CHAPTER IX.—Continued.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1926, 8 November 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER IX.— Continued.

A select assembly congregated at the Advocate's on the appointed evening ; Captain Campbell, who appeared in full regimentals, led the danca, with the heroine of the evening : all the party were in the height of enjoyment. In the iiist pause in the dance,and as the gallant Captain was conducting his partner to her seat, a servant entered the room with a small note for the host, who, upon reading it, sprung up somewhat agitated, and passed the letter to his daughter, saying, " 1 suppose you will understand who the writer of that is." Miss Forbes showed the note to the Captain, which ran as follows :—: — "MyDuar Brotiiei>-in-ia\\ , — You will be rather surprised at the unexpected arrival of one whom you never saw. I have just arrived, and on inquiry I heard that you are having a little jollification with your friends, which I hope my presence will not interrupt, unless they wish to have a turn up with ' Figiitini. Jack.' " Captain Campbell wa^ greatly delighted when he found that the writer was the eccentric Captain John M'Donald, whom Charlie had described the previous evening. The Advocate and his daughters amiled, and were consulting as to the best mode of receiving their wealthy uncle, who might possibly improve their circumstances by leaving a portion of his wealth to them, if they should be fortunate enough to make a favorable impression. They were not allowed much time for their deliberations, for the servant at the door called out, " Captain John M'Donald, of the East India Company's Service," when a tall, gaunt, straight old gentleman, with long white hair, green spectacles, or goggles, shaven yellow face, black clothes, and a goldheaded cane, stalked into the room. Mr. Forbes met him, and with a hearty shake of both hands,gave the stranger a worm reception, expressing the great satisfaction he felt in receiving a visit from his gallant and brave brother-in-law. "Ha ! so you are glad to see Fighting Jack, are you? But where are my charming nieces, of whom I have heard so much ? — I am longing to embrace them." The subjects of these flattering remarks were standing behind their father, whispering and blushing on hearing the anxiety he felt to embrace thorn, ' oing not a little embarrassed through havi. ; to be embraced before a roomful of guests. However, as there was a great stake in the case, they endeavored to make a favorable impression on the nabob ; and therefore advanced, each in succession saluting " Fighting Jack " with a kiss. Mr. Forbes introduced him to several of the company, and was most particular in introducing him to Captain Campbell, who appeared extremely happy in making the Indian officer's acquaintance, for special reasons, and seemed resolved to monopolise his company during the evening. As_ Captain Jack seemed careless about dancing, a select few formed themselves into a group around him in another part of the room, for the purpose of having a Gaelic eong, which the new-comer proposed and appeared very partial to, there being several of the party conversant with that language, among whom were the advocate and his daughters, Captain Campbell, Charlie, and a few others. A circle was accordingly formed, and handkerchiefs stretched between them in true Highland fashion, in order to keep up the chorus. Captain Jack proposed to give them a favorite song of his own to commence with, to the great delight of Captain Campbell, who took a seat beside him, with the elder Miss Forbes on the other side. After a few preliminary coughs, 'to clear his voice, Captain Jack commenced, in a key which would defy the most powerful and youthful lungs in the company to compete with ; but, horror of horrors 1 what was their consternation, especially the Forbes, on hearing, in Capt. Jack's favorite song, the forbidden and dreaded satire to the Campbells, "The Battle of Inverlochy," composed by * that memorable bard, John Lorn, in which the signal and ignominous defeat of the Campbells is set forth in language unparalleled^ Those of my readers who have heard or jread the song can well imagine the consternation which prevailed on hearing the verses sung in the presence of Captain Campbell,, who was very touohy on clannish matters, more particularly when they were jtlluded to in the presence of his intended ,

I bride. It was in vain they coughed, and then hinted to the unguarded singer the great ! mistake be had made ; for the louder they coughed the louder Fighting Jack roared out the dreaded satire, abusing the choristers for their want of etiquette in not supporting him in such a popular ballad. The thunderetricken and enraged Campbell managed to curb his wrath, on pecuniary grounds. He broke out, however, when he heard the words, "Ma dhith iad cal chuir sibh asd c" and sprang up, declaring that he would not listen to such language from his own father. An awkward confusion took place, during which Fighting Jack stood up and confronted the enraged Campbell, coolly informing him, that if he was in the least degree annoyed, he, Fighting Jack, would give him ample satisfaction the following morning, at any time and place he chose ; then, picking up his hat and cane, he strutted out of the room, leaving the spectators speechless, not knowing how to act. Captain Campbell held duelling in great dread, and having heard of the invincibility of Fighting Jack in that art, wished he had bore the dreaded satire sooner than be made a target for bis adversary's bullets. The company were not allowed much time to meditate on the beat means of restoring peace" between the belligerents, when a servant entered with a note to Campbell, which in the present state of his mind he was unable to peruse with becoming steadiness ; he therefore handed it to Charlie, who was near him, being almost posicive of its contents — feeling certain that it was a challenge from Fighting Jack. Charlie, at the request of tho company, read aloud the following linea :— " I have been the most hospitably received guest this evening ; have kissed the daughters, and got the Captain in a rage, according to the wager.— Joun Lorn." The duped Campbell now vowed vengeance on the devoted head of the mischievous Ensign, who had so successfully won his best horse, and had played such a trick on the host and his daughters. The Advocate felt annoyed at the part he and his daughters had been compelled so conspicuously to act, but considering the wager, and the account given by several of the company of the character of the perpetrator, he became more pacified in his intentions towards him, ultimately treating the affair as an excellent joke, in which the Captain joined. Miss Forbes and Catherine felt lather annoyed and ashamed when they considered the freedom to which they had been subjected by the Ensign's tricks. Not so Matilda, the second daughter, who was of a lively temperament, and a great admirer of bold and daring feats performed by young men. Her love of novelty and fun made her coincide with the perpetrator of the trick, who so successfully passed himaeK off as her own eccentric uncle ; and hearing from Charlie the mischievous propensities of his friend, she had a great wish to be introduced to him. Nor were John's impressions regarding the lively Matilda less favorable, judging from what he told Charlie the next day_, when speaking on the subject, and in his own poetical terms replied to Charlie's question as to what he thought of the Misses Forbes : — " For all the stateliness and elegance of Miss Forbes, the bewitching simplicity of your adorable Catherine, give me the lively and witty Matilda; a sort of lurking mischief flashes from her sparkling eyes, which has produced an echo in my heart, that whispers — ' John, that's your prize ; if you gain possession of her you will be able to surmount any obstacle, however daring.' Yes, Charlie, I surrender myself as her prisoner." It cannot be a matter of surprise that these inventive and lively minds soon found means, through Charlie's meditation, of making each other's acquaintance, which aoon ripened into love, although John had not sufficient courage to encounter the advocate at his own residence, not being positive that he had quite forgiven the trick which had been played upon him.