In a few minutes they arrived at a thatched building; from which, to their surprise, issued the wailing strains of the coronach.

Kirkpatrick paused.

Its melancholy notes were sung by female voices.

Hence, there being no danger in applying to such harmless inhabitants, to learn the way to the citadel, he proceeded to the door; when, intending to knock, the weight of his mailed arm burst open its slender latch, and discovered two poor women, in an inner apartment, wringing their hands over a shrouded corpse.

While the chief entered his friends came up.
Murray and Graham, struck with sounds never breathed over the vulgar dead, lingered at the porch wondering what noble Scot could be the subject of lamentation in so lowly an abode.