Fergus is with them." "Then bring them across, at once.

The sooner we are off now, the better.

Are there any of the Bairds' men in the town ?" "There are a few of them, but as no one has any idea that you are like to pass through there, they will not be on the lookout.

Besides, all will have been among the hills, from daybreak this morning; and I expect, by this time, there is scarce a soul awake in Parton." Oswald returned to the girls, and they went out together to the ford.
In a couple of minutes the men were seen making their way across, riding two horses, and leading the others.
"We thank you heartily," Janet said, "for having so risked your lives for us; for, had you been caught with the four horses, they would at once have connected you with us, and it would have gone hard with you." "We have been keeping away from the horses, yesterday and today, just going to a distance and lying down where, without being seen ourselves, we could watch anyone who went up to the farm.

We could have done no good, and thought that it was better that we should be able to warn you, if they had come and taken the horses away." After crossing the river, Fergus at once started, on foot, for Hiniltie.
They had already discussed how they should ride, and it had been settled that, at starting, Janet should ride the fourth horse; and that Jessie should ride behind the others, by turns.