"I didna say the like o' that, Neil. I am an auld man, and Van Vorst is

an aulder one. We'd be a bonnie picture wi' drawn swords in oor shaking

hands; though, for mysel', I may say that there wasna a better fencer in

Ayrshire, and that the houses o' Lockerby and Lanark hae reason to

remember. And I wouldna hae the honour o' the Semples doubted; I'd fight

myself first. But I'm in a sair strait, Neil; and oh, my dear lad, what

will I say, when it's the Word o' the Lord on one hand, and the scaith

and scorn of a' men on the other? But I'll trust to your prudence, Neil,

and no begin to feel the weight o' a misery that may ne'er come my way.

All my life lang, when evils hae threatened me, I hae sought God's help;

and He has either averted them or turned them to my advantage."

"That is a good consolation, father."

"It is that; and I ken nae better plan for life than, when I rise up, to

gie mysel' to His direction, and, when I lay me down to sleep, to gie

mysel' to His care."

"In such comfortable assurance, sir, I think we may say good-night. I

have business early in the morning, and may not wait for your company,

if you will excuse me so far."

"Right; vera right, Neil. The dawn has gold in its hand. I used to be

an early worker mysel'; but I'm an auld man noo, and may claim some

privileges. Good-night, Neil, and a good-morning to follow it."

Neil then lit his candle; and, not forgetting that courteous salute

which the young then always rendered to honourable age, he went slowly

upstairs, feeling suddenly a great weariness and despair. If Katherine

had only been true to him! He was sure, then, that he could have fought

almost joyfully any pretender to her favour. But he was deserted by the

girl whom he had loved all her sweet life. He was betrayed by the man

who had shared the hospitality of his home, and in the cause of such

loss, compelled to hazard a life opening up with fair hopes of honour

and distinction.

In the calm of his own chamber, through the silent, solemn hours, when

the world was shut out of his life, Neil reviewed his position; but he

could find no honourable way out of his predicament. Physically, he was

as brave as brave could be; morally, he had none of that grander courage

which made Joris Van Heemskirk laugh to scorn the idea of yielding God's

gift of life at the demand of a passionate fool. He was quite sensible

that his first words to Captain Hyde that night had been intended to

provoke a quarrel, and he knew that he would be expected to redeem them

by a formal defiance. However, as the idea became familiar, it became

imperative; and at length it was with a fierce satisfaction that he

opened his desk and without hesitation wrote the decisive words: To CAPTAIN RICHARD HYDE OF HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE: SIR: A person of the

character I bear cannot allow the treachery and dishonourable conduct of

which you have been guilty to pass without punishment. Convince me that

you are more of a gentleman than I have reason to believe, by meeting me

to-night as the sun drops in the wood on the Kalchhook Hill. Our seconds

can locate the spot; and that you may have no pretence to delay, I send

by bearer two swords, of which I give you the privilege to make choice.




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