按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
story of the violins。 They talked on till the last of their coals
was burnt out； and then they went to bed。
Shargar had undertaken to rouse them early； that they might set out
on their long walk with a long day before them。 But Robert was
awake before Shargar。 The all but soulless light of the dreary
season awoke him； and he rose and looked out。 Aurora； as aged now
as her loved Tithonus； peered； gray…haired and desolate； over the
edge of the tossing sea； with hardly enough of light in her dim eyes
to show the broken crests of the waves that rushed shorewards before
the wind of her rising。 Such an east wind was the right breath to
issue from such a pale mouth of hopeless revelation as that which
opened with dead lips across the troubled sea on the far horizon。
While he gazed； the east darkened； a cloud of hail rushed against
the window； and Robert retreated to his bed。 But ere he had fallen
asleep； Ericson was beside him； and before he was dressed； Ericson
appeared again； with his stick in his hand。 They left Shargar still
asleep； and descended the stairs； thinking to leave the house
undisturbed。 But Mrs。 Fyvie was watching for them； and insisted on
their taking the breakfast she had prepared。 They then set out on
their journey of forty miles； with half a loaf in their pockets； and
money enough to get bread and cheese； and a bottle of the poorest
ale； at the far…parted roadside inns。
When Shargar awoke； he wept in desolation； then crept into Robert's
bed； and fell fast asleep again。
CHAPTER XVI。
A STRANGE NIGHT。
The youths had not left the city a mile behind； when a thick
snowstorm came on。 It did not last long； however； and they fought
their way through it into a glimpse of sun。 To Robert； healthy；
powerful； and except at rare times； hopeful； it added to the
pleasure of the journey to contend with the storm； and there was a
certain steely indifference about Ericson that carried him through。
They trudged on steadily for three hours along a good turnpike
road； with great black masses of cloud sweeping across the sky；
which now sent them a glimmer of sunlight； and now a sharp shower of
hail。 The country was very drearya succession of undulations
rising into bleak moorlands； and hills whose heather would in autumn
flush the land with glorious purple； but which now looked black and
cheerless； as if no sunshine could ever warm them。 Now and then the
moorland would sweep down to the edge of the road； diversified with
dark holes from which peats were dug； and an occasional quarry of
gray granite。 At one moment endless pools would be shining in the
sunlight； and the next the hail would be dancing a mad fantastic
dance all about them： they pulled their caps over their brows； bent
their heads； and struggled on。
At length they reached their first stage； and after a meal of bread
and cheese and an offered glass of whisky； started again on their
journey。 They did not talk much； for their force was spent on their
progress。
After some consultation whether to keep the road or take a certain
short cut across the moors； which would lead them into it again with
a saving of several miles； the sun shining out with a little
stronger promise than he had yet given； they resolved upon the
latter。 But in the middle of the moorland the wind and the hail
came on with increased violence； and they were glad to tack from one
to another of the huge stones that lay about； and take a short
breathing time under the lee of each； so that when they recovered
the road； they had lost as many miles in time and strength as they
had saved in distance。 They did not give in； however； but after
another rest and a little more refreshment； started again。
The evening was now growing dusk around them； and the fatigue of the
day was telling so severely on Ericson； that when in the twilight
they heard the blast of a horn behind them； and turning saw the two
flaming eyes of a well…known four…horse coach come fluctuating
towards them； Robert insisted on their getting up and riding the
rest of the way。
'But I can't afford it；' said Ericson。
'But I can；' said Robert。
'I don't doubt it；' returned Ericson。 'But I owe you too much
already。'
'Gin ever we win hameI mean to the heart o' hameye can pay me
there。'
'There will be no need then。'
'Whaur's the need than to mak sic a wark aboot a saxpence or twa
atween this and that？ I thocht ye cared for naething that time or
space or sense could grip or measure。 Mr。 Ericson； ye're no half
sic a philosopher as ye wad set up for。Hillo！'
Ericson laughed a weary laugh； and as the coach stopped in obedience
to Robert's hail； he scrambled up behind。
The guard knew Robert； was pitiful over the condition of the
travellers； would have put them inside； but that there was a lady
there； and their clothes were wet； got out a great horse…rug and
wrapped Robert in it； put a spare coat of his own； about an inch
thick； upon Ericson； drew out a flask； took a pull at it； handed it
to his new passengers； and blew a vigorous blast on his long horn；
for they were approaching a desolate shed where they had to change
their weary horses for four fresh thorough…breds。
Away they went once more； careering through the gathering darkness。
It was delightful indeed to have to urge one weary leg past the
other no more； but be borne along towards food； fire； and bed。 But
their adventures were not so nearly over as they imagined。 Once
more the hail fell furiouslyhuge hailstones； each made of many；
half…melted and welded together into solid lumps of ice。 The
coachman could scarcely hold his face to the shower； and the blows
they received on their faces and legs； drove the thin…skinned；
high…spirited horses nearly mad。 At length they would face it no
longer。 At a turn in the road； where it crossed a brook by a bridge
with a low stone wall； the wind met them right in the face with
redoubled vehemence； the leaders swerved from it； and were just
rising to jump over the parapet； when the coachman； whose hands were
nearly insensible with cold； threw his leg over the reins； and
pulled them up。 One of the leaders reared； and fell backwards； one
of the wheelers kicked vigorously； a few moments； and in spite of
the guard at their heads； all was one struggling mass of bodies and
legs； with a broken pole in the midst。 The few passengers got down；
and Robert； fearing that yet worse might happen and remembering the
lady； opened the door。 He found her quite composed。 As he helped
her out；
'What is the matter？' asked the voice dearest to him in the
worldthe voice of Miss St。 John。
He gave a cry of delight。 Wrapped in the horse…cloth； Miss St。 John
did not know him。
'What is the matter？' she repeated。
'Ow； naething； memnaething。 Only I doobt we winna get ye hame the
nicht。'
'Is it you； Robert？' she said； gladly recognizing his voic