'Then with me there came Robert Harburgh, and after him the Earl and all
his company with their torches. The pool proved shallow, and after many
turns and windings we came to a wide place--indeed, to the same beach
with sand and dripping fingers of stone where we had first found
ourselves. And here also we passed the remains of our boat, for it was
to this point that we had rowed that night when we took refuge in the
lion's den. The savages had broken most of it up for firewood, yet
enough remained so that I knew it again.
'But ere the men-at-arms had time to gather behind us, a host of wild
creatures armed with stones, knives, and sheath-whittles burst upon us,
yelling like demons of the pit. Women also there were, some half clad
and some wholly without cleading. And then and there was a fight such
as you, Launce, love to tell about, but I have no skill in. For the
men-at-arms shot, and we that had but swords struck, while the wild folk
shouted and the savage women bit and tore with their nails till the
cavern was full of confused noise and the red reek of burning torches.
But ever as the slain rolled among our feet they gripped to pull us
down, so that in the intervals of his fighting Robert Harburgh went
hither and thither "making siccar," as he said, with a coup de grace for
each poor clawing wretch.
'And in the narrow doorway through which you found the way, stood the
chief himself, with his eyes fiery-red, and his hair about his face. He
gripped a mighty axe in his hand, and with it he stood ready to cleave
all that came against him. Even the men hesitated at his fearsome
aspect. And it was small wonder. But I knew that there was no other way
to the innermost cave, so I cried to them to overpass the rabble and
drive forward at all hazards.
'How it came about I know not, but a moment after I found myself
opposite to Sawny Bean himself and engaging him with your sword--just
for all the world as if it had been in the armoire room of Culzean on a
rainy day, and you again teaching me the fence of blade against Lochaber
axe. But though I had not wholly forgotten my skill, doubtless the giant
had soon made an end of me, for he struck fiercely every way. But
sudden as the heathcat springs on the hill, the little Dominie leaped
upon him and drove his sword into his heart. So that Sawny Bean fell
with Dominie Mure upon his breast. Then because he was not able to pull
out his sword again, being too close, the Dominie gripped his dagger and
struck again and again, panting. And between each blow he cried out the
name of a lass--"Mary Torrance! Mary Torrance!" he said.
'Then it was that the hounds over-leaped the two of them struggling
there in the arch and sprang on, and after them came Robert Harburgh and
I. We two first entered the murky place of death. The dogs were
mouthing and gripping the Grey Man. But you lay naked upon the sand as
it had been dead.'
This was the matter of Nell's tale, and I will now in turn take up mine
own part in it, from the time at which the dogs gripped my remorseless
enemy, and as it had been, the life went out from me.
*CHAPTER XLVI1I*
*THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE OF KELWOOD*
When I came to myself the cave was filled with armed men and the
confused clamour of voices. The torches spluttered and reeked, and I
could feel that my naked body was covered with a woman's cloak wrapped
well about me. Someone was binding up my head; and as she examined to
see if all had been rightly done, I saw that it was Nell Kennedy. So I
called her softly by her name.
But she bade me not try to rise; and looked again to my head to see that
it had no serious wound.
Then came John the Earl and asked how I did. Whereupon, minding, as is
my wont, to have old Time by the forelock, I spoke of his promise.
'Here,' I said, 'is the murderer John Mure. Here is the gang of
monsters, and now I will put you in the way of obtaining the Treasure of
Kelwood, if you will fulfil the promise which you made to me.'
'What was that?' he said shortly. For though Earl John liked promising
well enough, he was not so fond of performing if it cost him aught, as
in this case it was like to do.
'My sweetheart here, my knighthood, and a suitable down-sitting of
land,' said I, knowing that it was now or never with me.
Then he demurred a little, and hesitated, so that for a moment I thought
all was lost.
'Your sweetheart you shall have,' he said at last, 'but the others are
not in my gift--save a holding of land, perhaps, which I can let you for
a trifling return when it falls vacant.'
And so rejoiced was I to think of getting my lass that I might have
consented to this; but Nell was behind me, and upon pretence of
arranging a knot of the bandage upon my forehead, she whispered in my
ear, 'Threat him with telling the King about the treasure.'
So, knowing her wisdom, I obeyed her.
'Well then, Earl John,' said I, 'if that be so, and a knighthood and
suitable heritages are not in your power to bestow, here at hand is the
King. Give me leave to speak with him. He is fond of treasure, and I
can put a brave one under his hand!'
'Hush!' said the Earl, looking about him with apprehension. For the
King was yet in the place with Mar and Lennox, ordering the taking down
and burying of the strange, white, narrow-shaped hams, and the other
things that turned the gay, squeamish folk that came with him pale and
sick only to look upon them.
'Hush!' he said again, 'above all things beware what you say to the
King. Show the Kelwood treasure to myself alone, and you shall have
Barrhill--ay, and all Minnochside from the Rowan-tree to the forks of
Trool, and I will even speak to the King about the knighting!'
'Will your lordship please to declare it before witnesses,' said I, Nell
prompting me as before, for my head was dazed; but hers was singularly
clear.
So he called to him certain honourable men of his name, and promised
faithfully. 'Are you content?' said he.