Thinking he had ample time, he had gone round by the main road to save his boots--perhaps a little scared by what was coming.

Sam'l's design was to forestall him by taking the shorter path over the burn and up the commonty.
It was a race for a wife, and several on-lookers in the gallery braved the minister's displeasure to see who won.

Those who favoured Sam'l's suit exultingly saw him leap the stream, while the friends of Sanders fixed their eyes on the top of the common where it ran into the road.
Sanders must come into sight there, and the one who reached this point first would get Bell.
As Auld Lichts do not walk abroad on the Sabbath, Sanders would probably not be delayed.

The chances were in his favour.

Had it been any other day in the week Sam'l might have run.