The enormous weem he had entered was one of those caverns from which a part of the coast obtains its name--Wemyss; and though the outer part of it was brilliantly illuminated by a fire of drift wood and pine-logs that blazed on the rocky floor, on progressing, the earl was impressed with a feeling of awe by the uncertainty of the vast profundity to which it penetrated; for the inner end of this frightful chasm or fissure yawned away obscurely and horribly into the bowels of the earth. It had, doubtless, been formed, like many others along the rocky coast, by that wondrous upheaval of the Scottish shores, which geologists suppose must have taken place some two thousand years ago, or when, the sea receded thirty feet from its ancient margin, which to this day is visible along the summits of all the headlands in Fifeshire and Lothian. Though several culinary utensils, Dutch kegs and tubs were placed in little cupboard-like recesses, the cavern did not seem to have been long occupied by its tenants, who were six in number, strong and muscular men, whose long matted beards flowed nearly to their girdles; and whose attire declared them to be partly beggars, partly robbers, and wholly desperadoes. That they lived at enmity with their fellow-subjects was apparent from the multiplicity and aspect of the swords, poniards, and poleaxes with which they were armed. The earl found, when too late, that he had made an unfortunate choice of hosts, when such a price was on his head, but grasping his broken spear with one hand, and his gory bundle by the other, he confronted them resolutely. "Now, who are you?" asked one who seemed to be the leader. "It matters nothing to thee, thou dour carle, so lay down thy maul, or beware!" replied the earl. "Then, what are you?" "A gaberlunzie--a beggar!" said Ashkirk, bitterly. "Then, where is thy parish token?" "I spoke but metaphorically, for I Lave not yet taken me unto _that_ trade; and when I do, I will see King James at Jericho, and his parliament too, before I will sew a pewter badge on my doublet, tattered though it be. I will not conform to this new law, believe me, brother rogue. But I repeat, nevertheless, that I _am_ a beggar, because I seek food without having the wherewithal to pay for it; and, moreover, that I am, like thyself, an outlaw." "Gude and better!" replied the other; "but there is blood on thy sleeve; why man, thou art red handed!" "Blood! true--I shed a little in my own defence, and what then? I have committed no murder. Believe me, fellow, there is more blood on thy soul than on my fingers. But, enough of this. I seek what every man who hath them not hath a right to seek from those who hath--food, fire, and shelter." "What is this in your cloak?" "Something that thou hast no concern with." "We will soon see that," cried several, laying hands on their knives and daggers. "If thou darest!" replied the earl, raising his truncheon, and confronting the strongest and the boldest.