far away for
• 3:49:17
  Speaker 1: anyone in the room to look through. Gordon laughed softly.
• 3:49:22
  Speaker 1: It was funny to be able to see so well
• 3:49:24
  Speaker 1: and yet to remain unseen. There sat Godfrey by the table,
• 3:49:28
  Speaker 1: shaking his finger at Sir Roger, as if laying the
• 3:49:31
  Speaker 1: law down about something. Gordon cannot catch the words, but
• 3:49:35
  Speaker 1: he distinctly heard his uncle snarling answer. The foolish child
• 3:49:39
  Speaker 1: will yield in the morning. You are always finding fault.
• 3:49:43
  Speaker 1: My Lord Gordon has a brain. He will not be
• 3:49:46
  Speaker 1: twice fold by any man. Yet there is one way,
• 3:49:51
  Speaker 1: and that tomorrow we shall go to him. You and
• 3:49:54
  Speaker 1: I tell them his courage is won our hearts. We
• 3:49:57
  Speaker 1: must respect the faith that can make so young a lad,
• 3:50:00
  Speaker 1: so great a hero, given full liberty to practice as
• 3:50:03
  Speaker 1: religion privately. Of all the follies, are you mad men?
• 3:50:09
  Speaker 1: The folly, my good Sir Roger, men, the folly? With this,
• 3:50:14
  Speaker 1: the tutor held up a visah which gleamed red in
• 3:50:16
  Speaker 1: the candlelight. You mean, oh, its action is very gentle
• 3:50:22
  Speaker 1: my lord. As the warm days come, a paleness, a weakness,
• 3:50:27
  Speaker 1: just a slight malaria. Yet in the autumn all the
• 3:50:30
  Speaker 1: gentlefolk of the countryside will come to the funeral of
• 3:50:33
  Speaker 1: this promising boy. And the morning uncle, well, it will
• 3:50:38
  Speaker 1: all be very sad, But of course the morning uncle
• 3:50:42
  Speaker 1: will be Earl of Ravenhurst. End of Chapter sixteen. Secret
• 3:50:49
  Speaker 1: Passages for an hour or more. Gordon crawled on the
• 3:50:54
  Speaker 1: passages straight for a time. Then it dropped to a
• 3:50:57
  Speaker 1: lower level and ran on again. Each room had its
• 3:51:01
  Speaker 1: little spy hole hidden in some carving. As he crept along,
• 3:51:05
  Speaker 1: the levels became shorter and the stairs longer. He had
• 3:51:08
  Speaker 1: not found a spying place for a long time. The
• 3:51:11
  Speaker 1: darkness grew even blacker. He could not see his hand
• 3:51:14
  Speaker 1: before his face. The stones were cold, so cold and wet.
• 3:51:19
  Speaker 1: Then came more stairs, and down, down into the blackness
• 3:51:23
  Speaker 1: he went. It has to sink, so though, to get
• 3:51:26
  Speaker 1: out of the moat. That must be it. And as
• 3:51:29
  Speaker 1: he spoke he splashed into a puddle at the foot
• 3:51:31
  Speaker 1: of the stairs. Oh how sweet that water tasted. Muddy
• 3:51:36
  Speaker 1: though it was, He crawled over the mossy stones of
• 3:51:40
  Speaker 1: the level. Now he must be going under the moat.
• 3:51:43
  Speaker 1: That was why it was so wet and slimy. The
• 3:51:46
  Speaker 1: end of the passage could not be far away, at
• 3:51:48
  Speaker 1: least not much farther, for he had been crawling such
• 3:51:51
  Speaker 1: a long time. When once he got outside, what if
• 3:51:55
  Speaker 1: Uncle Roger did take the castle, they could have a
• 3:51:58
  Speaker 1: little farm of their own, or fine fishing boat like
• 3:52:02
  Speaker 1: Gordon's right hand shot into space. He tried to grasp
• 3:52:05
  Speaker 1: the stones, lost his balance and fell down, down, down,
• 3:52:10
  Speaker 1: into never ending blackness. Something cold water, and down, down,
• 3:52:17
  Speaker 1: down again. He was rising. One hand shot out, then
• 3:52:22
  Speaker 1: his head. Gordon drew a quick, deep breath and floated,
• 3:52:26
  Speaker 1: as he had done many a time when some chance
• 3:52:28
  Speaker 1: slip had plunged him into the old fishing pole beneath
• 3:52:31
  Speaker 1: the Aldars while Heat and jul were playing in the
• 3:52:34
  Speaker 1: Marylynd woods. Thank god it is water. I should have
• 3:52:38
  Speaker 1: broken my neck if it had been stone. Well, the
• 3:52:41
  Speaker 1: joke is on me all day long. I've been praying
• 3:52:45
  Speaker 1: for a drop of water. Now the good Lord has
• 3:52:47
  Speaker 1: given me a drop into it instead of a drop
• 3:52:50
  Speaker 1: of it. Then Gordon's right arm glided out in a
• 3:52:53
  Speaker 1: cautious overhand stroke. But the water was cold, very cold,
• 3:52:58
  Speaker 1: and his left leg felt queer. It would not follow suit.
• 3:53:02
  Speaker 1: The lad struck out with all his might, and the
• 3:53:04
  Speaker 1: struggle sent him under again, down, far down, till the
• 3:53:08
  Speaker 1: roaring in his ears deafened him. He had fasted in
• 3:53:12
  Speaker 1: bitter pain since early morning, and a boy's strength could
• 3:53:15
  Speaker 1: not last forever. As the body rose to the second time,
• 3:53:20
  Speaker 1: one hand touched something floating and clutched it as only
• 3:53:23
  Speaker 1: the drowning can. A plank, short water, soaked and slimy.
• 3:53:28
  Speaker 1: It could bear but little weight. Yet that little was
• 3:53:31
  Speaker 1: much to him. He drew it under his armpit, and
• 3:53:35
  Speaker 1: his lips were above water. Ah, how sweet is God's
• 3:53:38
  Speaker 1: own air? Gordon never knew before how much one breath
• 3:53:42
  Speaker 1: is worth. Then the lad tried to paddle with his
• 3:53:46
  Speaker 1: free hand, but the weight of his cramped legs was
• 3:53:48
  Speaker 1: too great for so feeble a stroke. Still he kept
• 3:53:52
  Speaker 1: on paddling. He must have been making headway without knowing it,
• 3:53:56
  Speaker 1: for at last his hand touched the mossy stones. He
• 3:54:00
  Speaker 1: pulled the plank nearer they seemed to form the wall
• 3:54:03
  Speaker 1: of the passage. He drew himself along beside it. For
• 3:54:06
  Speaker 1: a dozen strokes. The plank stopped abruptly. I have struck
• 3:54:10
  Speaker 1: the other wall. I guess this must be a corner.
• 3:54:14
  Speaker 1: Gordon felt about in the blackness, floating along beside the plank,
• 3:54:19
  Speaker 1: half resting on it, half drawing himself onward by the stones.
• 3:54:23
  Speaker 1: Gordon tried to loosen the plank from the unseen snag
• 3:54:26
  Speaker 1: which held it. A sharp push too sharp. The slimy
• 3:54:31
  Speaker 1: woods slid into the water again, but out of the
• 3:54:33
  Speaker 1: boy's hand. He groped in the black air and blacker water,
• 3:54:38
  Speaker 1: it was gone. Search was useless. Clinging to the stones,
• 3:54:44
  Speaker 1: he dragged himself onward once more. This cannot be a corner,
• 3:54:49
  Speaker 1: he muttered. A moment later. There is another side to it,
• 3:54:52
  Speaker 1: just over there, but it doesn't come over to make
• 3:54:55
  Speaker 1: the point. Oh, I wish I could see for a
• 3:54:58
  Speaker 1: minute only once. Suddenly, his cramped dragging feet struck something hard.
• 3:55:05
  Speaker 1: Crying out with pain, he sank, but not far. The
• 3:55:10
  Speaker 1: roast stone floor was just beneath him, crawling, dragging himself,
• 3:55:14
  Speaker 1: feeling in the blackness a head before each onward movement, slowly, slowly,
• 3:55:19
  Speaker 1: he struggled on. The water is more shallow, he muttered,
• 3:55:24
  Speaker 1: I am going up hill just a little bit now.
• 3:55:26
  Speaker 1: This must be some other passage. I wonder where it ends.
• 3:55:30
  Speaker 1: Oh well, when I am outside, I can see ben
• 3:55:33
  Speaker 1: ender and tell by it which way to go. Hard
• 3:55:37
  Speaker 1: work was warming his weary cold body, and the cramp
• 3:55:40
  Speaker 1: came out of his legs. By and by. At last
• 3:55:43
  Speaker 1: he could crawl, and the water was soon behind him.
• 3:55:47
  Speaker 1: This passage was crooked and narrow. After crossing that first rise,
• 3:55:51
  Speaker 1: which I shut out the water, it went winding, winding,
• 3:55:54
  Speaker 1: with a constant downward slant, Gordon could touch the roof
• 3:55:59
  Speaker 1: with ease, the air long imprisoned. Hadn't it something which
• 3:56:03
  Speaker 1: sucked his breath? He was sure he had called onward
• 3:56:06
  Speaker 1: for an hour or more, But it is hard to
• 3:56:09
  Speaker 1: tell how quickly time passes when a boy is weary
• 3:56:11
  Speaker 1: yet dares not rest. Then he cheered himself by planning
• 3:56:16
  Speaker 1: it could not be much farther. Now, I wonder what
• 3:56:19
  Speaker 1: that John is like. He must be a big man,
• 3:56:22
  Speaker 1: or folks would not call him muckle John. When we
• 3:56:25
  Speaker 1: get mother, we shall have to go down into the dungeons.
• 3:56:29
  Speaker 1: How shall we manage that one? He hand dropped into
• 3:56:33
  Speaker 1: space again, but this time he did not fall. He
• 3:56:37
  Speaker 1: was a wiser lad. Now Gordon groped about in the
• 3:56:40
  Speaker 1: hole below him. His fingers touched something a couple of
• 3:56:44
  Speaker 1: feet lower. It felt like a step. Were these more stairs?
• 3:56:49
  Speaker 1: Dared he drop so far? Without knowing what came next?
• 3:56:53
  Speaker 1: He sat on the edge and explored the thing with
• 3:56:55
  Speaker 1: his toe. It was a step, but one end was
• 3:56:59
  Speaker 1: broken off, and the stone wiggled. How he hated to
• 3:57:03
  Speaker 1: climb down upon such a wobbling thing in that blackness?
• 3:57:06
  Speaker 1: What if he should fall again? Still he must go on,
• 3:57:10
  Speaker 1: for he had no choice. Could he pull back if
• 3:57:14
  Speaker 1: he must? The rocks about him were slippery with slime.
• 3:57:18
  Speaker 1: How could a boy cling to them? At last he
• 3:57:21
  Speaker 1: found one that had something like an edge. Slowly, cautiously,
• 3:57:26
  Speaker 1: Gordon lowered his weight to the dangerous step below. Rested
• 3:57:29
  Speaker 1: a moment, steadied himself, dropped on his knees, then sat down,
• 3:57:33
  Speaker 1: clinging all the while to the mossy stones of the wall.
• 3:57:37
  Speaker 1: A breath of blust foul air was coming from somewhere,
• 3:57:40
  Speaker 1: and the lad drew a deep draft. With one weary toe,
• 3:57:43
  Speaker 1: he explored the lower blackness. There was another step, wide
• 3:57:47
  Speaker 1: and solid near the wall, but broken off half way across.
• 3:57:51
  Speaker 1: The boy slid down on it. He was gaining courage.
• 3:57:54
  Speaker 1: Now one more step was tried. It was better, and
• 3:57:58
  Speaker 1: the dozen forming the rest so the stairs were broad
• 3:58:01
  Speaker 1: and firm. Gordon stood at the foot of the stairs
• 3:58:04
  Speaker 1: and felt about. The arch of the passage was just
• 3:58:07
  Speaker 1: in front of him. It was low, perhaps even lower
• 3:58:10
  Speaker 1: than the one from which he had come, and the
• 3:58:12
  Speaker 1: stone floor was more deeply bedded and moss and slime.
• 3:58:16
  Speaker 1: The air was somewhat better, and this encouraged him. Surely
• 3:58:20
  Speaker 1: God's good out of doors must be drawing near. He
• 3:58:24
  Speaker 1: crawled on eagerly, and had gone a dozen yards or
• 3:58:26
  Speaker 1: more when one gripping hand came upon a little pile
• 3:58:30
  Speaker 1: of small, rough stones, scarcely larger than pebbles. He held
• 3:58:34
  Speaker 1: one in his hand, wondering, These have no moss on
• 3:58:38
  Speaker 1: them at all, and this one is dry, he said aloud.
• 3:58:44
  Speaker 1: As he spoke, something caught his foot. Pull as he would,
• 3:58:48
  Speaker 1: he could not loosen it. The thing he had clenched
• 3:58:50
  Speaker 1: around his ankle and was holding him fast snakes. He gasped,
• 3:58:56
  Speaker 1: struggling wildly, weak and weary. The lag could make but
• 3:59:00
  Speaker 1: a small effort at best. The thing only tightened more
• 3:59:03
  Speaker 1: and more. Catching up a stone, he reached back cautiously
• 3:59:08
  Speaker 1: and struck a sharp blow It yielded a moment, but
• 3:59:12
  Speaker 1: tightened again. A second blow, the slimy rock slipped, and
• 3:59:17
  Speaker 1: he touched not a snake but fingers, a man's fingers,
• 3:59:23
  Speaker 1: russ skinned, long and thin. A muffled voice whispered, who
• 3:59:29
  Speaker 1: are you? End of Chapter seventeen, Sir James of Gordon.
• 3:59:38
  Speaker 1: Gordon did not answer. He was searching for the stone
• 3:59:41
  Speaker 1: lost the moment before. His left hand, groping along the floor,
• 3:59:45
  Speaker 1: found nothing loose but the pile of dry pebbles. His
• 3:59:49
  Speaker 1: right hand, outstretched and trembling, waited to guard against the
• 3:59:53
  Speaker 1: next attack of this unseen foe. The man made no
• 3:59:57
  Speaker 1: further movement, yet he kept whispering who are you now.
• 4:00:03
  Speaker 1: Gordon's left hand began to creep up the wall, vainly,
• 4:00:05
  Speaker 1: hoping to loosen some small rock, But the stones on
• 4:00:09
  Speaker 1: the side of the passage were uncommonly large, square cut,
• 4:00:12
  Speaker 1: and well set in mortar. A moment later, the boy's
• 4:00:15
  Speaker 1: fingers touched the man's arm. Gordon shivered, drew back, waited
• 4:00:20
  Speaker 1: an instant, and felt again. The arm came through a
• 4:00:24
  Speaker 1: small rough hole in the wall. The muffled voice repeated
• 4:00:29
  Speaker 1: who are you, but the lad still kept silence. It
• 4:00:33
  Speaker 1: was only a hand, not a man with which he
• 4:00:36
  Speaker 1: must deal. So he tugged at those clenched fingers with
• 4:00:39
  Speaker 1: all his feeble might. Speak out, You may as well
• 4:00:43
  Speaker 1: obey now as later, but you can not go until
• 4:00:46
  Speaker 1: you do, the muffled voice insisted. Gordon handed breath to
• 4:00:51
  Speaker 1: waste words. He must unclasp those fingers, thin fingers, so thin.
• 4:00:57
  Speaker 1: The lad was almost sorry he had struck them. Something
• 4:01:01
  Speaker 1: dampened the boy's hands as he struggled. The man's fingers
• 4:01:04
  Speaker 1: were bleeding. Such fingers must be weak. Why couldn't he
• 4:01:09
  Speaker 1: loosen them? His own strength was almost gone. The fingers
• 4:01:13
  Speaker 1: held him prisoner. Are you of the old faith or
• 4:01:17
  Speaker 1: the new? I am a Catholic, sir? No brass in
• 4:01:23
  Speaker 1: the ring of that coin. Boy, well spoken? Who are
• 4:01:27
  Speaker 1: you speak out? Child? It is a friend that you
• 4:01:30
  Speaker 1: have met in the darkness. If you were a friend,
• 4:01:34
  Speaker 1: you would let me go, Let you go on following
• 4:01:37
  Speaker 1: blind Duncan ay, that would be kindness. Duncan, sir, you
• 4:01:43
  Speaker 1: are mistaken. I have not seen him, nor will you.
• 4:01:48
  Speaker 1: When boys follow blind Duncan, they go down a passage
• 4:01:51
  Speaker 1: that winds wines, wines for a long, long way. It
• 4:01:55
  Speaker 1: has come downward for a long, long way. It will
• 4:01:58
  Speaker 1: go upward, though never to the light of God's day.
• 4:02:02
  Speaker 1: Bye and bye. The little boy will find again that
• 4:02:04
  Speaker 1: the air sex his breath. Bye and bye. He will
• 4:02:07
  Speaker 1: lay his head down the moss. And you mean there
• 4:02:11
  Speaker 1: is no way out of this passage, no way that
• 4:02:14
  Speaker 1: you would find without. But there is a way, yes,
• 4:02:19
  Speaker 1: yet one so dangerous that it would be tempting. God
• 4:02:21
  Speaker 1: listened a child through it. Were you not in need,
• 4:02:25
  Speaker 1: in need? Would you be here? If you were not
• 4:02:29
  Speaker 1: in need? Ay in sore need? But answer my questions now, lad,
• 4:02:35
  Speaker 1: Afterwards I shall give you what help I can. First
• 4:02:38
  Speaker 1: the old question, who are you? I do not like
• 4:02:42
  Speaker 1: to talk to strangers, sir, what is your own name? Please?
• 4:02:47
  Speaker 1: I told you a friend, become child? You waste time? Friend,
• 4:02:53
  Speaker 1: A mean sort of friend? You are? Gordon never ceased
• 4:02:58
  Speaker 1: tugging at those clenched fingers. Now disappointment and weariness made
• 4:03:02
  Speaker 1: him wink back the tears. A friend would not torment me.
• 4:03:06
  Speaker 1: Why should I think that you are one? I do
• 4:03:08
  Speaker 1: not know you. It would indeed be a very wicked
• 4:03:12
  Speaker 1: man that would not befriend a little boy lost in
• 4:03:14
  Speaker 1: the wicked blind Duncan passage. Let it pass at that.
• 4:03:19
  Speaker 1: Now tell me who are you? Well, I guess I
• 4:03:23
  Speaker 1: have to In truth you must I am the Gordon
• 4:03:29
  Speaker 1: that you are not, sir. It is a chieftain alone
• 4:03:34
  Speaker 1: who is called the Gordon. You are not yet Earl
• 4:03:37
  Speaker 1: of Ravenhurst, my lad, But you are a Gordon, a
• 4:03:40
  Speaker 1: small splinter of the lang sword. The deep voice grew
• 4:03:44
  Speaker 1: strangely tender. You are he that was born ten years
• 4:03:48
  Speaker 1: ago on the feast of our lady in harvest. Sir?
• 4:03:52
  Speaker 1: But how in the world did you learn that the
• 4:03:55
  Speaker 1: muffledones sank lower going could scarcely hear the words. He
• 4:04:00
  Speaker 1: put his ear near the hole, almost touching the man's forearm,
• 4:04:03
  Speaker 1: and listened closely. All day long there has been the
• 4:04:07
  Speaker 1: old foreboding thought the boy is in danger all day long.
• 4:04:12
  Speaker 1: Down here in my dungeon, I have prayed. Now, sweet mother,
• 4:04:16
  Speaker 1: you bring him to me. Then the voice broke sharply,
• 4:04:20
  Speaker 1: and an Margaret, your mother, lad? Did she live or die? Why? Sir,
• 4:04:27
  Speaker 1: she is alive? I mean, I hope, hope, you hope.
• 4:04:32
  Speaker 1: Why don't you know? The man's hand gripped Gordon's ankle
• 4:04:36
  Speaker 1: till the pain shot through him. Keen and sickening answer
• 4:04:40
  Speaker 1: me agony, not anger. It was in a muffled voice, sir,
• 4:04:46
  Speaker 1: I can't talk of these things to a stranger. Who
• 4:04:49
  Speaker 1: are you? Why do you want to know so much
• 4:04:51
  Speaker 1: about me? In my mother? You are hurting my ankle.
• 4:04:54
  Speaker 1: It's sore, poor little one. There. It does not pain, now,
• 4:05:00
  Speaker 1: does it. No? Surely you could not speak of these
• 4:05:03
  Speaker 1: things to a stranger. But you need fear no longer.
• 4:05:07
  Speaker 1: I have the best reason in this wide world for
• 4:05:09
  Speaker 1: asking about you and your mother, my son. I am
• 4:05:13
  Speaker 1: your father, James of Gordon, My father Goron caught that
• 4:05:20
  Speaker 1: thin hand and kissed the damp spots, my own father. Oh,
• 4:05:24
  Speaker 1: why do I always get things wrong? I hit you
• 4:05:27
  Speaker 1: and made you bleed, and you struggling to defend yourself.
• 4:05:32
  Speaker 1: There is no pain, laddie, none whatever. But if there were,
• 4:05:36
  Speaker 1: the joy in my heart would drown. So small a
• 4:05:39
  Speaker 1: thing I know now, the son of mine would never
• 4:05:42
  Speaker 1: make my heart bleed. That is the pain of father, dreads,
• 4:05:45
  Speaker 1: my boy. If you knew the joy it gives me
• 4:05:48
  Speaker 1: to learn. It is my own son's voice that rang
• 4:05:51
  Speaker 1: out so true and clear as you told me your
• 4:05:53
  Speaker 1: faith here in the face of darkness and danger, such
• 4:05:57
  Speaker 1: joy is worth these long years of suffering. The blessed
• 4:06:00
  Speaker 1: Mother of God has watched over you. But your mother, son,
• 4:06:05
  Speaker 1: where is she? Tell me what you know or fear
• 4:06:08
  Speaker 1: about her? What new harm has Bertrand's bond done? Your
• 4:06:12
  Speaker 1: own heart seems full to bursting. Come pour out all
• 4:06:16
  Speaker 1: this trouble, Son. The fingers trembled, as if caressing the boy,
• 4:06:21
  Speaker 1: though still holding him a prisoner. I don't know. Betsy
• 4:06:26
  Speaker 1: thinks she is down in the dungeon. And Uncle Stephen,
• 4:06:30
  Speaker 1: Uncle Stephen, you has spoken with him. What did he say?
• 4:06:35
  Speaker 1: He thought mother must be in some part of the castle,
• 4:06:38
  Speaker 1: perhaps in the north tower, probably that is the prison tower.
• 4:06:43
  Speaker 1: But what reason did he give? Uncle said, mother broke
• 4:06:47
  Speaker 1: some law or other when she told me about you
• 4:06:49
  Speaker 1: and spoke of the faith. And Roger took full advantage
• 4:06:52
  Speaker 1: of his legal right as guardian. No doubt, God help
• 4:06:56
  Speaker 1: me if evil has come to Margaret, buts be gone,
• 4:06:59
  Speaker 1: tell me, oh you know. Then the whole tale was
• 4:07:03
  Speaker 1: told for the second time that day. There is a
• 4:07:06
  Speaker 1: blessing in confession telling the story to Stephen about the
• 4:07:10
  Speaker 1: boy near to his God. And now when it had
• 4:07:13
  Speaker 1: been all poured out again, peace filled his soul, though
• 4:07:17
  Speaker 1: he still sobbed in the darkness, clinging to his father's hand. Well, son,
• 4:07:23
  Speaker 1: if mother is in heaven she knows all this. Or
• 4:07:26
  Speaker 1: if God willing, she is still alive and we find
• 4:07:29
  Speaker 1: her once more, you shall tell her the story, just
• 4:07:32
  Speaker 1: as you have told it to me and to that
• 4:07:34
  Speaker 1: Saint of God, Stephen, then do as she will. Forget it.
• 4:07:41
  Speaker 1: Coue began to hunt for her right now, Father, that
• 4:07:44
  Speaker 1: is impossible. This hole still is too small for me
• 4:07:47
  Speaker 1: to crawl through. Maybe the passage 're in meets this
• 4:07:51
  Speaker 1: one farther on. I am not in a passage. I
• 4:07:55
  Speaker 1: am lying on my face in a tunnel that I
• 4:07:57
  Speaker 1: am making. My feet are a yard two from my home,
• 4:08:01
  Speaker 1: sell eight, third level of fire of the Braised Dungeon,
• 4:08:04
  Speaker 1: beneath the north tower. Even now my legs are cramping.
• 4:08:09
  Speaker 1: You are in a cell of this castle that I am.
• 4:08:13
  Speaker 1: Mother told me the King's dragoons took you years and
• 4:08:16
  Speaker 1: years ago they did. Will they let me go? After
• 4:08:19
  Speaker 1: six months of rack and dungeon, I staggered home to
• 4:08:23
  Speaker 1: Old Ravenhurst one rain swept night. Godfrey found me, too
• 4:08:27
  Speaker 1: weakened to offer resistance. He was for giving me a
• 4:08:31
  Speaker 1: merciful sword thrust, but my gentle brother could not quite
• 4:08:34
  Speaker 1: frank himself to risk murder. Instead, Roger gave me this
• 4:08:38
  Speaker 1: pleasant chamber for the rest of my days. He told
• 4:08:42
  Speaker 1: me about you. He said you are a fine, healthy babe,
• 4:08:45
  Speaker 1: and that he would teach you to curse the very
• 4:08:47
  Speaker 1: name of Catholic. He swore that Ravenhurst should rise at
• 4:08:51
  Speaker 1: the costs of the old cause gold was far better
• 4:08:54
  Speaker 1: than martyr's blood, and fools were all those that put
• 4:08:57
  Speaker 1: trust in God's grace above the favor of king. Of
• 4:09:00
  Speaker 1: your mother, Roger would tell me nothing I had left
• 4:09:04
  Speaker 1: her at the point of death, and the longing to
• 4:09:07
  Speaker 1: know which way the tide of life had turned came
• 4:09:09
  Speaker 1: near to Ah. Well, God's hand has been over us.
• 4:09:15
  Speaker 1: But you you have been alone here in a dungeon
• 4:09:18
  Speaker 1: cell ever since I was a baby. How did you.
• 4:09:22
  Speaker 1: When a man faces life imprisonment in a doorless pit
• 4:09:25
  Speaker 1: thirty feet below the land where God's sun is shining,
• 4:09:28
  Speaker 1: he has the choice of three things which he may do.
• 4:09:32
  Speaker 1: Despair and become a sullen madman, brood over his wrongs
• 4:09:36
  Speaker 1: and become a fiend, or find some work, some business
• 4:09:40
  Speaker 1: which will save both soul and reason. But what work?
• 4:09:44
  Speaker 1: What business? Oh? I know you made this tunnel to
• 4:09:47
  Speaker 1: get out, But that wouldn't take ten years, would it not?
• 4:09:53
  Speaker 1: Grinding out a hole through blocks of granite with one
• 4:09:56
  Speaker 1: small diamond taken from a ring and fastened to a
• 4:09:58
  Speaker 1: rest his spur. Such work is swiftly done. But you
• 4:10:03
  Speaker 1: have been here in this dark night, you, my own father,
• 4:10:07
  Speaker 1: here alone through all the jolly days when I used
• 4:10:10
  Speaker 1: to play with Joel with one finger, the lad explored
• 4:10:13
  Speaker 1: the smooth yet uneven edges of the whole through which
• 4:10:16
  Speaker 1: his father's arm was thrust. Joel ah that Marilyn farmer
• 4:10:22
  Speaker 1: Abel's son. Sir James paused, thinking, perhaps, my son, the
• 4:10:27
  Speaker 1: sorrow may have taught you some things. Jolly days you
• 4:10:31
  Speaker 1: called your old life. Perhaps you've learned that there are
• 4:10:34
  Speaker 1: worse fates than the hard work of a farmer's home.
• 4:10:37
  Speaker 1: Worse fates. I wouldn't give one log of Daddy Abel's
• 4:10:41
  Speaker 1: cabin for all of Castle Ravenhurst. Oh, father, I didn't
• 4:10:45
  Speaker 1: mean that to hurt, of course, if you and mother
• 4:10:48
  Speaker 1: had been here all winter. But folk like Uncle Roger
• 4:10:51
  Speaker 1: don't make home. It's the old log house that's in
• 4:10:54
  Speaker 1: my mind. Whenever I say home, and you would be
• 4:10:58
  Speaker 1: willing to go back to that simple life again, willing
• 4:11:01
  Speaker 1: to go back to Abeles. Do you mean that there
• 4:11:04
  Speaker 1: is any possible way? Yes, there is, but one great
• 4:11:08
  Speaker 1: sacrifice will be necessary if ever we go to Maryland?
• 4:11:12
  Speaker 1: What father, the Coronetta Ravenhurst must be given up forever.
• 4:11:18
  Speaker 1: Long titles and long cabins do not go together. Oh
• 4:11:23
  Speaker 1: is that all I thought? You meant? I must go
• 4:11:25
  Speaker 1: without you or mother? So who taught you that? Lesson? Lesson? What? Lesson?
• 4:11:32
  Speaker 1: Godfy has been teaching me Latin and things? But no,
• 4:11:36
  Speaker 1: this is not one of Burchison's task. Sir Angus strove
• 4:11:40
  Speaker 1: to write it in my mind, or rather in my heart.
• 4:11:43
  Speaker 1: But I learned it, my son, on the day when
• 4:11:45
  Speaker 1: my treason was proved or declared to be before the
• 4:11:49
  Speaker 1: peers of Scotland. I knew the forfeiture had passed. I
• 4:11:53
  Speaker 1: saw the excution of Gordon riven Then I learned it.
• 4:11:57
  Speaker 1: And here in this dungeon went through the black hours.
• 4:11:59
  Speaker 1: I know that with God who had decreed this sorrow
• 4:12:02
  Speaker 1: for me, here imprisoned by my own brother, under my
• 4:12:06
  Speaker 1: own strong battle tower, a branded outlaw whom it were
• 4:12:09
  Speaker 1: a favor to Scotland to kill Spurn from the presence
• 4:12:12
  Speaker 1: of Scotland's king. Here I found the presence chamber of
• 4:12:16
  Speaker 1: the King of Kings. Don't worry about the excution any more, father,
• 4:12:22
  Speaker 1: Uncle Roger told me a lot about it, but he
• 4:12:25
  Speaker 1: used such big words. I understood only that he has
• 4:12:27
  Speaker 1: straightened everything between the Gordons and the king. The lands,
• 4:12:31
  Speaker 1: most of them are ours again, But Uncle Roger paid
• 4:12:34
  Speaker 1: for them with his soul. So my good brother has
• 4:12:38
  Speaker 1: been letting it appear that I am dead. He could
• 4:12:41
  Speaker 1: not have succeeded with that plan. Otherwise, very well, when
• 4:12:45
  Speaker 1: we go to Maryland, it will be to his interest
• 4:12:47
  Speaker 1: to let us remain there in peace, provided he finds
• 4:12:50
  Speaker 1: no means to kill us before we set sail. Such
• 4:12:53
  Speaker 1: a curse would let him slip into the earldom with
• 4:12:56
  Speaker 1: small trouble. Poor weakling, God pity him. Now we must
• 4:13:01
  Speaker 1: face the present. Roger's hunting for you, or soon will be.
• 4:13:05
  Speaker 1: It would take a month to grind this hole large
• 4:13:07
  Speaker 1: enough to be curled through, but a strong man with
• 4:13:10
  Speaker 1: a pick where a crowbar could take out this block
• 4:13:12
  Speaker 1: of stone in less than an hour. You were seeking
• 4:13:15
  Speaker 1: John O the Kloth when I caught you, and he
• 4:13:18
  Speaker 1: is the man we need. But Father, how shall I
• 4:13:21
  Speaker 1: ever find Uncle john O the klooth? I have been
• 4:13:24
  Speaker 1: seeking him so long it seems like always a feeling
• 4:13:28
  Speaker 1: of hopeless weariness surged over him, born of hunger, thirst, exhaustion,
• 4:13:34
  Speaker 1: and the endless aching of his wounds, and the excitement
• 4:13:37
  Speaker 1: of the last hour. These had seemed to dwindle. But
• 4:13:40
  Speaker 1: now a wave of sickening misery slept over him. Small
• 4:13:45
  Speaker 1: wonder you think so? Son? You have traveled on your
• 4:13:48
  Speaker 1: poor knees around Castle Ravenhurst just six times, and were
• 4:13:52
  Speaker 1: on the point of beginning your seventh trip. Margaret had
• 4:13:55
  Speaker 1: sent you by the fireplace passage safe and direct, without
• 4:13:58
  Speaker 1: cross tunnels or danger. But it cannot have been repaired
• 4:14:01
  Speaker 1: these ten years since the floor above the cistern rought
• 4:14:03
  Speaker 1: it through. God's angels must have guarded you a full
• 4:14:08
  Speaker 1: twenty feet you fell. If the best passages in such condition,
• 4:14:12
  Speaker 1: what of the worst? Yet through the worst I must
• 4:14:15
  Speaker 1: send you the wiget death trap of the blind Duncan.
• 4:14:19
  Speaker 1: It was pitted to catch men. God pity the child
• 4:14:22
  Speaker 1: that should fall into one of those holes. They are
• 4:14:25
  Speaker 1: ten feet deep, with mossy sides and paved with pointed spikes,
• 4:14:30
  Speaker 1: and you are already worn, weary, till your brain must
• 4:14:32
  Speaker 1: be dizzy. How long have you been without food? I
• 4:14:37
  Speaker 1: do not know, but never mind, father, The hunger did
• 4:14:40
  Speaker 1: hurt all day, but I have not half so much
• 4:14:43
  Speaker 1: pain now. No, you are living on the excitement in
• 4:14:46
  Speaker 1: the good red blood in your veins. That sort of
• 4:14:49
  Speaker 1: strength does well while it lasts, but it comes to
• 4:14:52
  Speaker 1: a short end sometimes, my child, there is a small
• 4:14:56
  Speaker 1: crust in my cell. I have thought of giving it
• 4:14:59
  Speaker 1: to you before, yet did not, for it is badly molded.
• 4:15:03
  Speaker 1: Still there is some strength in the bread. Gordon heard
• 4:15:08
  Speaker 1: the stealthy movement of the Earl crawling backward through the
• 4:15:10
  Speaker 1: narrow tunnel. In a moment, Sir James returned, and the
• 4:15:14
  Speaker 1: boy reached eagerly for the pitiful fare. Then the Earl
• 4:15:18
  Speaker 1: spoke again, his voice low and clear. Begin at the stairs.
• 4:15:22
  Speaker 1: You descend it a while ago. Count along the floor
• 4:15:25
  Speaker 1: thirty blocks of stone. At this point stand, Scrape off
• 4:15:30
  Speaker 1: the moss where the roof joins the wall, and pull
• 4:15:33
  Speaker 1: down the iron ring you will find there. Twist it
• 4:15:36
  Speaker 1: sharply three times, and pull down. O door will open
• 4:15:39
  Speaker 1: into that upper passage. Go forward past the staircase. Two
• 4:15:44
  Speaker 1: tunnels open there in a y. Take the right hand
• 4:15:47
  Speaker 1: one would to God. I did not have to say
• 4:15:50
  Speaker 1: that to you. You will be in the death trap
• 4:15:53
  Speaker 1: of the blind Duncan. Now feel along the floor with care,
• 4:15:57
  Speaker 1: Count ten stones, change sides the tunnel. Count ten stones,
• 4:16:02
  Speaker 1: and change sides in the tunnel. Count ten stones, and
• 4:16:05
  Speaker 1: change sides again. Do this ten times. You will come
• 4:16:10
  Speaker 1: to short stairs. Go up. You will be in a
• 4:16:13
  Speaker 1: large tunnel and safely out of blind Duncan. There will
• 4:16:17
  Speaker 1: be more light and better air if the ventilators are
• 4:16:19
  Speaker 1: not clogged with old leaves. Five hundred feet from the stairs,
• 4:16:23
  Speaker 1: you will come into the main passage, which you would
• 4:16:25
  Speaker 1: have found hours ago but for that hole in the
• 4:16:28
  Speaker 1: floor above the cistern. Follow the large passage to its
• 4:16:32
  Speaker 1: end in the woods near ben Ender. Go north to
• 4:16:35
  Speaker 1: the Frith. Follow the shore to the fishing village in
• 4:16:38
  Speaker 1: the Kluth and ask for muncle John. Tell him to
• 4:16:41
  Speaker 1: come with what men and weapons you can muster. Tell
• 4:16:44
  Speaker 1: him to bring a pick, shevel and crowbar. Now repeat
• 4:16:47
  Speaker 1: the instructions. The boy did so once, and then again
• 4:16:53
  Speaker 1: another thing resumed. The father. Leave small strips of your
• 4:16:57
  Speaker 1: plaid along the tunnel to mark the returning way. Now go,
• 4:17:01
  Speaker 1: and may God our father keep his hand above my boy.
• 4:17:05
  Speaker 1: The lad's back ached from stooping his head from hunger
• 4:17:09
  Speaker 1: and weariness. Often when trembling, hand slid into some black abyss,
• 4:17:14
  Speaker 1: and you would cling to the mossy stones, quivering. Little
• 4:17:17
  Speaker 1: by little, the slime on the floor gave place to
• 4:17:20
  Speaker 1: moss and damp stone. He climbed the last stairs. Air,
• 4:17:24
  Speaker 1: God's sweet air was drifting from somewhere, and with it
• 4:17:28
  Speaker 1: came a dim gray. In the blackness, he could see
• 4:17:31
  Speaker 1: the floor and the walls at last, and before him,
• 4:17:34
  Speaker 1: only a few yards away, an arch outlined against a
• 4:17:37
  Speaker 1: stronger light. This was the main passage. Oh, such a long,
• 4:17:41
  Speaker 1: mean passage? Did it run beneath all the fields and meadows,
• 4:17:45
  Speaker 1: from Rock Raven to bin Ender, On and on the
• 4:17:48
  Speaker 1: lag crawled for even here there was not space to stand.
• 4:17:52
  Speaker 1: The dull ache of weariness drove all reckoning of time
• 4:17:55
  Speaker 1: from his thoughts. One thing only he knew clearly, Mother
• 4:17:59
  Speaker 1: and Father were there in the dungeon. He must seek
• 4:18:02
  Speaker 1: John of the klooth. Something was shining near him. Gordon
• 4:18:07
  Speaker 1: leaned against the wall and looked. Light an arch of
• 4:18:11
  Speaker 1: real light from God's own out of doors, and across
• 4:18:14
  Speaker 1: that light a branch of swaying in the breeze, a
• 4:18:17
  Speaker 1: branch full of bloods just bursting into leaf. He staggered
• 4:18:21
  Speaker 1: out into the moonlight. Gordon stretched every muscle in his
• 4:18:24
  Speaker 1: tired body, then shivered. The north wind pierced his stamp
• 4:18:28
  Speaker 1: clothing that stiffened as he hurried on last year's leaves
• 4:18:32
  Speaker 1: about his feet were white and glistening, the poles frozen.
• 4:18:36
  Speaker 1: The lad tried to run, beating his arms wildly, but
• 4:18:40
  Speaker 1: the coal could not be thrown off so easily. Suddenly
• 4:18:43
  Speaker 1: he stopped. There came a long, drawn oooo ooo woves.
• 4:18:50
  Speaker 1: Gordon dashed off the bank toward the big oak tree
• 4:18:52
  Speaker 1: at the top of the hill. Though Lad ran as
• 4:18:55
  Speaker 1: if he were not weary, ran as he had never
• 4:18:57
  Speaker 1: run before. But down in the glen, three lean gray
• 4:19:01
  Speaker 1: bodies leaped. They had seen him. He reached the tree,
• 4:19:05
  Speaker 1: the wolf still a few leaps behind. Gordon caught a branch.
• 4:19:10
  Speaker 1: It slipped from his numb fingers, and he fell. They
• 4:19:13
  Speaker 1: were almost upon him. He caught the branch again, climbed
• 4:19:16
  Speaker 1: it from that to another. They were springing at him wildly.
• 4:19:21
  Speaker 1: He could not reach the swaying branch above. Higher still higher,
• 4:19:25
  Speaker 1: leave the crouching forms, their white teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
• 4:19:29
  Speaker 1: Then augusta wind swayed the branch above down toward him.
• 4:19:33
  Speaker 1: He clutched it, drew himself upon it, crawled back to
• 4:19:36
  Speaker 1: the trunk, and clung to the oak safe. No wolf
• 4:19:40
  Speaker 1: could jump so high. They would go away in the morning,
• 4:19:44
  Speaker 1: and it must be almost dawn, thought the layad. But
• 4:19:47
  Speaker 1: hours seemed to pass, and still no hint of coming day.
• 4:19:51
  Speaker 1: The wind blew fiercely through the wood, the oak wood
• 4:19:54
  Speaker 1: on the slope of beIN. Under those small numb hands
• 4:19:57
  Speaker 1: found it hard to hold the lad in the tree crouch.
• 4:20:00
  Speaker 1: The frozen clothing rattled when he moved, and a quick,
• 4:20:03
  Speaker 1: sharp pain shot through him with every breath. Dambledow, the
• 4:20:08
  Speaker 1: wolves waited, snapping at him now and then, with long
• 4:20:11
  Speaker 1: white teeth, their red eyes glowing in the darkness. Where
• 4:20:15
  Speaker 1: there be a dawn for him? At last it came
• 4:20:18
  Speaker 1: a faint flush far off on the waters of the frith,
• 4:20:22
  Speaker 1: but the boy did not see it. He was wondering
• 4:20:24
  Speaker 1: why the blackness about him whirled round and round, while
• 4:20:28
  Speaker 1: the three pairs of red eyes were dancing, dancing and
• 4:20:31
  Speaker 1: whirling round and round. Two arrows hissed from the bushes.
• 4:20:36
  Speaker 1: Two gray watchers leaped high in the air and fell
• 4:20:39
  Speaker 1: with guttural howls. Another shaft flashed the dawning light, and
• 4:20:44
  Speaker 1: the third fell crossed his mates, kicking wildly. Well sped bolts.
• 4:20:49
  Speaker 1: Muckle John, someone shouted, springing from the bracken, three good
• 4:20:54
  Speaker 1: wolf pelts. Afore sun up? What's treed a bairn quick?
• 4:20:59
  Speaker 1: Then hand he'd be a fallen there, steady easy, let
• 4:21:04
  Speaker 1: him doom the wee lairder Gordon, now doodo that hould
• 4:21:10
  Speaker 1: him easy? While I wrap him up in my plaid.
• 4:21:13
  Speaker 1: Would you see the welts on his face? God's mercy
• 4:21:16
  Speaker 1: on the laddie clad in rags, muddy stiff, with cold,
• 4:21:20
  Speaker 1: beaten bloody would make ye oh that it'd be the
• 4:21:24
  Speaker 1: work o yon devil in the castle. And the Gordon
• 4:21:27
  Speaker 1: up and fled to us. God's blessin on our wee chief.
• 4:21:34
  Speaker 1: End of chapter eighteen mucle John. Dawn had come at last,
• 4:21:40
  Speaker 1: A red light was dancing far out on the water.
• 4:21:43
  Speaker 1: The clouds were all afire. Gordon lay in a bed,
• 4:21:47
  Speaker 1: looking out through a doorway. Puzzled where was he? He
• 4:21:52
  Speaker 1: tried to raise his head. It was oddly heavy. Something
• 4:21:57
  Speaker 1: seemed to be weighing it down. He lifted his hand
• 4:22:00
  Speaker 1: to remove the thing and stared long fingers, thin and white,
• 4:22:06
  Speaker 1: blue veins winding in and out among bones. This hand
• 4:22:10
  Speaker 1: was not his. It must belong to a sick girl.
• 4:22:14
  Speaker 1: Some one was speaking in a low tone. Turning his
• 4:22:17
  Speaker 1: head was too wearisome, but his eyes followed the sound.
• 4:22:22
  Speaker 1: A man standing near a fireplace, a rough giant of
• 4:22:25
  Speaker 1: a seaman with a scarred face. The woman beside him
• 4:22:29
  Speaker 1: came swiftly forward as she heard the lad stir haw
• 4:22:32
  Speaker 1: A wee drop of soup my lamb would ye, no, madam?
• 4:22:37
  Speaker 1: He answered, But why did his voice sound so faint
• 4:22:41
  Speaker 1: and queer? No, madam, I cannot state to eat. If
• 4:22:46
  Speaker 1: you will unfasten that thing which is holding my head down.
• 4:22:50
  Speaker 1: Bless the soul, O my barney. Nothing be there save
• 4:22:53
  Speaker 1: a damp cloth. Yet if the weight troubles ye, i'll
• 4:22:58
  Speaker 1: it does not trouble me, madam. If it holds me down,
• 4:23:01
  Speaker 1: and I must go to find Uncle John O the kluth,
• 4:23:04
  Speaker 1: And what would my chief have me to do? The
• 4:23:08
  Speaker 1: burly fisherman bent close to here, but Gordon's eyes grew
• 4:23:11
  Speaker 1: suddenly wild weakness seemed to vanish. He sprang forward, staring
• 4:23:17
  Speaker 1: at an old collie that had slipped in, snatched the
• 4:23:20
  Speaker 1: wolf from the woman's hand and flung it at the dog, crying,
• 4:23:23
  Speaker 1: I hit him. That's one wolf done for. But there
• 4:23:26
  Speaker 1: are so many eyes, red eyes, going round and round,
• 4:23:30
  Speaker 1: and the dawn will it never come? I can't hold
• 4:23:35
  Speaker 1: on any His voice showed off into silence as he
• 4:23:40
  Speaker 1: sank back on the pillow. Aye, there he goes off again,
• 4:23:45
  Speaker 1: moaned the woman. If we do not get yon fever done,
• 4:23:49
  Speaker 1: there be no wee chief o Raven come sunset Na
• 4:23:53
  Speaker 1: gnaw Genie, the wee Gordon cann die all the hope
• 4:23:57
  Speaker 1: of the clamby in him. Muckle John sat by the
• 4:24:01
  Speaker 1: lad all day now, and then he sponged the hot
• 4:24:05
  Speaker 1: body gently, so gently the boy did not stir, or
• 4:24:09
  Speaker 1: he roused the lad to give him a drink of soup.
• 4:24:12
  Speaker 1: Hour after hour he watched for a glimmer of returning consciousness,
• 4:24:16
  Speaker 1: and all the while the beads slipped through his iron
• 4:24:19
  Speaker 1: muscled fingers as he pleaded it with God's Mother for
• 4:24:22
  Speaker 1: his chieftain and for Clan Gordon. The sun was setting.
• 4:24:26
  Speaker 1: Long shafts of light glinted along the heather, under the
• 4:24:29
  Speaker 1: oak branches, and through the cottage window until they danced
• 4:24:33
  Speaker 1: over Gordon's face. Then the deep blue eyes opened, clear
• 4:24:38
  Speaker 1: and quiet. The moment had come. Muckle John leaned forward.
• 4:24:43
  Speaker 1: His rugged face was gentle, his voice low as a
• 4:24:46
  Speaker 1: mother's crooning along the bye. Yet in his eyes was
• 4:24:50
  Speaker 1: the coming fury, still controlled, like the sea along the
• 4:24:54
  Speaker 1: highland coast, rolling its oily billows before the storm. I
• 4:24:59
  Speaker 1: be your muckle John who beat ye uncle Roger. But
• 4:25:05
  Speaker 1: it is not for that. I came my big John.
• 4:25:09
  Speaker 1: Mother she's gone. I don't know where father, he's living
• 4:25:14
  Speaker 1: Dungeon North Tower, and he said. The voice was dying low,
• 4:25:21
  Speaker 1: yet the words fell one by one before the eyelids
• 4:25:23
  Speaker 1: drooped again. Mugu John took down his old claymore and
• 4:25:27
  Speaker 1: tiptoed out into the sunset. Men sprang up from doors,
• 4:25:31
  Speaker 1: half hidden in the heather, and sped toward him. Aye,
• 4:25:35
  Speaker 1: he growled, iha news, for ye Roger beat the wee
• 4:25:39
  Speaker 1: chief and would have murdered him. God give me strength
• 4:25:42
  Speaker 1: O arm till I deal the weaklin his portion with
• 4:25:46
  Speaker 1: a gally whip. Blow for blow I will pay him
• 4:25:48
  Speaker 1: afore I thank him. Fall sea where towers tip oot
• 4:25:52
  Speaker 1: far oot till he falls on the wave, beat rocks below.
• 4:25:56
  Speaker 1: More Here, ye, sir Jamie, be alive, and call in
• 4:25:59
  Speaker 1: the clan speed g All to rock Raven. The red
• 4:26:04
  Speaker 1: had not left the waters of the Frith when all
• 4:26:06
  Speaker 1: that were loyal still of Clan Gordon were flying hotfoot
• 4:26:09
  Speaker 1: to the rescue. Muchael John, grandson of Tam the Armorer,
• 4:26:14
  Speaker 1: his six bold sons, his crew of fishermen, rude fellows
• 4:26:18
  Speaker 1: with narrowed hands and shaggy beards. Old Donald, last of
• 4:26:22
  Speaker 1: those chained to war by Angus Gordon Davy, trailing the
• 4:26:26
  Speaker 1: scabbard of his father's sword and panting to keep pace
• 4:26:29
  Speaker 1: with the men. They had been crawling a long while
• 4:26:32
  Speaker 1: in the tunnel when a whisper floated back. No signs
• 4:26:36
  Speaker 1: of the plaid yet, and here be the three arched openings.
• 4:26:41
  Speaker 1: Donald slipped forward. He felt along the arches and reported,
• 4:26:45
  Speaker 1: thraw crosses, gnaw, gnaw that be the blind ducan keep
• 4:26:50
  Speaker 1: oot twell crosses. I had no mind all that, and
• 4:26:54
  Speaker 1: cross gnaw it be the way? What ends? Up on
• 4:26:57
  Speaker 1: the south front o Seaward Tower, neither fireplace too far
• 4:27:01
  Speaker 1: from the north tower by the tall crossway. Will Hat
• 4:27:05
  Speaker 1: to go to cream, Muckle John and the clan crept
• 4:27:08
  Speaker 1: on to the crawling man. It seemed hours later that
• 4:27:12
  Speaker 1: Muckle John's voice drifted slowly back light ahead, never a
• 4:27:17
  Speaker 1: sound that a rat could hear. Dirk suit. The light
• 4:27:22
  Speaker 1: drew near a bar of yellow darting out from the
• 4:27:24
  Speaker 1: side wall. A voice driped up the silence. Tell that
• 4:27:29
  Speaker 1: lie again, Betsy, and I'll but it's the truth, Master
• 4:27:34
  Speaker 1: God free truth. Don't think to fool me. That boy
• 4:27:38
  Speaker 1: did not fly out the window or crawl through the keyhole.
• 4:27:41
  Speaker 1: You open the door. You know who did mind? I
• 4:27:45
  Speaker 1: saw you whispering at the crack, Sir, I did, But
• 4:27:49
  Speaker 1: say lie again, and I'll bash your head in. Muncle
• 4:27:54
  Speaker 1: John hurled his bulk against the wall. The panel crashed.
• 4:27:58
  Speaker 1: Struggling through, he caught a beam my one hand and
• 4:28:00
  Speaker 1: dropped Godfrey world to face the giant fisherman's dirk gleaming
• 4:28:05
  Speaker 1: in the candle light. Give a sound, and I'll drive
• 4:28:08
  Speaker 1: my dirk through the black heart. Oh ye devil's blood
• 4:28:11
  Speaker 1: howl that ye be then Glancing at Betsy, he said gently, ha, no,
• 4:28:16
  Speaker 1: fear child, we be more rough in look than indeed
• 4:28:20
  Speaker 1: Lang Andrew care for the lass. Let no ill befall her.
• 4:28:25
  Speaker 1: Now as for ye Godfrey son, O bertrand if ye
• 4:28:29
  Speaker 1: love your foul life, O wee yo answer me true?
• 4:28:32
  Speaker 1: Were be the keys of the dungeons on a peg
• 4:28:36
  Speaker 1: in Sir Roger's room? He's lying, whispered Betsy. Godfrey snarled,
• 4:28:44
  Speaker 1: looked at Michael John's knife, drew the keys from his
• 4:28:46
  Speaker 1: doublet and handed them to John. Where be the cells, oh,
• 4:28:50
  Speaker 1: Sir James and Lady Margaret. An ugly smile crossed Godfrey's face.
• 4:28:57
  Speaker 1: I'll tell that gladly. The Earl's third level, second quarter
• 4:29:01
  Speaker 1: Sell eight fire, the brace dungeon, the lady second level,
• 4:29:05
  Speaker 1: fourth quarter Sell three. I'll even say what you can
• 4:29:09
  Speaker 1: find there. And my lord, the Earl's apartment is a whole,
• 4:29:13
  Speaker 1: a sort of tunnel leading into the blind duncan, and
• 4:29:16
  Speaker 1: the boudoir of my lady the Countess is a hole
• 4:29:19
  Speaker 1: similar to the one through which you have just come.
• 4:29:22
  Speaker 1: As to the Earl and his lady, we had thought
• 4:29:25
  Speaker 1: they were with you. Now we know exactly where they
• 4:29:28
  Speaker 1: are you have the boy, keep him. Can you prove
• 4:29:32
  Speaker 1: before the courts of Scotland that he is the heir?
• 4:29:35
  Speaker 1: His parents will not aid you, because dead men tell
• 4:29:38
  Speaker 1: no tales. Tomorrow we shall drag the cistern for their bodies.
• 4:29:43
  Speaker 1: Their residence in the pool does not make the water
• 4:29:45
  Speaker 1: too wholesome. Stay for the funeral and bid the brat
• 4:29:48
  Speaker 1: come from the glen to be chief mourner. You are
• 4:29:51
  Speaker 1: quite welcome. He ended with a curse and a laugh.
• 4:29:57
  Speaker 1: Keep the name, O God, off that foul tongue, O yours.
• 4:30:00
  Speaker 1: If ye be tellin a lie, I think I'll durk ye.
• 4:30:03
  Speaker 1: If ye be tellin the truth, I know I will
• 4:30:06
  Speaker 1: ye be so, or wise an all knowin it be
• 4:30:09
  Speaker 1: a bitter pity old Satan Hannah, give ye a seat
• 4:30:12
  Speaker 1: on his council bench of four. Now watch, an will
• 4:30:16
  Speaker 1: keep this devil's darlin under your wings. Drk him if
• 4:30:19
  Speaker 1: he makes a sound. From the lower end of the
• 4:30:22
  Speaker 1: hall came a sentinel's tread. Muncle John crept out of
• 4:30:26
  Speaker 1: the room and crouched in the shadow. No, no night,
• 4:30:30
  Speaker 1: an all is real, the deep voice echoed through the
• 4:30:33
  Speaker 1: empty quarters. Do not be so sure, o that Muncle John,
• 4:30:38
  Speaker 1: whispered as he sprang on the sentry's back and clasped
• 4:30:42
  Speaker 1: one mighty hand over his mouth. A short struggle, a
• 4:30:46
  Speaker 1: fall their faces met. Edwin gasped, Muncle John at yer service,
• 4:30:53
  Speaker 1: What brings thee? Here be they all safe? Wi Ye
• 4:30:56
  Speaker 1: in the klooth the boy is? But then where be
• 4:31:00
  Speaker 1: the laird and his lady? Whiles we were searching the
• 4:31:03
  Speaker 1: secret ways, I found Sir Jamie. I helped him oot an,
• 4:31:07
  Speaker 1: we got the lady an benson oot. Then I went
• 4:31:10
  Speaker 1: for food, came back and could not find them at all.
• 4:31:15
  Speaker 1: Halt or I fire. Old Donald's voice rang out. Uncle
• 4:31:20
  Speaker 1: John whirled. Godfrey was half way at the corridor, running
• 4:31:24
  Speaker 1: for his life. Halt the time worn hack but blazed.
• 4:31:29
  Speaker 1: But Donald's aim was not what it had been in
• 4:31:31
  Speaker 1: by gone days. The bullet flattened against the wall. Godfrey
• 4:31:36
  Speaker 1: dodged behind a pillar around the corner and was lost.
• 4:31:39
  Speaker 1: His voice echoed back, sounding the alarm. Edwin whispered, quick
• 4:31:45
  Speaker 1: this way the kitchen stairs. They'll be afore us. The
• 4:31:49
  Speaker 1: outlaws dashed for the stairs, plunged up and stopped. Short
• 4:31:53
  Speaker 1: arms were clanking in the upper hall. Sir Roger's voice
• 4:31:56
  Speaker 1: fat in order shoot the first head that comes above.
• 4:31:59
  Speaker 1: The step bottled in the stairway. Came Godfrey's yell. With
• 4:32:05
  Speaker 1: it was the sound of hurried marching. In the lower corridor.
• 4:32:08
  Speaker 1: There was a faint scratching sound near Muncle John's head.
• 4:32:12
  Speaker 1: He glanced up. A crack was slowly widening as four
• 4:32:15
  Speaker 1: slender fingers strove to slit a panel back. They heard
• 4:32:19
  Speaker 1: Lady Margaret, Slow, quick John, open it for me. The
• 4:32:25
  Speaker 1: Fisherman's mighty shoves and the panel back swiftly silently. The
• 4:32:29
  Speaker 1: men of Clan Gordon crowded into the dark passage. Muckle
• 4:32:33
  Speaker 1: John saw the secret door shut, and they lay still.
• 4:32:37
  Speaker 1: Fire Godfrey's voice snarled from below. A volley of shots
• 4:32:42
  Speaker 1: spat up the stairs. Fire roger echoed from above, a
• 4:32:47
  Speaker 1: volley spat down charge. Footsteps thundered above and below. They
• 4:32:54
  Speaker 1: stopped uncertainly. No one here, sir, ay, sir, nobody here.
• 4:33:03
  Speaker 1: End of chapter nineteen. Gordon forgotten our lady. The clanking
• 4:33:10
  Speaker 1: tramp echoed in quarters above and below, then died away.
• 4:33:14
  Speaker 1: Muncle John came Lady Margaret's agonized whisper, My boy, did
• 4:33:20
  Speaker 1: he reach you? I my lady. The fisherman paused, how
• 4:33:25
  Speaker 1: could he tell her of that wasted, wounded bairn gasping
• 4:33:29
  Speaker 1: on the cott at home. Ay, my lady, he did
• 4:33:34
  Speaker 1: speak out, Muncle John, true kindness will make you tell
• 4:33:37
  Speaker 1: me the worst. It is much so much to be
• 4:33:40
  Speaker 1: sure he reached you in teenie, Ay my lady. He
• 4:33:44
  Speaker 1: hob been with off all the first. Do not fear
• 4:33:47
  Speaker 1: o'er much. We still hall hopes. He was all wounded,
• 4:33:51
  Speaker 1: wetted and weak and weary. Then the bitter north wind
• 4:33:54
  Speaker 1: struck him. I did not find him till mornin' an
• 4:33:57
  Speaker 1: he was oot o'er his head by then, young fever,
• 4:34:00
  Speaker 1: do get a baron flighty so fast? He did not
• 4:34:03
  Speaker 1: get his wits till this eve at sundoon. So we
• 4:34:06
  Speaker 1: did not hear Sir Jamie's orders till then, ten days
• 4:34:09
  Speaker 1: on the way. He must think us grand and fine naggers. No, No,
• 4:34:14
  Speaker 1: the Earl knows you too well to doubt your loyalty.
• 4:34:18
  Speaker 1: He feared that Gordon had never reached you, and he
• 4:34:20
  Speaker 1: has been searching the death pits of the blind duncan
• 4:34:22
  Speaker 1: ever since be the lair There no mucle John. He
• 4:34:28
  Speaker 1: and Stephen went to Hark. I hear them coming, James,
• 4:34:34
  Speaker 1: who is with you, Margaret, Muncle John, Donald, Edmund and
• 4:34:38
  Speaker 1: the rest of the brave lads from m klooth. Gordon
• 4:34:41
  Speaker 1: is safe in Jeannie's care, ill with lung fever. Thank
• 4:34:45
  Speaker 1: God they have my boy, Muncle John. Aye, Sir Stephen
• 4:34:50
  Speaker 1: has the sacred vessels. But it cut to the heart
• 4:34:53
  Speaker 1: to leave the sacred stone. We could not lift so
• 4:34:56
  Speaker 1: great a weight. Take your sons and get it a
• 4:35:00
  Speaker 1: sir Donald. Ay sir, if I put you into the
• 4:35:05
  Speaker 1: fireplace passage, do you know how to lead out without
• 4:35:07
  Speaker 1: crossing the cistern? Ay sir? Do you remember where we
• 4:35:11
  Speaker 1: hid the chest of gold? Ay sir Guy Mucle John,
• 4:35:15
  Speaker 1: and then get the chest, ay Sir Edwin. I sir,
• 4:35:21
  Speaker 1: could you get the dungeon keys? Ay, sir Mucle John
• 4:35:25
  Speaker 1: has them? Are need the clan and the dungeon cells?
• 4:35:29
  Speaker 1: Ay sir, No a few there be Peter Exkipper o,
• 4:35:32
  Speaker 1: the Saint Andrew Roger haw A. Guess that Peter helped
• 4:35:35
  Speaker 1: to hide the bairn An. I trust you, Edwin, release
• 4:35:40
  Speaker 1: all innocent men of Clan Gordon. But how will you
• 4:35:42
  Speaker 1: manage it? Godfrey's men be chasing o'er the North tower,
• 4:35:47
  Speaker 1: the kitchens, wine cellar and such. For us I can
• 4:35:50
  Speaker 1: lead the lads by the death chap, Oh the blind duncan,
• 4:35:53
  Speaker 1: for I know the tricks, and he's as leaf searching
• 4:35:55
  Speaker 1: the pit, Oh the old black horny as there good,
• 4:36:00
  Speaker 1: we shall all meet where the three arches open into
• 4:36:02
  Speaker 1: the main tunnel. Ay, Sir Don's arrows began nipping the
• 4:36:08
  Speaker 1: wave crests of the firth. But down where the three
• 4:36:11
  Speaker 1: arches opened from deeper to lesser darkness, the clam was
• 4:36:14
  Speaker 1: still waiting late comers. If we buy longer in the silence,
• 4:36:19
  Speaker 1: we shall hear the spiders of Spinnin', growled young Davy
• 4:36:24
  Speaker 1: Na Na laughed Peter, Ye never do hear their shuttles clack,
• 4:36:28
  Speaker 1: But my lad ye'll soon feel how well the old
• 4:36:31
  Speaker 1: granio the weavers do bite. See yon muc o Lassie
• 4:36:34
  Speaker 1: crawling nigh your hand. See be ye stark mad who
• 4:36:39
  Speaker 1: can see here? Shut your eyes, Peter, came Edwin's swift command.
• 4:36:45
  Speaker 1: Sir Jamie as well, and all the lads for the
• 4:36:48
  Speaker 1: third level dungeon. Ye have lived o'er along in the
• 4:36:50
  Speaker 1: black night. Can ye ladies give me kerchiefs? I must
• 4:36:54
  Speaker 1: bind their eyes now full sunlight that will go into
• 4:36:58
  Speaker 1: as we pass with the tunnel would turn them stone blind.
• 4:37:02
  Speaker 1: God bless you, whispered the earl as Edwin made the
• 4:37:05
  Speaker 1: bandage a secure God bless you. WI tis little else
• 4:37:09
  Speaker 1: but wishes your poor chief has to give. Let Donald lead,
• 4:37:14
  Speaker 1: he knows the way. As the last comers arrived, Clan
• 4:37:19
  Speaker 1: Gordon crawled forward. Slowly. The light grew, until at long
• 4:37:23
  Speaker 1: last the arching end of the tunnel was near and
• 4:37:26
  Speaker 1: across at a nodding spray. Oh James, I wish you
• 4:37:30
  Speaker 1: could see this only one tossing branch of heather, with
• 4:37:33
  Speaker 1: dewdrops glistening on half open buds, and God's own glass
• 4:37:37
  Speaker 1: sunshine over all. And so I shall comraded arms. So
• 4:37:42
  Speaker 1: I shall one day when we three, you and our
• 4:37:46
  Speaker 1: boy and I wander through the wild green forests of
• 4:37:49
  Speaker 1: our ladies land beyond the sea. But hark not so fast, Donald,
• 4:37:54
  Speaker 1: something is clanking among the oaks. Move that heather with
• 4:37:57
  Speaker 1: your claymore, but keep under cover. Donald touched the root sharply. Crack,
• 4:38:04
  Speaker 1: a bullet flattened against the arch. Then a laugh floaded
• 4:38:07
  Speaker 1: in from that outer world, and on it Roger snarl.
• 4:38:11
  Speaker 1: Come on in a warm welcome to you. Godfrey is
• 4:38:14
  Speaker 1: waiting with the passage opens near the old ruin. The
• 4:38:17
  Speaker 1: seaward opening is well guarded. Come out, and a dose
• 4:38:20
  Speaker 1: of lead to each. Crawl back and pass the other two.
• 4:38:24
  Speaker 1: If you dare, stay where you are and die. Those
• 4:38:28
  Speaker 1: old pitted rattles make fine graves. We shall have to
• 4:38:32
  Speaker 1: tunnel out. The earlsary voice had still in it the
• 4:38:36
  Speaker 1: ring a steel hark What be that Stephen Douglas, Na
• 4:38:42
  Speaker 1: gna that canno be? But it be see the all
• 4:38:46
  Speaker 1: gray cloak o him. Oh he must know there be
• 4:38:50
  Speaker 1: a thousand pounds on him, dead or livin'. It'll be
• 4:38:53
  Speaker 1: his death, for Roger sees harky be speakin' lads. The
• 4:39:00
  Speaker 1: Stephen Douglas rang clear and steady. Lads, Your guns are
• 4:39:04
  Speaker 1: leveled at Sir James and Lady Margaret. What harm have
• 4:39:07
  Speaker 1: they done you? It can't be the Earl he's dead,
• 4:39:12
  Speaker 1: But it is the Earl. See the heather branches were parting,
• 4:39:17
  Speaker 1: and the prisoner, clutching the stone with one hand, was
• 4:39:20
  Speaker 1: drawing himself erect before them. The Earl. This, the Earl jeered,
• 4:39:25
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger. Stephen Douglas never lies. It was the Captain
• 4:39:30
  Speaker 1: of the Guards, speaking the Gordon, that old cheer was
• 4:39:35
  Speaker 1: scarcely more than a murmur somewhere in the ranks. Then
• 4:39:38
  Speaker 1: it came in a long peal of thunder the Gordon,
• 4:39:41
  Speaker 1: the Gordon, welcome home, kind Laird thrice, welcome fowls, guessed
• 4:39:48
  Speaker 1: Sir Roger dismay, because he had no Godfrey to prompt
• 4:39:51
  Speaker 1: him in this extremity, Foles. Can that wandering baggar make
• 4:39:55
  Speaker 1: you believe a lie? That madman of the gray Cloak
• 4:39:58
  Speaker 1: that hounded outlaw? Do you believe him? Would you call
• 4:40:02
  Speaker 1: this old wretch by the rocks the Earl of Ravenhurst.
• 4:40:05
  Speaker 1: Were my brother James of Gordon living, he would be
• 4:40:07
  Speaker 1: a nobleman in his prime? Foals? Can you call that
• 4:40:11
  Speaker 1: vile old dungeon ratic criminal? An earl and my brother? Sir?
• 4:40:18
  Speaker 1: The Captain spoke curtly, Sir, the ballots of your dungeons
• 4:40:23
  Speaker 1: are not over careful of the personal appearance of prisoners.
• 4:40:27
  Speaker 1: This is the Earl Stephen Douglas has said it. See
• 4:40:31
  Speaker 1: Lady Margaret is stepping out beside him to lay her
• 4:40:34
  Speaker 1: hand on his arm. Sir, you can command us no longer.
• 4:40:38
  Speaker 1: Our allegiance is to the Earl ay lads the cheer.
• 4:40:43
  Speaker 1: Then the roar broke from a hundred throats, until benender
• 4:40:46
  Speaker 1: Re echoed the old war cry, the Gordon, the Gordon
• 4:40:49
  Speaker 1: forgotten our lady. Sir Roger turned swiftly and stirred up
• 4:40:54
  Speaker 1: the path. Not even the stiffness of wounded vanity could
• 4:40:57
  Speaker 1: hide the writhing of his sallow face. He knew when
• 4:41:01
  Speaker 1: had he ever forgotten it? Very Scullions of Ravenhurst had
• 4:41:05
  Speaker 1: nothing but contempt for the weakling of the House of Gordon.
• 4:41:09
  Speaker 1: The Earl drew his hand across his eyes. The band
• 4:41:12
  Speaker 1: each was wet with tears. God, bless you. You are
• 4:41:16
  Speaker 1: Gordon's and Clan Gordon was ever true. Do not judge
• 4:41:20
  Speaker 1: poor Roger overhard. He is not the strength of will
• 4:41:23
  Speaker 1: that goes with the Gordon blood. Poor fellow, he has
• 4:41:26
  Speaker 1: gone down with the evil tide more than he have done,
• 4:41:30
  Speaker 1: that admitted the Captain. Not all of us, though Edwin
• 4:41:35
  Speaker 1: never failed to make his easter, others risked it when
• 4:41:39
  Speaker 1: most of us up at the castle, Sir, myself among them,
• 4:41:43
  Speaker 1: most of us have gone down with the evil tide. Still,
• 4:41:47
  Speaker 1: now that you are again with us, my Lord, we
• 4:41:49
  Speaker 1: will God helping us. We will stand with you again.
• 4:41:53
  Speaker 1: Forgotten our lady, Ay, my laird, cried Edwin, give us
• 4:41:58
  Speaker 1: the word, only give us the word. We'll help rock
• 4:42:01
  Speaker 1: Graven for ye. Afore the sons of the nun o
• 4:42:03
  Speaker 1: the dial no Roger may have Castle Ravenhurst, and whatever
• 4:42:09
  Speaker 1: of this world's goods goes with it, Sir broke in,
• 4:42:13
  Speaker 1: Uncle John fiercely, ye will now give yer rights to
• 4:42:16
  Speaker 1: Yon traitor. Let it pass, ye, brave hearted clansman. Is
• 4:42:21
  Speaker 1: it so much that is given to him? Even here
• 4:42:24
  Speaker 1: in this world? Is there nothing better than piles of
• 4:42:27
  Speaker 1: ivy mantled stone and heaps of golden treasure? We ol?
• 4:42:32
  Speaker 1: Sir Jamie Edwin raised his hand in the old salute.
• 4:42:36
  Speaker 1: If ye ye not care to take rock Graven for
• 4:42:38
  Speaker 1: yer brother, blood be thicker nor water an ye have
• 4:42:41
  Speaker 1: forgiven heart, we could make ye a snug hold on
• 4:42:45
  Speaker 1: a high krag and a heart open ender. I have
• 4:42:48
  Speaker 1: a better plan to offer. Erecting a fortress means the
• 4:42:52
  Speaker 1: beginning of a feud, and the end of that we
• 4:42:55
  Speaker 1: all know. More Gordons would die in battle, more orphans
• 4:42:59
  Speaker 1: wail for bread. The cause for which our father stood
• 4:43:02
  Speaker 1: is dead in Scotland, though not forever. It is to
• 4:43:06
  Speaker 1: the new world we should turn our eyes. They are
• 4:43:08
  Speaker 1: the old cause lives anew ay, shouted the captain of
• 4:43:13
  Speaker 1: the guard. Ay, my lord, would ye lead us there?
• 4:43:17
  Speaker 1: That is a plan worth hearing. If sailor's tales be true,
• 4:43:20
  Speaker 1: red men roaming the wild wood and trading you fur
• 4:43:23
  Speaker 1: fit for a king's robe through the tune of a
• 4:43:25
  Speaker 1: few glass beads, Aye, lads, and Spanish gold. No, no,
• 4:43:31
  Speaker 1: I am not promising fortune in the new world. It
• 4:43:34
  Speaker 1: is not a land where gold is picked up by
• 4:43:36
  Speaker 1: the handful, and jewels shine like drops of dew on
• 4:43:39
  Speaker 1: a May morning. These are but sailor's tails. Those who
• 4:43:44
  Speaker 1: follow me to Maryland must go for one reason, to
• 4:43:47
  Speaker 1: find a spot where we can be free to worship
• 4:43:49
  Speaker 1: the Lord, our God. There are few priests know in Scotland.
• 4:43:53
  Speaker 1: Soon even these will be gone. Without priests and sacraments,
• 4:43:57
  Speaker 1: the faith must die among our children. Years ago, Baltimore
• 4:44:01
  Speaker 1: told me about his colony. Do not hope for gold,
• 4:44:05
  Speaker 1: for you will find hardships instead. On the way we
• 4:44:08
  Speaker 1: shall suffer. We may face starvation in Maryland. We shall
• 4:44:12
  Speaker 1: suffer much, at least during the months before the first harvest.
• 4:44:17
  Speaker 1: Even after the worst is over, there will be hard
• 4:44:19
  Speaker 1: work in grinding poverty all our lives. But we shall
• 4:44:23
  Speaker 1: be free men in a free land. We shall adore
• 4:44:25
  Speaker 1: God as our souls cry ot to do. We shall
• 4:44:28
  Speaker 1: bear our children in the faith. How many are willing
• 4:44:31
  Speaker 1: to follow me? Sir Old Donald's trembling hand risen salute
• 4:44:38
  Speaker 1: Clan Gordon, however, followed the chief, I be at your service,
• 4:44:42
  Speaker 1: Muncle John, do not be all day with your eyes, sir.
• 4:44:47
  Speaker 1: The fisherman drew a bit of heather through his fingers
• 4:44:50
  Speaker 1: and looked off across the sea, never to know Scotland more,
• 4:44:55
  Speaker 1: never to smell the wind o mornin, blowin fresh fowl
• 4:44:57
  Speaker 1: o'er the heath, never to watch the on a rise
• 4:45:00
  Speaker 1: and oot o the waters, o the frith, glintin' along
• 4:45:03
  Speaker 1: the white caps, redden in the snow on the head
• 4:45:06
  Speaker 1: open under, callin and callin' the fisher's home. Muccle John
• 4:45:10
  Speaker 1: Tampson know the kluth, cried Donald, eye, be the last
• 4:45:14
  Speaker 1: man I'd take for a lagger. Lagger who be laggin
• 4:45:19
  Speaker 1: all the clam be gone, save Edwin. His old mother
• 4:45:22
  Speaker 1: be past ninety and bedridden. He kin no come till
• 4:45:25
  Speaker 1: he lays her in the kirkyard. All the clam be gone.
• 4:45:29
  Speaker 1: But it cuts, man, it cuts, And I have a
• 4:45:32
  Speaker 1: greater burden to lay on your shoulders. My brave muckle John,
• 4:45:36
  Speaker 1: you are the best demon among us. It falls to
• 4:45:39
  Speaker 1: your lot to be skipper of the ship the Bear's
• 4:45:41
  Speaker 1: Clan Gordon overseas, Sir, I be no fit for that.
• 4:45:46
  Speaker 1: I'd dan ye all in Davy's locker. You need a
• 4:45:49
  Speaker 1: deep seas man. By the time we found such a captain,
• 4:45:53
  Speaker 1: what would Sir Roger have done, got traw Briggs or
• 4:45:56
  Speaker 1: more to guard the mouth of the Frith. If go
• 4:45:59
  Speaker 1: it be go we must with the morning tide afore
• 4:46:02
  Speaker 1: sun up. Peter could take the Saint Andrew with the
• 4:46:05
  Speaker 1: seasoned crew. The women and bairns and goods are most value.
• 4:46:09
  Speaker 1: I could take the Nancy Kits with the land lover crew.
• 4:46:12
  Speaker 1: Then we'd run it for the Irish coast, where we
• 4:46:14
  Speaker 1: might pick up a deep seas captain, food and such
• 4:46:18
  Speaker 1: well planned muckle John. There we could get your altar
• 4:46:21
  Speaker 1: wine Father Stephen. But the priest was shaking his head. No,
• 4:46:27
  Speaker 1: my duty is here. The few Gordons you cannot go
• 4:46:30
  Speaker 1: with you must not be left without the sacraments. You, oh,
• 4:46:35
  Speaker 1: do not stay Betty. Margaret paused it would be useless
• 4:46:40
  Speaker 1: to plead with her brother. She knew his noble heart
• 4:46:43
  Speaker 1: too well. Muckle John called the earl sharply, what are
• 4:46:48
  Speaker 1: you doing beyond that heather bush the dungeonhog. Give ye
• 4:46:52
  Speaker 1: eyes in the back of your head, growled the fisherman
• 4:46:55
  Speaker 1: under his breath. My laird, I hought a wee biddle
• 4:46:58
  Speaker 1: business to be done, And that business is it is lief.
• 4:47:03
  Speaker 1: Not tell ye, my laird, out with that business, John,
• 4:47:08
  Speaker 1: your blood is up weel Then, Sir Jamie, ye may
• 4:47:13
  Speaker 1: have settled score with Yon Trader, but I hast to
• 4:47:15
  Speaker 1: warn afore the clan too, with the sin of vengeance
• 4:47:19
  Speaker 1: on your soul. The day before ye faith death on
• 4:47:21
  Speaker 1: the high seas. Sin it be no sin. But he
• 4:47:27
  Speaker 1: stirred the Stephen Douglas, and like a giant boyd nod
• 4:47:30
  Speaker 1: at his feet. I has swarned to give the trader
• 4:47:32
  Speaker 1: what he gave the wee chief, blow for blow with
• 4:47:35
  Speaker 1: a knotted lash, oh a galley whip. And then I
• 4:47:38
  Speaker 1: has swarned. I think him from the tip of the
• 4:47:40
  Speaker 1: seaward tower weak Leno the house of Gordon Coward, trader
• 4:47:44
  Speaker 1: to the faith. He will have traded kith and kin
• 4:47:47
  Speaker 1: for gold, put his own blood brother to Dungeon rot
• 4:47:50
  Speaker 1: for ten long years, broke the heart of Lady Margaret
• 4:47:53
  Speaker 1: with waitin. He would have murdered the wee chief, but
• 4:47:57
  Speaker 1: ye did not see the bruised and bleeding Gaspindie. It
• 4:48:01
  Speaker 1: be I what took him in my arms to Genie
• 4:48:04
  Speaker 1: sin to kill Yon, Roger, It'd be no more sin
• 4:48:07
  Speaker 1: nor to crush a venom spitten asp under my heel.
• 4:48:11
  Speaker 1: Vengeance is a sin muckle, John, says Stephen Douglas gently,
• 4:48:16
  Speaker 1: because Roger has doing it the heart of Christ by sin.
• 4:48:20
  Speaker 1: Need you sin? Also? He laid his consecrated hand on
• 4:48:25
  Speaker 1: the shaky black head. The rough hair parted. He ran
• 4:48:29
  Speaker 1: his finger along the white line from crown to forehead
• 4:48:31
  Speaker 1: to cheek. Where got you that, scar my son? Ye
• 4:48:37
  Speaker 1: no we o. I be prouder o Yon, scar than
• 4:48:39
  Speaker 1: oh all the marks O a laird's shield. Proud because
• 4:48:44
  Speaker 1: you once fell guarding the body of Christ, our Lord,
• 4:48:47
  Speaker 1: and now ye wound his sacred heart by sin, gnaw gnaw.
• 4:48:53
  Speaker 1: The giant shoulders quivered, A tear splashed on the sod gnaw.
• 4:48:58
  Speaker 1: If you say it be truly sin naw, I wouldna
• 4:49:01
  Speaker 1: wound the heart of him what bled for me. I'll
• 4:49:05
  Speaker 1: forgive the poor weaklun, I'll forgive. End of Chapter twenty,
• 4:49:14
  Speaker 1: Rock Raven no more. Jean stood in her doorway, now
• 4:49:19
  Speaker 1: watching the group speeding down the Rock Raven path, now
• 4:49:22
  Speaker 1: running back to the couch where Gordon lay. Was there
• 4:49:25
  Speaker 1: a sound or the lessening of a sound? Jean sprang
• 4:49:29
  Speaker 1: to the lad There was no light in the half
• 4:49:32
  Speaker 1: closed eyes. His head rolled nmply, and he sighed, But
• 4:49:38
  Speaker 1: it be a sigh. He had no gone yet, Mother
• 4:49:41
  Speaker 1: O Mercy. Let him hold till she comes. If I
• 4:49:45
  Speaker 1: could get the wine on the mantel. A hand slipped
• 4:49:49
  Speaker 1: under the boy's head. A mug was pressed to his
• 4:49:51
  Speaker 1: half opened lips. Jeanie knew those firm, slender fingers. Thank God,
• 4:49:56
  Speaker 1: my lady, ye be come. I'll run for Father Stephen.
• 4:50:00
  Speaker 1: He may yet be in time. Jean sped up the path.
• 4:50:05
  Speaker 1: Ay that be, Lady Margaret, for ye she murmured, quiet
• 4:50:09
  Speaker 1: and steady always, even when her heart be a breaken,
• 4:50:13
  Speaker 1: quiet and steady. Jean did not see her. Now the
• 4:50:17
  Speaker 1: white head bowed on the rushes of the couch, the
• 4:50:20
  Speaker 1: thin bent shoulders quivering under the silken plaid, the hot
• 4:50:24
  Speaker 1: words springing from her heart, swifter than her tears. Oh God,
• 4:50:30
  Speaker 1: oh my God, I cannot. Only in baby days was
• 4:50:33
  Speaker 1: he mine? Oh God, Remember the years of fear in waiting.
• 4:50:38
  Speaker 1: Then you gave him back. He was mine mine for
• 4:50:41
  Speaker 1: a few hours. How the memory of his brave young
• 4:50:45
  Speaker 1: face has sweetened the long months of darkness. Now are
• 4:50:49
  Speaker 1: you taking him from me? Now when we three might
• 4:50:52
  Speaker 1: be together? I cannot, Oh God, forgive me. I cannot,
• 4:50:57
  Speaker 1: My God, I cannot. The voice of Uncle John came
• 4:51:02
  Speaker 1: from the doorway. If your foot the breath, O a hand,
• 4:51:06
  Speaker 1: my laird, Now, ain't step or twaw to the right,
• 4:51:09
  Speaker 1: an ye're by his side. Then the fisherman slipped away again.
• 4:51:15
  Speaker 1: Sir James pressed his fingers on the lad's wrists. The
• 4:51:18
  Speaker 1: little bark is far out toward the eternal sea, he whispered. No, No,
• 4:51:24
  Speaker 1: we can hope, We must hope still. But I am
• 4:51:27
  Speaker 1: glad your eyes are bandaged, James. You cannot see where
• 4:51:30
  Speaker 1: the lash cuts so many times, wounds that do not heal.
• 4:51:34
  Speaker 1: Fret it with fever. If we could let him rest,
• 4:51:37
  Speaker 1: only a few days before going on shipboard. He will
• 4:51:41
  Speaker 1: be at rest in a little while, where no man
• 4:51:43
  Speaker 1: shall trouble him more. No, James, No, if we could
• 4:51:48
  Speaker 1: wait only one day, but that cannot be. We must
• 4:51:53
  Speaker 1: face the truth together, Comrade at arms. Slowly he pushed
• 4:51:57
  Speaker 1: his rosary beads cross foremost, the quilt blmely, groping for
• 4:52:02
  Speaker 1: her hand, but she did not see them. Her eyes
• 4:52:06
  Speaker 1: were on her boy's face, the dark bruises, the pinched,
• 4:52:10
  Speaker 1: half opened lips. And he was alone when he suffered,
• 4:52:14
  Speaker 1: so I knew it would be. Then her eyes went
• 4:52:17
  Speaker 1: upward to cavalry on the cottage wall, where stood that
• 4:52:20
  Speaker 1: other mother, beside that other dying son. The cross in
• 4:52:25
  Speaker 1: her husband's griping hand touched her fingers. She started, and
• 4:52:30
  Speaker 1: saw the mute struggle in his lips, the will of
• 4:52:32
  Speaker 1: the House of Gordon, forcing out the words suffered under
• 4:52:36
  Speaker 1: Punch's pilot was crucified, died. She shivered, picked up the cross,
• 4:52:42
  Speaker 1: and finished the words of the creed. Prayer and response
• 4:52:46
  Speaker 1: ebbed and flowed, growing ever more and more, pleading, Holy Mary,
• 4:52:51
  Speaker 1: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, over and over.
• 4:52:55
  Speaker 1: The brown beads slipped by a change came. Gordon had
• 4:53:00
  Speaker 1: not stirred, but there was a light in the half
• 4:53:03
  Speaker 1: open eyes. Slowly, very slowly, the waxen lids drew back.
• 4:53:09
  Speaker 1: The right hand fluttered a weary load to lift, but
• 4:53:12
  Speaker 1: it rose one to three inches until it touched her
• 4:53:16
  Speaker 1: hair white. He breathed, this is my own mother, for
• 4:53:22
  Speaker 1: her hair is white. A shadow darkened the doorway. Jean
• 4:53:28
  Speaker 1: tiptoed in, lit the candles, and knelt. Father Stephen entered
• 4:53:33
  Speaker 1: and laid a secret burden on the linen cloth. Gordon,
• 4:53:37
  Speaker 1: he said, in his clear, low voice, I am going
• 4:53:40
  Speaker 1: to give you extreme unction. The eyes brightened, then grew puzzled.
• 4:53:46
  Speaker 1: Confesssion first, if there is anything to confess, You've nothing
• 4:53:51
  Speaker 1: to tell? Have you can't remember? Maybe I haven't had
• 4:53:57
  Speaker 1: time to be bad. Blessed are the days when we
• 4:54:01
  Speaker 1: have no time to be bad. So do not worry.
• 4:54:05
  Speaker 1: Say in your heart, my Jesus, I love THEE forgive me.
• 4:54:11
  Speaker 1: Then Stephen anointed the boy. Not much of evil had
• 4:54:14
  Speaker 1: he ever known, not far had his feet gone astray?
• 4:54:19
  Speaker 1: And then Gordon's eyes rested on the sacred host. Nothing
• 4:54:22
  Speaker 1: else ye seemed to see. Aye, murmured Uncle John, and
• 4:54:27
  Speaker 1: tell him, your father and mother and all the clan
• 4:54:30
  Speaker 1: honed O our lad. Mayhap he'll leave ye, bide with
• 4:54:34
  Speaker 1: us for sure, the Good Lord be kind. The eyes closed,
• 4:54:40
  Speaker 1: Margaret's head sank on the couch, her hand clenched on
• 4:54:43
  Speaker 1: the cross, But Stephen whispered softly, sleeping, only sleeping with
• 4:54:49
  Speaker 1: the Good Lord in his breast. The day fled swiftly
• 4:54:54
  Speaker 1: inside the cottage. The abb and flow of the rosary
• 4:54:57
  Speaker 1: still beat on the eternal shore, but the along those
• 4:55:00
  Speaker 1: waves was of hope. Outside, the silent folks sped on
• 4:55:04
  Speaker 1: errands to and from the boats, or went on noiseless
• 4:55:07
  Speaker 1: feet through Old Donald's door to pour into Stephen's patient
• 4:55:10
  Speaker 1: ear their sorrows and their sins, and to come out
• 4:55:13
  Speaker 1: again with hopeless eyes and firm set lips. A little
• 4:55:17
  Speaker 1: after midnight, the altar was prepared, the holy sacrifice was
• 4:55:21
  Speaker 1: offered solemnly, silently, lest some sacrilegious band steal upon them
• 4:55:26
  Speaker 1: through the darkness, And to each was given the bread
• 4:55:29
  Speaker 1: of the strong. The sentinel on the seaward tower of
• 4:55:32
  Speaker 1: Castle Ravenhurst watched the fishers putting out to sea in
• 4:55:36
  Speaker 1: the dawn. Fair day. Coming was all he thought. He
• 4:55:41
  Speaker 1: did not see the tall, gaunt figure in a long
• 4:55:44
  Speaker 1: gray cloak, standing on a cliff and holding out his
• 4:55:48
  Speaker 1: crucifix and blessing until the ships rounded a headland and
• 4:55:52
  Speaker 1: could see Rock Raven no more. Then Stephen Douglas turned
• 4:55:57
  Speaker 1: and strode back into the forest to wander, hound tracked,
• 4:56:01
  Speaker 1: starving and alone, happy if he found a soul who,
• 4:56:05
  Speaker 1: even in the last dread hour, would make its peace
• 4:56:08
  Speaker 1: with God. No man knew when the Good Lord called
• 4:56:12
  Speaker 1: him home. But one year, when the snows had been
• 4:56:15
  Speaker 1: ender were slipping away in merry, tinkling rills over the
• 4:56:19
  Speaker 1: stones and under the mosses, Edwin found him. His face
• 4:56:24
  Speaker 1: was strangely beautiful, lying there hosts white on a corporal
• 4:56:28
  Speaker 1: of virgin snow. End of chapter twenty one. In the
• 4:56:35
  Speaker 1: hollow of God's hand out into the west, sailed the
• 4:56:39
  Speaker 1: Saint Andrew in the Nancy Kits. For three months. Waves
• 4:56:43
  Speaker 1: raced with a singing wind. Watchers hoped hour after hour
• 4:56:48
  Speaker 1: for a glimpse of unknown shores. Folk chatted gaily of
• 4:56:52
  Speaker 1: Saint Mary's land beyond the sea. Then with a snarling roar,
• 4:56:57
  Speaker 1: the storm swooped down, snapped the masts of the kit's
• 4:56:59
  Speaker 1: short off leaving her a helpless log tossed hither and
• 4:57:03
  Speaker 1: yon by the waves and wrenched the old timbers of
• 4:57:05
  Speaker 1: the Saint Andrew till she sprang a leak. Yet when
• 4:57:09
  Speaker 1: the storm drew back, grumbling, both hulks were aflute. The
• 4:57:14
  Speaker 1: Kits had held her calking. She was of muckle John's
• 4:57:17
  Speaker 1: making from the toughest oaks had been under. But the
• 4:57:20
  Speaker 1: doomed Saint Andrew floated only until her living freight was
• 4:57:23
  Speaker 1: shifted to the lugger. As she lurched under, Sir James said,
• 4:57:28
  Speaker 1: let us think our father, who roulleth the waves and
• 4:57:31
  Speaker 1: holdeth the sea in the hollow of his hand. No
• 4:57:34
  Speaker 1: lives are lost, only our treasured goods and our chests
• 4:57:37
  Speaker 1: of gold are gone. God's Mother will provide. Then followed
• 4:57:43
  Speaker 1: weeks that were a stern test of that faith. The
• 4:57:46
  Speaker 1: derelict of the Kits floated on some bright waves. Water
• 4:57:49
  Speaker 1: was dueled out in spoonfuls. Then the bloodhounds of the
• 4:57:53
  Speaker 1: air were unleashed again. Muckle John had stood at the
• 4:57:56
  Speaker 1: wheel through all the raging darkness of the night and
• 4:57:59
  Speaker 1: the wilder tempt of the day. Now once again in
• 4:58:03
  Speaker 1: the howling night, the winds fought with the nancy Kits,
• 4:58:06
  Speaker 1: driving the sleet over her in hissing sheets all about her.
• 4:58:10
  Speaker 1: Long writhing lines of foam moaned as they rose and fell. Peter, clinging, sliding, stumbling,
• 4:58:17
  Speaker 1: forced his way to the skipper's side. Give me the wheel,
• 4:58:21
  Speaker 1: he panted. No, give it to me, or I'll take
• 4:58:25
  Speaker 1: it from ye. His hand gripped the spokes. Take your
• 4:58:30
  Speaker 1: hands off, or you'll know who be skipper o the
• 4:58:32
  Speaker 1: nancy Kits. Peter stepped back. Ye be muckle, John, But
• 4:58:38
  Speaker 1: there be an end of what ye can do. Muckle
• 4:58:40
  Speaker 1: or no muckle Yet I may as we'll go argue
• 4:58:43
  Speaker 1: with the mast. Ye will not give in fit to
• 4:58:46
  Speaker 1: fall for sheer, weariness, hop, hindel common sense, John, give
• 4:58:50
  Speaker 1: me the wheel, for ye faint. The grim lips were
• 4:58:55
  Speaker 1: motionless the giant framed tents. Only the eyes moved, following
• 4:58:59
  Speaker 1: the seething lions ahead. John, lad, give me the wheel
• 4:59:03
  Speaker 1: and go rest. Six months and more since he had
• 4:59:06
  Speaker 1: a night's sleep, Be it restin to clean yoursel loon
• 4:59:09
  Speaker 1: on the deck. Only just spring to your feet every
• 4:59:12
  Speaker 1: time a spar creaks. We ye never trust me more
• 4:59:15
  Speaker 1: since I lost to Saint Andrew, give me the wheel. Man,
• 4:59:18
  Speaker 1: give me the wheel. No, ye be killing your cell John,
• 4:59:23
  Speaker 1: give me the wheel. Pray more and pratt less. God
• 4:59:28
  Speaker 1: be lookin doon on us, be that true wheel. Then
• 4:59:31
  Speaker 1: he knows what we ought to face. The ship a leak,
• 4:59:35
  Speaker 1: the sick dying in the hold, the water's spent, the
• 4:59:38
  Speaker 1: least chest of moldy bread all but gone. God knows,
• 4:59:42
  Speaker 1: I must have strength to steer the Nancy Kits, and
• 4:59:44
  Speaker 1: he will give it steer where God may well Forclan
• 4:59:49
  Speaker 1: Gordon to go to Davy instead of America. If that
• 4:59:52
  Speaker 1: be so, so be it, God have mercy. What now
• 4:59:59
  Speaker 1: a riding I mean, Whiteness rose out of the sea
• 5:00:01
  Speaker 1: before them, the mighty frame of the skipper bent bent,
• 5:00:05
  Speaker 1: clenched upon the wheel. The Nancy Kit sprang like a
• 5:00:08
  Speaker 1: living thing, slipped into the trough of the wave, righted herself,
• 5:00:12
  Speaker 1: mounted the next bow to crest the booming. Seething whiteness
• 5:00:16
  Speaker 1: s whirled by on the starboard bow, sending a wilderness
• 5:00:19
  Speaker 1: to foaming waters. Tumbling across the deck, the thunder of
• 5:00:23
  Speaker 1: a hundred cannons bellowed to larboard. Not a cable's length
• 5:00:27
  Speaker 1: from the bow, A wild thing groveled, fierce as the
• 5:00:30
  Speaker 1: spirit of the tempest, soft thiecy, shimmering as the froth
• 5:00:34
  Speaker 1: of moonlight. Reef to larboard shrieked Peter the grim skipper
• 5:00:40
  Speaker 1: clenched the wheel and reversed. The kit swung to storpward again,
• 5:00:44
  Speaker 1: and groaning in every wrench, Timber plunged madly onward. Oh God,
• 5:00:50
  Speaker 1: the rock so an unknown coast on such a night
• 5:00:52
  Speaker 1: as this, would the wind have fallen. No, we are
• 5:00:56
  Speaker 1: turned to headland. Hark do ye know? He young? Ugly
• 5:01:00
  Speaker 1: slush and sound, a growler to larboard, A nancy kit struck.
• 5:01:06
  Speaker 1: Peter lurched forward. The roaring swirl carried him out. He
• 5:01:10
  Speaker 1: clutched the rail, waters above below around, booming in his ears.
• 5:01:15
  Speaker 1: Yet he clung. The fury grew less. He struggled to
• 5:01:19
  Speaker 1: his feet on the trembling deck much John still clenched
• 5:01:22
  Speaker 1: the wheel speed Ye wheeled to davy. No, we be
• 5:01:27
  Speaker 1: anchored in America. Thou wedge TwixT the reef in one
• 5:01:31
  Speaker 1: horn o a jutty the tother be rammed into the stern.
• 5:01:34
  Speaker 1: Get word to Sir James, we be on a reef
• 5:01:37
  Speaker 1: in the leo rocks with the tied nigh to the turn.
• 5:01:40
  Speaker 1: If we can float half an hour, we be safe.
• 5:01:43
  Speaker 1: Peter began to crawl toward the hatches. The waves broken
• 5:01:47
  Speaker 1: sheets of the larboard rail. Seething across the deck, the
• 5:01:51
  Speaker 1: eddy caught him and whirled him like a bit of
• 5:01:53
  Speaker 1: driftward over the starboard rail. There he clung till the
• 5:01:57
  Speaker 1: waters passed, crept back to the slippery deck, caught a rope,
• 5:02:00
  Speaker 1: began dragging himself hand over hand. He had won ten
• 5:02:04
  Speaker 1: feet or more when the hatches opened. A man stumbled up,
• 5:02:08
  Speaker 1: grasped the rigging line, staggered, fell, gained his knees, but
• 5:02:14
  Speaker 1: the billows whirred over the rail again. Peter, clinging to
• 5:02:18
  Speaker 1: his rope, spun like a trout hooked in the rapids.
• 5:02:21
  Speaker 1: Someone was coming toward him through the surging waters. Peter
• 5:02:25
  Speaker 1: stretched at his hand, the other clutched it. Together. They
• 5:02:28
  Speaker 1: swung in the blinding swirl. For a moment the wave
• 5:02:32
  Speaker 1: was passing. Peter could see dimly the straight shouldered frame
• 5:02:35
  Speaker 1: and the white hair. Sir James, the Earl, gained his
• 5:02:38
  Speaker 1: feet boats Peter. He shouted, water pouring into the hold.
• 5:02:44
  Speaker 1: She can't float an hour, she can float a half hour.
• 5:02:48
  Speaker 1: Then that puts us all safe, for the waves will
• 5:02:50
  Speaker 1: now beat the Kits the bit afore her job be done.
• 5:02:53
  Speaker 1: Muckle John made her, and she will haul to her
• 5:02:56
  Speaker 1: wheel till the end. Hour by hour, the fury of
• 5:03:00
  Speaker 1: the waves grew less and less, for the storm had
• 5:03:03
  Speaker 1: spent itself, and the tide left the Nancy Kits high
• 5:03:06
  Speaker 1: and dry in the gray dawn. Far out beyond the headland,
• 5:03:11
  Speaker 1: the cannons of the surf were still booming, but within
• 5:03:14
  Speaker 1: the cove the war of wind and wave had ceased.
• 5:03:17
  Speaker 1: The morning sun burst through the banks of cloud, flushed
• 5:03:20
  Speaker 1: the foam and set a thousand rubies gleaming along the
• 5:03:23
  Speaker 1: reef where the Nancy Kits was perched, with Clangordon crowding
• 5:03:27
  Speaker 1: out on deck to see the brave new world. The
• 5:03:29
  Speaker 1: wet rocks of the headland behind them head each a
• 5:03:32
  Speaker 1: golden crest. Swift rays of trembling light danced across the mile,
• 5:03:36
  Speaker 1: a shallow, tossing sea lying between them and the shore.
• 5:03:40
  Speaker 1: But what shore? New England, Virginia, the Spanish Isles. The
• 5:03:46
  Speaker 1: forest crown steep beyond the sand was silent, solitary. Aye,
• 5:03:51
  Speaker 1: muckle John laughed, Peter, when't be the dories going. The
• 5:03:55
  Speaker 1: waves are scarce even chopping. Now I be fit to
• 5:03:58
  Speaker 1: go wild, wod longin to set put on yon, invite
• 5:04:01
  Speaker 1: in sand. The dories be going. When Sir James gets
• 5:04:05
  Speaker 1: the word, can you no see he be taken in
• 5:04:07
  Speaker 1: o' the land? Afore he makes a start, Father, A
• 5:04:12
  Speaker 1: thin yellow hand touched the arm of Sir James. Joyous
• 5:04:16
  Speaker 1: eyes looked up at him, joyous, though the black circles
• 5:04:19
  Speaker 1: beneath them were deep. The old merry laugh rang out
• 5:04:23
  Speaker 1: from lips pale and cracked, rang, and then stopped for
• 5:04:27
  Speaker 1: the pain, almost choked it. Larol smiled at the eager boy.
• 5:04:32
  Speaker 1: Well son, oh father, if you will let Davy and
• 5:04:36
  Speaker 1: me have a dory, we'll get some oysters. I know
• 5:04:39
  Speaker 1: how to rake for them, and there must be plenty
• 5:04:41
  Speaker 1: in a cove like this, if you will let us
• 5:04:45
  Speaker 1: by and by, my son, the exploring party must go first. Then,
• 5:04:50
  Speaker 1: seeing the disappointment in the lad's eyes, both of us
• 5:04:53
  Speaker 1: cannot go in the first doory. That will leave mother alone.
• 5:04:57
  Speaker 1: She must feel cold down in the damp cabin. But
• 5:05:00
  Speaker 1: the sun has already begun to worm the deck. Suppose
• 5:05:03
  Speaker 1: you ask Jean and Davy to help make a couch
• 5:05:05
  Speaker 1: for her. Up here, Gordon ran gaily toward the hatches,
• 5:05:10
  Speaker 1: that is, he ran a dozen steps. Then, with a
• 5:05:13
  Speaker 1: hand upon his side, he leaned against the stump of
• 5:05:16
  Speaker 1: the broken mast for a moment, straightened himself with a shiver,
• 5:05:20
  Speaker 1: and went slowly, very slowly down the ladder. God's blessom
• 5:05:26
  Speaker 1: beyond him, murmured Old Donald. Dare he be at the
• 5:05:29
  Speaker 1: pumps last night, beggin to help and le pain a
• 5:05:32
  Speaker 1: stab in his side? With every breath he haw more
• 5:05:35
  Speaker 1: grip than their twenty men. Sir James turned from his
• 5:05:40
  Speaker 1: study of the shore muncle John, Ay, sir, are you
• 5:05:45
  Speaker 1: sure the large dory is still sea worthy? It be? Sir?
• 5:05:50
  Speaker 1: Lower it and put in five muskets with powder and shot,
• 5:05:53
  Speaker 1: a spyglass and a compass. You will go with me
• 5:05:55
  Speaker 1: in search of a suitable place for camp, ay, Sir
• 5:06:00
  Speaker 1: Wotton will ay, Sir, you will climb that point, the
• 5:06:04
  Speaker 1: highest on the bluff yonder to scout silence and caution
• 5:06:08
  Speaker 1: before all things. We cannot fight Indians or any other enemy. Now,
• 5:06:13
  Speaker 1: if any sign of human beings be seen, give warning
• 5:06:16
  Speaker 1: at once. If not, stay as sentries, ay Sir Peter
• 5:06:22
  Speaker 1: Ay Sir, you will guard the dory, be ready to
• 5:06:26
  Speaker 1: push off at a moment's notice, Ay sir. Silence, as
• 5:06:30
  Speaker 1: soon as the dory leaves the ship, no unnecessary noise
• 5:06:33
  Speaker 1: on land, such as shooting game. We must know first
• 5:06:36
  Speaker 1: whether or not this country is inhabited, ay sir. A
• 5:06:41
  Speaker 1: few moments later, the dory slid into the choppy waters.
• 5:06:45
  Speaker 1: Sir James was standing amid ships, scanning the beach, the
• 5:06:48
  Speaker 1: clay bluffs that walled in the cove, and the forest
• 5:06:51
  Speaker 1: edge above them. Peter was at the helm, Mocal John's
• 5:06:55
  Speaker 1: brawny sons at the oars, and the skipper on guard.
• 5:06:59
  Speaker 1: Gordon Perish, on a coil of rope near his mother's couch,
• 5:07:02
  Speaker 1: reported events. They will be on land in a little while. Now.
• 5:07:06
  Speaker 1: All the birds up there in the trees will be
• 5:07:08
  Speaker 1: singing like a bagpiper's band because the rain's over. The
• 5:07:11
  Speaker 1: sun has dry their feathers, and they can see the
• 5:07:13
  Speaker 1: makings of fine breakfasts everywhere. Oh mother, don't you wish
• 5:07:18
  Speaker 1: you were but you're asleep. Lady Margaret opened her eyes
• 5:07:22
  Speaker 1: and smiled, No, son, how warm the air is. You
• 5:07:27
  Speaker 1: love America, laddie, And so shall we clasping the boy's
• 5:07:32
  Speaker 1: yellow hand in hers, she closed her eyes again. An
• 5:07:37
  Speaker 1: hour later, Peter and the skipper came back the place
• 5:07:40
  Speaker 1: where a camp had been chosen. No Indian or other
• 5:07:43
  Speaker 1: human being have been seen. In fact, no living things
• 5:07:47
  Speaker 1: save the birds. Then came the hurried unloading. Time must
• 5:07:51
  Speaker 1: not be lost. The next tie was drew the shore
• 5:07:54
  Speaker 1: with the broken timbers of the Nancy kits. The sick
• 5:07:57
  Speaker 1: were brought from the ship and placed on rough couches
• 5:07:59
  Speaker 1: made by piling branches on empty casks and covering them
• 5:08:03
  Speaker 1: with mats and coarse bedding. A shoulder from the wind
• 5:08:06
  Speaker 1: and sun was rigged up from canvas fastened to poles.
• 5:08:09
  Speaker 1: This was seemed scarcely a fitting couch for Lady Margaret
• 5:08:12
  Speaker 1: of Douglas, Countess of Ravenhurst, daughter of Sir Wilfrid Douglas,
• 5:08:16
  Speaker 1: of the line of old Sir Archibald Bell the Cat.
• 5:08:19
  Speaker 1: And yet perhaps it was most fitting for the ballads
• 5:08:22
  Speaker 1: of ancient days call the women of that famous name
• 5:08:26
  Speaker 1: the ladies of the Bleeding Heart, more noble by nature
• 5:08:29
  Speaker 1: than my blood, Lady Margaret whispered, smiling faintly, though the
• 5:08:34
  Speaker 1: deep blue Douglas eyes were dark with pain. You have
• 5:08:38
  Speaker 1: been so gentle in carrying me, Muncle John, May God
• 5:08:41
  Speaker 1: bless you. But see, John, the soft quilt man sunk
• 5:08:46
  Speaker 1: needs it far more than I lay it on her couch. No,
• 5:08:50
  Speaker 1: but you must, John, See they are bringing her now.
• 5:08:55
  Speaker 1: And the giant skipper, wiping his eyes with his great
• 5:08:58
  Speaker 1: hairy hand, did she bade him down? By the water's
• 5:09:03
  Speaker 1: edge there was bustle in haste. Pale women and meager
• 5:09:06
  Speaker 1: children were searching among the rocks for clams and crawlfish
• 5:09:10
  Speaker 1: Doris replying to and from the wreck. Gaunt men were
• 5:09:13
  Speaker 1: carrying the sick, or dragging bundles above the reach of
• 5:09:15
  Speaker 1: the tide, weary, miserable, starving, yet a smile, but every
• 5:09:20
  Speaker 1: face a smile of thanksgiving for solid earth beneath their feet,
• 5:09:25
  Speaker 1: a smile of gratitude for freedom to worship. The crucified
• 5:09:29
  Speaker 1: Gordon came hurrying from the tent toward his father. Well son,
• 5:09:33
  Speaker 1: how is she, sir, James asked, I just gave her
• 5:09:37
  Speaker 1: a drink of cold water, but what she needs is
• 5:09:40
  Speaker 1: something she can eat. The Earl's face flushed painfully. It
• 5:09:45
  Speaker 1: was hard to bear such poverty as this, son. We
• 5:09:49
  Speaker 1: must not complain the best has already been given to us.
• 5:09:53
  Speaker 1: We must remember, son, that we are really beggars, depending
• 5:09:56
  Speaker 1: on the charity of the clan. They are too loyal
• 5:09:59
  Speaker 1: to speak of even to think of it. But it
• 5:10:02
  Speaker 1: is true. I am a worn out man and penniless
• 5:10:05
  Speaker 1: since the bit of gold I had saved went down
• 5:10:07
  Speaker 1: with the Saint Andrew. We must face the truth, Son,
• 5:10:12
  Speaker 1: I did not mean that father anyway. What if the
• 5:10:15
  Speaker 1: gold did go to Davy's locker. There is nobody to
• 5:10:17
  Speaker 1: hear from whom to buy. But if mother had a
• 5:10:20
  Speaker 1: little soup, a bit of venison, even a rabbit, stew Son.
• 5:10:26
  Speaker 1: The men have been watching for game all day. Sure
• 5:10:29
  Speaker 1: there's none down here on the sand. The storm has
• 5:10:32
  Speaker 1: sent the game into the thickets. The men must unload
• 5:10:35
  Speaker 1: the kids before the tide comes in. None can be
• 5:10:38
  Speaker 1: spared for hours. They won't let me help, so let
• 5:10:41
  Speaker 1: me hunt. I could get a few rabbits of the sling,
• 5:10:44
  Speaker 1: even if you do not want a gun fired. No, Son, no,
• 5:10:49
  Speaker 1: you must not go into the strange woods alone if
• 5:10:51
  Speaker 1: you were lost. But I won't get lost. I was
• 5:10:55
  Speaker 1: bred in the woods near Abel's farm in Maryland. Perhaps
• 5:10:59
  Speaker 1: you could find your way but we do not know
• 5:11:02
  Speaker 1: where we are in America. From the trees, I judge
• 5:11:05
  Speaker 1: we are not far to the north, nor in tropical land.
• 5:11:08
  Speaker 1: But this forest may stretch the vastyle sea for all
• 5:11:11
  Speaker 1: any of us knows. But Father Daddy Able taught us
• 5:11:15
  Speaker 1: how to find our way in unknown woods. Every boy
• 5:11:18
  Speaker 1: had to know things like that. I know how to
• 5:11:21
  Speaker 1: blaze a trail, but on short trips, he said, to
• 5:11:23
  Speaker 1: find a good landmark and not get out of sight
• 5:11:26
  Speaker 1: of it. Oh, father, I do know how to take
• 5:11:29
  Speaker 1: care of myself. Mother needs the soup. Oh please, father,
• 5:11:34
  Speaker 1: don't say no. Sir James looked at the pleading boy,
• 5:11:38
  Speaker 1: then at the canvas stretched above the sick. You give
• 5:11:42
  Speaker 1: me your word not to get out of sight of
• 5:11:44
  Speaker 1: your landmark even once, even for a moment. Yes, father,
• 5:11:49
  Speaker 1: you will come back in an hour, whether you find
• 5:11:51
  Speaker 1: any game or not. Yes, father, it is a great risk.
• 5:11:56
  Speaker 1: But the sick need food. Well you may go, and
• 5:11:59
  Speaker 1: God bless you. Son. Gordon walked over the sand and
• 5:12:04
  Speaker 1: made his way steadily up the steep clay banks which
• 5:12:06
  Speaker 1: bounded the beach. A year ago he would have climbed
• 5:12:09
  Speaker 1: for the very joy of the struggle. Now it was
• 5:12:12
  Speaker 1: slow and painful work. A half dozen times he sat
• 5:12:16
  Speaker 1: down to rest, head against the card clay of the slope,
• 5:12:19
  Speaker 1: hand upon his throbbing side, but the memory of that
• 5:12:23
  Speaker 1: gentle mother under the old sail brought him wearily to
• 5:12:26
  Speaker 1: his feet again. At last the climb was over. He
• 5:12:30
  Speaker 1: stood under the first of the forest trees before him.
• 5:12:33
  Speaker 1: They stretched in endless, leavy arches. He turned and looked
• 5:12:37
  Speaker 1: back a dwarf from the toy doory, coming from the
• 5:12:40
  Speaker 1: kits with a load that was Muchael John. Some one
• 5:12:44
  Speaker 1: struggling with a heavy burden that was Sir James. A
• 5:12:48
  Speaker 1: lump burned in Gordon's throat. Now for a landmark, not
• 5:12:53
  Speaker 1: a good one in sight. He might get one from
• 5:12:55
  Speaker 1: a tree top. Climbing a tree was fun a year ago,
• 5:13:00
  Speaker 1: but not now. His head throbbed with dizzy pain as
• 5:13:03
  Speaker 1: he struggled from branch to branch, not daring to look down,
• 5:13:07
  Speaker 1: resting only when the pain shot through him with sickening misery.
• 5:13:12
  Speaker 1: I must be almost at the top now, he panted.
• 5:13:16
  Speaker 1: Gordon raised his head, leaned forward, ghasped, and stared again
• 5:13:21
  Speaker 1: at the little bluff outlined against the blue October sky.
• 5:13:25
  Speaker 1: Sutter's knob it's Sutter's knob. We're not five miles from
• 5:13:29
  Speaker 1: Abel's end of chapter twenty two, Our Ladies Home. How
• 5:13:38
  Speaker 1: he reached the ground, Gordon never knew. His next memory
• 5:13:41
  Speaker 1: was of trees flying madly, and that stabbing pain telling
• 5:13:45
  Speaker 1: him he could run no more. The lad was walking
• 5:13:48
  Speaker 1: steadily in spite of the pain, looking straight ahead, thrusting
• 5:13:52
  Speaker 1: aside the long sprays of BlackBerry vine, fruitless in the
• 5:13:55
  Speaker 1: bright October sun, crashing on through burrs in golden rod,
• 5:14:00
  Speaker 1: sending the milkweed fairies fluttering before him as he passed.
• 5:14:04
  Speaker 1: The way had been up hill, endlessly up hill. But
• 5:14:07
  Speaker 1: for how many hours had he been struggling? Had he
• 5:14:10
  Speaker 1: failed to sight trees? And so that his treacher's left
• 5:14:13
  Speaker 1: foot lead him in a circle. But were those whirling
• 5:14:16
  Speaker 1: black things dancing in the air before him? Were they
• 5:14:20
  Speaker 1: crickets that chirped so loudly through the silence, or frogs?
• 5:14:24
  Speaker 1: Or was it only the blood throbbing in his temples?
• 5:14:27
  Speaker 1: His foot caught in a tangled vine, and the dull
• 5:14:29
  Speaker 1: pain of the fall relieved the stabbing in his tide.
• 5:14:32
  Speaker 1: At last, the sun climbed the blue October sky slip
• 5:14:36
  Speaker 1: behind a white mare's tail of cloud and still slowly
• 5:14:39
  Speaker 1: down again before Gordon's pain called him back to aching reality.
• 5:14:44
  Speaker 1: Grasping a twisted grape vine, he rose wearily. Where was
• 5:14:48
  Speaker 1: he going? His head felt like a windmill, Abels? He
• 5:14:52
  Speaker 1: was going to Abel's, wasn't he? Which way was it
• 5:14:56
  Speaker 1: he been climbing up hill? No, that could not be right.
• 5:15:00
  Speaker 1: The morning sun would be in the east, but this
• 5:15:03
  Speaker 1: sun seemed to be in the west. But if that
• 5:15:06
  Speaker 1: was east, and going up hill would be going south
• 5:15:09
  Speaker 1: when he should be going north if he were going
• 5:15:11
  Speaker 1: from the cove to ables. Maybe I was going up
• 5:15:14
  Speaker 1: the hill to get a better view of Sutter's knob.
• 5:15:18
  Speaker 1: Cordon stepped forward with dizzy uncertainty. This climbing was weary business.
• 5:15:23
  Speaker 1: But at last he gained the spot and his glad shouts,
• 5:15:26
  Speaker 1: and all the squirrels on the hill slope scampering the
• 5:15:30
  Speaker 1: pole as our fishing hole under the alders. There's the
• 5:15:34
  Speaker 1: tree we climb, and the bear was after us. And
• 5:15:37
  Speaker 1: whether I'm going north, south, east or west, there is
• 5:15:41
  Speaker 1: the path to Abeles. The lad sprang forward, only to
• 5:15:46
  Speaker 1: sink with the pane. Struggling up again, he stackered onward
• 5:15:51
  Speaker 1: the old path followed the endless winding of the creek.
• 5:15:54
  Speaker 1: Was ever way so long? Where every feet so slow?
• 5:15:59
  Speaker 1: Is it dark under the trees? Or am I going blind?
• 5:16:02
  Speaker 1: Gordon muttered as he stumbled on. There never was a
• 5:16:06
  Speaker 1: bat more stupid. The trees are thinning out ahead. It
• 5:16:10
  Speaker 1: must be where the valley widens into the slash and
• 5:16:13
  Speaker 1: the clearings just beyond. Surely, yes, between the oaks. That's
• 5:16:18
  Speaker 1: the new field. Daddy has stumped it already. That cloud fire. No,
• 5:16:25
  Speaker 1: but the sky's all red. The sun. Oh, it couldn't
• 5:16:30
  Speaker 1: be going down now, It's not noon yet. The lad
• 5:16:34
  Speaker 1: broke into a staggering run. Hardly a dozen more steps,
• 5:16:38
  Speaker 1: and the old seam burst upon him. The long, low
• 5:16:41
  Speaker 1: cabin nested among trees, the orchard, in the wide stretch
• 5:16:45
  Speaker 1: of stubble field, the shocks of corn and the fodder stacks,
• 5:16:49
  Speaker 1: the pasture land and fallow over all red clouds. Afloat
• 5:16:53
  Speaker 1: in the glowing sky sunset. He gasped, leaning against the
• 5:16:59
  Speaker 1: great oak sunset. I must have lain in the grass
• 5:17:03
  Speaker 1: all day and mother has had no food. On again.
• 5:17:08
  Speaker 1: Down the slope from the woodland, over the bridge in
• 5:17:10
  Speaker 1: the hollow, the path seemed weedy, was it that Scottish
• 5:17:14
  Speaker 1: lanes were more often trodden and better kept. No sound
• 5:17:18
  Speaker 1: came from the farmyard. The wide barn doors were closed,
• 5:17:22
  Speaker 1: the yard empty. The bucketer returned near the edge of
• 5:17:25
  Speaker 1: the well. A stifling horror gripped him. Had things gone
• 5:17:30
  Speaker 1: wrong at Abel's? Also? It had never been still before?
• 5:17:34
  Speaker 1: A dog sprang from the bushes with joyously wagging tail. Oh, shep,
• 5:17:39
  Speaker 1: old shep. Gordon sloid through the bars, and the dog
• 5:17:43
  Speaker 1: was upon him. Don't, old, shep, don't. I can't roll
• 5:17:47
  Speaker 1: around like I used to. It hurts me in my side.
• 5:17:52
  Speaker 1: The friendly brown eyes were full of pity. Dogs understand
• 5:17:56
  Speaker 1: so much. What's the matter? Sheppy? So? Why is everything
• 5:18:00
  Speaker 1: so still? But the dog only smiled dog smiles, casting
• 5:18:05
  Speaker 1: uneasy glances toward the house, along the side of the cabin,
• 5:18:09
  Speaker 1: and around toward the kitchen door. The two friends passed together.
• 5:18:13
  Speaker 1: A sound floated to them, low, murmuring the door was open.
• 5:18:18
  Speaker 1: Gordon stepped noiselessly on the worn stone sill. Then a
• 5:18:22
  Speaker 1: smile sweetened his troubled face as he knelt on the step,
• 5:18:26
  Speaker 1: whispering softly. Bed time only beede time, and even you,
• 5:18:32
  Speaker 1: old doggie, knowing must be still at prayers. Daddy knelt
• 5:18:37
  Speaker 1: by the fireplace with the rosary in his blunt, scarred hand.
• 5:18:40
  Speaker 1: Joel was just behind him, close to Witch and toother,
• 5:18:44
  Speaker 1: and all the rest of the red had a dozen
• 5:18:45
  Speaker 1: knelt each in the same old place. One change there
• 5:18:50
  Speaker 1: was Mommy no longer rocked the cradle with her foot,
• 5:18:53
  Speaker 1: keeping time to the murmur of the prayers. He that
• 5:18:57
  Speaker 1: used to crow within it, knelt beside her, while from
• 5:19:00
  Speaker 1: side to side on his little knees, chewing her home
• 5:19:03
  Speaker 1: spun and apron string, his show voice standing above the
• 5:19:06
  Speaker 1: able chorus, Mother of God, they are ut inners. The
• 5:19:12
  Speaker 1: last glory be toill the Father came from Daddy's fervent lips.
• 5:19:16
  Speaker 1: Rosary was over. No, he drew the cross back again
• 5:19:20
  Speaker 1: beneath his broken thumb nail, and his voice was deep
• 5:19:23
  Speaker 1: and low. Second Rosary in honor of our Lady Star
• 5:19:28
  Speaker 1: of the Sea, for the eternal well being and safe
• 5:19:31
  Speaker 1: return of our George. A choking sob clutched Gordon's throat.
• 5:19:36
  Speaker 1: They never forgot, oh I knew they wouldn't. Then the
• 5:19:42
  Speaker 1: shore rose up before him, the weary, starving folk, the
• 5:19:46
  Speaker 1: sick and dying, sheltered by that ragged sail, and all
• 5:19:49
  Speaker 1: the pain and sorrow willed up in the old old cry,
• 5:19:53
  Speaker 1: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners. Joel
• 5:19:58
  Speaker 1: twisted on his knees, and Daddy, hearing the sound, turned
• 5:20:02
  Speaker 1: with one hand upraised to punish the offender, but the
• 5:20:06
  Speaker 1: hand dropped. The rosemary fell clinking on the hearth. John
• 5:20:10
  Speaker 1: Abel sprang to his feet, mother of mercy, would ye
• 5:20:15
  Speaker 1: look at the doorstep, But come in, boy, come in, Lizzie,
• 5:20:19
  Speaker 1: get a stole girl. Don't stand starin'. Can't you see
• 5:20:23
  Speaker 1: he's fit a faint? Never mind, Daddy, I'm all right,
• 5:20:28
  Speaker 1: but if you can help Ooh the folk at the cove,
• 5:20:34
  Speaker 1: What folk? Oh, they're all on the sand, the clan
• 5:20:37
  Speaker 1: an my father, an mother. The ship ran on a reef,
• 5:20:40
  Speaker 1: last hold on a bit? How many be there? And
• 5:20:44
  Speaker 1: where about fifty? Not countin the ten that are sick.
• 5:20:50
  Speaker 1: You mean fifty dragging yet? And a dozen dyin' now
• 5:20:53
  Speaker 1: where the cove where Alder Creek comes in, But not
• 5:20:57
  Speaker 1: far up there. It's about four miles south from Sutter's Knob.
• 5:21:01
  Speaker 1: I think get the bai's Joel. You ought to had
• 5:21:04
  Speaker 1: them out already, haven't you, any sense at all? The
• 5:21:08
  Speaker 1: light wagon heavied one stick in the sand. Do you hear?
• 5:21:12
  Speaker 1: He shouted after the flying boy, Tom that hunch of
• 5:21:16
  Speaker 1: innocence in the smokehouse. Three or four hands and a
• 5:21:18
  Speaker 1: bacon or so. That'll help you. Ed, run up to
• 5:21:22
  Speaker 1: the windmill and sack some with that fresh corn meal.
• 5:21:25
  Speaker 1: I'll help you carry it down. But Daddy, how did
• 5:21:29
  Speaker 1: you know? I hadn't told you yet? Lord, bless you?
• 5:21:34
  Speaker 1: Starvation written on your face? Lizzy, is that you starin there?
• 5:21:38
  Speaker 1: Get the boy some supper? Haven't you any wits? But
• 5:21:43
  Speaker 1: Mommy's bony hand was on the boy's forehead. No, Lizzy,
• 5:21:47
  Speaker 1: heavy food won't do. There's fever. Wait a minute, broke in, Daddy.
• 5:21:53
  Speaker 1: Are they on the shore or up the buff? Down
• 5:21:56
  Speaker 1: the sand but out of reach of the tide? Might
• 5:21:59
  Speaker 1: have a hard pull through the sand, You witch n tather.
• 5:22:03
  Speaker 1: Get out the mules. You can ride them till they're needed.
• 5:22:06
  Speaker 1: Don't leave no STAPs flapping, and watch out the gray.
• 5:22:08
  Speaker 1: Don't kick you. He's been skittish all day. Concern him,
• 5:22:13
  Speaker 1: you Sam, come to the root house with me. Get
• 5:22:15
  Speaker 1: a couple of potato sacks. Mommy's voice could be heard
• 5:22:19
  Speaker 1: at last, calling through the trap door for someone in
• 5:22:22
  Speaker 1: the cellar. No, the last pan's a jersey. Them's the
• 5:22:26
  Speaker 1: fresh eggs in the basket. Got the BlackBerry brandy yet, Annie, Yes,
• 5:22:31
  Speaker 1: bring it here. Molly, run up in the loft and
• 5:22:34
  Speaker 1: get my herbs and my sunbonnet. That's a good girl, Lizzie.
• 5:22:37
  Speaker 1: Now hand me the cup fine egg nog. Couldn't have
• 5:22:40
  Speaker 1: made it better myself. Oh, mommy, don't worry about me,
• 5:22:46
  Speaker 1: cried the boy, as her homely face turned toward him.
• 5:22:49
  Speaker 1: I'm all right, but if you could fix something good
• 5:22:52
  Speaker 1: like that for mother, For Land's sakes, don't you think
• 5:22:56
  Speaker 1: there's more than one cup of milk and one egg
• 5:22:58
  Speaker 1: on the able farm? You drink this an, don't fear.
• 5:23:01
  Speaker 1: Mommy won't take care of any folks of yours, least
• 5:23:04
  Speaker 1: of all your real mother. But mommy, A spasm of
• 5:23:09
  Speaker 1: terror crossed his face. I forgot. I promised father to
• 5:23:13
  Speaker 1: be back in an hour. That was early this morning.
• 5:23:17
  Speaker 1: But I saw Sutter's knob, and you clean forgot everything
• 5:23:21
  Speaker 1: but to run like a deer for your mommy. Never mind,
• 5:23:25
  Speaker 1: I'll stand TwixT you on a switchin for once in
• 5:23:27
  Speaker 1: your life. Oh it's not that, but they're worry. We'll
• 5:23:32
  Speaker 1: be over mighty soon, Laddie see the wagons at the gate. Lizzie,
• 5:23:37
  Speaker 1: you have to stay at home and see to things
• 5:23:38
  Speaker 1: while I'm gone. You're turn fourteen and should have some sense.
• 5:23:42
  Speaker 1: It's the little twins goes the pestern an playin' off
• 5:23:45
  Speaker 1: on you. Well, Daddy will be round to settle them.
• 5:23:49
  Speaker 1: Molly better come along with me. It's time she learned
• 5:23:52
  Speaker 1: to nurse. Anyhow, we'll be gone to go spell. Likely
• 5:23:56
  Speaker 1: ship fever ain't no fun to cure the rest of you,
• 5:24:00
  Speaker 1: hear me. Now you're to mind Lizzie and help her,
• 5:24:02
  Speaker 1: and not to be pester her in the calves nor
• 5:24:04
  Speaker 1: climbing the windmill. She'll have work enough and bothered despair
• 5:24:07
  Speaker 1: without you little ones laying yourself out to be mean. Mary,
• 5:24:12
  Speaker 1: came Daddy's voice from the gate. We're ready if you are.
• 5:24:16
  Speaker 1: The sleek base swung into a bouncing trot down the
• 5:24:19
  Speaker 1: lane and on to the high road. But the talk
• 5:24:22
  Speaker 1: rattled even faster than the spinning wheels or the clicking hoofs.
• 5:24:25
  Speaker 1: All had to be told and re told many times.
• 5:24:29
  Speaker 1: Mommy cried where the land sakes? And whoever would have
• 5:24:34
  Speaker 1: thought it many times. Daddy said, thanks be to God
• 5:24:38
  Speaker 1: and to his Holy Mother. By the time they reached
• 5:24:42
  Speaker 1: the shore, food and rest and joy had given the
• 5:24:44
  Speaker 1: lat his old spirit. He would have walked with the
• 5:24:47
  Speaker 1: others while the double team strained through the heavy sand,
• 5:24:51
  Speaker 1: but Daddy carried him as if he were a babe.
• 5:24:55
  Speaker 1: At last, a shout came from the cliff above them.
• 5:24:57
  Speaker 1: A mighty figure stood out against the stars, and the
• 5:25:00
  Speaker 1: voice of Uncle John came ringing down. Seen a boy,
• 5:25:04
  Speaker 1: a boy lost boy. Abel lifted the lad in the
• 5:25:09
  Speaker 1: air and bellow, joyously, safe and sound. All is well.
• 5:25:14
  Speaker 1: A light came and went among the rocks. There is
• 5:25:17
  Speaker 1: the tent, shouted Gordon. A moment later he was lifting
• 5:25:22
  Speaker 1: the tent flap to bring the glad news to his
• 5:25:24
  Speaker 1: mother from outside. Mary Ebel's voice came in that strong, quiet,
• 5:25:29
  Speaker 1: cheery tone which makes us sick better by his very sound,
• 5:25:33
  Speaker 1: and John Ebel's welcome rang over the camp. Sure you're safe,
• 5:25:38
  Speaker 1: our blessed lady is not going to turn stepmother to
• 5:25:40
  Speaker 1: you in her own land. Epilog. When at long last
• 5:25:47
  Speaker 1: Old Edwin was free to join Clan Gordon overseas, he
• 5:25:50
  Speaker 1: gave them these shottings of God's finger on the shifting
• 5:25:53
  Speaker 1: dunes of time. Sir Roger tie his fortunes to an
• 5:25:57
  Speaker 1: earthly king, But that monarch's head rolled from the block
• 5:26:00
  Speaker 1: while Puritan's soldiers glared. He might have escaped, had not
• 5:26:05
  Speaker 1: that staunch Puritan Godfrey betrayed him. Guilt stained, cringing a
• 5:26:11
  Speaker 1: coward to the end, Sir Roger went to the block,
• 5:26:15
  Speaker 1: But he may have been a repentant coward for Edwin
• 5:26:18
  Speaker 1: Hurton Mutter as he climbed to the scaffold, full full full.
• 5:26:25
  Speaker 1: Then Godfrey had his little day of crush, all grab
• 5:26:27
  Speaker 1: all success, until Cromwell caught him playing one last game
• 5:26:31
  Speaker 1: of double dealing and set his iron heel down on
• 5:26:34
  Speaker 1: him as if he had been a viper in the path.
• 5:26:39
  Speaker 1: End of Chapter twenty three and of Outlaws of Ravenhurst
• 5:26:44
  Speaker 1: by Sister m Amelda Wallace, s L.