[E] Weasel.
"I know that," said Wat, with composure, "and that is the reason why I am going to take both Kate and Scarlett with me to-night."
"The laddie's fair raving," said the woman; "the thing's clear impossible. It canna be dune. Ye will hae to wait—some nicht when they are a' sleepin', maybe."
"I'm not going back alive without Kate McGhie," said Wat. "I cannot leave her with the cruel ravisher, Murdo of Barra—"
"Hoot, laddie," said Bess, "the chief will no' do the lassie ony harm. He's ben the hoose wi' her the noo."
Wat, who had been crouching behind a rock beside Bess Landsborough, at once sprang up and took his dagger bare in his hand. He was setting off in the direction of the hut with the intention of breaking in upon the colloquy of captive and captor, when Bess sprang on him and pulled him down with all the weight of her body about his neck and exerting the utmost strength of her brawny arms.
"Deil's in the laddie! He gangs aff like a spunk o' pooder laid on a peat. The laird's but talkin' wi' the lass in the kitchen, wi' my man Alister sittin' on the dresser, and half the rascaldom o' the Low Countries (well are they designate!) waiting at the door. A word or twa will do your lass little harm, unless she is o' the weak mind, and my lord can persuade her to marry him by the guile of his tongue."
Wat grunted contemptuously. This was the last thing he was afraid of.
"I want," he said, "whatever arms ye can furnish me with, some food of any portable sort—and a rope."
"Save us, laddie!" said Bess, holding up her hands; "ye might just as lief ask me this nicht for the Earldom of Barra."