e Braes against a hundred men; they will burn
you out, and then Mistress Jean."

"Hum; that is so, lad. Ride round to the rear of the house."

I did so, and a moment later, they came out on the little porch. The
old gentleman had buckled on his sword, and there were pistols in his
belt. And she, ah! she never looked more bewitching. Her beautiful
hair flowed wild about her shoulders, over the light dark mantle in
which she was wrapped. By the flicker of the candle, I saw that a
bright flush mantled her cheek, as she spoke rapidly.

"Father, there is an English vessel a few miles down the bay. Call the
slaves and escape to it."

"But I cannot take you there."

"I will carry her through the lines," I cried, "and see her safe in
the hands of her aunt in Kent."

They hesitated, but the noise in front of the house told of the
approaching mob, and there was no time for parley. So, true to my
race, I acted quickly, and stooping from my saddle I caught her up
gently and placed her on Toby before me.

"It is the only chance, lad. See that you carry her safely."

"I will carry her through or die," I replied with deep conviction. At
the touch of the spur Toby sprang forward under his double burden.

"The creek," she cried.

"Yes; but we can swim it."

Indeed it was our only way, as the mob blocked the other roads of
escape, so we rode boldly in and swam for the other side. The creek
was several hundred yards wide, but Toby bore us bravely until we
reached the southern shore, then he plunged forward, threw himself up
the bank, and we were out of immediate danger.

There we halted for a moment under the shadow of a great tree and
looked back across the water.

We heard the sound of many voices, the howling of the mob, and through
the trunks of the trees flickered the glare of the torches. Suddenly
shots rang out, a cry of dismay and rage followed, and then the flash
of guns and a rattling volley crashed around the house.

"By Jove, he is fighting it out!" But the slender figure on my arm
trembled, and I saw that her face was white through the darkness.

"He will escape, Mistress Jean," I said reassuringly; "trust an old
Highlander for that." And I saw that her eyes were bright and tense,
watching the scene across the water.

"There he goes," she exclaimed joyfully; and there, gliding swiftly
through the waters, where the shadow of the trees made the darkness
more intense, was a long low boat rowed by stalwart sla