XCV. THE little dOUGLASS.

PART II.

1. Towards night he got separated from his followers, and finally found himself lost in the deep forest, though he was in fact but a short distance from Stirling. In this strait he was very glad to meet a boy, some eleven or twelve years old, who was picking his way on foot through a rocky glen.

2. "Hold, sirrah!" cried King James, "turn thee, and show me the way to Stirling Castle." The lad paused, and, looking up, showed a proud, handsome face, though now it wore a half-sorrowful, half-sullen expression.

3. "Thou speakest in a lordly style, Sir Huntsman," he replied; "an' thou wert the king himself, thou mightest be a little more courteous,-though, i' faith, 'tis hardly likely thou wouldest be. However, I will guide thee to a spot whence thou canst see the towers of Stirling Castle; 'tis but a little way from here."

4. "Thanks, my brave lad. And now, wilt thou tell me who thou art? Thou hast gentle blood, surely." "I am called Young Archie of Kilspindie, or The Little Douglass," answered the boy, proudly.

5. The king frowned as he replied, "Knowest thou not that that is a dangerous name to own in Scotland? What dost thou here?" "I came from England with my grandfather, who came to

solicit the king's grace, and is banished to France for his pains. I go with him."

6. King James liked the fearless frankness of the lad, and, smiling, asked, "Hast thou ever seen the king thou speakest of?" "No, Sir Knight; nor care I to see him. I like him not." "Why, prithee?" "Because he's a churlish, unprincipled fellow. When my grandfather, who had done him no harm, but good service, humbled himself to come in his way, he forgot that

'A king's face should give grace,'

and made him-a brave old man,-a Douglass!— run beside his horse, as I run beside thine; and, when he fainted at his gate, would not let his servants give him a cup of wine."

7. "Nay, nay! I—that is, he-knew nothing of that," exclaimed James. Then, after a moment, he added: "What wouldest thou say if I should tell thee that thou hadst been talking to the king himself?"

8. Archie had already begun to suspect as much, but now he answered bravely, though with a deep blush: “I should say that His Majesty had heard the honest truth for once. But, see!—there is thy

castle.

Farewell!"

9. "Stay," said James.

"I like thy spirit, albeit

thy words are somewhat sharp and pert. Come

with me to the castle for a little while; surely thou fearest not to go with thy king?"

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10. "No, sire," replied the Little Douglass; though I have heard say an ancestor of thine invited an ancestor of mine into that same castle, and there slew him with his own hands. I do not fear thee; thou art not treacherous,-thou art only somewhat cruel. I will I will go with thee."

11. When they arrived at the castle, the king led the way at once to the apartments of the queen— the beautiful Mary of Guise, a French princessand presented Archie to her, saying, "See, I have brought Your Grace a strange pet,-a saucy page, an unfledged eaglet, a lion's cub,-a young Doug

lass!"

12. "A Douglass!-has not Your Majesty vowed to show favor to no one of that name?" said the queen, casting an admiring glance on the handsome boy.

13. "Ay, but thou hast not," replied James. "I give him to thee. He has done me a service, and I am willing that thou shouldst make much of him, for his own and his grandfather's sake. I loved Archibald of Kilspindie once."

14. "Wilt thou stay with me, my bonnie lad?" asked the queen, kindly laying her jeweled hand on the curly head of the boy. Archie was softened to tears by her goodness, and his voice trem

bled as he answered: "I would fain stay with Your Grace, not for your royal state, but for your sweet face and gentle voice, but I must go with my grandfather. I am all he has in the world.” 15. "But," said the queen, "he is poor and old, and he must go away into France, which, though a brave, beautiful land, will seem strange and unlovely to thee. Here at my court thou wouldst be at home-thou shouldst have money and servants at thy command, and my kind favor to count upon. Wilt thou stay ?"

16. "Alas, I cannot! even if Your Grace could make me prince of the realm. I could not forsake my grandfather," replied the Little Douglass, with noble firmness. And he went out directly into the cold, dark night to seek him,-out into a cold, dreary world with him.

17. He stayed beside him faithfully till the exile died-less of age and infirmities than with homesickness and a broken heart. Young Archie was left alone in a strange land, poor and friendless,— yet happier than the king of Scotland, who soon after died of fever, brought on by disappointment and remorse, in the very prime of his life.

1. Sullen, churlish, albeit, treacherous, unfledged, infirmities. 2. In offering to allow the Little Douglass to become the queen's page, did James break his oath?

XCVI. FINALE.

1. The play is done-the curtain drops,
Slow falling to the prompter's bell;
A moment yet the actor stops,

And looks around to say farewell.
On life's wide scene you, too, have parts,
That fate ere long shall aid you play;
Good night!—with honest, gentle hearts
A kindly greeting go alway!

2. Good night!—I'd say the griefs, the joys, Just hinted in this mimic page,

The triumphs and defeats of boys,

Are but repeated in our age;
I'd say your woes were not less keen,

Your hopes more vain, than those of men

Your pangs or pleasures of fifteen

At forty-five played o'er again.

3. I'd say we suffer and we strive

Not less nor more as men than boysWith grizzled beards at forty-five,

As erst at twelve in corduroys;

And if, in time of sacred youth,

We learned at home to love and pray, Pray Heaven that early love and truth

May never wholly pass away.