they attempted in the meantime to preserve calmness and moderation in the minds of the incensed citizens. The chief part of the assembly were for instantly arming the whole of the inhabitants capable of bearing arms, in order, if possible, to surprise and destroy the hated and notorious castle, Arnstein, which, they said, ought long since to have been levelled with the ground. But, besides the uncertainty of the information received, it was justly remarked by the magistrates who presided, that it would require months of open and decided hostility to capture so powerful and well-provisioned a castle as that of Rubburg, whence the formidable enemy made his depredations; while, moreover, the present case called for instant redress.

At length, after a long discussion as to the best means of obtaining it, during which the heads of the more bold and indignant had leisure to grow cooler, it was agreed to adopt the suggestion of one of the oldest magistrates, who explained to the council a stratagem by which he trusted that the freedom of the abducted party would be speedily accomplished

Another nuptial evening, therefore, was, as soon as possible, announced, with even more of bustle and splendour than the former; all the neighbours were invited to the dance, and information sent by trusty messengers to the adjacent villages around. Accordingly, these same tidings reached the ears of the lord of Arnstein, who, on receiving an invitation, along with his knights and squires, loudly ridiculed the stupidity of the poor citizens, who thus actually threw their daughters in his way. Then a still more extended incursion than the former was determined upon, the whole of the party declaring that

they would this time each and every one seize on his individual prey, after the close of the dance.

About twilight on the appointed day, the meadow was seen covered with beautiful groups of dancers, yet withal no virgins this day trod the scene; they were safe in their parental mansions. It was the stout citizens, and next to them their eldest boys, who were arrayed in women's attire, with newlysharpened weapons concealed under their clothes, all intent upon avenging the honour of their daughters, their sisters, or their betrothed, and for ever in future to secure it. They began the dance with sounds of revelry and mirth, yet somewhat subdued to the tone of womanhood, while their hearts throbbed with indignation, until the approach of midnight, when their trusty scouts brought word of the yet nearer and nearer advance of the lord of Arnstein approaching softly towards the spot. Now the dancing party seemed to break up, and all were apparently drawing homewards. But, behold, the next moment the chief of Arnstein burst into the midst of them, followed by his knights and pages on horseback and on foot. They let him advance; and the chief no sooner found himself in the midst of the dancers, than he threw himself from his steed, in order to enjoy the pleasure and applause of bearing off the intended bride with his own hands. But what was the feeling he experienced, when, as with a thundering voice and a laugh of joy he claimed the bride for himself, the bright steel flashed in his eyes, and smote his outstretched arm before he could draw it back, quite through and through. Smarting with pain, and uttering curses of revenge, he started back to regain his steed. But ten strong arms were about him; he felt himself pinioned hand and foot and neck, as if

chains of iron girt him round. Some of the knights and pages, who hastened with threats to his assistance, were, after a short struggle, overpowered and secured. Most of them, however, escaped with cries of terror and surprise, and wounded with sabres and with stones. The chief culprit, however, was carried with shouts of triumph into the city. There the lord of Arnstein was thrown forthwith into a large solitary dungeon, and there he confessed, on beholding the preparations for his approaching execution, the deeds he had perpetrated, and farther intended to accomplish. The young maidens were, at his own command, immediately delivered to their friends; in consequence of which, after paying a heavy penalty, and taking a solemn oath never again to commit any offence against the city or its inhabitants, he was released from his terrific chains. But these chains, in which he for months languished, are still preserved, and are now to be seen in the town-house at Aschersleben, a lasting monument of the skill and foresight of the old times, and worthy of the admiration of future generations.

177

THOMAS OF ERCILDOUNE.

MANY years since, there lived on the borders of Scotland and England a horse-dealer, who was remarkable for a reckless and fearless temper, which made him admired, as well as dreaded, amongst his neighbours. One moonlight night, as he rode over Bowden Moor, on the west side of the Eildon Hills, having a couple of horses along with him which he had not been able to dispose of, he met a man of venerable appearance and singularly antique dress, who, to his great surprise, asked the price of his horses, and began to bargain with him on the subject. To Canobie Dick, for so was the horse-dealer called, a customer was a customer, and he was not very particular to inquire who or what he might be. The stranger paid the price they agreed on, and all that puzzled Dick in the transaction was, that the gold which he received was wholly in ancient coins, which would have been invaluable to an antiquary, but were rather troublesome in modern currency. It was gold, however, and therefore Dick contrived to get better value for the coin than he perhaps gave to his customer. By the command of so good a merchant, he brought horses to the same spot more than once; the purchaser only stipulating that he should always come by night, and alone. I do not know whether it was from mere curiosity, or whether some hope of gain mixed with it, but after Dick had sold several horses in this way, he began to complain that dry bargains were unlucky, and to hint, that since his friend must live in the neighbourhood, he ought, in the courtesy of dealing, to treat him to a little cheer.

N

"You may see my dwelling if you will," said the stranger; "but if you lose courage at what you see there, you will rue it all your life."

Dick, however, laughed at the warning, and having alighted to secure his horse, he followed the stranger up a narrow footpath, which led them up the hills to a singular eminence stuck betwixt the most southern and the centre peaks, and called, from its resemblance to such an animal in its form, the Lucken Hare. At the foot of this eminence, Dick was somewhat startled to observe that his conductor entered the hill-side by a passage, or cavern, of which he himself, though well acquainted with the spot, had never seen or heard.

"You may still return," said his guide, looking ominously back upon him; but Dick scorned to appear frightened, and on they went. They entered a very long range of stables; in every stall stood a coal-black horse; by every horse lay a knight in coal-black armour, with a drawn sword in his hand; but all were as silent, hoof and limb, as if they had been cut out of marble. A great number of torches threw a gloomy lustre over the hall, which was of large dimensions. At the upper end, however, they at length arrived, where a sword and horn lay on an antique table.

"He that shall sound that horn and draw that sword," said the stranger, who now intimated that he was the famous Thomas of Ercildoune, shall, if his heart fail him not, be king

*

* A renowned Scottish seer or prophet, who lived in the thirteenth century. The common tradition is, that "Thomas the Rhymer," as he was usually called, was carried off in early life to Fairy Land, where he acquired the knowledge for which he was afterwards so famous. A great number of his prophetic sayings are still preserved (chiefly in rhyme) throughout Scotland. The majority are of a melancholy kind, foreboding calamities on the nation, or on particular families or places.