The Men of the Moss-Hags

  CHAPTER LV.

  THE RED MAIDEN.

  The great day which we had been expecting dawned, and lo! it was even asany other day. The air was shrewdly cold when I awoke very early in themorning, just as I had awaked from sleep every morning since I canremember. It was my custom to begin to say the little prayer which mymother had taught me before I was fairly awake. This I did when I wasbut a boy, for the economising of time; and I continued the practicewhen I put away most other childish things. I declare solemnly that Iwas past the middle of the prayer, before the thought came to me thatthis was the morn of the day on which I was to die. Even then, by God'sextreme mercy, fear did not take me utterly by the throat.

  I had dreamed of the day often, and shivered to think of that awaking.But now that it was here, it seemed to me like any morn in the years,when I used to awake in the little sunlit tourelle at Earlstoun to thenoise of the singing of birds, and turn my thoughts upon riding to theDuchrae by the Grenoch side to see Maisie Lennox--little Maisie May,whom now I should see no more.

  So by the strengthening mercy of God I was enabled to finish my mother'sprayer with some composure. And also to remember her and Maisie,commending them both to the gracious care of One who is able to keep.

  Then came the Chancellor's Commissioner to tell us that by the highfavour of his master, we were to be headed in the early morn. And that,too, in the company of the great Earl of Cantyre, who, after lying longin prison, was that day, for rebellion in the Highlands and the Isles,condemned to lose his head. No higher favour could be granted, though itseemed not so much to me as doubtless to some, that I should lay my headbeside an Earl's on the block of the Maiden, instead of setting my neckin a rope at the hands of the common executioner in the Grassmarket.

  But there is no doubt that all Scotland, and especially all the clanGordon, would think differently of the matter--ay, even my mother. Andto Wat such a death would seem almost like an accolade.

  They read me my warrant in my death dungeon by the light of a dimrushlight. But that of Anton Lennox they read not, for a reason that hasalready appeared, though they told us not of it at the time. Yet becausethe messenger was expected to arrive every moment with it, Anton, whoshared my favour of execution, was to accompany us to the scaffold.

  When they ushered us forth it was yet starlight, but the day was comingover the Forth. And the hum and confused noise of rustling and speechtold us of the presence of a great multitude of people about us. Theyhad indeed come from far, even from the wild Highlands, for such aheading had not been known for years. Our keepers gave us a good room,and an excellent breakfast was ready for us in a house contiguous to thescaffold. When we came in, the Earl was at the head of the table, andthe gentlemen of his name about him, Anton and I standing apart byourselves. Then the Dean of Edinburgh, Mr. Annand, came and asked us tobe seated. Anton would not, but went to the window and stood commendinghimself to the God in whose presence he was so soon to appear. However,since it seemed to be expected of a gentleman to command his spiritbefore death, for the honour of his party and cause, I sat me down withthe others, and ate more heartily than I could have expected, though theviands tasted strange, dry, and savourless. They gave us also wine towash them down withal, which went not amiss.

  When they saw that it was growing lighter, they put out the candles, andwe were brought down the stairs. When I came to the outside and heardthe murmur of the crowd, suddenly and strangely I seemed to bebreathing, not sweet morning air, but water chilled with ice. And I hadto breathe many breaths for one. There seemed no sustenance in them.

  Now Cantyre, being a very great man, was allowed his chief friends to bewith him. Eight of them attended him in full mourning to the scaffold,chiefly Montgomeries of Skelmorly and Campbells of Skepnish andDunstaffnage--all noble and well-set men. And Anton Lennox and I werepermitted to walk with him without any disgrace, but with our hats onour heads and in our own best attire, which the Chancellor had allowedto be provided for us. At least so it was with me. For Anton Lennoxwould have none of these gauds, but was in an ordinary blue bonnet andhodden grey. But for me, though I was to die for the faith, I saw noreason why I should not die like a gentleman.

  As we went by the way, the people hushed themselves as we came, and manyof them sank on their knees to give us a parting prayer to speed us onour far journey. The Dean and other Divinity men of the ruling partyapproached, to give us what ghostly counsel they could. But, as Iexpected, Anton would have none of the Dean or indeed of any other ofthem. But I was not averse to speak with him, at least as far as thenatural agitation of my spirits would permit.

  As for prayers, I leant on none of them, except my mother's, which I hadrepeated that morning. But I kept saying over and over to myself theScots version of the twenty-third Psalm, "The Lord's my Shepherd," andfrom it gat wondrous comfort.

  The Dean asked me if I had my "testimony" ready written. I told him thattestimonies were not for me.

  "What," he said, "do you not hold the covenants?"

  "I held a sword for them so long as I could. Now, when I cannot, I canat least hold my tongue!"

  Even with the scaffold looming out down the vennel, it pleased me to saythis to him, for such is the vanity of Galloway, and especially of aGalloway Gordon. Besides, I had once played with the Dean at golf uponLeith Links, and he had beaten me foully. Not twice would he outface me,even though it were my death day.

  Mr. Annand was a very pleasant-spoken man, and I think a little gratefulthat I should speak complacently to him. For he was abashed that Cantyrewould have nothing to say to him--no, nor for that matter, Anton Lennoxeither.

  He asked me what affair had brought me there, which vexed me, for I hadsupposed the whole city ringing with my braving of the Council, and theChancellor's shaking hands with me.

  "I have done God's will," I made him answer, "at least as I saw it, infighting against Charles Stuart, for his usage of my country and myhouse. Were I to escape, I should but do the same thing again. It is hisday, and Charles Stuart has me on the edge of the iron. But not so longago it was his father's turn, and so, in due time, it may be his."

  "God forbid!" said the Dean piously, thinking no doubt, poor man, thatif the King went that way, certain others might also.

  "God send him as honourable a death. 'Twere better than lolling withmadams on Whitehall couches, that he should honourably step forth fromthe window of the banqueting hall as his father did!" I made him answer.

  "You are a strange Whig, Mr. William Gordon," he said; "do you even givethat testimony to them from the scaffold. It will be a change from theirgeneral tenor."

  I said, "You mistake me. I believe as much and as well as any of them,and I am about to die for it, but testimonies are not in my way.Besides, somewhere my mother is praying for me."

  "I would the King could have spared you," he said. "There is need ofsome like you in this town of Edinburgh."

  "When I was in Edinburgh," I replied, "I had not the spirit of a pookedhen, but holding the banner at Sanquhar hath wondrously brisked me."

  All this while I could see the lips of Anton Lennox moving. And I knewright well that if I had little to say at the last bitter pinch, hewould deliver his soul for the two of us--ay, and for the Earl, too, ifhe were permitted.

  It was just at this moment that we came in sight of the Maiden, whichwas set high on a platform of black wood. There was much scaffolding,and also a tall ladder leading thereto. But what took and held my eye,was the evil leaden glitter of the broad knife, which would presentlyshear away my life.