“The star of the unconquered will,
He rises in my breast,
Serene and resolute and still,
And calm and self-possessed.”
Little did Ruthven Somervil reck that Edie Johnston, whom he had so
valiantly defended, was the man who had slipped him through the portal
of Hawksglen on that long-past night. Had a suspicion, even hinting at
that, dawned upon him, he would have instantly sought out Edie and
tried to learn from him something of his descent. With Johnston and
kindred spirits he was destined to have much in common, but the
question of his parentage was never mentioned in their hearing.
Ruthven found refuge at Hunterspath, a notorious Border-raiders’
stronghold. The tidings he brought of the outrage on Ballinshaw, and
his modest recital of the part he himself had played in recent events,
won the sympathy and admiration of the mosstroopers, and he soon
proved his daring before their own eyes. None was more fearless than
Ruthven, no sword on all the Borders was sharper than his, and when,
at the end of two years, the Chief of Hunterspath went down to his
robber grave as the result of a treacherous thrust from a foeman’s
spear, Ruthven Somervil was hailed as his successor. To him was
assigned the Captaincy by common consent, and never a man went back on
his choice.
The daring life of a mosstrooper did not ill agree with Ruthven’s
valiant spirit. He was never more in his element than when leading his
men across the English Border on some mission of pillage, and never
prouder than when he withdrew into the stronghold of Hunterspath to
share his spoils with his companions.
But sometimes, when alone, a kindly thought of Eleanor Elliot brought
a mist to his eyes as he considered how ill-suited a Border-raider was
to be a mate of such a gentle lady. From the topmost turret of his own
keep he would gaze in the direction of Hawksglen, and try to discern
the towers of the ancient castle where his childhood and youth had
been passed.
“Some day, some day,” he would sigh, “God grant that I may clasp my
fair angel to my breast.”
Since the morning when he had said good-bye to Sir James and Lady
Elliot, more than three years ago, no word had ever passed between him
and Eleanor. But something told him that the fair daughter of
Hawksglen, who had looked into his eyes with the eyes of affection,
was true to his undeclared love, and would yet welcome him to her
arms. Had he known that Lady Elliot was assiduously endeavouring to
arrange a marriage between Eleanor and Sir Anthony Maxwell of
Rutherwell, it would have filled him with alarm, but even knowledge of
that kind would not have shaken his faith in the companion of his
early years. One summer evening, when he was more than usually moody,
the long-desired opportunity of seeing Hawksglen came in his way. Edie
Johnston burst in upon the mosstroopers.
“The English loons are owre again!” he exclaimed. “Sir Dacre de
Ermstein and twa hunder o’ his men are spreading disaster on every
hand. I hear that Elliot’s place is the next mark for them.”
“Elliot? Hawksglen?” queried Ruthven, as he sprang to his feet.
“Ay, the very same,” replied Edie.
“Then to-night we must strike a blow for the honour of Scotland. The
quarrel of Elliot shall be our quarrel, and God help the English loon
that fa’s in our way.”
A few minutes later, at the head of his followers, Ruthven Somervil
was advancing rapidly towards Hawksglen. Already news of the attack
from the English enemy had spread in the district, and barons and
their retainers, from different quarters, had assembled to help
Elliot, and resist their common foe. When Ruthven and his men appeared
upon the scene the conflict was at its height. Sir Anthony Maxwell,
cheered by the thought that Eleanor’s hand might be the reward of his
valour, fought nobly for the house of Elliot. But it was evident that
Sir Dacre de Ermstein was to be victor. Once or twice the defenders
had been forced back, and the spirits of the garrison began to droop.
Then came the turn in fortune’s wheel. The reivers burst through the
lines, and changed the fate of Hawksglen.
Another half-hour and the defeat of the English was complete. Horse
and foot broke away from the fatal conflict, and fled for refuge in
every direction. A murmur of rage broke from the lips of Ermstein, and
he turned to one of his followers.
“This robber chief--his name?” he demanded.
“Ruthven Somervil. He keeps the Tower of Hunterspath with a powerful
and desperate band.”
“Ruthven Somervil,” said the knight slowly; “he shall be remembered.
Chance may yet throw vengeance into my power. But Elliot may thank his
robber allies, for, had not they come to his aid, the flag of Dacre de
Ermstein would now have been floating triumphantly over the towers of
Hawksglen.”
Giving vent to his anger in these and similar words, the English
knight withdrew his forces, and retired in the direction of the
Border. The raiders of Hunterspath, greedy of booty, did not hesitate
to despoil the English dead, and went about their business, while the
servants of Hawksglen succoured those who had been wounded in defence
of their house.
Sir James Elliot invited Maxwell, and others who had come to his
relief, to partake of his hospitality, and Lady Elliot was most
assiduous in her attentions to the guests.
“The chief of Hunterspath,” she said to her husband, as she noticed
that Ruthven was not in the banqueting hall.
“Ay; I had almost forgotten,” returned Sir James, as he went in search
of the mosstrooper.
A moment later he held his breath in wonder: Eleanor and Ruthven were
in conversation in the courtyard. The mosstrooper’s visor was still
down, as it had been during the fight. Sir James approached.
“You will drink to the defeat of our foes?” he said.
“Nay, Sir James,” and the voice sounded strangely familiar in his ear.
“With Sir Dacre de Ermstein vowing vengeance against me I have other
things to think of. But judge me not a churl,” he went on, as he took
Eleanor’s hand; “one touch from your daughter’s fingers, and one
glance from her flashing eye, are reward enough for the Captain of
Hunterspath.”