to stay till we hear how Alexander Macgillivray has succeeded, before we venture to move."

After interchanging a few words more, of little importance, the two villains at last composed themselves to rest.

They had hardly begun to show symptoms of slumber, when the adventurous Carline drew herself towards the doorway, and although she still kept herself carefully within the shadow, she looked anxiously in upon the men, as if to ascertain the moment when they should be perfectly asleep. She was no sooner certain that they were so, than with a motion like that of the rattle-snake when it strikes its victim, almost too rapid for the eye to follow, she sprang within the threshold, and snatched something from under the coat, that served the Italian for a pillow, and instantly retreated into the dark. The ruffian was awakened by the twitch. He started up on his elbow, and exclaimed, " Diavolo chi è!-cosa c'è?" But looking around him, and seeing all quiet, he again composed himself to sleep with an execration.

After remaining still for a few minutes until he was again sound, the Carline gave Amherst a signal to follow her, and hastened to the spot

stant.

where the boat lay. She desired him to get on board, and again cautioning him to remember his promise of silence, she disappeared for an inThe heavy sound of a withdrawn bolt was heard, through the little loop-hole, from the other side of the low building, and immediately afterwards the Carline appeared, followed by the Lady, wrapped up in her mantle.

In putting her foot into the boat, she had nearly slipped over the side, and Amherst's apprehension was so much excited, that forgetting all the Carline's injunctions in his anxiety for her safety, he sprang forward, and exclaiming, "My life! my Eliza!" he caught her in his arms.

The Carline, standing lightly balanced on the edge of the boat, assumed an authoritative air.

"Silence! or we are yet lost," said she in a deep, but decided tone; and leaping into the middle of it, she grasped the paddles with the utmost alacrity, and moved it forwards with the same silence and caution she had used in approaching the place. Having got about thirty yards off, she began to ply in a wide circle, round that part of the ruins, containing the vaulted chamber occupied by the villains.

The boat was already abreast of it, when Am

herst observed a dark figure moving among the fallen fragments. He leant forward, and in a whisper, communicated the circumstance to the Carline. She had herself caught a glimpse of the figure, and had already begun to pull with greater force, and with inconceivable swiftness.

Hilloah! who goes there?" exclaimed a

rough voice from the islet.

But no answer was returned, and they were already mid-way between the castle and the land, when a confused clamour arose from the island. The exertions of the Carline were redoubled, and they reached the shore. There, as Amherst lifted Eliza from the boat, and hurried with her up the steep slope towards the spot where the horses were concealed, loud shouts, and half lost execrations came upon them, and flaming lights were seen appearing and disappearing among the ruins, and immediately afterwards, one or two distinct plunges in the lake convinced them that some of the men, on discovering the escape of their prisoner, and that the boat was gone, had taken the desperate resolution of swimming to the shore. To have dispatched them, while in the water, would have been an easy matter; but

their business was flight-not a moment was to be lost. Miss Malcolm was hastily lifted up behind Amherst, and the Carline, springing like a thing of air upon the neck of O'Gollochar's horse, commanded him to get into the saddle. For a moment he hesitated to obey her, but having seen the necessity of instant decision, he complied. She then called to Amherst to follow, and keep sight of her, and immediately darted off through the wood.

Amherst urged on after her at full speed. Before they had crossed the stream issuing from the end of the lake, the island seemed in a blaze, and the shouts of those behind them were heard echoing from the rocky side of the hill. Conducted by the Carline, they dashed on through brake and mire, and in a very little time, by crossing the river at a ford, they gained the great road leading to the low country.

There they permitted the horses to breathe for some moments. The Carline resigned to O'Gol.lochar the management of his, and seated herself on the baggage behind him, to which, indeed, she added but little weight. They then pursued their journey with a steady but less ra

pid pace. It was, however, too quick for conversation.

As for O'Gollochar, notwithstanding all the good he had heard and seen of the Carline, he rode as if he carried the devil en croupe. Not a word escaped his lips; but ever and anon he looked round and surveyed the grim face of his companion, and shuddering with horror at its proximity, he withdrew his eyes, and admonishing the sides of Broadbottom with his heels, he endeavoured, since he could not fly from the spectre, at least to keep nearer to his

master.

When they came to Mr Macphie's turf-house of entertainment, the horses would have willingly stopped at the stable-door; but notwithstanding the inviting lights that blazed from many a onepaned window of the sod mansion, shooting their rays from a variety of angles, they urged them on unseen, and unwilling to be observed. They left the pass, and the mountain lake behind them, and pushing over the moor, they never halted until they reached that large and romantic river already fully described. There the Carline sprang from behind O'Gollochar, and