But my poor father, to be exposed amongst these wild and dangerous people!" "Think not of that, Catharine," said the glover: "I am as familiar with brogues and bracken as if I had worn them myself.

I have only to fear that the decisive battle may be fought before I can leave this country; and if the clan Quhele lose the combat, I may suffer by the ruin of my protectors." "We must have that cared for," said Sir Patrick: "rely on my looking out for your safety.

But which party will carry the day, think you ?" "Frankly, my Lord Provost, I believe the Clan Chattan will have the worse: these nine children of the forest form a third nearly of the band surrounding the chief of Clan Quhele, and are redoubted champions." "And your apprentice, will he stand to it, thinkest thou ?" "He is hot as fire, Sir Patrick," answered the glover; "but he is also unstable as water.

Nevertheless, if he is spared, he seems likely to be one day a brave man." "But, as now, he has some of the white doe's milk still lurking about his liver, ha, Simon ?" "He has little experience, my lord," said the glover, "and I need not tell an honoured warrior like yourself that danger must be familiar to us ere we can dally with it like a mistress." This conversation brought them speedily to the Castle of Kinfauns, where, after a short refreshment, it was necessary that the father and the daughter should part, in order to seek their respective places of refuge.

It was then first, as she saw that her father's anxiety on her account had drowned all recollections of his friend, that Catharine dropped, as if in a dream, the name of "Henry Gow." "True--most true," continued her father; "we must possess him of our purposes." "Leave that to me," said Sir Patrick.