s you are a loyal clansman."

"I know no more than I have told you," answered he. "He is gone to
Tyrone's country, and the maids have been carried thither before him. I
will guide you so far."

Without more words he came, springing at our sides over the heather and
along the mountain paths at a pace that put our nags to shame. 'Twas
easy to follow the tracks of the soldiers on the wet ground; and once,
towards evening, as we mounted a tall ridge, I fancied I could descry on
the crest opposite some figures that moved.

At our first halting-place, where we paused but to give our horses and
ourselves a hasty meal, we heard that about mid-day certain English
soldiers had passed the place at full gallop. And two days back, as
night fell, some travellers, amongst whom rode two women, had likewise
hurried by, westward.

With news such as this we could scarce afford our weary horses the rest
they needed, before we set forth again. Our guide led us down a steep
track into the valley, and then, striking straight across, we toiled up
the mountain path which ascended the high ridge opposite.

He checked our pace as we neared the top, advising us to await daylight
for the descent.

When at length at our backs rose the glorious sun over the eastern
hills, flashing his light past us into the valley below, we saw,
stretched out, a great plain like a map, through which the windings of a
river sparkled; while, beyond, rose another ridge of hills higher still
than that on which we stood.

Our guide beckoned us to a place whence we could look-out without being
exposed to the view of any one in the valley. For awhile we searched
the plain in vain. Only a few herds drove their cattle afield; and now
and then the sharp bark of a dog broke the stillness. At length, on the
slope of the hill opposite, we saw a flock of sheep break suddenly into
panic flight; and there appeared, crawling up the ascent, a body of
horsemen, who, by the occasional glancing of the sun upon steel, we knew
to be soldiers.

Whether they were the troops we sought, and whether amongst them they
carried the captive maidens, 'twas too far to determine. But at sight
of them we plunged with new hope towards the valley.

Half-way down, in a wood, we found a wounded trooper prone on the ground
and gasping for breath; while beside him grazed his horse. He was
bleeding from his side, and too faint to turn his head as we came up.

Our guide started as he saw