The Lighthouse | Page 7

of conflict. They rushed
to the rescue, and reached the spot just as Ruby leaped over his
prostrate foe and fled towards Arbroath. They followed with a cheer,
which warned the two men in ambush to be ready. Ruby was lithe as a
greyhound. He left his pursuers far behind him, and dashed down the
gorge leading from the cliffs to the low ground beyond.
Here he was met by the two sailors, and by the lieutenant, who had
joined them. Minnie was also there, having been conducted thither by
the said lieutenant, who gallantly undertook to see her safe into the
town, in order to prevent any risk of her being insulted by his men. On
hearing the shout of those who pursued Ruby, Minnie hurried away,
intending to get free from the gang, not feeling that the lieutenant's
protection was either desirable or necessary.

When Ruby reached the middle of the gorge, which we have dignified
with the name of "pass", and saw three men ready to dispute his
passage, he increased his speed. When he was almost up to them he
turned aside and sprang nimbly up the almost perpendicular wall of
earth on his right. This act disconcerted the men, who had prepared to
receive his charge and seize him, but Ruby jumped down on the
shoulders of the one nearest, and crushed him to the ground with his
weight. His clenched fist caught the lieutenant between the eyes and
stretched him on his back--the third man wisely drew aside to let this
human thunderbolt pass by!
He did pass, and, as the impetuous and quite irresistible locomotive is
brought to a sudden pause when the appropriate brakes are applied, so
was he brought to a sudden halt by Minnie a hundred yards or so
farther on.
"Oh! don't stop," she cried eagerly, and hastily thrusting him away.
"They'll catch you!"
Panting though he was, vehemently, Ruby could not restrain a laugh.
"Catch me! no, darling; but don't be afraid of them. They won't hurt
you, Minnie, and they can't hurt me--except in the way of cutting short
our interview. Ha! here they come. Goodbye, dearest; I'll see you soon
again."
At that moment five or six of the men came rushing down the pass with
a wild cheer. Ruby made no haste to run. He stood in an easy attitude
beside Minnie; leisurely kissed her little hand, and gently smoothed
down her golden hair. Just as the foremost pursuer came within fifteen
yards or so of them, he said, "Farewell, my lassie, I leave you in good
hands"; and then, waving his cap in the air, with a cheer of more than
half-jocular defiance, he turned and fled towards Arbroath as if one of
the nor'-east gales, in its wildest fury, were sweeping him over the land.
CHAPTER THREE.
OUR HERO OBLIGED TO GO TO SEA.

When Ruby Brand reached the outskirts of Arbroath, he checked his
speed and walked into his native town whistling gently, and with his
hands in his pockets, as though he had just returned from an evening
walk. He directed his steps to one of the streets near the harbour, in
which his mother's cottage was situated.
Mrs Brand was a delicate, little old woman--so little and so old that
people sometimes wondered how it was possible that she could be the
mother of such a stalwart son. She was one of those kind, gentle,
uncomplaining, and unselfish beings, who do not secure much
popularity or admiration in this world, but who secure obedient
children, also steadfast and loving friends. Her favourite book was the
Bible; her favourite hope in regard to earthly matters, that men should
give up fighting and drinking, and live in peace; her favourite theory
that the study of truth was the object for which man was created, and
her favourite meal--tea.
Ruby was her only child. Minnie was the daughter of a distant relation,
and, having been left an orphan, she was adopted by her. Mrs Brand's
husband was a sailor. He commanded a small coasting sloop, of which
Ruby had been the mate for several years. As we have said, Ruby had
been prevailed on to remain at home for some months in order to please
his mother, whose delicacy of health was such that his refusal would
have injured her seriously; at least the doctor said so, therefore Ruby
agreed to stay.
The sloop Penguin, commanded by Ruby's father, was on a voyage to
Newcastle at that time, and was expected in Arbroath every day. But it
was fated never more to cast anchor in that port. The great storm, to
which reference has been made in a previous chapter, caused many
wrecks on the shores of Britain. The Penguin, was one of the many.