to get rid of the civilians."

"Sensible to the last, Dougal," said Dickson approvingly. "That's just
what I'm saying. I'm strong for a fight, but put the ladies in a safe
bit first, for they're our weak point."

"Do you think that if you were fighting my enemies I would consent to
be absent?" came Saskia's reproachful question.

"'Deed no, Mem," said Dickson heartily. His martial spirit was with
Heritage, but his prudence did not sleep, and he suddenly saw a way of
placating both. "Just you listen to what I propose. What do we amount
to? Mr. Heritage, six laddies, and myself--and I'm no more used to
fighting than an old wife. We've seven desperate villains against us,
and afore night they may be seventy. We've a fine old castle here, but
for defence we want more than stone walls--we want a garrison. I tell
you we must get help somewhere. Ay, but how, says you? Well, coming
here I noticed a gentleman's house away up ayont the railway and close
to the hills. The laird's maybe not at home, but there will be men
there of some kind--gamekeepers and woodmen and such like. My plan is
to go there at once and ask for help. Now, it's useless me going alone,
for nobody would listen to me. They'd tell me to go back to the shop or
they'd think me demented. But with you, Mem, it would be a different
matter. They wouldn't disbelieve you. So I want you to come with me,
and to come at once, for God knows how soon our need will be sore.
We'll leave your cousin with Mrs. Morran in the village, for bed's the
place for her, and then you and me will be off on our business."

The girl looked at Heritage, who nodded. "It's the only way," he said.
"Get every man jack you can raise, and if it's humanly possible get a
gun or two. I believe there's time enough, for I don't see the brig
arriving in broad daylight."

"D'you not?" Dickson asked rudely. "Have you considered what day this
is? It's the Sabbath, the best of days for an ill deed. There's no
kirk hereaways, and everybody in the parish will be sitting indoors by
the fire." He looked at his watch. "In half an hour it'll be light.
Haste you, Mem, and get ready. Dougal, what's the weather?"

The Chieftain swung open the door, and sniffed the air. The wind had
fallen for the time being, and the surge of the tides below the rocks
rose like the clamour of a mob. With the lull, mist and a thin drizzle
had cloaked the world again.

To Dickson's surprise Dougal seemed to