rther great
uncertainty, lest Birsay had been able to add to his other informations
an account of my mother's hiding-place and our own disguises. Nay, even
though he had not already done so, there was no saying how soon this
might come about.

However, as we stood conferring a moment together, there was one came
running hastily from the house to the stables, carrying a lantern.

Then in a little, out of the stable door came clattering the war-horse
of the commander of dragoons.

William McCutcheon, the serving-man and chief groom of the stables, led
Boscobel with a certain awe, as if he might actually be leading the
Accuser of the Brethren, haltered and accoutred.

He had not been at the door a minute, when Claverhouse come out and went
down the steps, drawing on his riding gauntlets as he came. Roger McGhie
walked behind him carrying burning candles in a great silver triple
candlestick. He held the light aloft in his hand while the cavalier
mounted with a free, easy swing into the saddle; and, gathering the
reins in his hand, turned to bid his host adieu. "Be a wee canny with
the next Whig ye catch, for the sake of your ain bonny Whiggie, Jean
Cochrane!" cried Roger McGhie of Balmaghie, holding the cresset high
above his head.

"Deil a fear!" laughed Clavers, gaily waving his hand. "Tis not in the
power of love or any other folly to alter my loyalty."

"Pshaw!" said the laird; "then, John, be assured ye ken nothing about
the matter."

But Claverhouse was already clattering across the cobble stones of the
yard. We drew back into the deep shadow of the bushes and he passed us,
a noble figure of a man sitting slenderly erect on his black horse
Boscobel, and so riding out into the night, like a prince of darkness
going forth to war.

* * * * *

That night, down in the little holding of Waterside, upon the broad
meadows of the Dee, we held a council. My mother was for setting out
forthwith to look after her son Sandy.

But I gently dissuaded her, telling her that Sandy was far better left
to his own resources, than with her safety also to provide for.

"I daresay," said she, a little shortly; "but have you thought how I am
like to sleep when you are all away--when in every foot that comes by
the door, I hear the messenger who comes to tell me of my sons streeked
stiff in their winding sheets?"

But, after all, we managed to persuade her to bide on at the Boatcroft,
where little