Will was certainly a much
more picturesque ruffian than ever was Meldrum, and many a wild deed
might be safely fathered on him.
Tradition tells of his long ride to convey important papers from Lord
Traquair to King Charles I, and of his perilous return journey, bearing
a reply from his Majesty. Tidings of his mission had come to the ears of
the Parliamentarians, and orders were issued to seize him at Carlisle.
In that town, Will, unwitting of special danger, had halted an hour to
refresh man and beast, and as he proceeded on his journey, and was
midway over the high, narrow bridge across the Eden, the sudden clatter
of horses' feet and the jingle of accoutrements at either end of the
bridge showed him that his way was effectually blocked by the Roundhead
troopers. Without a moment's hesitation, Will faced his horse at the
parapet, and with a touch of the spur and a wild cheer over went the
pair into the flooded river, disappearing in the tawny, foaming water
with a mighty splash. Instead of hastening along the bank, Cromwell's
troopers crowded on to the bridge, gazing with astonishment into the
raging torrent. Thus, when Will and his horse, still unparted, came to
the surface a considerable way down, there was time for them to reach
the bank.
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