are right. However, it makes no difference;
were there ten times as many, they would not catch us, tonight."

Chapter 14: In Hiding.

The moment the horsemen had gone by, Oswald and Roger hastily dressed
again. It was three or four minutes before the girls joined them.

"We have been a long time, Oswald, but our fingers are so cold that we
could not tie the strings."

"You will soon be warm. Climbing the hill will set your blood in
motion."

There was no hurry now. They were safe until the morning.

"We will make up the hill until you are thoroughly warm, and then we
will discuss matters."

Before they were very far up the ascent, both girls declared that they
were comfortably warm again.

"Well, Roger, what do you think our best course will be? The Bairds
have, of course, sent horsemen along the other road. They will have
heard, from the priest, that we have but a few minutes' start; and will
know that we cannot have gone far. The party who passed us will
doubtless stop at Parton, the other at the next village higher up; and
they will be sure that either we concealed ourselves as they passed, or
have taken to the hills on one side or other of the valley. They will
naturally suppose that it is this side, as it would be madness for us
to plunge farther into the country to the west; and you may be sure
there will be scores of men out on these hills, tomorrow, searching for
us; and some of them may ride nearly to Hiniltie, to cut us off there
in case we escape the searchers on the hills.

"I think that the only plan will be to hide up for a couple of days, or
so; then to make our way down again to where the horses are, and then
make a dash through Parton."

"That would certainly be far the best way," Roger said; "but how are we
to manage for food for the ladies?"

"We will go on until we get to the top of the hill, Roger, and then
find a sheltered spot, where they can stop. It is of no use trying to
go on much farther, for the night is cloudy, and there are no stars to
be seen, and we should lose our way directly, for there is no wind that
would serve as a guide as to which way we were travelling. When we find
a good shelter, we must stop with them; and I will make my way down to
the place where the horses are, and warn the men as to what has
happened, and tell them to lie quiet till I come again. I will bring
back whatever food they may have with them, a big jug of water, and the
four horse cloths."