"
They kept a vigilant watch through the night, without catching sight of
any craft proceeding in the same direction as themselves.
It was still dark when the helmsman hailed the skipper: "I see the
lights of Leith ahead," and later they passed the beacon fire that
marked the entrance to the port. Five minutes later Oswald and his
companion, after paying the sum agreed on, stepped on shore.
"That danger is over. I did not think that there was any real cause for
fear. I should like to see the earl, as his bands of horsemen ride in,
today, with the news that they can hear nothing of us."
"I should like to hit him just such a clout, with my staff, as I gave
his two retainers," Roger said. "Earl as he is, it was scandalous, and
contrary to all usages, to arrest a messenger; especially when that
messenger is an esquire of one of equal rank to himself, and his
message, as I suppose, a friendly one."
"I don't so much blame him. He had no means of judging my discretion;
and the consequences, to him and others, had I fallen into the hands of
Douglas, or those of a marauding leader, might have been serious,
indeed. I doubt not that, had I been content to stay with him, he would
have treated me with all honour.
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