David raised his candle, and saw the figure of the
standing man.
At any moment the guest-room and itscontents might
lie bare to hostile eyes. Ebenezer of Bold has mountedhis beast and ridden wi the
horsemen to harry the ungodlysretreat.
And she went on wi her saft een andher mim
mou.
Hefelt anew the dependence of all things upon God,
and the need ofwalking humbly in His sight. He would continue tohope manfully though
his neck were on the block.
He spoke of thefutility of mortal hopes, the
fallibility of man, the certainty ofdeath.
He was roused by the wounded man going limp in his
arms, and he sawthat he had fainted.
Im blithe to hear ye speak the word, sir. His leg
is broken, and Ithink there is other trouble. Man, how did he succeedwith such a
rabble of the half-hearted behind him? Will youtake him and let him lie hid till the
hunt passes? He was weary enough, but yon face does not show sorrow. He would
continue tohope manfully though his neck were on the block. Isobel prospected the
roadbefore him like a faithful dog, while David steadied him with hisarm.
Certes,shes the bonny ane, and she bobbed curtsies.
Ebenezer of Bold has mountedhis beast and ridden wi
the horsemen to harry the ungodlysretreat. I myself am a fugitive, and there is
nosafety till I cross the Highland line. He found himyawning and extracting
indifferent entertainment from a folio ofThuanus.
But I see your mind is made up,and nae words o mine
will turn ye. Ill not deny that theyre wild folk, but they havenayour Kirks taste
for murder in cold blood.
Then to the soldiers: Ye had surelylittle to dae,
lads, to mishandle a starvin lassie.
For the sake of Christsmercy, I beseech you not to
refuse.
Richie lifted his head and saw the minister. And
maybe Im to have Davie in bed aside me?