XX.

All in the Trosachs’ glen was still,

Noontide was sleeping on the hill:

Sudden his guide whoop’d loud and high—

“Murdoch! was that a signal cry?”—

He stammer’d forth—“I shout to scare

Yon raven from his dainty fare.”

He look’d—he knew the raven’s prey,

His own brave steed:—“Ah! gallant gray!

For thee—for me, perchance—’twere well

We ne’er had seen the Trosachs’ dell.—

Murdoch, move first—but silently;

Whistle or whoop, and thou shalt die!”

Jealous and sullen, on they fared,

Each silent, each upon his guard.