tinkler's head, as though they had been pistols, at which I think he was
a little daunted. Jock Marshall stopped in his rush, uncertain whether
to leap aside; and in that very moment, Gay Garland spread his fore-feet
for the spring, throwing up his head as if to clear the way. One of his
iron-shod heels took the tinkler chief fair on the chest, and the
breast-bone gave inwards with a crunch like the breaking of many farles
of cake-bread. He fell down on the moss like one dead, and Gay Garland
went over the moor with the whole tribe of whooping savages after him,
spurning their fallen chief with his hoof as he passed.

Well it was for us that the noble horse carried us with such ease and
that his feet were so sure. For a stumble in a rabbit hole and our
throats were as good as slit.

But by the blessing of Providence and also by my good guiding of Gay
Garland's mane, we passed the ford of the Black Water without hurt. Then
was I very croose at the manner of our coming off, and minded not that
the hardest blaff of downcome is ever gotten at the doorstep.

We were passing by the path that goes linking along the water-side, and
talking to one another very cantily, when without warning a musket
barked from the woodside, and as it were a red-hot gaud of iron ran into
my thigh behind my knee. The world swayed round me and the green trees
ran withershins about. I had fallen among the horse's feet, but that
Maisie Lennox caught me, meeting Gay Garland's swerve with the grip of
her knee--for she ever rode across and acrop like a King's horseman,
till it was time for her to ride side-saddle and grow mim and prudent.

Haply just by the turn we met my father and old Anthony Lennox coming
running at the sound of the shot. But as for me I never saw or heard
them, for they ran past, hot to find the man who had fired at me. While
as for me I came up the loaning of the Duchrae upon Gay Garland, with my
head leaning back upon the young lassie's shoulder and the red blood
staining her white skirt.

And this was the beginning of my lameness and sometime lack of
vigour--the beginning also of my life friendship with Maisie Lennox, who
was to me from that day as my brother and my comrade, though she had
been but a bairn's playmate aforetime.

CHAPTER III.

GAY GARLAND COMES HOME SADDLE EMPTY.

The night of the twenty-second of June, 1679, shall never be forgotten
among us while Earlstoun House stands. It was the eve of the da