32 MEMOIR OF 



only stand up in a fair set-to against three of 

 Exeter, we'll give your heroes full credit for 

 all you say of them, but not till then." 



"Thank you, Denne, for your most courteous 

 insinuation," replied Gordon, curling his upper 

 lip, and speaking in a tone of the bitterest irony ; 

 "there will be no difficulty whatever in finding 

 three good men and true to accept your chal- 

 lenge ; indeed, a score, if necessary, would be 

 forthcoming, so name your day, and they shall 

 be readv." 



It was not usual for the commoners, before 

 the high table had risen, to move from their 

 seats and hold conversation with those at 

 another table, much less with the gentlemen- 

 commoners ; but Russell, who was seated at a 

 short distance below the latter, and had over- 

 heard all that had passed, could restrain him- 

 self no longer. "Don't forget me, Denne," he 

 said, jumping on his legs and stalking up to 

 his friend's side; "I'll be one of the three, 

 mind that, and the sooner we meet the better." 



The Fiery Cross of Clan-Alpine was never 

 carried with such speed through the Trossachs 

 as Gordon's message to the Christ Church 

 men ; nor did the interest excited by it flag 

 for an instant, till three of them had been 

 chosen, who, in the opinion of all, were best 

 qualified to accept the challenge and carry to 

 the front the colours of the college. 



