too young a man yet for stoup and bicker; but I hope "This evening?" said the Provost, anxiously; "had you not better take daylight with you to-morrow morning?" "Mr. Fairford will ride as well in the cool of the evening," said Summertrees, taking the word out of Alan's mouth. The Provost said no more, nor did his wife ask any questions, nor testify any surprise at the suddenness of their guest's departure. Having drank tea, Alan Fairford took leave with the usual ceremony. The Laird of Summertrees seemed studious to prevent any further communication between him and the Provost, and remained lounging on the landing-place of the stair while they made their adieus-heard the Provost ask if Alan proposed a speedy return, and the latter reply, that his stay was uncertain, and witnessed the parting shake of the hand, which, with a pressure more warm than usual, and a tremulous, "God bless and prosper you!" Mr. Crosbie bestowed on his young friend. Maxwell even strolled with Fairford as far as the George, although resisting all his attempts at further inquiry into the affairs of Redgauntlet, and referring him to Tom Trumbull, alias Turnpenny, for the particulars which he might find it necessary to inquire into. a very | every body seemed well acquainted. He endeavoured prayers were over. When, however, Fairford repeated the summons with the end of his whip, the singing ceased, and Mr. Trumbull himself, with his psalm-book in his hand, kept open by the insertion of his forefinger between the leaves, came to demand the meaning of this unseasonable interruption. "Do you want me sir ?" he said to Fairford, whose guide had slunk to the rear, as if to escape the rebuke of the severe old man,- -"We were engaged, and it is the Saturday night." Nothing could be more different than his whole appearance seemed to be from the confidant of a desperate man, and the associate of outlaws in their unlawful enterprises. He was a tall, thin, bony figure, with white hair combed straight down on each side of his face, and an iron-gray hue of complexion; where the lines or rather, as Quin said of Macklin, the cordage, of his countenance were so sternly adapted to a devotional and even ascetic expression, that they left no room for any indication of reckless daring, At length Alan's hack was produced; an animal or sly dissimulation. In short, Trumbull appeared a long in neck, and high in bone, accoutred with a pair perfect specimen of the rigid old Covenanter, who said of saddle-bags containing the rider's travelling ward-only what he thought right, acted on no other prinrobe. Proudly surmounting his small stock of neces-ciple but that of duty, and, if he committed errors, saries, and no way ashamed of a mode of travelling did so under the full impression that he was serving which a modern Mr. Silvertongue would consider as God rather than man.. the last of degradations, Alan Fairford took leave of the old Jacobite, Pate-in-Peril, and set forward on the road to the royal burgh of Annan. His reflections during his ride were none of the most pleasant. He could not disguise from himself that he was venturing rather too rashly into the power of outlawed and desperate persons; for with such only, a man in the situation of Redgauntlet could be supposed to associate. There were other grounds for apprehension. Several marks of intelligence betwixt Mrs. Crosbie and the Laird of Summertrees had not escaped Alan's acute observation; and it was plain that the Provost's inclinations towards him, which he believed to be sincere and good, were not firm enough to withstand the influence of this league between his wife and friend. The Provost's adieus, like Macbeth's amen, had stuck in his throat, and seemed to intimate that he apprehended more than he dare give utterance to. Laying all these matters together, Alan thought, with no little anxiety, on the celebrated lines of Shakespeare, --"A drop, That in the ocean seeks another drop," &c. But pertinacity was a strong feature in the young lawyer's character. He was, and always had been, totally unlike the "horse hot at hand," who tires before noon through his own over eager exertions in the beginning of the day. On the contrary, his first efforts seemed frequently inadequate to accomplishing his purpose, whatever that for the time might be; and it was only as the difficulties of the task increased, that his mind seemed to acquire the energy necessary to combat and subdue them. If, therefore, he went anxiously forward upon his uncertain and perilous expedition, the reader must acquit him of all idea, even in a passing thought, of the possibility of abandoning his search, and resigning Darsie Latimer to his destiny. A couple of hours riding brought him to the little town of Annan, situated on the shores of the Solway, between eight and nine o'clock. The sun had set, but the day was not yet ended; and when he had alighted and seen his horse properly cared for at the principal inn of the place, he was readily directed to Mr. Maxwell's friend, old Tom Trumbull, with whom VOL. IV.-4 G Alan Fairford's preconceptions were so much deranged by this man's appearance and manner that he stood for a moment bewildered, and would as soon have thought of giving a cant pass-word to a clergyman descending from the pulpit, as to the respectable father of a family just interrupted in his prayers for and with the objects of his care. Hastily concluding Mr. Maxwell had passed some idle jest on him, or rather that he had mistaken the person to whom he was directed, he asked if he spoke to Mr. Trumbull. "To Thomas Trumbull," answered the old man"What may be your business, sir?" And he glanced his eye to the book he held in his hand, with a sigh like that of a saint desirous of dissolution. Do you know Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees?" said Fairford. "I have heard of such a gentleman in the countryside, but have no acquaintance with him," answered Mr. Trumbull; "he is, as I have heard, a Papist; for the whore that sitteth on the seven hills ceaseth not yet to pour forth the cup of her abomination on these parts.' Yet he directed me hither, my good friend," said Alan. "Is there another of your name in this town of Annan?" แ 66 None," replied Mr. Trumbull, "since my worthy father was removed; he was indeed a shining light.I wish you good-even, sir." 66 Stay one single instant," said Fairford; "this is a matter of life and death.' "Not more than the casting the burden of our sins where they should be laid," said Thomas Trumbull, about to shut the door in the inquirer's face. "Do you know," said Alan Fairford, "the Laird of Redgauntlet ?" "Now Heaven defend me from treason and rebellion!" exclaimed Trumbull. "Young gentleman, you are importunate. I live here among my own people, and do not consort with Jacobites and mass-mongers." He seemed about to shut the door, but did not notice. shut it, a circumstance which did not escape Alan's | right, I sce; it has the private mark for haste and speed. I bless my Maker that I am no great man, or great man's fellow; and so I think no more of these passages than just to help them forward in the way of business. You are an utter stranger in these parts, I warrant?" "Mr. Redgauntlet is sometimes," he said, "called Herries of Birrenswork; perhaps you may know him under that name." "Friend, you are uncivil," answered Mr. Trumbull; "honest men have enough to do to keep one name undefiled. I ken nothing about those who have two. Good-even to you, friend." He was now about to slam the door in his visiter's face without further ceremony, when Alan, who had observed symptoms that the name of Redgauntlet did not seem altogether so indifferent to him as he pretended, arrested his purpose by saying, in a low voice, At least you can tell me what age the moon is ?" The old man started, as if from a trance, and, before answering, surveyed the querist with a keen penetrating glance, which seemed to say, Are you really in possession of this key to my confidence, or do you speak from mere accident ?" To this keen look of scrutiny, Fairford replied by a smile of intelligence. The iron muscles of the old man's face did not, however, relax, as he dropped, in a careless manner, the countersign, "Not light enough to land a cargo.' 66 Then plague of all Aberdeen Almanacks!" "And plague of all fools that waste time," said Thomas Trumbull. "Could you not have said as much at first?-And standing wasting time, and encouraging lookers-on, in the open street too? Come in by-in by." He drew his visiter into the dark entrance of the house, and shut the door carefully; then putting his head into an apartment which the murmurs within announced to be filled with the family, he said aloud, A work of necessity and mercy-Malachi, take the book-you will sing six double verses of the hundred and nineteen-and you may lecture out of the Lamentations. And, Malachi," this he said in an under tone,- see you give them a screed of doctrine that will last them till I come back; or else these inconsiderate lads will be out of the house, and away to the publics, wasting their precious time, and, it may be, putting themselves in the way of missing the morning tide." An articulate answer from within intimated Malachi's acquiescence in the commands imposed; and Mr. Trumbull, shutting the door, muttered something about fast bind, fast find, turned the key, and put it into his pocket; and then bidding his visiter have a care of his steps, and make no noise, he led him through the house, and out at a back-door, into a little garden. Here a plaited alley conducted them, without the possibility of their being seen by any neighbour, to a door in the garden-wall, which being opened, proved to be a private entrance into a three-stalled stable; in one of which was a horse, that whinnied on their entrance. "Hush, hush!" cried the old man, and presently seconded his exhortations to silence by throwing a handful of corn into the manger, and the horse soon converted his acknowledgement of their presence into the usual sound of munching and grinding his provender. As the light was now failing fast, the old man, with much more alertness than might have been expected from the rigidity of his figure, closed the windowshutters in an instant, produced phosphorus and matches, and lighted a stable-lantern, which he placed on the corn bin, and then addressed Fairford. "We are private here, young man; and as some time has been wasted already, you will be so kind as to tell me what is your errand. Is it about the way of business, or the other job?" 'My business with you, Mr. Trumbull, is to request you will find me the means of delivering this letter, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees to the Laird of Redgauntlet." "Humph-fashious job!-Pate Maxwell will still be the auld man-always Pate-in-Peril-Craig-inPeril, for what I know. Let me see the letter from him." He examined it with much care, turning it up and down, and looking at the seal very attentively. All's Fairford answered in the affirmative. "Ay-I never saw them make a wiser choice→ I must call some one to direct you what to doStay, we must go to him, I believe. You are well recommended to me, friend, and doubtless trusty; otherwise you may see more than I would like to show, or am in the use of showing in the common line of business." Saying this, he placed his lantern on the ground, beside the post of one of the empty stalls, drew up a small spring-bolt which secured it to the floor, and then forcing the post to one side, discovered a small trap-door. Follow me," he said, and dived into the subterranean descent to which this secret aperture gave access. Fairford plunged after him, not without apprehensions of more kinds than one, but still resolved to prosecute the adventure. The descent, which was not above six feet, led to a very narrow passage, which seemed to have been constructed for the precise purpose of excluding every one who chanced to be an inch more in girth than was his conductor. A small vaulted room, of about eight feet square, received them at the end of this lane. Here Mr. Trumbull left Fairford alone, and returned for a instant, as he said, to shut his concealed trap-door. Fairford liked not his departure, as it left him in utter darkness; besides that his breathing was much affected by a strong and stifling smell of spirits, and other articles of a savour more powerful than agreeable to the lungs. He was very glad, therefore, when he heard the returning steps of Mr. Trumbull, who, when once more by his side, opened a strong though narrow door in the wall, and conveyed Fairford into an immense magazine of spirit-casks, and other articles of contraband trade. There was a small light at the end of this range of well-stocked subterranean vaults, which, upon a low whistle, began to flicker and move towards them. An undefined figure, holding a dark lantern, with the light averted, approached them, whom Mr. Trumbull thus addressed:-"Why were you not at worship, Job; and this Saturday at e'en?" Swanston was loading the Jenny, sir; and I stayed to serve out the article.' "True-a work of necessity, and in the way of business. Does the Jumping Jenny sail this tide?" Ay, ay, sir; she sails for" "I did not ask you where she sailed for, Job," said the old gentleman, interrupting him. thank my Maker, I know nothing of their incomings or outgoings. I sell my article fairly and in the ordinary way of business; and I wash my hands of every thing else. But what I wished to know is, whether the gentleman called the Laird of the Solway Lakes is on the other side of the Border even now?" 66 'Ay, ay," said Job, "the Laird is something in my own line, you know-a little contraband or so. There is a statute for him-But no matter; he took the sands after the splore at the Quaker's fish-traps yonder; for he has a leal heart the Laird, and is always true to the country-side. But avast-is all snug here?" So saying, he suddenly turned on Alan Fairford the light side of the lantern he carried, who, by the transient gleam which it threw in passing on the man who bore it, saw a huge figure, upwards of six feet high, with a rough hairy cap on his head, and a set of features corresponding to his bulky frame. He thought also he observed pistols at his belt. "I will answer for this gentleman," said Mr. Trumbull; "he must be brought to speech of the Laird." "That will be kittle steering," said the subordinate personage; "for I understood that the Laird and his folk were no sooner on the other side than the land sharks were on them, and some mounted lobsters Ay, ay,' muttered he with the lantern, "your worship, Mr. Trumbull, understands that in the way of business." "Well, I hope you will one day know, Job," answered Mr. Trumbull,-"the comfort of a conscience void of offence, and that fears neither gauger nor collector, neither excise nor customs. The business is to pass this gentleman to Cumberland upon earnest business, and to procure him speech with the Laird of the Solway Lakes-I suppose that can be done? Now I think Nanty Ewart, if he sails with the brig this morning tide, is the man to set him forward." 66 Ay, ay, truly is he," said Job; "never man knew the border, dale and fell, pasture and ploughland, better than Nanty; and he can always bring him to the Laird, too, if you are sure the gentleman's right. But indeed that's his own look-out; for were he the best man in Scotland, and the chairman of the d-d Board to boot, and had fifty men at his back, he were as well not visit the Laird for any thing but good. As for Nanty, he is word and blow, a d-d deal fiercer than Christie Nixon that they keep such a din about. I have seen them both tried, by more than once like to have broken his nose, and from thence into what, by the glimpse of the passing lantern upon a desk and writing materials, seemed to be a small office for the despatch of business. Here there appeared no exit; but the smuggler, or smuggler's ally, availing himself of a ladder, seven feet from the ground, and Fairford, still following Job, was involved in another tortuous and dark passage, which involuntarily reminded him of Peter Peebles's lawsuit. At the end of this labyrinth, when he had little guess where he had been conducted, and was, according to the French phrase, totally desorienté, Job suddenly set down the lantern, and availing himself of the flame to light two candles which stood on the table, asked if Alan would choose any thing to eat, recommending, at all events, a slug of brandy, to keep out the night air. Fairford declined both, but inquired after his baggage. The old master will take care of that himself," said Job Rutledge; and drawing back in the direction in which he had entered, he vanished from the further end of the apartment, by a mode which the candles, still shedding an imperfect light, gave Alan no means of ascertaining. Thus the adventurous young lawyer was left alone in the apartment to which he had been conducted by so singular a passage. In this condition, it was Alan's first employment to survey, with some accuracy, the place where he was; and accordingly, having trimmed the lights, he walked slowly round the apartment, examining its appearance and dimensions. It seemed to be such a small dining-parlour as is usually found in the house of the better class of artisans, shopkeepers, and such persons, having a recess at the upper end, and the usual furniture of an ordinary description. He found a door, which he endeavoured to open, but it was locked on the outside. A corresponding door on the same side of the apartment admitted him into a closet, upon the front shelves of which were punch-bowls, Fairford now found himself called upon to say glasses, tea-cups, and the like, while on one side was something; yet his feelings, upon finding himself hung a horseman's great-coat of the coarsest matethus completely in the power of a canting hypocrite, rials, with two great horse-pistols peeping out of the and of his retainer, who had so much the air of a pocket, and on the floor stood a pair of well-spattered determined ruffian, joined to the strong and abomi-jack-boots, the usual equipment of the time, at least nable fume which they snuffed up with indifference, while it almost deprived him of respiration, combined to render utterance difficult. He stated, however, that he had no evil intentions towards the Laird, as they called him, but was only the bearer of a letter to him on particular business, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees. Ay, ay," said Job, "that may be well enough; and if Mr. Trumbull is satisfied that the scrive is right, why, we will give you a cast in the Jumping Jenny this tide, and Nanty Ewart will put you on a way of finding the Laird, I warrant you.' "I may for the present return, I presume, to the inn where I have left my horse?" said Fairford. "With pardon," replied Mr. Trumbull, "you have been ower far ben with us for that; but Job will take you to a place where you may sleep rough till he calls you. I will bring you what little baggage you can need-for those who go on such errands must not be dainty. I will myself see after your horse, for a merciful man is merciful to his beast-a matter too often forgotten in our way of business." Why, Master Trumbull," replied Job, "you know that when we are chased, it's no time to shorten sail, and so the boys do ride whip and spur"- He stopped in his speech, observing the old man had vanished through the door by which he had entered-"That's always the way with old Turnpenny," he said to Fairford; "he cares for nothing of the trade but the profit-now, d-me, if I don't think the fun of it is better worth while. But come along, my fine chap; I must stow you away in safety until it is time to go aboard." CHAPTER XIII. NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED. FAIRFORD followed his gruff guide among a labyrinth of barrels and puncheons, on which he had for long journeys. Not greatly liking the contents of the closet, Alan Fairford shut the door, and resumed his scrutiny round the walls of the apartment, in order to discover the mode of Job Rutledge's retreat. The secret passage was, however, too artificially concealed, and the young lawyer had nothing better to do than to meditate on the singularity of his present situation. He had long known that the excise laws had occasioned an active contraband trade betwixt Scotland and England, which then, as now, existed, and will continue to exist, until the utter abolition of the wretched system which establishes an inequality of duties betwixt the different parts of the same kingdom; a system, be it said in passing, mightily resembling the conduct of a pugilist, who should tie up one arm that he might fight the better with the other, But Fairford was unprepared for the expensive and regular establishments by which the illicit traffic was carried on, and could not have conceived that the capital employed in it should have been adequate to the erection of these extensive buildings, with all their contrivances for secrecy of communication. He was musing on these circumstances, not without some anxiety for the progress of his own journey, when suddenly, as he lifted his eyes, he discovered old Mr. Trumbull at the upper end of the apartment, bearing in one hand a small bundle, in the other his dark lantern, the light of which, as he advanced, he directed full upon Fairford's countenance. Though such an apparition was exactly what he expected, yet he did not see the grim, stern old man present himself thus suddenly without emotion; especially when he recollected, what to a youth of his pious education was peculiarly shocking, that the grizzled hypocrite was probably that instant arisen from his kness to Heaven, for the purpose of engaging in the mysterious transactions of a desperate and illegal trade. Having descended to the second story, and entered a room there, in which there was a light, old Mr. Trumbull rung the bell of the apartment thrice, with an interval betwixt each, during which, he told deliberately the number twenty. Immediately after the third ringing the landlord appeared, with stealthy step, and an appearance of mystery on his buxom visage. He greeted Mr. Trumbull, who was his landlord as it proved, with great respect, and expressed some surprise at seeing him so late, as he termed it, on Saturday at e'en." 66 "I have brought you," said Trumbull, "a clean shirt and some stockings, which is all the baggage And I Robin Hastie," said the landlord to the you can conveniently carry, and I will cause one of tenant, "am more surprised than pleased, to hear sae the lads lend you a horseman's coat, for it is ill sail-muckle din in your house, Robie, so near the honouring or riding without one; and, touching your valise, it will be as safe in my poor house, were it full of the gold of Ophir, as if it were in the depth of the mine." "I have no doubt of it," said Fairford. "And now," said Trumbull, again, "I pray you to tell me by what name I am to name you to Nanty [which is Antony] Ewart?" "By the name of Alan Fairford," answered the young lawyer. "But that," said Mr. Trumbull, in reply, "is your own proper name and surname.' "And what other should I give?" said the young man; "do you think I have any occasion for an alias? And, besides, Mr. Trumbull," added Alan, thinking a little raillery might intimate confidence of spirit, "you blessed yourself, but a little while since, that you had no acquaintance with those who defiled their names so far as to be obliged to change them." "True, very true," said Mr. Trumbull; "neverthe less, young man, my gray hairs stand unreproved in this matter; for, in my line of business, when I sit under my vine and my fig-tree, exchanging the strong waters of the north for the gold which is the price thereof, I have, I thank Heaven, no disguises to keep with any man, and wear my own name of Thomas Trumbull, without any chance that the same may be polluted. Whereas, thou, who art to journey in miry ways, and amongst a strange people, mayst do well to have two names, as thou hast two shirts, the one to keep the other clean." Here he emitted a chuckling grunt, which lasted for two vibrations of the pendulum exactly, and was the only approach towards laughter in which old Turnpenny, as he was nicknamed, was ever known to indulge. "You are witty, Mr. Trumbull," said Fairford; "but jests are no arguments-I shall keep my own At your own pleasure," said the merchant; "there is but one name which," &c. &c. &c. able Sabbath; and I must mind you, that it is contravening the terms of your tack, whilk stipulate, that you should shut your public on Saturday at nine o'clock, at latest." "Yes, sir," said Robin Hastie, no way alarmed at the gravity of the rebuke, "but you must take tent that I have admitted naebody but you, Mr. Trumbull, (who by the way admitted yoursell,) since nine o'clock; for the most of the folk have been here for several hours about the lading, and so on, of the brig. It is not full tide yet, and I cannot put the men out into the street. If I did, they would go to some other public and their souls would be nae the better, and my purse muckle the waur; for how am I to pay the rent, if I do not sell the liquor ?" Nay, then," said Thomas Trumbull, "if it is a work of necessity, and in the honest independent way of business, no doubt there is balm in Gilead. But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart be as is most likely, amongst these unhappy topers; and if so, let him step this way cannily, and speak to me and this young gentleman. And it's dry talking, Robinyou must minister to us a bowl of punch-ye ken my gage." "From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour's taste, Mr. Thomas Trumbull," said mine host; "and ye shall hang me over the sign-post if there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than just suits you. There are three of you-you will be for the auld Scots peremptory pint-stoup* for the success of the voyage?" Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin," said Mr. Trumbull. "Yours is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane-baith host and guest. But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin-the blue bowl-that will sloken all their drouth, and prevent the sinful repetition of whipping for an eke of a Saturday at e'en. Ay, Robin it is a pity of Nanty Ewart-Nanty likes the turning up of his little finger unco weel, and we maunna stint him, Robin, so as we leave him sense to steer by." We will not follow the hypocrite through the impi- Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland ous cant which he added, in order to close the subject. Frith though he were as drunk as the Baltic Ocean," Alan followed him, in silent abhorrence to the re- said Robin Hastie; and instantly tripping down stairs, cess in which the beaufet was placed, and which was he speedily returned with the materials for what he so artificially made as to conceal another of those called his browst, which consisted of two English traps with which the whole building abounded. This quarts of spirits, in a huge blue bowl, with all the concealment admitted them to the same winding ingredients for punch, in the same formidable proporpassage by which the young lawyer had been brought tion. At the same time he introduced Mr. Antony thither. The path which they now took amid these or Nanty Ewart, whose person, although he was a mazes, differed from the direction in which he had good deal flustered with liquor, was different from been guided by Rutledge. It led upwards, and termi- what Fairford expected. His dress was what is emnated beneath a garret window. Trumbull opened phatically termed the shabby genteel-a frock with it, and with more agility than his age promised, clam- tarnished lace-a small cocked-hat, ornamented in a bered out upon the leads. If Fairford's journey had similar way-a scarlet waistcoat, with faded embroidbeen hitherto in a stifled and subterranean atmos-ery, breeches of the same, with silver knee-bands, and phere, it was now open, lofty, and airy enough; for he he wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a had to follow his guide over leads and slates, which sullied sword-belt. the old smuggler traversed with the dexterity of a cat. "Here I come, It is true his course was facilitated by knowing ex- Mr. Trumbull Patron," he said, shaking hands with actly where certain stepping-places and holdfasts were placed, of which Fairford could not so readily avail himself; but, after a difficult and somewhat perilous progress along the roofs of two or three houses, they at length descended by a skylight into a garret room, and from thence by the stairs into a publichouse; for such it appeared by the ringing of bells, whistling for waiters and attendance, bawling of "House, house, here!" chorus of sea songs, and the like noises. aboard." Well, I see you have got some grog "It is not my custom, Mr. Ewart," said the old gentlemen, "as you well know, to become a chamberer or carouser thus late on Saturday at e'en; but I wanted to recommend to your attention a young friend The Scottish pint of liquid measure comprehends four English measures of the same denomination. The jest is wellknown of my poor countryman, who, driven to extremity by Scottish coin, at length answered, "Ay, ay! But the deil tak the raillery of the Southern, on the small denomination of the them that has the least pint-stoup." CHAP. XIII.] REDGAUNTLET. of ours, that is going upon a something particular journey, with a letter to our friend the Laird, from Pate-in-Peril, as they call him." "Ay-indeed ?-he must be in high trust for so young a gentleman.-I wish you joy, sir," bowing to Fairford. "By'r Lady, as Shakspeare says, you are bringing up a neck to a fair end.-Come, patron, we will drink to Mr. What-shall-call-um-What is his name?-Did you tell me?-And have I forgot it already?" "Mr. Alan Fairford," said Trumbull. "Ay, Mr. Alan Fairford-a good name for a fair trader-Mr. Alan Fairford; and may he be long withheld from the topmost round of ambition, which I take to be the highest round of a certain ladder." While he spoke, he seized the punch ladle, and began to fill the glasses. But Mr. Trumbull arrested his hand, until he had, as he expressed himself, sanctified the liquor by a long grace; during the pronunciation of which, he shut indeed his eyes, but his nostrils became dilated, as if he were snuffing up the fragrant beverage with peculiar complacency. When the grace was at length over, the three friends sat down to their beverage, and invited Alan Fairford to partake. Anxious about his situation, and disgusted as he was with his company, he craved, and with difficulty obtained permission, under the allegation of being fatigued, heated, and the like, to stretch himself on a couch which was in the apartment, and attempted at least to procure some rest before high water, when the vessel was to sail. He was at length permitted to use his freedom, and stretched himself on the couch, having his eyes for some time fixed on the jovial party he had left, and straining his ears to catch if possible a little of their conversation. This he soon found was to no purpose; for what did actually reach his ears was disguised so completely by the use of cant words, and the thieves Latin called slang, that even when he caught the words, he found himself as far as ever from the sense of their conversation. At length he fell asleep. It was after Alan had slumbered for three or four hours, that he was wakened by voices bidding him rise up and prepare to be jogging. He started up accordingly, and found himself in presence of the same party of boon companions, who had just despatched their huge bowl of punch. To Alan's surprise, the liquor had made but little innovation on the brains of men, who were accustomed to drink at all hours, and in the most inordinate quantities. The landlord indeed spoke a little thick, and the texts of Mr. Thomas Trumbull stumbled on his tongue; but Nanty was one of those topers, who, becoming early what bon vivants term flustered, remain whole nights and days at the same point of intoxication; and, in fact, as they are seldom entirely sober, can be as rarely seen absolutely drunk. Indeed, Fairford, had he not known how Ewart had been engaged whilst he himself was asleep, would almost have sworn when he awoke, that the man was more sober than when he first entered the room. He was confirmed in this opinion when they descended below, where two or three sailors and ruffianlooking fellows awaited their commands. Ewart took the whole direction upon himself, gave his orders with briefness and precision, and looked to their being executed with the silence and celerity which that peculiar crisis required. All were now dismissed for the brig, which lay, as Fairford was given to understand, a little farther down the river, which is navigable for vessels of light burden, till almost within a mile of the When they issued from the inn, the landlord bid them good-by. Old Trumbull walked a little way with them, but the air had probably considerable effect on the state of his brain; for, after reminding Alan Fairford that the next day was the honourable Sabbath, he became extremely excursive in an attempt to exhort him to keep it holy. At length, being perhaps sensible that he was becoming unintelligible, he thrust a volume into Fairford's hand-hiccupping at the same time-" Good book-good book-fine hymn-book-fit for the honourable Sabbath, whilk awaits us to-morrow morning."-Here the iron tongue of time told five from the town steeple of Annan, to Three of the fellows were now returning to the town, and, at Ewart's command, they cut short the patriarch's exhortation, by leading him back to his own residence. The rest of the party then proceeded to the brig, which only waited their arrival to get under weigh and drop down the river. Nanty Ewart betook himself to steering the brig, and the very touch of the helm seemed to dispel the remaining influence of the liquor which he had drunk, since, through a troublesome and intricate channel, he was able to direct the course of his little vessel with the most perfect accuracy and safety, Alan Fairford, for some time, availed himself of the clearness of the summer morning to gaze on the dimly seen shores betwixt which they glided, becoming less and less distinct as they receded from each other, until at length, having adjusted his little bundle by way of pillow, and wrapt around him the greatcoat with which old Trumbull had equipped him, he stretched himself on the deck, to try to recover the slumber out of which he had been awakened. Sleep had scarce begun to settle on his eyes, ere he found something stirring about his person. With ready presence of mind he recollected his situation, and resolved to show no alarm until the purpose of this became obvious; but he was soon relieved from his anxiety, by finding it was only the result of Nanty's attention to his comfort, who was wrapping around him, as softly as he could, a great boat-cloak, in order to defend him from the morning air. "Thou art but a cockerel, he muttered, "but 'twere pity thou wert knocked off the perch before seeing a little more of the sweet and sour of this world-though, faith, if thou hast the usual luck of it, the best way were to leave thee to the chance of a seasoning fever." These words, and the awkward courtesy with which the skipper of the little brig tucked the sea-coat round Fairford, gave him a confidence of safety which he had not yet thoroughly possessed. He stretched himself in more security on the hard planks, and was speedily asleep, though his slumbers were feverish and unrefreshing. It has been elsewhere intimated that Alan Fairford inherited from his mother a delicate constitution, with a tendency to consumption; and, being an only child, with such a cause for apprehension, care, to the verge of effeminacy, was taken to preserve him from damp beds, wet feet, and those various emergencies, to which the Caledonian boys of much higher birth, but more active habits, are generally accustomed. In man, the spirit sustains the constitutional weakness, as in the winged tribes the feathers bear aloft the body. But there is a bound to these supporting qualities; and as the pinions of the bird must at length grow weary, so the vis animi of the human struggler becomes broken down by continued fatigue. When the voyager was awakened by the light of the sun now riding high in Heaven, he found himself |