Out in the Forty-Five: Duncan Keith's VowHolt, Emily Sarah
General
Out in the Forty-Five: Duncan Keith's Vow
Holt, Emily Sarah
Christian life -- Juvenile fiction; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Juvenile fiction
"The Scottish Catechism, my dear, saith that `Man's chief end is to
glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.' Grander words were never
penned out of God's own Word. And among the most striking words in it
are those of David, which may be called the response thereto--`When I
awake up after Thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.'"
Then Annas and Flora came in.
But I had got what I wanted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloomsbury Square, London, September 23rd 1745.
While we were travelling, I could not get at my book to write anything;
and had I been able, I doubt whether I should have found time. We
journeyed from early morning till late at night, really almost as though
we were flying from a foe: though of course we should have had nothing
to fear, had the royal army overtaken us. It was only the Elector's
troops who would have meddled with us; and they were in Scotland
somewhere. There is indeed a rumour flying abroad to-night (saith my
Uncle Charles), that the Prince has entered Edinburgh: but we know not
if it be true or no. If so, he will surely push on straight for London,
since the rebellious troops must have been driven quite away, before he
could do that. So my Uncle Charles says; and he saith too, that they
are a mere handful of raw German mercenaries, who would never stand a
moment against the courage, the discipline, and the sense of right,
which must animate the King's army.
Oh dear! where shall I begin, if I am to write down all about the
journey? And if I do not, it will look like a great gap in my tale.
Well, my Uncle Drummond took us to Hawick--but stop! I have not left
Abbotscliff yet, and here I am coming to Hawick. That won't do. I must
begin again.
Mr Keith and Angus marched on Thursday night, with a handful of
volunteers from Tweedside. It was hard work parting. Even I felt it,
and of course Angus is much less to me than the others. Mr Keith said
farewell to my Uncle and me, and he came last to Flora. She lifted her
eyes to him full of tears as she put her hand in his.
"Duncan," she said, "will you make me a promise?"
"Certainly, Flora, if it be anything that will ease your mind."
"Indeed it will," she said, with trembling lips. "Never lose sight of
Angus, and try to keep him safe and true."
"True to the Cause, or true to God?"
"True to both. I cannot separate between right and right."
I thought there was just one second's hesitation--no more--before Mr
Keith gave his solemn answer.
"I will, so help me God!"
Flora thanked him amidst her sobs. He held her hand a moment longer,
and I almost thought that he was going to ask her for something. But
suddenly there came a setting of stern purpose into his lips and eyes,
and he kissed her hand and let it go, with no more than--"God bless you,
dear Flora. Farewell!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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