Part 6 (1/2)
”What is the matter with your hands, uncle?” asked Will, observing that both were bandaged.
”They tried the thumbscrews on me,” said Spence with a pitiful smile, glancing at his injured members. ”They wanted to force me to sign the Bond, which I declined to do--first, because it required me to perform impossibilities; and, second, because it was such as no Government in the world has a right to exact or freeman to sign. They were going to put the boot on me at first, but the officer in command ordered them to try the thumbscrews. This was lucky, for a man may get along with damaged thumbs, but it would have been hard to travel with crippled legs! I held out though, until the pain became so great that I couldn't help giving a tremendous yell. This seemed to touch the officer with pity, for he ordered his men to let me be. Soon afterwards your mother and I managed to give them the slip, and we came on here.”
”But why came you here, uncle?” asked Will.
”Because I don't want to be taken to Edinburgh and hanged. Besides, after hearing of your temporary settlement with Black, I thought the safest place for your mother would be beside yourself.”
When Wallace explained the cause of his own journey, and the condition of the district around Black's farm, the plans of David Spence had to be altered. He resolved, after consideration and prayer, to take to the mountains and remain in hiding, while Mrs. Wallace should go to Edinburgh, as already planned, and live with Mrs. Black.
”But it will never do to take her along with yourself, Will,” said Spence. ”She cannot walk a step farther. We must try to get her a horse, and let her journey along with some o' the armed bands that attended the conventicle at Skeoch Hill. They will be sure to be returning this way in a day or two.”
”You are right,” said the minister who has already been introduced, and who overheard the concluding remark as he came forward. ”The armed men will be pa.s.sing this way in a day or two, and we will take good care of your mother, young sir, while she remains with us.”
”Just so,” rejoined Spence. ”I'll see to that; so, nephew, you and your comrade Quentin may continue your journey with easy minds. You'll need all your caution to avoid being taken up and convicted, for the tyrants are in such a state of mind just now that if a man only _looks_ independent they suspect him, and there is but a short road between suspicion and the gallows now.”
”Humph! we'll be as innocent-lookin' an' submissive as bairns,” remarked Quentin d.i.c.k, with a grim smile on his lips and a frown on his brow that were the reverse of childlike.
Convinced that Spence's arrangement for his mother's safety was the best in the circ.u.mstances, Wallace left her, though somewhat reluctantly, in the care of the outlawed Covenanters, and resumed his journey with the shepherd after a few hours' rest.
Proceeding with great caution, they succeeded in avoiding the soldiers who scoured the country until, towards evening, while crossing a rising ground they were met suddenly by two troopers. A thicket and bend in the road had, up to that moment, concealed them from view. Level gra.s.s-fields bordered the road on either side, so that successful flight was impossible.
”Wull ye fecht?” asked Quentin, in a quick subdued voice.
”Of course I will,” returned Wallace.
”Ca' canny at first, then. Be humble an' _awfu'_ meek, till I say `_Noo_!'”
The troopers were upon them almost as soon as this was uttered.
”Ho! my fine fellows,” exclaimed one of them, riding up to Quentin with drawn sword, ”fanatics, I'll be bound. Where from and where away now?”
”We come, honoured sir, frae Irongray, an' we're gaun to Ed'nbury t' buy cattle,” answered Quentin with downcast eyes.
”Indeed, oho! then you must needs have the cash wherewith to buy the cattle. Where is it?”
”In ma pooch,” said the shepherd with a deprecating glance at his pocket.
”Hand it over, then, my good fellow. Fanatics are not allowed to have money or to purchase cattle nowadays.”
”But, honoured sir, we're no f.a.n.n.yteeks. We're honest shepherds.”
The lamb-like expression of Quentin d.i.c.k's face as he said this was such that Wallace had considerable difficulty in restraining an outburst of laughter, despite their critical position. He maintained his gravity, however, and firmly grasped his staff, which, like that of his companion, was a blackthorn modelled somewhat on the pattern of the club of Hercules.
”Here, Melville,” said the first trooper, ”hold my horse while I ease this `honest shepherd' of his purse.”
Sheathing his sword, he drew a pistol from its holster, and, handing the reins to his companion, dismounted.
”NOO!” exclaimed Quentin, bringing his staff down on the trooper's iron headpiece with a terrific thwack. Like a flash of lightning the club of Wallace rang and split upon that of the other horseman, who fell headlong to the ground.
Strong arms have seldom occasion to repeat a well-delivered blow. While the soldiers lay p.r.o.ne upon the road their startled horses galloped back the way they had come.