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