Tweed, a mile or two
above Ashiesteel. That young Harden could have no particular liking for
him is easily understood, as he was one of the men who had been
commissioned by the government to destroy Harden castle as a punishment
for the part taken by his father in the Raid of Falkland. Sir Gideon had a
splendid herd of cattle pasturing on the green slopes above the Tweed, and
so Willie Scott resolved, with the assistance of his powerful coadjutor,
to transfer as many of them as possible to his own pastures. The night was
set, the expedition was carefully planned, and fortune seemed to smile
upon the project. But--

The best laid schemes o' mice and men
Gang aft a glee.

Some one was good enough to convey to Sir Gideon a hint of what was on
foot, and he at once took measures to give the thieves, when they came, a
warm reception. After a sharp encounter, Willie Scott was taken prisoner,
and thrown into the dungeon of the Castle, with his hands and feet
securely bound. He knew quite well the fate which awaited him on the
morrow. He would be led forth to the gallows, and there made to pay the
forfeit of his life. A better lot, however, was in store for him. A good
angel, in the person of Lady Murray, interfered on his behalf. She had
been anxiously considering how she could save his life. Her plans were
speedily formed, and in the morning she ventured to lay them before her
irate husband. As Hogg has humorously described the scene--

The lady o' Elibank raise wi' the dawn,
An' she waukened Auld Juden, an' to him did say,--
"Pray, what will ye do wi' this gallant young man?"
"We'll hang him," quo Juden, "this very same day."

"Wad ye hang sic a brisk an' gallant young heir,
An' has three hamely daughters aye suffering neglect?
Though laird o' the best of the forest sae fair,
He'll marry the warst for the sake o' his neck.

"Despise not the lad for a perilous feat;
He's a friend will bestead you, and stand by you still;
The laird maun hae men, an' the men maun hae meat,
An' the meat maun be had be the danger what will."

The plan thus suggested seemed feasable. It might really be the wisest
course to pursue, at least so Sir Gideon was disposed to think, and no
time was lost in bringing the matter to an issue. Young Scott was at once
brought into the hall, the terms on which his life was to be spared were
briefly stated, and he was afforded an opportunity of seeing th