"

On considering where he could procure a secure hiding-place, he determined to visit a friend who lived at Bewcastle in Cumberland, and who was a hearty, jolly fellow, with whom he had drunk, gambled, jumped, ran, and wrestled. The hospita❤ ble Cumbrian received Allan with great kindness, and felt pleased at being thus accidently enabled to gratify his friends with the best pipe music ever heard in that country. In a short time, his friend was compelled to go to Stagshaw Bank fair with some horses he had for sale; and Allan, notwithstanding the most pressing remonstrances to the contrary, determined to accompany him. Having rode with his friend to Hexham, he there left him, and proceeded on foot to the fair.

Here he soon met with an old acquaintance, with · whom he stept into a tent to take a pint of ale; when the first person he saw was the serjeant of the company to which he was attached. Not wishing to renew his acquaintance with this man, he told his companion to stop for a few minutes, and rose to depart. On passing, the serjeant laid hold of his arm, saying, "Is not your name Allan ?" Without replying, Allan, with one blow, laid the serjeant sprawling at his feet, and then, rushing out of the tent, ran swiftly down the fair. But those who had seen the soldier struck, followed him closely, crying, "Stop thief!" when a brawny fellow bore against him with his broadside, and gave him a complete somerset. He was then pinioned, and sent into confinement until a party came to convey him to his regiment.

Allan's Bewcastle friend was extremely sorry when told of the circumstance, and kindly sent him a guinea. At length, his escort arrived, consisting of three hearty fellows, natives of Tweedside, fond of fun and frolic, and but little acquainted with the rigours of military discipline. Allan, having money, carried it on jovially with his civil guardians. On the second day, they halted at a public house, intending to stop all night; and as none of them were fatigued, they went into a yard behind the house to amuse themselves. Allan bet a gallon of ale that he could excel the whole of them at quoits; and as the yard-wall was high, the corporal took off his handcuffs without the least hesitation. The play went on, and meanwhile the soldiers drank a good quantity of ale; but Allan was cautious. The quoits were at length put aside, when the soldiers began disputing who was the best shot. A mark was therefore set up, at which they began firing with ball, James being appointed umpire. After much wrangling, they laid down their firelocks; when Allan asked why they had ceased firing."Because all our shot is done," was the answer." But you have surely one charge left, that may shew you my skill?"-"No, none of us has a particle left."-"Then, friends," said Allan briskly, "it is time for me to quit you-may you have a pleasant journey ;" and springing upon the wall, he disappeared in a moment. The soldiers were so amazed at their own folly, and his audacious elopement, that none attempted to follow.

I

Allan hastened across the county of Durham with the utmost speed, and never halted until he

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had reached Shotley Bridge. From this place he proceeded to Bellingham in Northumberland, by way of Hexham. Here he had so many friends and acquaintances, that his retreat could not be long concealed. He therefore resolved to visit his uncle at Holystone, with whom he remained about a fortnight; when, becoming weary and restless, he wandered about at night amongst the adjoining hamlets. One evening, he was kindly entertained by a farmer at Harbottle, who was fond of the small pipes. A schoolmaster was boarded in the house, and he consented to permit Allan to share his bed during the night, as a heavy rain was falling. About day-break, Allan arose, dressed, and took his leave, with many expressions of grateful feeling. The schoolmaster, or Dominie, as he is called in the north, on rising, missed his watch. The farmer, who knew Jamie's habits, felt highly exasperated at this breach of hospitality, and, mounting his horse, accompanied by his son and a constable, galloped after the offender. They soon perceived his figure, and, pushing forward their horses, gave chase. Allan bounded over the ground with a swiftness that both surprised and vexed his pursuers. The chase was to the westward, where the country grows very hilly and rocky. In one place, there is a cleft in the rock forty feet deep and fourteen feet wide at the mouth, with a projecting shelving ledge about twelve feet from the top. Allan, finding his pursuers close upon him, ran to this spot, and, by a bold spring, jumped upon the ledge. The farmer and his friends checked their horses, and looked seriously at each other, imagining that

the desperate and guilty man must be dashed to pieces. On dismounting, they approached the horrible chasm with great caution, and, on looking over, saw Allan standing on the narrow projection, and laughing at his followers. The farmer exclaimed, "Let us return home, my friends, or worse may befal us, for it is clear the devil has helped the fellow." At night, Allan contrived to climb up, and wandered across the country he knew not where. At length, he reached Whittingham, hungry, thirsty, and pennyless.

Here he entered the principal public house, and boldly ordered dinner. Some company being present, he drew out his pipes, and struck up "Cut and Dry Dolly," which so highly pleased a farmer who was present, that he gave him half-a-crown; and being soon after recognized by several of the inhabitants of that merry little place, they advised him to remain amongst them till his finances were recruited, for his appearance indicated that they were at a low ebb.

To this proposal Allan readily consented, and` spent two or three days very agreeably; but a recruiting party coming to the house, the large bounty offered proved too great a temptation to be resisted. While his bounty-money lasted, which was only for a very short time, he was jolly and careless; but when all was spent except a few shillings, he resolved to depart. When the family on whom he was billetted had retired to rest, he packed up his pipes and his scanty wardrobe, and slipped down from his chamber window. A recruit, who was returning to his quarters from sup

ping with a friend, observed his fellow recruit's descent, and, suspecting his design, ran to alarm the serjeant and corporal, who lodged together; and in a few minutes, the three set out in pursuit of the fugitive.

It being a fine moonlight night, the party walked forward at their utmost speed, and, on reaching Hedgely Moor, caught a glimpse of the active deserter. The corporal now stole upon him in such silence as to be able to seize his arm. When Allan

turned around and saw the red coat, a sense of his danger flashed upon his mind; and, by a sudden and desperate exertion, he freed himself from the corporal's grasp, jumped over the ditch, and ran at the top of his speed. His escape now appeared certain; but the grass being wet, his foot slipped, and he fell. On rising, his pursuers, who had come endeavoured to seize him; but he again escaped. In running, he felt his ancle was sprained; when observing, at the distance of a few yards, a stone pillar, he placed his back against it, and with his

up,

**On Hedgely Moor, Sir Ralph Percy, with the Lords Hungerford and Ross, in 1463 encountered King Edward's forces, under the command of Sir John Neville Lord Montacute, Warden of the Eastern Marches. Sir Ralph's companions in arms fled on the first onset; but he, with the spirit of a Percy, maintained his ground, and died fighting bravely for Henry VI. whose cause he espoused. His dying words were, "I have saved the bird in my breast;" meaning his faith to his party. A monument called PERCY'S CROSS was erected in memory of this brave warrior. It stands in a field about 60 paces east of the road which runs from Morpeth to Wooler, and at a small distance north of the 21 mile stone. It consists of a stone pillar fixed on a pedestal, having the Percy and Lucy arms rudely cut upon it in relief."-Mackenzie's Hist. of Northumb. vol. ii. p. 16.