have I, forgetful that it was cold outside?"

The Black Colonel and I had met before,
though slightly, distantly, and I knew his habit
of talking to his horse. Not an unnatural
thing, because Mack was an animal of fine
intelligence, coupled, it is true, with the
stallion's devil of a temper, and they had spent
much time alone together, which begets
understanding. Were they, indeed, not a romance
of the countryside, inseparable, with a
friendship only found between a lonely man and his
horse or his dog? They had been through a
whole chapter of adventures together, and were
willing to face more, or they would not have
been there in the Pass.

When the stone hit my foot I stood still,
knowing it must be the Black Colonel, yet
wishful to be certain before I spoke. His
words to Mack revealed his presence, but left
me unsure whether he knew that I was within
a few yards of him. Of course the horse knew,
for animals of the higher order have an instinct
which is often more sure than reason in a man.
It is their reason, the shield of guidance which
Nature gives to all her creatures.

Suddenly communication seemed to arise
between us, although no word of mutual
greeting had been spoken. You know how
those things come about! No, you don't,
nor do I, nor does anybody else, but they do
happen out of a world 'twixt earth and heaven.
They call them uncanny in our land, which
only means they are unknown, the mysteries
of them, but some day they will grow clear
and be no more black witchery, only golden light.

"Walked all the way from Corgarff Castle?"
he abruptly asked, preparing the way, with the
usual nothings of conversation. It is oddly
difficult to get into natural talk in a dark,
dividing night, when eyes, faces, gestures, are
hidden, and I just answered, "Yes, walked
over the hills, as I've often done before,
knowing them well, without having the honour
of a safe conduct from you."

"Some day," he snapped, "you'll be able
to bring your red-coats by the same paths,
knowing them, as you say, well, and capture
me for the Lowland money your Government
puts on my Highland head. Nobody is too
well off in our parts in these times. Captain
Gordon, not, it may be, even you, who was
born, I suppose, with an eye for prosperity."

It was unfair of him to say that, and as he
climbed off Mack and threw the bridle loose
on the horse's neck he mumbled as much.

"A touch of temper against your royal
employe