nds-off.' Then all the
villainy of the thing flashed on me in a moment. 'Mistress,' cried I,
'we are betrayed!' But before the words were out, a rough hand was laid
across my mouth, and we were galloping. Nay, Humphrey," said she,
laying her hand gently on mine, "if thou start and toss like this, 'tis
a sign my story doeth thee harm, and I will cease."

"Would you have me lie still and hear all this?" cried I, in a fever.

"Yes, dear heart," said she, and that so sweetly that I was forced to
obey. "We were galloping away from Castleroe. For a whole day we
galloped, till we were faint and ready to drop. Then, as we came to a
wood, which I guessed to be the place where my mistress and I were to be
parted, our leader suddenly reined in and turned to give an order to the
man who held me. As he did so, four men sprang out from among the trees
and a horrible fight ensued. In the midst of it, one of the new-comers
advanced to me and said, 'You are safe!' and I knew it to be no other
than the soldier Gedge himself."

"And he who came to my side," put in the maiden, smiling amid her
heaviness, "said: 'Let Diana shake off her clouds. Apollo himself hath
come to lead her out into the Empyrean.'"

"God reward them both for this!" said I.

"Amen," said Jeannette. "Two of the villains they slew and the other
staggered away, as I fear, mortally wounded. 'Twas him you saw.

"As for us, our rescuers brought us here, where the McDonnell hath
welcomed us, and, as you know, loveth my mistress as his own daughter.
Yet, little thought we, as we looked out from the turret window at the
storm last night, and prayed side by side for those at sea, that you,
and--and Sir Ludar were coming to us on the wild waves!"

The day wore on, and still neither soldier nor poet nor any news came to
comfort us.

Then I demanded to be taken to Sorley Boy McDonnell, and the maiden led
my tottering steps to the great hall. There sat the old man, bare-
headed and motionless, at the head of the empty table, with his sword
laid out before him. "Is my son come?" demanded he, as we entered.

"Not yet, dear sire," said the maiden, going to him.

"He is not far away, sir," said I; "of that I am sure."

"I know that," said the old chief, half angrily. "The Banshee has been
dumb since Alexander McDonnell fell. Why comes not Ludar? I grow
impatient."

Even as he spoke there came a knocking on the door, and a Scot entered
hastily.

He broug