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See age 306.

ing that which he commanded, was the ship of a celebrated rover, equally famed for his courage, strength of body, and successful piracies. It was commanded by a gentleman named Thomas de Longueville, a Frenchman by birth, but by practice one of those pirates who called themselves friends to the sea, and enemies to all who sailed upon that element. He attacked and plundered vessels of alı nations, like one of the ancient Norse Sea-kings, as they were termed, whose dominion was upon the mountain waves. The master added, that no vessel could escape the rover by flight, so speedy was the bark he commanded; and that no crew, however hardy, could hope to resist him, when, as was his usual mode of combat, he threw himself on board at the head of his followers.

Wallace smiled sternly, while the master of the ship, with alarm in his countenance, and tears in his eyes, described to him the certainty of their being captured by the Red Rover, a name given to De Longueville, because he usually displayed the blood-red flag, which he had now hoisted.

20-SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1828.

"I will clear the narrow seas of this rover," said Wallace.

Then calling together some ten or twelve of his own followers, Boyd, Kerlie, Seton, and others, to whom the dust of the most desperate battle was like the breath of life, he commanded them to arm themselves, and lie flat upon the deck, so as to be out of sight. He ordered the mariners below, excepting such as were absolutely necessary to manage the vessel; and he gave the master instructions, upon pain of death, so to steer, as that, while the vessel had an appearance of attempting to fly, he should in fact permit the Red Rover to come up with them and do his worst. Wallace himself then lay down on the deck, that nothing might be seen which could intimate any purpose of resistance. In a quarter of an hour De Longueville's vessel ran on board that of the Champion, and the Red Rover casting out grappling irons to make sure of his prize, jumped on the deck in complete armour, followed by his men, who gave a terrible shout, as if victory had been already secured. But the armed Scots started up at once, and the Rover

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found himself unexpectedly engaged with men acccustomed to consider victory as secure, when they were only opposed as one to two or three. Wallace himself rushed on the pirate captain, and a dreadful strife began betwixt them with such fury, that the others suspended their own battle to look on, and seemed by common consent to refer the issue of the strife to the fate of the combat between the two chiefs. The pirate fought as well as man could do; but Wallace's strength was beyond that of ordinary mortals. dashed the sword from the Rover's hand, and placed him in such peril, that, to avoid being cut down, he was fain to close with the Scottish Champion, in hopes of overpowering him in the grapple. In this also he was foiled. They fell on the deck, locked in each others arms, but the Frenchman fell undermost; and Wallace fixing his grasp upon his gorget, compressed it so closely, nowithstanding it was made of the finest steel, that the blood gushed from his eyes, nose, and mouth, and he was only able to ask for quarter by signs. His men threw down their weapons and begged for mercy,

when they saw their leader thus severely handled. The victor granted them all their lives, but took possession of their vessel, and detained them prisoners.

Chronicles of the Canongate.

SECOND SERIES.

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY;

OR,

THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH.

THE old prejudice against genius was, that it was an idle vein of mind which made its possessor the butt of the bustlers in the every-day broadways of the world, and the scape-goat of their more worldly wisdom. Modern men of genius have successfully redeemed their craft from the odium of idleness; and of the eminent among these, Sir Walter Scott has certainly exceeded his competitors in the industriousness of his calling. 66 Age cannot wither him, nor custom stale his infinite variety ;"" another and another" work of his hand "still succeeds," 'till romance-readers might almost cry out, "We'll see no more!" but that, if they did so far forget themselves, we might expect that they would next object to the appearance of star succeeding to star in the heavens, and season succeeding to season on the earth.

Our contemporaries have the advantage of us in space as well as in "other appliances and means to boot." We have, however, a way of our own in most things, and as they have carried their crops off the field, we shall glean, in our own modest manner, after them, and trust to find a handful or so of " ears to reward our diligence.

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Of the numerous characters in the "Fair Maid of Perth," the fair Maid herself, and her brave lover and Valentine Harry Smith or Gow, are our especial favourites; we shall therefore condense the history of their wooing, and the incidents attaching to it, as our first specimen, and, after this, shall return to the more historical personages of the scene, till we have given our readers a tolerable "spice of the quality" of this admirable work, not less admirable than its predecessors.

The book opens on St. Valentine's eve. King Robert the Third is holding his court in Perth, and the lords and the galants are where honour is to be sought, and beauty is to be won. The fairest of the fair of that royal city,

"Catharine or Katie Glover, was universally acknowledged to be the most

beautiful young women of the city or its vicinity, and whose renown, as the Fair Maid of Perth, had drawn on her much notice from the young gallants of the Royal Court, when it chanced to be residing in or near Perth, insomuch, that more than one nobleman of the highest rank, and most distinguished for deeds of chivalry, were more attentive to exhibit feats of horsemanship as they passed the door of old Simon Glover, in what was called Couvrefew, or Curfew Street, than to distinguish themselves in the tournaments, where the noblest dames of Scotland were spectators of their address.

"But the glover's daughter-for, as was common with citizens and artizans of that early period, her father, Simon, derived his surname from the trade which he practised-showed no inclination to any gallantry which came from those of a station highly exalted above that which she herself occupied, and though probably in no degree insensible to her personal charms, seemed desirous to confine her conquests to those who were within her own sphere of life.

"In her resolution of avoiding the addresses of the gallant courtiers, the reigning beauty of Perth was confirmed by the sentiments of her parent. 'Let them go,' he said; let them go, Ca-tharine, those gallants with their capering horses, their jingling spurs, their plumed bonnets, and their trim moustaches, they are not of our class, nor will we aim at pairing with them. To morrow is Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird chooses her mate, but you will not see the linnet pair with the sparrow hawk, nor the robin red breast with the kite.'

""I will have no son in law that thinks himself better than me, and for these lords and knights, I trust thou wilt always remember thou art too low to be their lawful love, and too high to be their unlawful loon; and now lay by thy work, lass, for it is holy-tide eve, and it becomes us to go to the evening service, and pray that Heaven may send thee a good Valentine to-morrow.

"

Old Simon Glover and his fair daughter accordingly repair to the Blackfriars' Monastery, in their neighbourhood, attended by the youth Conachar, a highland lad, apprentice to the glover. In their way to the church, they are dodged by two or three gallants, muffled in their cloaks. Conachar is for coming to cuffs with one of them, but the ancient glover calms him with good counsel, and they arrive near to their destination.

"Meantime the little party were over taken by a tall young man wrapped in a cloak, which obscured or muffled part

of his face, a practice often used by the gallants of the time, when they did not wish to be known, or were abroad in quest of adventures.' He came on the right side of Catharine, who had hold of her father's arm, and slackened his pace as if joining their party.

"Good even to you, goodman.'' "The same to your worship, and thanks.-May I pray you to pass on ?— our pace is too slow for that of your lordship-our company too mean for that of our father's son." "

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My father's son can best judge of that, old man. I have business to talk of with you and with my fair St. Catharine here, the loveliest and most obdurate saint in the calendar.'"

"With deep reverence, my Lord,' said the old man, I would remind you that this is good St. Valentine's Eve, which is no time for business, and that I can have your commands by your serving man as early as it pleases you to send

them.'

"There is no time like the present,' said the persevering youth, whose rank seemed to be of a kind which set him above ceremony. I wish to know whether the buff doublet be finished which I commissioned some time since, and from you, pretty Catharine, (here he sank his voice to a whisper) I desire to be informed whether your fair fingers have been employed upon it, agreeable to your promise? But I need not ask you, for my poor heart has felt the pang of each puncture that pierced the garment which was to cover it. Traitress, how wilt thou answer for thus tormenting the heart that loved thee so dearly?'

"Let me entreat you, my lord, to forego this wild talk-it becomes not you to speak thus, or me to listen.

We are of poor rank, but honest manners, and the presence of the father ought to protect the child from such expressions, even from your lordship.'

"Well, tyrant,' answered the persevering gallant, I will plague you no longer now, providing you will let me see you from your window to-morrow, when the sun first peeps over the eastern hill, and give me right to be your Valentine for the year.'

"Not so, my lord; my father has but now told me that hawks, far less eagles, pair not with the humble linnet. Seek some court lady, to whom your favours will be honour; to me-your highness must permit me to speak the plain truth, they can be nothing but disgrace.'

"As they spoke thus, the party arrived at the gate of the church."

Here the young gallant is somewhat

unceremoniously elbowed out of his fair mistress's company by Conachar, and the noble stranger goes off muttering revenge. They enter the church, go through their religious services, and re-issue into the street.

"When the congregation were dismissed, the Glover and his beautiful daughter lingered for some time, for the purpose of making their several shrifts in the confessionals, where the priests had taken their places for discharging that part of their duty. Thus it happened that the night had fallen dark, and the way was solitary, when they returned along the now deserted streets to their own dwelling. Most persons had betaken themselves to home and to bed. They who still lingered in the street were night-walkers or revellers, the idle or swaggering retainers of the haughty nobles, who were much wont to insult the peaceful passengers, relying on the impunity which their masters' court favour was too apt to secure them.

"It was, perhaps, in apprehension of mischief from some character of this kind, that Conachar, stepping up to the glover, said, Master, walk faster-we are dogg'd.'

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"Dogg'd, sayest thou? By whom and by how, man?'

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'By one man muffled in his cloak, who follows us like our shadow.'

"Then will I never mend my pace along the Couvrefew Street, for the best one man that ever trod it.'

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"But he has arms,' said Conachar. "And so have we, and hands and legs and feet. Why sure, Conachar, you are not afraid of one man?'

" "Afraid!' answered Conachar, indignant at the insinuation; you shall soon know if I am afraid.'

"Now you are as fár on the other side of the mark, thou foolish boy-thy temper has no middle course; there is no occasion to make a brawl, though we do not run. Walk thou before with Catharine, and I will take thy place. We cannot be exposed to danger so near home

as we are.

"The Glover fell behind accordingly, and certainly observed a person keep so close to them, as, the time and place considered, justified some suspicion. Determined, however, to ascertain, if possible, whether there had been any cause for it, he called out to the man whose motions had occasioned the alarm, and who stood still, though he seemed to keep out of reach of the light. 'Come, step forward, my friend, and do not play at bopeep; knowest thou not, that they who walk like phantoms in the dark, are apt to encounter the conjuration of a quarter

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Why, so I can, Master Glover,' said one of the deepest voices that ever answered question. I can show my shapes well enough, only I wish they could bear the light something better."

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Body of me,' exclaimed Simon, 'I should know that voice!-And is it thou, in thy bodily person, Harry Gow? -nay, beshrew me if thou passest this door with dry lips. What, man, curfew has not rung yet, and if it had, it were no reason why it should part father and son. Come in, man; Dorothy shall get us something to eat, and we will jingle a can ere thou leave us. Come in, I say; my daughter Kate will be right glad to see thee.'

"By this time he had pulled the person whom he welcomed so cordially, into a sort of kitchen, which served also upon ordinary occasions the office of parlour.

"Their unknown attendant now stood in full light among them, and though his appearance was neither dignified nor handsome, his face and figure were not only deserving of attention, but seemed in some manner to command it. He was rather below the middle stature, but the breadth of his shoulders, length and brawniness of his arms, and the muscular appearance of the whole man, argued a most unusual share of strength, and a frame kept in vigour by constant exercise. His legs were somewhat bent, but not in a manner which could be said to approach to deformity; on the contrary, which seemed to correspond to the strength of his frame though it injured in some degree its symmetry. His dress was of buff-hide; and he wore, in a belt around his waist, a heavy broad-sword, and a dirk or poniard, as if to defend his purse, which (burgher-fashion) was attached to the same cincture. The head was well proportioned, round, close cropped, and curled thickly with black hair. There was daring and resolution in the dark eye, but the other features seemed to express a bashful timidity, mingled with good-humour, and obvious satisfaction at meeting with his old friends. Abstracted from the bashful expression, which was that of a moment, the forehead of Henry Gow, or Smith, (for he was indifferently so called, as both words equally indicated his profession,) was high and noble, but the lower part of his face was less happily formed. The mouth was large and well furnished with a set of firm and beautiful teeth, the appearance of which corresponded with the air of personal health and muscular strength, which the whole frame indicated. A short thick beard, and

moustaches which had lately been arranged with some care, completed the picture. His age could not exceed eightand-twenty.

"The family appeared all well pleased with the unexpected appearance of an old friend. Simon Glover shook his hand again and again, Dorothy made her compliments, and Catherine herself offered freely her hand, which Henry held in his massive grasp as if he designed to carry it to his lips, but, after a moment's hesitation, desisted, from fear lest the freedom might be ill taken.

"Her father, on his part, called out frankly, as he saw his friend's hesitation,

"Her lips, man, her lips! and that's a proffer I would not make to every one who crosses my threshold. But, by good St. Valentine, (whose holiday will dawn to-morrow,) I am so glad to see thee in the bonny city of Perth again, that it would be hard to tell the thing I could refuse thee.'"

The Smith, encouraged by this hearty Meantime welcome, salutes Catharine. Conachar has stolen off to his bed, but is brought back, and exhibits no little jealousy of the sturdy stranger Harry Gow. A quarrel ensues between the two at the supper table, in which armourer Harry has, as usual, the best of the fray.

"Let me depart, father Simon,' said Henry Smith, mournfully; • I might have guessed I should have my old luck, and spread strife and bloodshed where Í would wish most to bring peace and happiness. Care not for me-look to poor Catharine; the fright of such an affray hath killed her, and all through my

fault.'

"Thy fault, my son!-It was the fault of yon Highland cateran, whom it is my curse to be cumbered with; but he shall go back to his glens to-morrow, or taste the tolbooth of the burgh. An assault upon the life of his master's guest in his master's house!-It breaks all bonds between us. But let me see to thy wound.'

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"Catharine!" repeated the armourer, look to Catharine."

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Dorothy will see to her,' said Simon; surprise and fear kill notskenes and dirks do. And she is not more the daughter of my blood, than thou, my dear Henry, art the son of my affections. The skene-occle Let me see the wound. is an ugly weapon in a Highland hand.'

"I mind it no more than the scratch of a wild-cat,' said the armourer; and now that the colour is coming to Catharine's cheek again, you shall see me a

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