e laddie. Noo, my laddie; that's reet--that's reet; the ither
hand. Noo again. Gude--gude! another pu'. Hech! laddie, mind, or I
shall be in wi ye. Noo then, anither pu'! That's weel! I ha'e ye noo.
Puir lad, ye're cauld indeed, but ye're safe, and reet too, so lie
there while I tak' the lassie."

In effect, with the exertion of his great strength, McCray,
broad-shouldered and iron muscled, had drawn both Isa and Brace from
what had so nearly been a watery grave, but not without clanger to
himself. Twice over the moss gave way with the stress placed upon it;
but at last he had both lying safe beside him, and not before it was
time, for Brace was completely exhausted.

"Let me carry her," said Brace, hoarsely, as he staggered to his feet;
but only to sink down again, his numbed limbs refusing their office.

"Ye're a bra'e laddie," said the Scot; "but your sperrit's stronger than
your power. I'll carry the lassie to the carriage, and be back for you
in a minute."

"Never mind me," groaned Brace. "I'm only cold. For Heaven's sake
drive off with her, for she is nearly dead with her long immersion."

But before Brace's words were well uttered, McCray was sturdily trudging
over the sinking way with his dripping burden, which he placed in the
pony-carriage, covered with a rug, and then returned to help the young
man, who was crawling towards him.

"Bra'e laddie, ye air," muttered McCray. "Ye found and savit her, I
ken, and noo, half dead yersel', ready to help, while that loon stands
stoock there shouting for succour, and afraid to move. Here, hi! my
laird, move yersel', man, and, Gude sake, get out of that!"

"Here, give me your hand, my good fellow," cried his lordship: "I'm in a
dangerous spot."

McCray growled fiercely as he went first and helped Brace to the chaise.
Then turning back, he reached out the asked-for hand to extricate his
lordship, but in so rough a manner that he nearly brought him into a
horizontal position.

"Why, ye micht ha'e done that yersel', my laird," said McCray, angrily.
"And noo I must leave ye, and hurry hame wi' those two puir bairns."

His lordship began to offer expostulations as he began to scuffle out of
the bog, but it was to deaf ears, for McCray had run back, and before
the noble suitor was on _terra firma_ the ponies were unloosed and being
made to gallop over the rough roadway.

"They'll be dead wi' cauld before I can get them to the Castle,"
muttered McCray, a