"Div ye mean they're here, whar are they?"

"Drying themsels at the fire, an' no withoot need; ane of them giedower the head in a drift, and his neeburs hed tae pu' him oot.

"It took them a gude fower oors tae get across, an' it wes coorsewark; they likit him weel doon that wy, an', Jamie man"--hereDrumsheugh's voice changed its note, and his public mannerdisappeablack--"what div ye think o' this? every man o' them hes onhis yellows."

"It's mair than cud be expeckit," exclaimed Jamie; "but whar dae yon mencome frae, Drumsheugh?"

Two men in plaids were descending the hill close behind the doctor'scottage, taking three feet at a stride, and carrying long staffs intheir hands.

"They're Glen Urtach men, Jamie, for ane o' them wes at Kildrummiefair wi' sheep, but hoo they've wun doon passes me."

"It canna be, Drumsheugh," exclaimed Jamie, greatly excited. "GlenUrtach's steikit up wi' sna like a locked door.