The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne | Page 5

should be
given out, that these preparations were intended for assistance to the
Chief of a distant part. That when they set out on the expedition, they
should pursue, for some time, a contrary way, but under favour of the
night should suddenly change their route, and turn upon the castle of
Dunbayne.
In the mean time, Alleyn was strenuous in exciting his friends to the
cause, and so successful in the undertaking, as to have collected, in a
few days, a number of no inconsiderable consequence. To the warm
enthusiasm of virtue was now added a new motive of exertion. It was
no longer simply an attachment to the cause of justice, which roused
him to action; the pride of distinguishing himself in the eyes of his
mistress, and of deserving her esteem by his zealous services, gave
combined force to the first impulse of benevolence. The sweet thought

of deserving her thanks, operated secretly on his soul, for he was yet
ignorant of its influence there. In this state he again appeared at the
castle, and told the Earl, that himself and his friends were ready to
follow him whenever the signal should be given. His offer was
accepted with the warmth of kindness it claimed, and he was desired to
hold himself in readiness for the onset.
In a few days the preparations were completed, Alleyn and his friends
were summoned, the clan assembled in arms, and, with the young Earl
at their head, departed on their expedition. The parting between Osbert
and his family may be easily conceived; nor could all the pride of
expected conquest suppress a sigh which escaped from Alleyn when his
eyes bade adieu to Mary who, with the Countess, stood on the terrace
of the castle, pursuing with aching sight the march of her beloved
brother, till distance veiled him from her view; she then turned into the
castle weeping, and foreboding future calamity. She endeavoured,
however, to assume an appearance of tranquillity, that she might
deceive the fears of Matilda, and sooth her sorrow. Matilda, whose
mind was strong as her heart was tender, since she could not prevent
this hazardous undertaking, summoned all her fortitude to resist the
impressions of fruitless grief, and to search for the good which the
occasion might present. Her efforts were not vain; she found it in the
prospect which the enterprize afforded of honour to the memory of her
murdered Lord, and of retribution on the head of the murderer.
It was evening when the Earl departed from the castle; he pursued a
contrary route till night favoured his designs, when he wheeled towards
the castle of Dunbayne. The extreme darkness of the night assisted their
plan, which was to scale the walls, surprize the centinels; burst their
way into the inner courts sword in hand, and force the murderer from
his retreat. They had trod many miles the dreary wilds, unassisted by
the least gleam of light, when suddenly their ears were struck with the
dismal note of a watch-bell, which chimed the hour of the night. Every
heart beat to the sound. They knew they were near the abode of the
Baron. They halted to consult concerning their proceedings, when it
was agreed, that the Earl with Alleyn and a chosen few, should proceed
to reconnoitre the castle, while the rest should remain at a small

distance awaiting the signal of approach. The Earl and his party
pursued their march with silent steps; they perceived a faint light,
which they guessed to proceed from the watch-tower of the castle, and
they were now almost under its walls. They paused awhile in silence to
give breath to expectation, and to listen if any thing was stirring. All
was involved in the gloom of night, and the silence of death prevailed.
They had now time to examine, as well as the darkness would permit,
the situation of the castle, and the height of the walls; and to prepare for
the assault. The edifice was built with Gothic magnificence upon a high
and dangerous rock. Its lofty towers still frowned in proud sublimity,
and the immensity of the pile stood a record of the ancient consequence
of its possessors. The rock was surrounded by a ditch, broad, but not
deep, over which were two draw-bridges, one on the north side, the
other on the east; they were both up, but as they separated in the center,
one half of the bridge remained on the side of the plains. The bridge on
the north led to the grand gateway of the castle; that on the east to a
small watch-tower: these were all the entrances. The rock was almost
perpendicular with the walls, which were strong and lofty. After
surveying the situation, they pitched upon a spot