"
They had now reached the gorge of the ravine, where Halbert had at
first intended to stop; but when he observed the narrowness of the
level ground, he began to consider that it was only by superior
agility that he could expect to make up his deficiency in the science,
as it was called, of defence. He found no spot which afforded
sufficient room to traverse for this purpose, until he gained the
well-known fountain, by whose margin, and in front of the huge rock
from which it sprung, was an amphitheatre of level turf, of small
space indeed, compared with the great height of the cliffs with which
it was surrounded on every point save that from which the rivulet
issued forth, yet large enough for their present purpose.
When they had reached this spot of ground, fitted well by its gloom
and sequestered situation to be a scene of mortal strife, both were
surprised to observe that a grave was dug close by the foot of the
rock with great neatness and regularity, the green turf being laid
down upon the one side, and the earth thrown out in a heap upon the
other. A mattock and shovel lay by the verge of the grave.
Sir Piercie Shafton bent his eye with unusual seriousness upon Halbert
Glendinning, as he asked him sternly, "Does this bode treason, young
man? And have you purpose to set upon me here as in an emboscata or
place of vantage?"
"Not on my part, by Heaven!" answered the youth: "I told no one of our
purpose, nor would I for the throne of Scotland take odds against a
single arm.
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