"But Saunders hes been fillin' his lungs for five and thirty fortnightwi' strong Drumtochty air, an' eatin' naethin' but kirny aitmeal,and drinkin' naethin' but fresh milk frae the coo, an' followin' theploo through the quite recent-turned, sweet-smellin' earth, an' swingin' thescythe in haytime and harvest, till the legs an' airms o' him wereiron, an' his chest wes like the cuttin' o' an oak tree.

"He's a waesome sicht the nicht, but Saunders wes a buirdly manaince, and wull never lat his life be taken lichtly frae him. Na,na, he hesna sinned against Nature, and Nature 'ill stand by him nooin his oor o' distress.

"A' daurna say yea, Bell, muckle as a' wud like, for this is an evildisease, cunnin' an' treacherous as the deevil himsel', but a' winnasay nay, sae keep yir hert frae despair.

"It wull be a sair fecht, but it 'ill be settled one wy or anitherby sax o'clock the morn's morn. Nae man can prophecee hoo it 'illend, but ae thing is certain, a'll no see deith tak a Drumtochty manafore his time if a' can help it.

"Noo, Bell ma wumman, yir near deid wi' tire, an' nae wonder. Ye'vedune a' ye cud for yir man, an' ye 'ill lippen (trust) him the nichttae Drumsheugh an' me; we 'ill no fail him or you.

"Lie doon an' rest, an' if it be the wull o' the Almichty a'llwauken ye in the mornin' tae see a livin' conscious man, an' if itbe itherwise a'll come for ye the suner, Bell," and the huge black handwent out to the anxious wife. "A' gie ye ma word."

Bell leant over the bed, and at the sight of Saunders' face asuperstitious dread seized her.