Chapter 24 - Page 2

I know of few who voluntarily associate with him. He has
been more than once outlawed both by England and Scotland, his lands
declared forfeited, and his head set at a price. But in these unquiet
times, a man so daring as Julian Avenel has ever found some friends
willing to protect him against the penalties of the law, on condition
of his secret services."

"You describe a dangerous man," replied Warden.

"You may have experience of that," replied the youth, "if you deal not
the more warily;--though it may be that he also has forsaken the
community of the church, and gone astray in the path of heresy."

"What your blindness terms the path of heresy," answered the reformer,
"is indeed the straight and narrow way, wherein he who walks turns not
aside, whether for worldly wealth or for worldly passions. Would to
God this man were moved by no other and no worse spirit than that
which prompts my poor endeavours to extend the kingdom of Heaven! This
Baron of Avenel is personally unknown to me, is not of our
congregation or of our counsel; yet I bear to him charges touching my
safety, from those whom he must fear if he does not respect them, and
upon that assurance I will venture upon his hold--I am now
sufficiently refreshed by these few minutes of repose."

"Take then this advice for your safety," said Halbert, "and believe
that it is founded upon the usage of this country and its inhabitants.
If you can better shift for yourself, go not to the Castle of
Avenel--if you do risk going thither, obtain from him, if possible,
his safe conduct, and beware that he swears it by the Black Rood--And
lastly, observe whether he eats with you at the board, or pledges you
in the cup; for if he gives you not these signs of welcome, his
thoughts are evil towards you."

"Alas!" said the preacher, "I have no better earthly refuge for the
present than these frowning towers, but I go thither trusting to aid
which is not of this earth--But thou, good youth, needest thou trust
thyself in this dangerous den?"

"I," answered Halbert, "am in no danger. I am well known to Christie
of the Clinthill, the henchman of this Julian Avenel; and, what is a
yet better protection, I have nothing either to provoke malice or to
tempt plunder."

The tramp of a steed, which clattered along the shingly banks of the
loch, was now heard behind them; and, when they looked back, a rider
was visible, his steel cap and the point of his long lance glancing in
the setting sun, as he rode rapidly towards them.

Halbert Glendinning soon recognized Christie of the Clinthill, and made
his companion aware that the