|Passing through the garden, the earl and countess took a path that led
them along the rocky edge of the ravine, at the bottom of which flowed
the Devil's Water.
At length they reached the wood and entered a sombre alley arched over
by boughs and designated the “Maiden's Walk.”
According to a legend connected with the place, a phantom wearing the
form of a beautiful female was sometimes seen in the alley, and the
appearance of the “Maiden” was thought to bode ill to any member of the
Radclyffe family.
Not without some superstitious terror did the earl track this darksome
walk. He had often been there, but had never beheld the phantom, but
this seemed an occasion when, if ever, the Maiden might be expected to
appear.
At the end of the alley a narrow path turned off on the left that
brought them, after several windings, to an open space in the heart of
the thicket. Here stood the hut; and thus buried, it was not likely
that the little habitation would be discovered unless its situation were
pointed out.
As the noble pair drew near the hut, a savage growl was heard, and a
large, fierce-looking dog rushed from behind a great stack of wood. The
moment, however, the savage animal beheld the earl he became quiet and
crouched at his feet.
At the same time the woodcutter made his appearance.
Nathan Blacklaw was strongly built, and had a manly, resolute look.
On his shoulder he carried a hatchet, and his costume consisted of
a leather jacket, a leather cap, and long leather gaiters, reaching
considerably above the knee. He had come forward on hearing his dog
bark, and immediately recognizing the earl and countess, doffed his cap
and made a rough obeisance.
“Cheviot knows me as well as you do, Nathan,” observed the earl, patting
the dog's large head.
“Ay, he wad na ha' allowed any one but your lordship and my lady to come
nigh the hut,” said the wood-cutter.
“You must find him a good companion in this solitary spot, Nathan,”
remarked the countess.
“'Deed I do, my lady. I dunna know what I and my dame should do without
Cheviot.”
“We have come to have a look at the hut, Nathan,” said the earl. “Show
us inside it, will you?”
Just then a good-looking woman--not more than thirty-five--plainly, yet
not unbecomingly dressed, came forth.
Without any hesitation or embarrassment, Dame Black-law at once ushered
the noble pair into the cottage.
Necessarily it was very small, but it looked clean and tidy. It
contained only a couple of rooms: in the largest, on which the door
opened, the inmates had their meals; it was furnished with a chest of
drawers, a small oak table, an arm-chair, a rush-bottomed chair, and a
settee.
Besides these there was a clock, and in one corner was a cupboard
containing pewter plates, three or four drinking-mugs, certain articles
of crockery, and a brace of squat-looking Dutch bottles. Fixed against
the wall on the side opposite the cupboard was a crucifix, for Nathan
and his wife were Papists. On the hearth burnt a cheerful wood fire, and
above it hung a large iron pot. Over the mantelpiece was placed a gun.
The inner room, about half the size of the other, held the bed of the
worthy couple, who had no family.
“What will you say, dame, when I tell you that I am coming to spend a
few days with you?” remarked the earl.
“Your lordship is pleased to jest,” she replied, with a smile. “It isn't
very likely you will stay here.”
“Likely or not, you may expect me to-morrow morning,” said the earl.
She held up her hands in astonishment.
“To speak plainly, I don't find it safe at the castle,” said the earl.
“If I remain there I shall be arrested, so I mean to take refuge in your
cottage.”
“I thought as much,” cried Nathan. “I shall be proud, indeed, to afford
your lordship a hiding-place, and I think you will be quite safe here.”
“The magistrates are coming with a party of horse-militia to-morrow,
and as they won't find me at the castle, they are sure to make a strict
search in the neighbourhood.”
“Let 'em try. We'll baffle 'em,” said the woodcutter.
“But however shall we accommodate his lordship?” said
Dame Blacklaw to the countess. “He won't condescend to occupy our bed.”
“Give yourself no trouble about me, dame,” interposed the earl. “I can
sleep very well in that arm-chair. With Cheviot to watch over me, I
shall fear no nocturnal intruder.”
“Your lordship will have timely warning should any one come near the
place. Of that you may rest assured,” said the woodcutter.
Having made all the arrangements he thought necessary, the earl then
left with the countess. His parting injunction to the woodcutter and his
wife was to look out for him early in the morning, and not to breathe a
word to any one that they expected him.