DERMON D. A TALE OF KNIGHTLY DEEDS DONE IN OLD DAYS. -Tennyson. BOOK II.-"A SYLVAN COURT." CHAPTER XI. The bison, fiercest race of Scotia's breed, Whose bounding course outstripped the red deer's speed, He frowning shook his yellow lion-mane, Spurned with black hoof in bursting rage the ground, -Leyden. In order to make good their escape, Dermond and Olave had chosen the thickest and most intricate part of the forest, where no horseman would ever have dared to penetrate. The young chieftain, however, might easily have lost his way but for the guidance of his faithful henchman, who knew every wood and mountain for many a league around Dunkerlyne, as well as every tide and wind along the western and northern coasts. They soon succeeded in baffling every effort of their pursuers to overtake them, and as the grey light of the morning stole over the tops of the mountains, lighting up the red and yellow tints of the fading woodlands, panting and breathless the two fugitives had gained the side of a sloping eminence, which commanded a fair prospect of their surroundings. Pausing and looking back they could perceive nothing to indicate the whereabouts of Bruce or his followers throughout the vast extent of shaggy forest and bare moorland. Away in the distance the mountains seemed to sleep in the folds of the snowy clouds, and a thick haze hid the sea entirely from view. "Now that we are safe," said Dermond, "and before considering what we shall do next, tell me how you managed to escape and find me out on the hillside yonder." "Ha! my good sir," said Olave laughing, "I was certain to undo the carles in the end; and, though I say it, 'twas no craven feat." "I'll warrant you," said Dermond, "and what now shall Kate, that sprightly wench, say to the doing o't?" 66 Nay, now let that rest. We have something else to settle for the fair Kate and the good Lady Bertha," returned the Norseman, at the same time causing a shadow to fall over the face of the young chieftain. 66 As you say we have, Olave, and 'tis that which troubles me. Now, when 1 think on't, I can only curse the freedom you have given me, for I cannot face the lady to acknowledge my failure." "I'd have you think "A murrain on such foolery," was the answer. no more about the matter. Why should you rashly risk your neck in a hopeless enterprise? Look you now, sir, I have been as anxious as thyself-if thou'lt pardon me saying so-concerning this message we, and not you alone, have undertaken to deliver for the relief of the distressed damsel, under pain of forfeiting all reputation we may have for honour and gallantry. Some other means must, however, be devised in order to accomplish her liberty, for I have e'en learned that you shall have short shrift if you again attempt to hold any communication of whatsoever nature with Sir David Macneill. Many things were unsuspectingly dropped in my hearing which go to show that Lady Bertha's father has no more the favour of Bruce than I have for this day's doing. He is, as you know, a relative of John of Lorn-the friend and would be avenger of the murdered Comyn-and although he avows his devotion to the cause of Bruce, he is regarded with suspicion and duly observed. Consequently, any attempt to have a word or deliver a letter to him from Dunolly would be sheer madness. They cannot accuse him openly of any treacherous intention, but the suspicion exists; and the moment it became known that you had a desire to interview Sir David on a matter of some importance, whispers confirming the suspicion were heard in all quarters, and greater precautions were taken to prevent you from communicating anything which, as they supposed, might imperil the safety of Bruce and his whole following." "But I might have explained the nature of my message to Bruce himself, for him to judge." "Ah! that is well enough, my young master; but think you he would have believed what you had to say?" "I should have endeavoured to make him do so, and defied to mortal combat the man who might venture to accuse me of a lie." "Bravely spoken," returned Olave, "but can you suppose they would have allowed you to come within the hearing of the King. You were under the charge of the Douglas, who is too wary to listen to the statements of his prisoners. Besides, 'tis well you did not mention the letter, for that would only have aggravated your position." "The contents of the letter would have answered for themselves," said Dermond. "So you might imagine," was Olave's answer; "but seemingly innocent letters have ere now concealed the secret signs of traitors. Know you not that on the first intimation of your wish to speak with Sir David, there was even a division in the camp of the King as to whether you should not be instantly executed to prevent the possibility of your communicating anything. Your story, so far as I could gather, was looked upon by Bruce as a foolish invention, and had you spoken of the letter in your possession it would have been taken from you and instantly destroyed. No one can be too careful in these dangerous times, and you can easily forgive the suspicions of a hunted monarch and his followers, who live to-day but know not what may take place on the morrow." Thanks, good Olave," said Dermond. "I perceive the wisdom of your words, and as Lorn is certainly advancing in this direction with a large army for the purpose of avenging the death of his kinsman, we could not do better than go and join the ranks and take part in the pursuit, trusting fervently that something may yet take place to enable us to deliver the packet into the safe keeping of Sir David Macneill." Olave assented, and both walked briskly forward in the hope of soon meeting with their liege, lord Lorn. "But tell me now of your escape," said Dermond, after they had journeyed in silence for some time together. “Ah, yes,” said the henchman, "you wish to hear of that. Well, for some weeks past I had thought it carefully over, and I was assured that this day of liberty was not far distant. I watched these huntings, and I was glad to see the way in which it scattered the starving carles. Faith, and they have my pity, and I fear me they have worse cheer than it behoves them to show in the presence of the fair and noble ladies. Well, as I said, these huntings overjoyed me, and I watched my opportunity. I had the good fortune to gain the leeward side of a Douglas follower-in faith they were mostly all the followers of Douglas-but this same follower so impressed me as to make me think he had a standing grudge against his master; perhaps he cared not for the good fare of these Highland hills. At any rate, I learned the most of what I have already told you from him, and as I mentioned in confidence that I should like to warn you against insisting on an interview with Sir David, he agreed to give me an opportunity for so doing; but he kept me so long in suspense, eluding my requests, that I finally came to the conclusion that he had some hidden design concerning us all. Well, driven along like cattle, with large staves which our guards kept perpetually poking into our ribs, we were naturally inclined to be stubborn. Yesterday evening, when that herd of cattle brushed so near our path, we were, as you know, pacing downward, all tied securely together, when, as the whole party dashed forward, the eternal and fiendish poking was renewed. For a time we rushed on, eager to gratify our tormentors, and yet thirsting for freedom; but as they found themselves a little too far behind in the race, they grew rather churlish and beat and punched so fearfully that I instantly called on my companions, seeing we were almost alone with our guards, to stay and make an effort to stop the brutal treatment. We accordingly came to halt just as we were passing along a path bounden on each side, a steep bank to the left with a stream at the foot, and a rising eminence on the right. By the flaming beard of Thor,' I addressed them, 'I shall not budge one step further unless this unseemly beating be withheld.' 'Damn the knave's insolence,' said one, 'beat his bastard brains to pottage.' At the same time he aimed a blow that would have cracked a harder head than mine, when the carle, of whom I have already spoken, interposed his sword, warding off the blow, and giving in return a switch with the broad side of his weapon, which drew forth howls of agony. 'By the bones of St Fillan,' said he, 'if thou bearest not a civil tongue between thy teeth, and do not keep thy bludgeon in better discipline, I'll beat thee for a cowardly knave.' Then, addressing me, he said, 'Make speed, brave sir, and I shall see that no harm comes by you,' He had scarcely finished speaking when a dreadful sound of roaring came from the front, and onward in full career there came a bellowing bull, rearing, and lashing madly with his tail, frothing at the mouth, and hell flaming in his eyes. All of course drew back eager to escape the violence of the anticipated charge. Meanwhile the bull had come to a stand in the narrowest part of the pass, where he stood champing his feet, heaving his head, and whipping with his tail. Faith, we would not venture near, but continued to move backwards and bore the thickening blows with stubborn bravery, and by the soul of Odin they shall suffer for these infernal beatings. Several picked men were ordered to advance upon the bull and drive him off, but no one cared to stir, whereupon I accused them of cowardice, They called me a boasting, craven-hearted cox-comb. 'Release these bands,' I said, 'give me a good sword, and I shall teach these jackanapes how to chase a bull and clear the pass.' 'Come then, what say you,' he said, turning to his followers, 'if we arm this knave and have him face the roaring animal to put his crowing out of fashion.' Each eager to have the irksome duty disposed of, said I should be worthy of a yeoman's acres. Accordingly I was liberated from my bonds, and armed with a good sharp sword-the same I carry in my belt-I marched forward to meet my foe, who, seeing me advance, grew more infuriated, set up a great bellowing, heaved high his head, and bounded towards me like a warrior's horse in tournay. My ears were dinned with the shouts of the spectators as they drew back alarmed, and yet straining with expectation, but I was not the fool to fight for the mere safety of my enemies. I saw the hunters coming in full course behind, the swarthy Douglas in the van-and heard their shouts. 'Twas but the work of a moment to elude the careering bull as he rushed past me, flinging the froth in the air and roaring in his madness. I heard the yells of those behind me as he bounded on them, but heeding not I swung myself down the face of the cliff, clinging to the brushwood, but missing my footing I fell, somewhat stunned, among some hazel bushes at the foot of the rock. A cry came from above, but I soon got on my feet and fled across the stream, halting not until I came within a bowshot of where you and the squire and jackmen were journeying with a hopeless endeavour to fall in with the main body. I followed you at a considerable distance, but had some difficulty in escaping detection, but I felt secure as darkness came on. When you reached the hillside yonder I bedded in the bracken close to where you lay, and did all I could to attract your attention with the result which you already know." "Bravo!" said Dermond, as the doughty henchman concluded his narrative. ""Twould garnish a tale withal. But did they not attempt to follow?" "Faith, I know not," said Olave. "The hunters were too eager in their sport, and as for the craven-hearted fools who watched I heard their shouts of terror. 'Tis true a few arrows lighted on my way, but I was too hurried to look and learn whether they were aimed at me or the bull; and as for descending that rock I swear I should not have attempted it under any other circumstances." "Your training as a mountaineer has not been spent in vain,” said the young chieftain, They were now going down the other side of the hill looking towards the Vale of Hasendean, and away in the distance far beneath they saw the tall pines and shaggy beech trees that hid from view the little chapel of Father Dominick, close to the mountain loch that glistened in the sunlight. A wreath of blue smoke rising gently through the branches and foliage betokened the situation of the holy man's dwelling. The morning was not far gone, the turf was still wet and sparkling with the evening dew, and the breeze was laden with the freshness and fragrance of the forest and mountain. (To be Continued.) THE AGED PIPER AND HIS BAGPIPE. THERE are many incidents of deep interest connected with the attempt to reinstate the Stuarts on the British throne. Since the period of the Rebellion, many things have occurred, and not a few changes have happily tended to strengthen the reigning dynasty, and to extinguish the Stuarts' last ray of hope. The Stuart family, as is well known, had many friendly and faithful adherents in the Highlands of Scotland, by whom every attempt was made at the time to obtain the services and to secure the allegiance of the powerful and brave. The subject of this brief notice was a man far-famed in his day, for his proficiency in the martial music of the Highlands, and not less so for his personal agility and warlike spirit. John Macgregor, one of the celebrated "Clann Sgéulaich," a native of Fortingall, a parish in the Highlands of Perthshire, was, like too many of his countrymen, warmly attached to the Prince's cause. He embraced, in consequence, the earliest opportunity of joining his standard. Soon after Charles had set his foot on the soil of Scotland, Macgregor resorted without delay to the general rendezvous of the clans at Glenfinnan, and shortly became a great favourite with the Prince. Macgregor was a powerful man, handsome, active, well-built, and about six feet in height. He was a close attendant upon his Royal Highness-accompanied him in all his movements, and was ever ready and willing to serve him in every emergency. Charles placed great confidence in his valiant piper, and was in the habit of addressing him in kind and familiar terms. Unfortunately, however, the gallant piper had but a very scanty knowledge of the English language, and could not communicate to his Royal Highness various tidings that might be of service to be known. The Prince, however, acquired as much of the Celtic tongue, in a comparatively short time, as enabled him to say, "Seid suas do phiob, Iain" (Blow up your pipe, John). This was a frequent and favourite command of the Prince. When he entered into the city of Edinburgh, and likewise after the luckless Cope and his dragoons took flight at Prestonpans, the Prince loudly called, "Seid suas do phiob, Iain." John could well do so, and the shrill notes of his powerful instrument were heard from afar. He stood by the Prince in all his movements, and went wherever he went, He joined in the march to Derby; was present at the battle of Falkirk; played at the siege of Stirling Castle; and appeared with sword and pipe at the irretrievable defeat at Culloden, where, alas! on the evening of the fatal day, he beheld the last sight of his beloved Prince. Poor John received rather a severe wound by a ball in the left thigh, causing a considerable loss of blood, and consequent weakness. By the aid of a surgeon which he fortunately met with, the wound was dressed, and he made the best of his way, after many hair-breadth escapes and distressing deprivations, to his native glen, where he resided to the day of his death. He had numerous descendants-four sons and eight grandsons -and all of them pipers. Of these, the last alive, but now dead, was a grandson, the aged piper referred to at the head of this article, who was also a John Macgregor. The identical bagpipe with which Macgregor cheered the spirits of his Jacobite countrymen in their battles and skirmishes was still in the possession of this grandson, the John Macgregor already alluded to, who de |