"No," I said--"only stunned him. I owe my life to you."
"Ay. Tae me an' the tatie-beetle," she answered, pointing to her weapon on the floor. "But haste ye. Tie him up afore he comes tae."
I bound him, hands and feet, with a grim satisfaction, and left him lying on his face.
The woman watched me anxiously, urging me to greater haste.
"And now," I said--"what of you? You must escape."
"Oh, I'll be a' richt," she said, leading the way to the other room. "My man will be back in an 'oor. Tie me in a chair--and gag me: and I'll tell a bonnie story when Peter comes hame."
I did her bidding quickly, pouring out my gratitude with fervent lips.
As I was about to gag her with her kerchief, she forbade me for a moment, and said with tears in her eyes:
"God forgi'e me! My mither was a Covenanter--an'--I mairrit a trooper."
I bent down reverently and kissed her bound hands.