60 THE JUDGE AND THE FREEBOOTER .
as to gear , I'm sure we have plenty ; but little mair need be said anent the matter , for I pro- mised to the Earl ye would be glad to make ony paction , so that your life was spared . "
" Ye were unco ready , " retorted the borderer , " but since ye did say sae , I reckon I maun abide by it . "
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• Now ye speak like a reasonable man , " said Alice , " and as the Earl is to be here the morn , I trust you'll soon be out o ' this dolefu ' place . " Soon after this the door of the dungeon opened , and the jailor entered . " It's time , dame , that ye were awa , " said he , " for a'm gawn to lock up . I hope Gilnockie's taking a thought o ' another world , for he has been a reckless man . I have long forseen the end he would come to . "
" Haud your tongue , ye auld boding ravin , and take your ill - faured face out o ' my sight ; I'll soon be out o ' your hands . "
" Aye , when the hangman gets you into his , " answered the jailer , as he ushered Alice out of the dungeon , and turned the key on his prisoner . - " Certie , dame , " he said , " ye have a bauld
marrow . "
" He canna bide being tethered , " replied Alice , " it just puts him by himself , but I hope he'll no be long in your lodgings . "
" There's sma ' doubt o ' that , " replied the jailer , " for the warden makes short wark o ' such mat- ters - take my word for't , he'll neer see Gilnockie tower again . "
66 Maybe , and maybe no , " answered Alice , as she slowly turned from the gate of the prison .
Long did the night appear to the anxious wife , and as soon as daylight broke , she repaired to the jail , and was soon after admitted to her husband . It was midday , however , before the Earl arrived at the jail and demanded to be conducted to Gilnockie's cell .
" This way , my Lord , " said Gustygowl , as he stumped before the Earl with a ponderous bunch of keys in his hand . " Gilnockie is a rewing loon , and he winna be the waur o ' a hanging , so please your Lordship . "
" Peace , fellow ! " said the Earl , " it becomes not such as thou art to speak thus of a bold bor- derer of high name and hereage . " Gustygowl , too much confounded to venture a reply , hastily undid the fastenings of the cell , and ushered in the Earl in respectful silence .
" Ah , Gilnockie , " said the Earl , " I am right sorry to find you here . "
" You canna be half so sorry as I am , " replied Willie , cheerfully ; " but I hope , with your Grace's help , to change my lodgings before long . "
" If you don't take warning , Willie , " said the Earl , " I prophesy that the gallows will be your end at last . The warden is highly incensed . "
" He makes a din about naething , " replied Willie ; " I'm sure little fell to my share but twa tethers . "
" Twa tethers ! " said his Lordship in surprise , " and did you peril your life for twa tethers ? "
" I'll no say but there might be two colts at the end o ' them , " said Willie , coolly .
" You are a bold man , Gilnockie , " said the
66
Earl , to jest thus when the halter is waiting for thy neck . "
66
Aye , but I ken your Lordship would like ill to see me fitted with a St. Johnstoun's tippet ; ye'll hae got my pardon ? "
" I have , " replied his Lordship , " but it was no easy matter , and there are conditions annexed , to which you must agree before you leave this place . "
66
Oh , my Lord , " exclaimed Alice , " he'll agree to ony thing , so that his life be spared . " " Haud your lang tongue , ye sorrow - wha gied you leave to put in your word ? "
" Come , come , Gilnockie , " said the Earl , " you must not find fault with your dame - I assure you she pleaded your cause most warmly . "
" I diana doubt it ; there's na gude wife but would hae done as muckle , but natheless I'm obliged to her ; now what does your Lordship expect me to promise ? "
" That ye shall neither reive , nor lift , nor join raid or feray from this time henceforth - and I have become security for these terms being kept , being assured that if you give me your word to that effect that you will keep it . "
66
My Lord , " said Willie , while a tear dimmed his eye , " I'm proud o ' the confidence ye put in my plighted word , and fiend hae me , if I ever wrang it ; and I swear by bread and salt never to lift horn even , hoof or woof , and never in ony way to break the peace of the border . "
" I ask no more , Willie , " said the Earl , " you are now free ; but I recommend you not to leave Jedburgh till the evening , as you have some ill- wishers here , who will not be pleased to find you have escaped so easily . "
" That , for the tinklers , " exclaimed Willie , snapping his fingers ; " but , my Lord , here am I , Willie Armstrong , ready to ride , to run , to fight or steal for you if you should ever need my help . ” " Thanks , Gilnockie , " replied the Earl , smiling , " but I have no occasion for any of those services at present ; however , as no one can tell what turns fortune may take , perhaps I may some day put you in mind of your promise . "
" The sooner the better , my Lord , " said Willie , with great glee , and if you should want me for a fighting bout , I'll be blythe to your pleasure . "
" Ye are gaun aff at the nail , Willie , and before his Grace , too , wha nae doubt would expect to see a man just saved frae the hangman's hands demean himself with mair discretion , " said Alice . " Neer a bit , " retorted her husband , " the Earl kens what stuff I'm made o ' . "
" Aye , " replied the Earl , " for a rewer , thou art not the worst of the kind . Farewell , Gil- nockie , speed ye hame and live a peaceable and quiet life . "
" It gangs sairly against the grain , " replied Willie , " natheless I have passed my word and I'll keep it , though I ken a peaceable life will make me gaunt my chafts aff ; farewell , my Lord , and dinna forget Willie Armstrong . "
No sooner had the Earl departed than Willie roared lustily for the jailer who quickly made his appearance ,
