CHAPTER V. THE BONFIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1914, 11 October 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER Y. THE BONFIRE.

The wished-f or day at length arrived on which the bonfire was to be held at the castle, and many a cheerful countenance might be seen making its way towards the scene of attraction. Mr. Stuart, according to promise, called at Mr. M'Kays, driving his old family carriage. Bella, who was ready some time, hailed his arrival with a beaming countenance, but which was suddenly, however, changed into disappointment on seeing him unaccompanied by his son. Mr. Stuart instantly interpreting her looks and hesitation, exclaimed encouragingly, " Step in, my dear ; I fear we shall lose some of the sport. Charlie will soon overtake us on that unruly animal 'Black Prince,' which no other person can ride but himself. I really think he preferred driving to-day for a wonder, as he tried several times to coax Munro to mount the hunter, but Donald thinks more of hia limbs than trust them to such a fiery animal." This intelligence brought back the cheerfulness to the beautiful countenance of our heroine, which made her spring up into the carriage, and taking her seat beside her respected and agreeable neighbor, who enlivened their drive by many pleasant and interesting remarks. They had not proceeded more than half their journey when Mary Grant (who was sitting with the driver, old Munro) screamed out, " Gracious 1 He'll leap over us I " Bella, who was constantly casting stolen glances on both sides of the road, looked out to see what was the matter, and exclaimed with admiration, " Oh, look, Mr. Stuart, what a noble sight ! How splendid he looks 1 How admirably he curbs him ? " Mr. Stuart followed her gaze, and beheld, indeed, a most exciting sight — his son curbing the infuriated Black Prince, who, on seeing the carriage and horses before him, endeavored to gallop off at full speed, only for the bold and excellent horsemanship of his rider, who brought him up at last to the side of the carriage, quite humbled, tossing his proud head and glossy black mane, and champidg his silver bit, as if asking forgiveness of the beaming countenance which greeted himself and master. On arriving at the Castle all the guests had already arrived ; and Mr. Stuart led his young charge towards the grand entrance, where Lord Lundy, surrounded by his friends, was receiving the company. Mr. McKay being master of the ceremonies, introduced his neighbour in due form ; afterwards his daughter, who, on perceiving his lordship advancing graciously with an extended hand towards her, suddenly shrunk back, to the amazement of all the spectatators, withholding her hand, and casting on him a disdainful look, making a cold bow, and then turned round, leaning on her neighbor's arm. His lordship bit his lip in disappointed vexation ; and, in order to divert the spectators' attention, turned round to Mr. McKay, who had not observed the strange conduct of his daughter, he being engaged with some other object. " Really, Mr. McKay, you are very absent," exclaimed his lordship, forcing a smile ; " you forgot to introduce your son, whom I presume is yonder young gentleman," pointing to Charlie, who had entered, and witnessed the whole. "I really must beg your lordship's pardon," replied Mr. McKay ; " but lam sorry to say that I have not the honor of being this gentleman's father. Allow me to present my neighbor's son, Charles Edward Stuart— a name greatly venerated among us Highlanders." On hearing these words his lordship turned deadly pale, and stopped short, Charlie at the same time eyeing him with a scornful look ; and both, bowing stiffly, turned on their heels and mixed with the company. This strange conduct puzzled the spectators; and some attributed his lordship's visible coolness towards Charlie to his loyalty to the present Sovereign, and hostility to the base Pretender or any one bearing his name. The gay assembly were now invited to the balcony to witness the games and sports contested on the lawn before the Castle. It would be superfluous to enumerate here each and every feat, with the several prizes ; suilice it, that the majority fell to Donald Munro, to the gratification of many present, especially Mary Grant, who, regardless of Mr. Brown whispering compliments to her charms, waved her v/hite pocket-handkerchief at each successful feat of her lover. A most interesting match was now commenced, in which the gentry only took part. The prize was a splendid riflle to bo presented to the best shot at 200 yards. The competitors fired in succession according to their lots, but none penetrated the mark, which was a small bull's eye in the centre of a target composed of a deal board. The Honorable Captain Somerville hit the edge. When his lordship's turn came he penetrated the very centre, thus leaving no chanae to Charlie Stuart, who was the last on the list. A look of disappointment was visible in every Highland face on seeing themselves beat by an Englishman, and their only hope in Charlie Stuart (who was admitted to be the best shot among them) was now annihilated. However, the latter, who shared in their disappointment, fell on an expedient to save the honor of his country, and which astonished the spectators as to its novelty. This was by placing a wafer in the hole which his lordship's bullet had pierced through the target ; then taking his stand at the distance, instead of taking a rest like his predecessors, fired off his arm, the ball carrying away the wafer, without touching the wood. The applause which followed this feat was most deafening. Hats, bonnets, and caps were hurled into the air, and the surrounding plantation echoed back the exclamations. However, the prize was not yet won ; the umpires decided this a tie, and both competitors had to fire again, using the wafer, and firing off their arms. Charlie's turn now catre first, when he repeated his former shot, without touching the wood, Lord Lundy's ball carrying a portion off, he consequently lost. The next sport was a stag hunt. A large red deer was let loose in the park, and all the best hounds were unleashed after him. This was an animated and moat interesting scene : to see the noble forester hotly pursued by his speedy and wiry pursuers. The first that showed in front were a couple of English thoroughbred greyhounds, the property of Lord Lundy ; at a short distance behind them followed a large grey Highland staghound, the property of Charlie Stuart, followed^y a number of inferior dogs. This order was kept the first round of the park, without gaining on the stag, who was unable to find an opening in the high wall. Bran — whioh was the name of Charlie's hound — waß unable to reach his more light and speedy competitors on level ground, especially in a short distance ; however, on the Becond round his powers of endurance began to tell, and he soon closed on the leading couple. The excitement now became intense ; the three dogs were abreast, and taking the same bound, when "Bran gib brath ? "— Bran for ever I— could be heard in every tree and high position around the oastle, where every individual had taken a station. It soon became manifest that Bran was the superior animal, as he gained on the stag in every stride,

which, on seeing himself hard pressed, faced the high wall, and cleared it at a bound. Bran, on coming up, followed his example, to the surprise and admiration of the majority of the spectators, and in a short time overtook his game, which he despatched in a moment. The other dogs were unable to clear the park wall, and were consequently led away. Donald Munro led Bran to the castle to receive his reward, which consisted of a splendid garland, of great value, which was to be suspended round hia neck by one of the fair occupants of the balcony. Mr. McKay, on exhibiting the glittering trophy, invited one of the ladies to volunteer to execute the pleasant commission, when the Hon. Miss Somerville, the captain's sister, descended the grand staircase, and took the garland ; on approaching the noble hound he manifested his displeasure at the freedom of the fair stranger by giving a low growl, which made the fair lady retreat at once, and give up the attempt. On perceiving this, Bella McKay tripped down the stairs, smiling and blushing, took the garland from the honorable lady, and placed it on the hound's neck, which soon changed his former sulkiness into pleasure at the carressing, delicate hand, which stroked his rough coat. This ceremony, which greatly pleased the majority of the assembly, particularly the owner of the hound, had made a far different impression on the noble host, who saw two of his schemes miscarry. However, as the principal and more praiseworthy feat was yet to come on, in which his own superiority would be displayed, he withheld his disappointment. This was the last and most exciting event — the steeplechase, the winner of which was to receive a beautiful milk-white lady's pony, fully caparisoned, and which he was to present to the fair lady of his choice among the beauties of the assembly. The equestrians were mounted, and soon took their station before the castle ; but, on looking over the list of entries, Charlie Stuart was missing ; and it was not until the last sound of the horn that he made his appearance. To be Continued.