there's one clear matter in our favour. They'll be all arranged to

take us, that's true. But they'll have arranged for our coming

from the east and here we are upon their west."

"Ay," says Alan, "I wish we were in some force, and this was a

battle, we would have bonnily out-manoeuvred them! But it isnae,

Davit; and the way it is, is a wee thing less inspiring to Alan

Breck. I swither, Davie."

"Time flies, Alan," said I.

"I ken that," said Alan. "I ken naething else, as the French folk

say. But this is a dreidful case of heids or tails. O! if I could

but ken where your gentry were!"

"Alan," said I, "this is no like you. It's got to be now or

never."

"This is no me, quo' he,"

sang Alan, with a queer face betwixt shame and drollery.

"Neither you nor me, quo' he, neither you nor me.

Wow, na, Johnnie man! neither you nor me."

And then of a sudden he stood straight up where he was, and with a

handkerchief flying in his right hand, marched down upon the beach.

I stood up myself, but lingered behind him, scanning the sand-hills

to the east. His appearance was at first unremarked: Scougal not

expecting him so early, and MY GENTRY watching on the other side.

Then they awoke on board the Thistle, and it seemed they had all in

readiness, for there was scarce a second's bustle on the deck

before we saw a skiff put round her stern and begin to pull lively

for the coast. Almost at the same moment of time, and perhaps half

a mile away towards Gillane Ness, the figure of a man appeared for

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