him feel under his plaid for his sword, to make sure that it was ready to his hand. "What are you about to do?" she queried. "To make another venture; we must risk everything to win safe passage to our destination." "But the risk need not be rashly made." 66 Nothing but rashness can save us now. Have you courage, Katherine?" "For your sake I think I have courage to dare anything." "Then for my sake you must bide here for a little while. Should any one attempt to force you hence, blow upon this whistle; that will let me know your danger, and bring Will to your side." "And you?” "I must go forth; and if I can but raise a riot among the burgesses we may escape unnoticed in the confusion. That is our only chance; and, by the saints, I think Cochrane himself supplies the means to help us to it. Stay you here, and do not stir till I return." CHAPTER V. THE COCHRANE PLACKS. "Then whingers flew frae gentles' sides, H Katherine Janfarie. E rushed out, making for the door which opened upon the High Street. The sturdy Borderer, Fenwick, who was on guard, arrested him. "You cannot pass, master, whatever your haste may be." "I seek Sir Robert Cochrane," was the response, in a hoarse, disguised voice, and with a manner of breathless haste; "and I must find him." "If that be your errand, pass on. He was here a minute ago." Lamington darted by the guard and speedily joined the crowd of burgesses who were flitting excitedly about the Town House, or standing together in groups, earnestly discussing the events of the night. Many of them carried links or lanterns, and the lights flashing through the darkness, and flickering under the strong wind which was sweeping up the street, imparted to their disturbed visages a gloomy aspect. Gordon mingled amongst them, and much to his relief overheard dissatisfied murmurs at the untimely disturbance of the town's repose, for apparently so little purpose as the hunt after a brace of runaway lovers who could not be discovered. "Know you who leads the Hot Trod?" said Gordon to one stalwart fellow whom he heard swearing that he believed the whole affair was a trick of the Borderers to harry the town. "I neither ken nor care," answered the man, surlily. "It is Cochrane, the maker of the base placks the fellow who has commanded us to accept pieces of lead and brass for good silver money, and who has ruined honest men by his knavery." "I wish we could lay hands on the chiel; we'd let him ken what we think o' the Cochrane placks." "After me, then, and you shall have your wish." "Hey, lads, here's sport that's worth while turning out for," shouted the man to his comrades. "Wha'll take Cochrane placks in payment for his wark or guids ?" |