"And if he were a soldier gay, And tarried from the town, And sought in wars, through death and scars, To win for him renown, I’d place his colours in my breast, And ride by moor and lea, And win his side, there to abide, And bear him company. "For sooth a maid, all unafraid, Should by her lover be, With wile and art to cheer his heart, And bear him company." "A fine promise, Marjory," I cried, "and some day I may claim its fulfilment. But who taught you the song?" "Who but the Travelling Packman, or, maybe, the Wandering Jew?" she said, laughingly; and I knew this was the way of answer she used when she would not tell me anything. So, to this day, I know not whence she got the catch. Then we parted, not without tears on her part, and blank misgivings on my own. For the vexed question came to disturb me, whether it was not mere self-gratification on my part thus to travel, and whether my more honourable place was not at home. But I banished the thoughts, for I knew how futile they were, and comforted my brave lass as best I could. "Fare thee well, my love," I cried, as I mounted my horse, "and God defend you till I come again"; and, whenever I looked back, till I had passed the great avenue, I saw the glimmer of Marjory’s dress, and felt pricked in the conscience for leaving her. CHAPTER IX I RIDE OUT ON MY TRAVELS AND FIND A COMPANION It was on a fine sharp morning, early in February, that I finally bade good-bye to the folk at Barns and forded Tweed and rode out into the world. There was a snell feel in the air which fired my blood, and made me fit for anything which Providence might send. I was to ride Maisie as far as Leith, where I was to leave her with a man at the Harbour-Walk, who would send her back to Tweeddale; for I knew it would be a hard thing to get passage for a horse in the small ships which sailed between our land and the Low Countries at that time of year.