"There's neither light nor bed here, and I'm an ageing man."

"Darkness is better light and earthen floors are softer bedding than
you will have in the place you are hastening to if you do not repent
and talk to Margaret."

There was a spell of silence again.

"Willum!--Willum! Are ye there?"

"Yes! Andrew."

"Could I ha'e my pipe and tobacco and a puckle matches? They're on the
kitchen mantel-piece."

"Unless it is a drink of water, not a thing shall pass through this
doorway to you till you pledge me that you will speak to Margaret, as
you did before you took your devil's vow."

The dour old man, in his erstwhile prison, had the last word:

"Gang awa' wi' ye,--for it'll be a long time, Willum Auld. The snaw
will be fallin' blue frae the Heavens."

We went back to the cottage and gave implicit instructions to Margaret
and Rita how they were to handle the prisoner. Neither of them was in
an easy frame of mind, and I feared considerably for their ability to
stand the test and keep away from the log hut. But the minister
retained the key, so that nothing short of tearing the place down would
let Andrew Clark out.

Next day, late in the afternoon, the minister called in for me and we
sailed over to the ranch.

Margaret, though sorely tempted, had kept religiously away from her
husband; but, already, she had a variety of foodstuffs cooked and
waiting his anticipated release.

We went over to the barn and the minister rapped on the door.

"Are you there, Andrew?"

No answer.

"Andrew Clark,--are you there?"

Still no response.

I looked though the boarded window. The old Scot was standing with his
back to us in a studied attitude.

Once more the minister spoke, but still he received no answer.

The women folks were waiting anxiously, and keen was their
disappointment when they heard that another day would have to pass ere
the head of their house could be released.

"God forgive me if I am doing wrong," exclaimed William Auld to me,
"but I am determined, now that I have put my hand to the plough, I
shall not turn back."

Wednesday came, and we called again.

"Andrew," called the minister through the door, "will you relent and
talk to Margaret?"

"Give me a drink of water," came a husky voice from behind the door.

A saucer of cold water was passed under the door to him and he seized
it and drank of it eagerly.

"Will you talk to Margaret, Andrew?"

"No!" snapped the old fellow. And