Before he had gone fifty yards, he nearly stumbled against a man.
"Is it you, John ?" "Yes, it is I." "Is all well ?" "It is all well, but I had a fright, yesterday morning.

The Bairds searched every cottage and hut over the hills, on this side, and they say their men rode almost as far as Galloway; but they gave up the search before they got here, feeling assured that they must have passed you, very soon after you left the hold, and you could never have got as far down as this." "'Tis well they did not search, indeed," Oswald said.

"Your story about the horses might do well enough, for those who have no interest in the matter, but it would never have done for the Bairds.

All has been quiet today ?" "They seem to have given up searching on this side.

I hear that they feel sure, now, the ladies have made for Hiniltie; and they have had great forces out among the hills, and feel confident that they must catch them soon." "Have you got the horses saddled ?" "They are saddled, and brought down close to the road.