poor things, as the case stands with them even now, you might take the heart out of their bodies and they never find it out, they are sae begrutten.'

"Give them this missal instead, good dame," said the Father, drawing from his pocket one which was curiously illuminated with paintings," and I will come myself, or send some one at a fitting time, and teach them the meaning of these pictures."

"The bonnie images," said Dame Glendinning, forgetting for an instant her grief in her admiration, "and weel I wot," added she, "it is another sort of a book than the poor Lady of Avenel's; and blessed might we have been this day, if your reverence had found the way up the glen, instead of Father Philip, though the Sacristan is a powerful man too, and speaks as if he would gar the house fly abroad, save that the walls are gay thick. Simon's forebears (may he and they be blessed!) took care of that."

The Monk ordered his mule, and was about to take his leave; and the good dame was still delaying him with questions about the funeral, when a horseman, armed and accoutred, rode into the little court-yard which surrounded the Keep.

CHAPTER IX.

For since they rode among our doors
With splent on spauld and rusty spurs,
There grows no fruit into our furs;

Thus said John Up-on-land.

Bannatyne MS.

THE Scottish laws, which were as wisely and judiciously made as they were carelessly and ineffectually executed, had in vain endeavoured to restrain the damage done to agriculture, by the chiefs and landed proprietors retaining in their service what were called Jack-men, from the jack, or doublet quilted with iron, which they wore as defensive armour. These military retainers conducted themselves with great insolence towards the industrious part of the community-lived in a great measure by plunder, and were ready to execute any commands of their master, however unlawful. In adopting this mode of life, men resigned the quiet hopes and regular labours of industry, for an unsettled, precarious, and dangerous trade,

which yet had such charms for those who once became accustomed to it, that they became incapable of following any other. Hence the complaint of John Upland, a fictitious character, representing a countryman, into whose mouth the poets of the their general satires upon men and manners:

day put

They ride about in such a rage,

By forest, frith and field,

With buckler, bow, and brand.

Lo! where they ride out through the rye!
The Devil mot save the company,

Quoth John Up-ou-land.

Christie of the Clinthill, the horseman who now arrived at the little tower of Glendearg, was one of the hopeful company of whom the poet complains, as was indicated by his "splent on spauld," (ironplates on his shoulder) his rusted spurs, and his long lance. An iron scull-cap, none of the brightest, hore for distinction a sprig of the holly, which was Avenel's badge. A long two-edged straight sword, having a handle made of polished oak, hung down by his side. The meagre condition of his horse, and the wild and emaciated look of the rider, shewed their occupation could not be accounted an easy or a thriving one. He saluted Dame Glendinning with little courtesy, and the Monk with less; for the growing disrespect to the religious orders had not failed to extend itself among a class of men of such disorderly habits, although it may be supposed they

were altogether indifferent alike to the new or the ancient doctrines.

"So, our lady is dead, Dame Glendinning," said the jack-man; "my master sent you even now a fat bullock for her mart-it may serve for her funeral. I have left him in the upper cleuch, as he is somewhat ken-speckle,* and is marked both with cut and birn-the sooner the skin is off, and he is in saultfat, the less like you are to have trouble, you understand me. Let me have a peck of corn for my horse, and beef and beer for myself, for I must go on to the Monastery-though I think this Monk here might do mine errand."

"Thine errand, rude man," said the Sub-Prior, knitting his brows-

"For God's sake!" said poor dame Glendinning, terrified at the idea of a quarrel between them,"O Christie! it is the Sub-Prior-O reverend sir, it is Christie of the Clinthill, the laird's chief jackman; ye know that little havings can be expected from the like o' them."

"Are you a retainer of the laird of Avenel ?" said the Monk, addressing himself to the horseman ; " and do you speak thus rudely to a brother of Saint Mary's, to whom thy master is so much beholden?"

"He means to be yet more beholden to your house, Sir Monk," answered the fellow; " for hear

Ken-speckle-that which is easily recognised by the eye.

ing his sister-in-law, the widow of Walter of Avenel, was on her death-bed, he sent me to say to the Father Abbot and the brethren, that he will hold the funeral feast at their convent, and invites himself thereto with a score of horse, and some friends, to abide there for three days and three nights,having horse-meat and and men's meat at the charge of the community; of which his intention he sends due notice, that fitting preparation may be timeously made."

"Friend," said the Sub-Prior, "believe not that I will do the Father Abbot the indignity of delivering such an errand.-Think'st thou the goods of the church were bestowed upon her by holy princes and pious nobles, now dead and gone, to be consumed in revelry by every profligate layman who numbers in his train more followers than he can support by honest means, or by his own incomings? Tell thy master, from the Sub-Prior of Saint Mary's, that the Primate hath issued his commands to us that we submit no longer to this compulsory exaction of hospitality on slight or false pretences. Our lands and goods were given to relieve pilgrims and pious persons, not to feast bands of rude soldiers.”

"This to me!" said the rude spear-man,

"this

to me and to my master?-Look to yourself then, Sir Priest; and try if Ave and Credo will keep bullocks from wandering, and hay-stacks from burning."