et above it.

Roger was on the lookout. Seeing two figures approaching, when he
expected but one, he grasped his staff firmly.

"Who comes there?" he asked.

"It is I, Roger. I have brought one of the men with me, to help carry
the things. He is going to Hiniltie, and thought that Armstrong would
be pleased to know he had seen his daughters. I have got plenty of
food, and a skin of water."

"That is capital," Roger said cheerfully. "I was fearing that, having
so many things to think of, you might forget water."

Oswald went to the shelter.

"Are you awake, Janet?"

"Yes," she replied. "I have been anxious, while you were away."

"Are you cold?"

"I am not very warm," she answered; "but do not trouble about it, we
shall do very well."

"I have two blankets here," he said, as he removed the covering. "One
of these I will put over you both, and tuck it well in, each side, to
keep out the wind that comes in between the stones. Then I will lay
your smocks over that. I wrung them well, before putting them on the
sticks; and although I cannot say they are dry, yet they are not damp
enough to matter, and will help keep you warm. The other blanket I will
put over the sticks."

"Thank you indeed, Oswald," the girl said, gratefully. "That feels very
much more comfortable."

"Now, Roger, there is a blanket for you, and one for me, to wrap round
us, plaid fashion."

"I do not need one, master. In faith, I have more respect for this gown
than I ever had before--it is wondrously warm and, with the hood over
my head, I want nothing more."

"That is all very well, Roger. If you don't need it for your shoulders,
you need it for your legs; for being without hose, and with nought but
those sandals, you must be freezing. We will walk up and down here, for
a bit, and do you wrap it round your legs, like a Highlander's
petticoat. When we have tired ourselves, we will lie down and try to
get a sleep, for an hour or two."

As they walked, they talked over their plans; and Oswald decided that,
before daybreak, he would set out on the search for a place of
concealment.

"I will leave my helmet and breast and back piece behind me," he said,
"and will take your staff. Then, if I am caught sight of by any party
in the distance, I shall look like a shepherd; while, had I on my iron
harness, they would at once suspect me of being of the party, even
though I were alone. As for you, your monk's robe would be detected,
miles off."