|The moon was shining brightly, but her beams could not penetrate the
depths of the narrow forest road along which he had proceeded for nearly
a mile when he heard the sound of horses' feet behind him.
Not for a moment imagining it could be an enemy, but thinking it highly
probable a messenger might have been sent after him by the countess, he
halted.
“Is your lordship there?” cried a voice.
“Ay,” he replied. “What would you with me?”
“You must be pleased to come back with us,” rejoined the speaker. “You
are wanted at the castle.”
“What has happened,” cried the earl uneasily.
No immediate answer being returned, his suspicions were
aroused--especially as he could hear the two horsemen, who had now come
up, talking together in a low tone--and he was just about to gallop
off, when one of the men dashed suddenly forward, seized his bridle, and
presenting a pistol at his head, told him he was a prisoner.
“Ah! I now know who and what you are, villains,” cried the earl.
“We are loyal subjects of King George, my lord,” replied the man who
held his bridle, “and as such are bound to capture all those who appear
in arms against him. We have been very lucky to-night in arresting
a rebel leader. Your lordship will not be surprised to learn that we
intend to take you as a prisoner to Newcastle.” The earl repressed the
wrathful exclamation that rose to his lips, and said:
“Have any of my household turned traitors?”
“No, my lord,” replied the man. “You may set your mind at ease on that
score. All your servants are true to you. We are Sir William Lorraine's
officers, and have been employed by him to watch Dilston. We were
therefore aware of your visit this evening, and followed you on your
return to Hexham, being resolved on your arrest.”
“If your lordship is content to go with us quietly,” said the other man,
“we will shew you every attention. But if you attempt to escape, we will
shoot you through the head, without hesitation. And now be pleased to
deliver up your arms.”
“I have no arms except my sword,” replied the earl, “and I will part
with life rather than with it.”
While the man, whose hands were disengaged, was striving to take the
weapon from him, the fierce barking of a dog was heard, accompanied by
shouts, and the earl at once comprehending from the sounds that Nathan
the woodcutter was at hand with Cheviot, called out loudly:
“To the rescue, Nathan; to the rescue!”
“Here I am, my lord,” responded the sturdy woodcutter, as he and his
hound burst through the trees.
A bullet whistled past his head, as he appeared on the scene, but
luckily did him no injury.
Next moment, however, the stout cudgel he grasped was falling heavily
upon the earl's captors, while Cheviot's fierce barking terrified their
horses so much, that the animals broke away in spite of their riders'
efforts to restrain them, and being allowed no rest by the hound who
continued to attack their heels, were soon driven off altogether.
“I shall not forget the great service you have just rendered me,
Nathan,” said Lord Derwentwater. “But for you these villains would have
carried me off as a prisoner.”
“I am right glad I arrived in time,” replied the woodcutter. “Cheviot
warned me of your lordship's danger.”
“Ah! did he so?” cried the earl.
And when the faithful animal came back from the chase, he warmly praised
him and caressed him.
“Now, hie thee to the castle, Nathan,” said the earl. “See her ladyship,
and tell her from what a peril you have rescued me. She will know how to
recompense you.”
“I want no recompense, my lord,” replied the honest woodcutter. “I only
wish I could always be at hand to succour your lordship when in need.”
“I wish you could,” said the earl.
With this, he galloped off and arrived without further molestation at
Hexham; while Nathan proceeded, as bidden, to the castle, and related
the earl's adventure in the forest to the countess.
A good supper for each of them was the immediate reward of himself and
his hound.