'My master,' said the rider, 'deemed he had sent you an acceptable gift in that old heretic preacher; but it seems, from the slight care you have taken of him, that'you make small account of the boon.'
'Nay,' said the sub-prior, 'do not thus judge of it. The community must account highly of the service, and will reward it to thy master in goodly fashion. But this man and I are old friends, and I trust to bring him back from the paths of perdition.'
'Nay,' said the moss-trooper, 'when I saw you shake hands at the beginning I counted that you would fight it all out in love and honour, and that there would be no extreme dealings betwixt ye; however it is all one to my master. Saint Mary! what call you yon, sir monk?'
'The branch of a willow streaming across the path betwixt us and the sky.'
'Beshrew me,' said Christie, 'if it looked not like a man's hand holding a sword. But touching my master, he, like a prudent man, hath kept himself aloof in these broken times, until he could see with precision what footing he was to stand upon. Right tempting offers he hath had from the Lords of Congregation, whom you call heretics; and at one time he was minded, to be plain with you, to have taken their way; for he was assured that the Lord James[1]
was coming this road at the head of a round body of cavalry. And accordingly Lord James did so far reckon upon him, that he sent this man Warden, or whatsoever be his name, to my master's protection, as an assured friend; and, moreover, with tidings that he himself was marching hitherward at the head of a strong body of horse.'
'Now, Our Lady forefend!' said the sub-prior.
'Amen!' answered Christie, in some trepidation, 'did your reverence see aught?'
'Nothing whatever,' replied the monk; 'it was thy tale which wrested from me that exclamation.'
'And it was some cause,' replied he of the Clinthill, 'for if Lord James should come hither, your halidome would smoke for it. But be of good cheer, that expedition is ended before it was begun. The Baron of Avenel had sure news that Lord James has been fain to march westward with
- ↑ Lord James Stuart, afterwards the Regent Murray.
