should be wrecked a' thegither-Sae I was thinking-But de'il hae me, that I should say sae," continued he, checking himself, "if I can bring mysel to ask a favour of ane that winna sae muckle as ware a word on me, to tell me if he hears me speaking till him."

*

Say what thou wilt-do what thou wilt," answered the Dwarf from his cabin, "but begone, and leave me at peace.'

Weel, weel," replied Elliot, "since ye are content to hear me, I'se make my tale short. Since ye are sae kind as to say ye are content to lend me as muckle sil-ler as will stock and plenish the Heughfoot, I am content, on my part, to accept the courtesy wi' mony kind thanks; and troth, I think it will be as safe in my hands as yours, if ye leave it flung about in that gate for the first loon body to lift, forbye the risk o' bad neighbours that can win through steekit doors and lock-fast places, as I can tell to my cost. I say, since ye hae sae muckle consideration for me, I'se

be bly the to accept your kindness; and my mother and me (she's a life-renter, and I am fiar o' the lands of Wideopen) would grant you a wadset, or an heritable bond, for the siller, and to pay the annual rent half yearly; and Saunders Wyliecoat to draw the bond, and you to be at nae charge wi' the writings."

"Cut short thy jargon, and begone," said the Dwarf; "thy loquacious bullheaded honesty makes thee a more intolerable plague than the light-fingered courtier who would take a man's all without troubling him with either thanks, explanation, or apology. Hence, I say! thou art one of those tame slaves whose word is as good as their bond. Keep the money, principal and interest, until I demand it of thee."

7

"But," continued the pertinacious Borderer," we are a life-like and death-like, Elshie, and there really should be some black and white on this transaction. Sae

just make me a minute, or missive, in onỳ form ye like, and I'se write it fair ower, and subscribe it before famous witnesses. Only, Elshie, I wad wuss ye to put naething in't that may be prejudicial to my salvation; for I'll hae the minister to read it ower, and it wad only be exposing yoursel to nae purpose. And now I'm ganging awa', for ye'll be wearied o' my cracks, and I am wearied wi' cracking without an answer and I'se bring ye a bit o' bride'scake ane o' thae days, and maybe bring Grace to see you. Ye wad like to see Grace, man, for as dour as ye are-Eh, Lord! I wish he may be weel, that was a sair grane! or, maybe, he thought I was speaking of heavenly grace, and no of Grace Armstrong. Poor man, I am very doubtfu' o' his condition; but I am sure he is as kind to me as if I were his son, and a queer-looking father I wad hae had, if that had been e'en sae."

Hobbie now relieved his benefactor of

his presence, and rode blythely home to display his treasure, and consult upon the means of repairing the damage which his fortune had sustained through the aggres sion of the Red Reiver of Westburnflat.

१

CHAPTER X.

Three ruffians seized me yester morn,
Alas! a maiden most forlorn;

They choked my cries with wicked might,
And bound me on a palfrey white;
As sure as Heaven shall pity me,

I cannot tell what men they be.

Christabelle.

THE Course of our story must here revert a little, to detail the circumstances which had placed Miss Vere in the unpleasant situation from which she was unexpectedly, and indeed unintentionally, liberated, by the appearance of Earnscliff and Elliot, with their friends and followers, before the Tower of Westburnflat.

On the morning preceding the night in which Hobbie's house was plundered and