It went what way you very well know; and these were the worst days of all, when the red-coat soldiers were out, and my father and my uncles lay in the hill, and I was to be carrying them their meat in the middle night, or at the short side of day when the cocks crow.

Yes, I have walked in the night, many's the time, and my heart great in me for terror of the darkness.

It is a strange thing I will never have been meddled with a bogle; but they say a maid goes safe.

Next there was my uncle's marriage, and that was a dreadful affair beyond all.

Jean Kay was that woman's name; and she had me in the room with her that night at Inversnaid, the night we took her from her friends in the old, ancient manner.