ock was unrivalled, and no champion of Cumberland, Westmoreland, or
Northumberland could endure the sway of the huge two-handed sword which
he wielded, and which few others could even lift. This "awful sword," as
the common people term it, was as dear to him as Durindana or Fushberta
to their respective masters, and was nearly as formidable to his enemies
as those renowned falchions proved to the foes of Christendom. The
weapon had been bequeathed to him by a celebrated English outlaw named
Hobbie Noble, who, having committed some deed for which he was in danger
from justice, fled to Liddesdale, and became a follower, or rather a
brother-in-arms, to the renowned Laird's Jock; till, venturing into
England with a small escort, a faithless guide, and with a light
single-handed sword instead of his ponderous brand, Hobbie Noble,
attacked by superior numbers, was made prisoner and executed.

With this weapon, and by means of his own strength and address, the
Laird's Jock maintained the reputation of the best swordsman on the
Border side, and defeated or slew many who ventured to dispute with him
the formidable title.

But years pass on with the strong and the brave as with the feeble
and the timid. In process of time the Laird's Jock grew incapable of
wielding his weapons, and finally of all active exertion, even of the
most ordinary kind. The disabled champion became at length totally
bedridden, and entirely dependent for his comfort on the pious duties of
an only daughter, his perpetual attendant and companion.

Besides this dutiful child, the Laird's Jock had an only son, upon
whom devolved the perilous task of leading the clan to battle, and
maintaining the warlike renown of his native country, which was now
disputed by the English upon many occasions. The young Armstrong was
active, brave, and strong, and brought home from dangerous adventures
many tokens of decided success. Still, the ancient chief conceived,
as it would seem, that his son was scarce yet entitled by age and
experience to be entrusted with the two-handed sword, by the use of
which he had himself been so dreadfully distinguished.

At length an English champion, one of the name of Foster (if I rightly
recollect), had the audacity to send a challenge to the best swordsman
in Liddesdale; and young Armstrong, burning for chivalrous distinction,
accepted the challenge.

The heart of the disabled old man swelled with joy when he heard that
the challenge w