ching things in the
world."

"But you have lost all caution, all fear, and let these friends of
yesterday lead you you know not whither."

"Traveling is one way to grow wise; and as to danger, what did you
leave Craiggyside for, if it was not to take care of me?"

"Heaven knows I knew not what I undertook. I find one young lady
harder to look after than twelve score of ewes, the kine, and the
crops, with the ploughmen, shepherd, and dairy-maid to boot."

"Pray do not tell that to any but myself. With such a character, so
far from passing for a lady, I could not get a place as lady's maid."

"You may laugh, my lady, but the danger is real and near. I do not
trust your new friends," and Moodie shook his finger at them before
him. "I know what is ordered must come to pass, and it is sinful to
repine at it. But I have known you from a girl, a child, for you are a
girl still, my lady, and it grieves my heart to see you galloping on
to Rome and ruin."

"Is that my predestined road?" said Lady Mabel. "Then I suppose I must
ride it, but it will be at a spanking pace," and giving her horse a
cut she dashed off to the head of the party, while Moodie gazed after
her in despair.

Hearing the tread of horses close behind him, he looked round and saw
L'Isle's servants at his heels, watching him closely. The thought
struck him, that he might find these men useful. So, falling back
alongside of them, he said to L'Isle's man: "Do you know any thing of
the strange country we are going to now?"

The man looked around for a moment with a puzzled air, but perceiving
that Moodie was under some strange mistake, he merely said: "I am
following my master, and leave him to choose his own road."

"We are playing the game of follow your leader, Mr. Moodie," said the
groom, dipping into the dialogue. "The Colonel leads, and we are to
follow you know; and d----t, we will play out the game."

"But do you know that he is leading you to the land of the Moors?"

"If he is going to the land of the great Black-a-moor himself, we must
shut our eyes and gallop down hill. His country is said to lie in that
way."

Moodie muttered something about a son of Belial, but he wished to use
these men, and not offend them. So, turning to the groom, with grim
sociability, he asked: "Can you speak the language of the people
hereabouts?"

"I can call lustily for meat and drink, and make my wants known at a
pinch."

"Can you hire me a messenger at the n