Up in Ardmuirland

nemy'

t me, should hav

st my

ar"-Act I

es wes tarrible at the

rict that the only harm in it was the penalty due "'gin ye get foond oot by the gauger." He assured me that in his young days the practice was widespread. Th

nine years; for his handsome, ruddy face, framed by white whiskers, and crowned with abundant, curly white locks, show

y of his fellows who might have to support a widowed mother or other helpless relatives, he had not married until rather late in life. Consequently, Maggie Jean, the youngest of

of barren rock rose behind it on the north. I could imagine those trees, though I have never seen them; we have some such in our little wood behind the presbytery. Gaunt-looking figures they are indeed! Some have been twisted into uncouth shapes by ad

ooting season came round. Peter did most of the work on the croft, lower down the hill; for David himself was getting past arduous labors, though he directed the distilling, in which Peter, and occasionally Jock, did the greater part of the work. Much of the barley for the still grew on their own land, where also they raised corn for their own oatmeal and for Maggie Je

eeking to trap him. They had tracked him from his still, which they then took charge of, and surrounded his house to prevent escape. But Davie was too wary for them in the end. He feigned submission, and got his old mother to bring out refreshments for the party within the house, and went himself to the door with glasses and whiskey for the two soldiers on guard there. But they never tasted their dram; Davie

lty as possible in getting the door open in order to give Davie time to conceal himself. But he did better than hide in the house. Springing out of bed, he actually broke a hole through the "divets" or turfs of the thatch, a

wa'!" The "bird" had flown to a more hidden p

s elderly, and not over energetic. He would make a formal visit now and again to suspected districts, and content himself with a few casual inquiries

eulogized in proverb; and Mr. Michael Bonar, being new to his district, and a man of youth and determination, boasted tha

urn him into ridicule. Davie Forbes was not behindhand in making remote preparations for the ganger's certain visit to him. But it was then mid-winter, and if Bonar was the canny man that he was said to be, there would be little f

uarrach; but it was not in winter; forgetfulness of that trifling circumstance led to his discomfiture. Ben Sguarrach was indeed no pleasant place in wintry weather. Its open spac

ous), but they were long. No work was possible at such a time in a mountain distillery, and stores could not be shifted so readily as in summer time. So he determined to

im as a public enemy, and however politely he might be treated public sympathy was on the side of his opponents. He might flatter himself that he was keeping his intentions and movements abs

hatever the liquid might be-was barely covered by peat-turfs heaped over it under the shelter of the end wall of the byre. But it had not been overlooked; arrangements had been made in its regard, should circumstances demand its more thorough concealment, otherwise it must not be disturbed. For-if the truth must be told-that particular cask containe

me hours, he provided himself with a good packet of sandwiches and a flask of spirits. He then set out for Fouranbuie Inn, a dreary hostel about four miles distant from the foot of the mountain. There he made a substantial meal, and about four in the afternoon started on his quest. He had resolved t

wintry air, the excitement coming from the spirit of adventure, the vigorous exercise-all tended to r

le to discern the path. Then cold, soft particles brushed his cheek, and he realized that snow was beginning to fall. In a snowstorm he had no better prospect of find

ngs soon became shut out from the man's vision. He moved on resolutely, although his face smarted and his eyes were blinded by the steadily descending snow, which surroun

ace, he cautiously felt his way along the rock for some yards. He was still ascending, but the ground was rough and piled with small stones, which had crumbled off from the main wall and lay in heaps beneath it. He knew enough about Scottish mountains to expect to find an op

e violence of the storm; the relief was great after the fatiguing struggle he had been undergoing. He managed to str

y yards from his own threshold; he had fallen helpless, faint from incessant struggling through the snow-drifts and too weak to make his cries for

anced to pass that way! Would his body confront some wandering shepherd or some sportsman months hence, when the snows had gone, and,

st despairing heart. The cold was intense. He was obliged at last to move away from his shelter-such as it was-and in spite of the thick snow beneath his feet, and the hurryi

nal wail nearer at hand, as it swished round a corner of the rocks behind him. He dare not attempt to climb higher, nor dare he descend. What unexplored expanses of moorland mig

sied with anxious thoughts, he failed to notice the gradual lessening of the snow-flakes and the lull in the wind

n the moonlight than before, a thick carpet of snow lessened every inequality of surface; it softened every hard outline, while it filled up depressions. Sounding every step as he advanced, he trod slowly upwards; plowing now and again into drifts waist-deep, staggering over submerged bowlders and stony heaps whose unexpected e

bright light. It was no reflection from the moonbeams, for it burned with a reddish glow amid the dazzling whiteness all around. His courage revived; he was certainly not far from some habitation-perhaps the very one he sought! The thought filled hi

n shelter; his flask-more carefully husbanded-was now empty. He almost gave up striving. Why not give

d the bark of a dog! Once more he picked up courage. Staggering on a few steps further, he saw from

y the human instinct in every man in peril of his life-the desire to escape from danger. Oh, for sufficient strength to creep onwards! If he could but hold out a little, s

*

icy draught could enter, for both apertures were hermetically sealed! All the ventilation deemed necessary during the daytime came through the usually open door, by which Maggie Jean was continually passing in and out, bent on domestic duties. (Like other Scottish hou

of frequent and thorough scrubbing. The high mantel-shelf bore brass candlesticks-more for ornament than use-which had been polishe

rcibly upon the window, or the wind moaned round the corner of the house, or drove the peat reek in gusts into the room, she would pause and glance anxiously through the uncurtained window near the door. For Peter had gone down to the croft to bring back a bag of turnips for her "coo" during this unforeseen spell of fierce weather. The storm had come on suddenly, and provender was low; so Peter had volunteered his services in

istak'!" old Davie would exclaim, as the

hot," was Jock's i

h, would resume her slow chant, punc

g like some rustic Santa Claus-all white from head to foot-made his appearance, and with much stamping and shaking off of the snow from his garments,

y stormy!" he said a

azarded Jock, solemnl

I doot," remarked D

an' mair," answered Peter nonch

no visible surprise. Mag

glancing through the window

r. "There's bin nae s

njoying their pipes, Maggie Jean busy with her knitting. No sound disturbed the

ir seats, and Peter made for the door at once, having first quieted the dog by the forcible argument of a well-directed kick. "It's a mon," he cried in su

his warm clothing, showed him to be not altogether unprovided against the cold whose unusual potency had overcome

tered in small doses; Jock and Peter drew off the man's sodden boots and socks, and chafed his hands and f

" he remarked to Jock

I ken him fine. I see him in the toon la

Davie. "And mayhe the creetur

marked Peter, while Jo

up wi't in the sna' and a'!" added the latte

d on the subject again, for in a few minutes the stranger had gained consciousness. He looked in a puzzl

t's weel ye chanced to find y'r wye t' oor wee hoosachie. It's nae muckle t

Davie Forbes, whom he had come to spy upon and denounce! But he was no coward, and quick

you, indeed," he said

e to the good luck tha

pper!" he added, as Bonar rose to his feet and seemed about to prepare for departure.

various hidden receptacles tablecloth, knives and forks, bread, oatcake, butter, cheese, and jam, with the rapidity of a

and Bonar had no wish to refu

really think it was hunger alone that made me fain

errits afore y'r supper," said Davie. "Peter

and returning with a small jug of whiskey, from which

bly, lifting his glass. "May ye be nane

irit gave him renewed strength; the savor of Maggie Jean's cooking whetted his appetite. He owed it to himself to

o extinguish when the moon rendered it no longer necessary-had been Bonar's first guiding-star. Don's bark had renewed his energy, and

starting out again, he found it

cht!" the old man declared, when, after his s

a' ken the hill yon to find his wye up or d

maining there for the night, as Davie had proposed. Did they know who he was? It seemed most unlikely

e said. "I could never have expected such a friendly

t there was ever so slight a suspicion of a twinkle in his kindly old

hamefacedly, "and-it's really very go

wes to turn a dog oot sic a nicht-still mair a fellow-creetur. Na, na, sir! Juist y

ound to rest for the night, having been warmed at the smuggler's h

onar trod his downward path nex

ackle Davie Forbes and his sons if they wished; as for himself, he could never so repa