The Caged Lion | Page 6

Douglas, Lennox,
March, or Mar, would be ready to play the same game as Albany; and
to raise a rival none will stir.'
'And so,' proceeded Sir James, bitterly, 'the manhood of Scotland goes

forth to waste itself in an empty foreign war, merely to keep France in
as wretched a state of misrule as itself.'
'Nay, nay, Sir,' cried Patrick angrily, 'it is to save an ancient ally from
the tyranny of our foulest foe. It is the only place where a Scotsman can
seek his fortune with honour, and without staining his soul with foul
deeds. Bring our King home, and every sword shall be at his service.'
'What, when they have all been lavished on the crazy Frenchman?' said
Sir James.
'No, Sir,' said Patrick, rising in his vehemence; 'when they have been
brightened there by honourable warfare, not tarnished by home
barbarities.'
'He speaks truly,' said Sir David; 'and though it will go to my heart to
part with the lad, yet may I not say a word to detain him in a land
where the contagion of violence can scarce be escaped by a brave man.'
Sir James gave a deep sigh as of pain, but as if to hinder its being
remarked, promptly answered, 'That may be; but what is to be the lot of
a land whose honest men desert her cause as too evil for them, and seek
out another, that when seen closer is scarce less evil?'
'How, Sir!' cried Patrick; 'you a prisoner of England, yet speaking
against our noble French allies, so foully trampled on?'
'I have lived long enough in England,' returned Sir James, 'to think that
land happiest where law is strong enough to enforce peace and order.'
'The coward loons!' muttered Patrick, chiefly out of the spirit of
opposition.
'You have been long in England, Sir?' said Lilias, hoping to direct the
conversation into a more peaceful current.
'Many years, fair lady,' he replied, turning courteously to her; 'I was
taken when I was a mere lad, but I have had gentle captors, and no over
harsh prison.'
'And has no one ransomed you?' she asked pitifully, as one much
moved by a certain patience on his brow, and in his sweet full voice.
'No one, lady. My uncle was but too willing that the heir should be kept
aloof; and it is only now he is dead, that I have obtained leave from my
friendly captor to come in search of my ransom.'
Lilias would have liked to know the amount, but it was not manners to
ask, since the rate of ransom was the personal value of the knight; and
her uncle put in the question, who was his keeper.

'The Earl of Somerset,' rather hastily answered Sir James; and then at
once Lilias exclaimed, 'Ah, Uncle, is not the King, too, in his charge?'
And then questions crowded on. 'What like is the King? How brooks he
his durance? What freedom hath he? What hope is there of his return?
Can he brook to hear of his people's wretchedness?'
This was the first question at which Sir James attempted to unclose his
hitherto smiling and amused lip. Then it quivered, and the dew glittered
in his eyes as he answered, 'Brook it! No indeed, lady. His heart burns
within him at every cry that comes over the Border, and will well-nigh
burst at what I have seen and heard! King Harry tells him that to send
him home were but tossing him on the swords of the Albany. Better,
better so, to die in one grapple for his country's sake, than lie bound,
hearing her bitter wails, and unable to stir for her redress!' and as he
dashed the indignant tear from his eyes, Patrick caught his hand.
'Your heart is in the right place, friend,' he said; 'I look on you as an
honest man and brother in arms from this moment.'
''Tis a bargain,' said Sir James, the smile returning, and his eyes again
glistening as he wrung Sir Patrick's hand. 'When the hour comes for the
true rescue of Scotland, we will strike together.'
'And you will tell the King,' added Patrick, 'that here are true hearts,
and I could find many more, only longing to fence him from the
Albany swords, about which King Harry is so good as to fash himself.'
'But what like is the King?' asked Lilias eagerly. 'Oh, I would fain see
him. Is it true that he was the tallest man at King Harry's sacring? more
shame that he were there!'
'He and I are much of a height, lady,' returned the knight. 'Maybe I may
give you the justest notion of him by saying that I am said to be his
very marrow.'
'That explains