Then turning on his heel, he hurried after Home to wreak his smothered wrath on the interloping mariner.
CHAPTER XLVII.
BORTHWICK'S NEW MISSION.
"Your pardon, sir,
But sure this lack of Christian charity
Looks not like Christian truth."
"I would give ten of my best horses, if by so doing I could find this stunted vagabond in the grey gaberdine!" said Hailes to Home, as they met in the Broad Wynd; "and so he has escaped your lordship too?"
"Yes, but we shall find him yet. Canst think of any one to employ, Blackcastle?" asked Home of a Hepburn who attended them.
"Nay, not I, my lords," replied Hepburn; "I am but little used to the dirty work which seems the sole occupation of those who hover about the court of this poor prince; and it would ill beseem a gentleman of name to be hunting for a seaman among yonder tarry wilderness of boats and booms, casks and anchors."
Lord Hailes frowned at his retainer.
"Lady Euphemia Drummond gave this man a letter, and this letter we must have, should we burn Leith for it!" said Home.
"Whom shall we employ?" asked Blackcastle; "there are rascals and pimps in plenty about the prince's court, for the news of our rising seems to have gathered all the roguery in Scotland from the four winds of Heaven."