The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Highland Monthly,
Do not the very breakers of Inverbeltane wail a coronach
for them who will return no more ? Has not my heart been
wrung to see the wells where the maidens of the township
warbled lightly the songs of love and sorrow, now choked
up with rushes and water cress, and the meadow where the
young men tossed the ball, over-run by southern sheep ?
The hare feeds fearlessly, and the rabbit burrows where the
walls of what was once the house of my But, enough
of this, I came not here to blame either you or Lord Dun-
cairn. And why should I bewail what has gone forever ?
I came to warn you of intended evil, and do so at great
risk, not only to my stock, but even to my person." The
Borderer had gazed with compassion upon the aged indivi-
dual beside him, while in language of wild pathos he gave
utterance to the sorrows of his heart. But now, perceiving
that Macindrui desired to impart information of serious
moment, he leaned towards him over the saddle, in an
attitude of patient attention. " Mark Teviot," proceeded
Allister Macindrui, " she whom you brought to Glenbeltane
as your wedded wife, was of my people. Did not our blood
flow in your dead children's veins ? Though the Mac-
brides of Duncairn got Glenbeltane, by Charter from the
King, ours it surely was by the right and tribal law. Even
the M'llvaines of Corrie Antler, whose hand was always
against every man." The name seemed to bring the old
man, as it were to himself, and in an altered an lower tone
so low indeed, that it sometimes sank to a hoarse whisper,
he added, " but it was of them that I came to speak to you,
I regret that you and such as you are destined to drive the
children of the Gael out of the country, I wish to see you
go back to your own land and to your own people. Yet, I
cannot forget the tie of kindship which binds us, nor can I
forget that oftentimes under your roof is the home of my
one sister."
" Nay ! nay
!
y\lister, speak not of any kindness I and
mine have show your sister, Janet Ishbal, She has rather
laid us under much obligation. She works for us, and yet
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