The rain blinded me, the wind had nearly beat me from the saddle, and the first darkness of the night surprised me in a wilderness still some way east of Balwhidder, not very sure of my direction and mounted on a horse that began already to be weary.
In the press of my hurry, and to be spared the delay and annoyance of a guide, I had followed (so far as it was possible for any horseman) the line of my journey with Alan.

This I did with open eyes, foreseeing a great risk in it, which the tempest had now brought to a reality.

The last that I knew of where I was, I think it must have been about Uam Var; the hour perhaps six at night.

I must still think it great good fortune that I got about eleven to my destination, the house of Duncan Dhu.

Where I had wandered in the interval perhaps the horse could tell.
I know we were twice down, and once over the saddle and for a moment carried away in a roaring burn.