Wandering in such pensive musings down a silent glade, or loitering with wistful step by the clear waters of a placid stream, has the young mind first imbibed the seeds of passion, and drawn from its own breast, by the sweet concord which pervades created space, the knowledge that it loved. Most truly has the eloquent authoress of "Corinne" said, "Il faut l'amour, ou la religion, pour goûter la nature." And if there be a power which exercises its control over human actions, what one more soothing or pure than the fragrant calm breathing upon, and from, the rocks, and woods, and vales of infancy? There all is peace and blessed repose; there may the fond word and breathless vow be uttered in fittest and holiest prayer; and to those scenes do we often look back, in the dark passage of after-life, with all the cheering emotion experienced in the presence of an old and attached friend.

Such delight was felt by Allan Vich Neil, as with lagging pace he toiled up the ascent whence the prospect opened over the glen of Dalroy. There was the house round which he had so often played, "a happy child!" There was the blue river, and there the hazel bower, where he had first owned the sway of Barbara Græme. As he gazed on these loved objects, thick brooding fancies mingled with his happiness; sad proof how blended with pain are the sweetest moments of our life! He and Coirshugle descended with rapid steps to the holm beneath, and knocked at the door. It was cautiously opened by an old crone, the same who had been so roughly used by the military; who informed him, in answer to his eager inquiries, that Barbara and her father were both absent; that soldiers had searched the house the day before, for the latter; and that a price had been set upon his head as a proscribed rebel. This intelligence went like so many daggers to the heart of Allan. To find them out, and to share their fate, was his immediate resolve; and, by dint of solicitation, he finally prevailed on the aged Cailaich to guide them to the place of their concealment. It lay in a chasm of an impending rock, on the brink of the river, some hundred yards from the house, of which it commanded a view, and was hid from sight by a thick wood of alder trees and weeping birch. A narrow footpath, impervious to any eye but one acquainted with its route, wound up the margin of the hill, and terminated abruptly in face of the cave. To enter it, a single tree served as a bridge, and it was carefully deposited within the rude asylum. Allan, Coirshugle, and their guide, reached the spot, but

not unperceived. "Who passes?" asked a loud voice, as they had nearly attained the upper ledge of the opposing barrier to the cave. "Ta freend of ta Græme, ta honored Vich Neil," replied the octogenarian guide. A joyful shout rent the air. It was Barbara's. The rude drawbridge was thrust out; and in a moment the lovers were clasped in each other's arms.

CHAPTER IV.

Barbara Græme was at that period of life when the spareness of the girlish form begins to be rounded off into the ampler swell of woman's; and, without pretensions to be thought critically beautiful, was such a one as no eye could look upon with indifference. Her robe was of silk of the pattern of her clan; and the modest snood of white, of similar stuff to her gown, braided up her auburn hair. She had lost her mother about a year previous to the period we speak of; and it had been to her a truly serious loss, for she was a lady eminently qualified to direct the formation of her daughter's mind, having a naturally fine taste, greatly improved by a judicious education, under the eye of a venerable female relative, in the north of France. Indeed, the wives of many of the chieftains of the last rebellion had received their early instruction in that country; their fathers having emigrated thither, after their defeat, in the previous insurrection of 1715; and hence the tone of polish and address displayed in the carriage of those beauties of the last age, which won its way to the heart of even the great lexicographer himself, when he visited the Highlands.

When the first burst of joy had passed, Allan was the foremost to speak. "And is it thus I find thee, Barbara! What a contrast to our last meeting, at your kinsman's, at Lochmaree; when you danced on the bonny green knowe, as we kept holiday for the birth of Inchvannon's younger heir!" "Ah! those were happy days!" replied the maid; though a blush suffused her face, as she remembered that she had then uttered the faint affirmative which gave away her heart." But what do I see? you are wounded," she said, as she looked on the sling in which his arm rested. "A mere scratch, love! nay, be not so fainthearted, it is almost healed already."

"And nobly won, my gallant boy," said Ballinbrek, who now came forward from the further end of the cave, where he and Coirshugle had been engaged in low and earnest.

conversation," prouder may you be of that scar than nobles of their coronets."

The youth bowed as he replied, " and for such commendation, and in such a cause, I would not be loth to risk its fellow."

Bravely uttered, and may the fates soon accord the

wish!"

But Coirshugle now proceeded to show the improbability of the highlanders ever regaining their temporary master. His arguments were unavailing. "Talk not to me of such prudential councils," said Vich Neil; "let us yet forth, my friend," turning to Balinbrek, "and verify your house's boast never forget!''

"A pretty vaunt, my youthful Mars! but are you sages bent on sallying forth like a couple of goose-headed knighterrants, to run your heads into the lion's mouth? Nay, be reasonable; if you will persist in this mad folly, at all events, reflect on her defenceless condition who is so dear to you both."

This was a consideration which, in their high-flown enthusiasm, had been overlooked; but Barbara herself raised an unexpected obstacle: she positively refused, on any account, to part from her father; and it required their united entreaties and reasoning to convince her that her presence could only in any event be embarrassing to him, and dangerous to herself. It was agreed, therefore, that no time should be lost in removing her to the residence of Allan Mac Lea's father, in the braes of Glenmoriston.

While the party within the cave thus deliberated, Dugald Cassindonich was afoot to gain tidings of his foster-brother at Lagraine. His astonishment was great on arriving there, to learn that he and Coirshugle had at an early hour set out for Craggynaan. Determined at all hazards on seeing him whose life was as dear to him as his own, for fosterage begat the most devoted attachment, Dugald proceeded on his way. As the evening began to wane, in turning a rock, he came suddenly on a party of military cooking their homely meal. To have shewn irresolution would have argued unfavorably, and he therefore boldly followed the narrow track which led past the soldiers. They immediately ordered him to stand, but his youthful frank appearance, and the candour with which he replied to their queries, at once disarmed any suspicion of his being a spy. With the shrewdness characteristic of his countrymen, it occurred to him

that he might pick up information from these men which might prove serviceable to Allan Vich Neil; and he accordingly prolonged the dialogue, by apparently random but acute interrogatories respecting the motions of the royal troops. From these he gathered, that detachments were scouring the country in all directions; and that military law was enforced with relentless rigour. Some hundreds of clansmen, deluded by the specious promises of pardon and safety held out to them, on consideration of yielding up their arms, had entered Inverness, and complied with these terms, but were instantly seized upon as prisoners, in violation of all good faith, and condemned to be sent to the plantations. Yet the soldiers admitted it was beyond doubt true that certain of the western tribes were still making head; and that strong corps would speedily march for the wilds of Straithglass and Glenstrathfarrar, where it was believed old Lovat had built himself a hiding-place in the isle of Muily, and had a boat constructed to carry him off, in case of attack.

Carefully mastering these particulars, Dugald hastened to make up the moments he had lost; leaving the soldiers impressed with the belief he was going to visit a poor sick relation. His task was by no means an easy one; the length of time already spent upon it, betokened the many weary miles he had left behind; and he sighed sorely for repose, when the house of Craggynaan rose in view. How great was his mortification to find his repeated calls and beatings (Scotticè chappings,) at the door, (for as yet bells and knockers were unknown in the hills,) totally unanswered. He went to the neighbouring huts to make inquiries for Balinbrek and his foster-brother; but the peasants shook their heads in mysterious silence, or gave vague and unsatisfactory replies. Maddened with disappointment, the poor boy struck his breast, and uttered the most doleful cries. He accused himself of being accessory to the capture or death of Vich Neil, by having brought him to Stratharkaig; for his disturbed imagination pictured that he had thereby fallen into the enemy's hands. As he wandered in this distracted state, his attention was arrested by a clear low whistle. He cautiously ventured to approach the quarter whence it proceeded, and, favored by the increasing gloom, did so unobserved. It was repeated, but unanswered, and whether intended for a signal to himself, or not, he could not divine; till, on groping a little onwards in the wood, towards the sound, his arm was suddenly grasped by

a firm and bony hand. The motion was so sudden as what from fear and surprise combined to deprive him of breath. "Dugal, be not alarmed! your friend is near," said Coirshugle; for it was he, who, having left the retreat overhead, to muster intelligence as to the practicability of removing to Glenmoriston, had observed the lad's movements. "What tidings, Dugal?" Much, please you, Coirshugle; much, both good and bad: but where's Vich Neil?"

"You shall see him directly;" and the chieftain led the way to the cave. Having made the appointed signal, he crossed over the nerve-trying barrier, followed by Cassindonich. "I bring you your faithful Dugal," said he to Allan Vich Neil, as the latter advanced to raise the boy from the bending posture, which, in his great devotedness of respect, he had assumed;* and to bestow a salute on the cheek, as was then the practice among intimate male friends in the north, and still is in Italy. "My preserver, how shall I ever thank you? But here is one who shall do it for me," said Vich Neil, as he led his foster-brother to Barbara Græme.

CHAPTER V.

The news brought by Dugald Cassindonich determined the party to lose no time in crossing to Glenmoriston. To prepare them for the fatigues of the journey, Dugal, so soon as night had fairly set in, was despatched to the house of Craggynaan, along with the old woman, for the purpose of carrying back such provisions as she could most readily get together. These being stowed in a creel, or hamper of wicker-work, and slung across his back, the signal was given for departure. Coirshugle was the first to cross the ledge of wood; Vich Neil followed; next Barbara Græme, then her father, and Dugal brought up the rear. It was earnestly pleaded by Vich Neil that some time should be spent in endeavouring to form a litter of the boughs of the birch-trees, for his beloved; but she herself overruled the proposal, by pointing out the necessity of despatch, if they wished to avoid the military roaming about; and she declared her perfect ability to endure the toil of the march to the cove, where they knew they might depend upon a friendly boat, to cross the lake. How many deep and

* This token of inferiority was certainly never shown by the old Highlanders.