The Days of Bruce Vol 1 eBook

Grace Aguilar
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 523 pages of information about The Days of Bruce Vol 1.

The Days of Bruce Vol 1 eBook

Grace Aguilar
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 523 pages of information about The Days of Bruce Vol 1.

The first streak of light, however, was scarce visible in the east before, openly and loudly, so as to elude all appearance of flight, he declared his intention of pursuing his journey, as the weather had already detained them too long.  He called on the hostess to receive her reckoning, commanded the mules to be saddled, all of which was done, to his surprise, without comment or question, and they departed unrestrained; the old man too much overjoyed at this unexpected escape to note that they were followed by two Englishmen, the one on horseback, the other on foot.  Anxiety indeed had still possession of him, for he could not reconcile the words he had overheard with their quiet departure; but as the day passed, and they plunged thicker and thicker in the woods of Carrick, and there was no sign of pursuit, or even of a human form, he hailed with joy a solitary house, and believed the danger passed.

The inmates received them with the utmost hospitality; the order for their detention had evidently not reached them, and Dermid determined on waiting quietly there till the exhausted strength of his companion should be recruited, and permit them to proceed.  An hour and more passed in cheerful converse with the aged couple who owned the house, and who, with the exception of one or two servants, were its sole inhabitants.  The tales of the minstrel were called for and received with a glee which seemed to make all his listeners feel young again.  Agnes alone sate apart; her delicate frame and evident exhaustion concealing deeper sufferings from her hosts, who vied with each other in seeking to alleviate her fatigue and give bodily comfort, if they could offer no other consolation.  Leaning back in a large settle in the chimney corner, she had seemed unconscious of the cheerful sociability around her, when suddenly she arose, and advancing to Dermid, laid a trembling hand on his arm.  He looked up surprised.

“Hist!” she murmured, throwing back the hair from her damp brow.  “Hear ye no sound?”

All listened for a time in vain.

“Again,” she said; “’tis nearer, more distinct.  Who comes with a troop of soldiers here?”

It was indeed the heavy trampling of many horse, at first so distant as scarcely to be distinguished, save by ears anxious and startled as old Dermid’s; but nearer and nearer they came, till even the inmates of the house all huddled, together in alarm.  Agnes remained standing, her hand on Dermid’s arm, her head thrown back, her features bearing an expression scarce to be defined.  The horses’ hoofs, mingled with the clang of armor, rung sharp and clear on the stones of the courtyard.  They halted:  the pommel of a sword was struck against the oaken door, and a night’s lodging courteously demanded.  The terror of the owners of the house subsided, for the voice they heard was Scotch.

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The Days of Bruce Vol 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.