62 THE JUDGE AND THE FREEBOOTER.
claim the offer you made me in Jedburgh jail. I need your services will you give me your aid? ”
“That will I, my Lord, with right good will; only tell me what I am to do. I hope there's some fighting in the case? "
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“No, “said the Earl, “it is no fighting matter. “The mair's the pity, “answered Willie, a wee bit tulzie would hae been a grand thing for me; but will your Grace be pleased to let me ken the outs and ins o ' the business? "
“I am likely, Armstrong, “said the Earl, “to lose the best part of my estate, in consequence of a plea before the Court of Session. "
“I heard some clavers about this, “replied Willie, “but I dinna believe a word o ' it. "
“It is too true, however; but I would gain it if the President, Lord Durie, were on my side, which unfortunately he is not, “said the Earl. “The misleart loon! “exclaimed Willie, can he no be brought round? "
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“No, “replied the Earl, “but he might be brought off. His absence would answer my purpose quite as well as if he were on my side. "
“Aha! “exclaimed Willie, in great glee, “I think I see what your Grace is after; I'll be blythe to put this auld sneck drawer o ' a President out o ' the way. "
“But, Gilnockie, “said the Earl, “before you engage in this business, I must show you that I have justice on my side, and explain to you— ”
“Neer fash your beard about it, “replied Willie, “I'll take your Lordship's word for it. "
“Well, then, “answered the Earl, “I wish you to carry off Lord Durie, and confine him for a few months. A new President will be appointed, and I will gain my cause. Will you do this? "
“There's my hand on't, “replied Willie; “and ye ken, my Lord, “he continued, laughing, “he is neither corn, horn, hoof or woof so I dinna break my paction with ye. "
“True, “said the Earl, “but at all events, I will stand between you and the consequences. The next thing to be considered is, where you will hide him. "
“I'll put him in a place that naebody will think o ' looking for him, and that's the auld Tower o ' Graham, abune Moffat, which is far enough frae house or ha '. Naebody lives in the tower but an auld wife they call Elspeth Broche, and her son, a bit callant that herds sheep on the muir round the place. Aye, aye, muckle gear has been hidden in the auld Tower o ' Graham, in the heartsome raids; so ye see, my Lord, its a real convenient place. "
“I dare say you have found it so before this, “replied his lordship, smiling; “but we will say nothing on that score your readiness to assist me in this matter will not be soon forgotten. "
“Dinna speak o ' that, my Lord, ye hae a right to my life if this should cost it; certie, I never turn my head or scart my neck without thinking o ' a Jeddart tow; and I'm right glad that I can do ony thing to please your Grace. But how will I gang about it? —I would think little to gather a band o ' borderers, and rive the auld rudus loon out o ' his hole in the face o ' day. "
“No, no, Gilnockie, “said the Earl, “that will never do: but he takes a ride almost every afternoon on Leith Sands, and he is generally unattended: perhaps you may make some use of this circumstance. "
“Never fear but I'll make use of it, “replied Willie, with a grin; “I'll hae the auld carline croose in the Tower o ' Graham before another
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week is over. But your Lordship looks unco ' disgashet you'll surely bide with us the night? “That cannot be, “said the Earl; no one must know of my visit here, so I will depart as soon as my horse is sufficiently rested. "
“You maun surely take some vivres, “said Gilnockie, “and here comes Alice with the best o ' every thing within the wa's o ' the auld tower. “Ye may say that, “replied Alice, “and I hope your Lordship will taste our cheer, and muckle good may it do you! "
The Earl having partaken of some refreshment, soon after took leave of Armstrong, who lost no time in making preparations for his expedition, in which he was assisted by Alice, who was too well aware of the Earl's power and influence to fear any bad consequences from the abduction of the Judge.
Willie having attired himself in the dress of a douce country carle, threw a large plaid across his shoulders, and mounting a strong black horse, he rode straight to Edinburgh, where he arrived without meeting with adventure or mischance.
To make sure of his man, Willie visited the Court of Session, and after taking good note of the President, he repaired to a hostelrie in one of the suburbs, in order to rest his horse for the approaching journey.
On the afternoon of the succeeding day, Willie mounted his horse, and hied down to Leith Sands, and in a short time after he had the satisfaction of seeing the President, unattended, coming towards him, and Willie slackening his pace to that of the reverend judge, rode gently on.
The powerful black steed which Willie bestrode, at length attracted his Lordship's attention. “A handsome nag that, friend, “said his Lordship.
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Troth, sir, “answered Willie, touching his bonnet, “he's no an ill bit o ' horse flesh he's grand at a trot, and as for a gallop, there's no his marrow between this and Jedburgh. "
“Where do you come from, friend? “asked his Lordship.
“South a bit, “replied Gilnockie.
“Not far from the border, I suppose? “No very far, the mair's the pity; they're wild folk thereabouts. "
“They are a set of unhanged blackguards, “retorted the President“they think as little of breaking the law as I would of stringing up the first that fell into my hands. I wonder they have let you keep such a beast as that, for a fleet horse has saved many a neck from the gallows. "
“Ye may say that, replied Willie. “ Blackfoot would be a grand prize to some o ' the rewing loons; it's a pity they canna keep themselves out o ' mischief. "
