die as I
have lived for Scotland. I have strength to strike one last blow, for
last it will be--all is lost!"

A low groan broke from Nigel's lips, but he made no further answer than
the utterance of one word--"Agnes!"

"Is safe, I trust," rejoined the knight. "The son of Dermid, in whose
arms I last saw her, knoweth many a secret path and hidden passage, and
can make his way wherever his will may lead."

"How! thinkest thou he will preserve her, save her even now from the
foe?"

"Aye, perchance conceal her till the castle be dismantled. But what do
they now? See, a herald and white flag," he added, abruptly, as by the
light of several torches a trumpeter, banner-bearer, herald, and five
men-at-arms were discerned approaching the walls.

"What would ye? Halt, and answer," demanded Sir Nigel, recalled on the
instant to his sterner duties, and advancing, spear in hand, to the
utmost verge of the wall.

"We demand speech of Sir Nigel Bruce and Sir Christopher Seaton,
governors of this castle," was the brief reply.

"Speak on, then, we are before ye, ready to list your say. What would
your lords?"

"Give ye not admittance within the wall?" inquired the herald; "'tis
somewhat strange parleying without."

"No!" answered Nigel, briefly and sternly; "speak on, and quickly. We
doubt not the honor of the noble Earl of Hereford--it hath been too
gloriously proved; but we are here to list your mission. What would ye?"

"That ye surrender this fortress by to-morrow's dawn, and strive no
longer with the destiny against you. Ye have neither men nor stores, and
in all good and chivalric feeling, the noble Earls of Hereford and
Lancaster call on ye to surrender without further loss of blood."

"And if we do this?" demanded Nigel.

"They promise all honorable treatment and lenient captivity to the
leaders of the rebels, until the pleasure of his grace the king be
known; protection to all females; liberty to those whose rank demands
not their detention; and for the common soldiers, on the delivery of
their arms and upper garments, and their taking a solemn oath that
within seven days they will leave Scotland never to return, liberty and
life shall be mercifully extended unto one and all."

"And if we do _not_ this?"

"Your blood be upon your own rebellious heads! Sacking and pillage must
take their course."

"Ye have heard," were the sole words that passed the lips of Nigel,
turning to his men, who, roused by the firs