The poor woman's heart almost died within her through fear, as these murderous sounds reached her, where she lay half suffocated under the straw in the killogie. Most active and particular was the search which the Highlanders then commenced. First of all, the captain and some of them proceeded to examine the dwelling-house, and there they were met at the very door by Mr. Dallas the packman. This worthy having been altogether overpowered by his last night's debauch, had thrown himself down in his clothes on the bed hospitably provided for him by his hostess in the room, contained in the little out-shot behind, and there he had slept, with his pack as usual under his head, until awaked by the noise made by John Smith and the Pensassenach. He had then witnessed enough to make him aware of the place where the lady was secreted. Seeing that the Highlanders came so suddenly upon them as to make it quite hopeless for him to attempt a retreat, with his lame leg, he hurried away out to the kail-yard and hid his pack under a goosberry bush, an operation which John Smith, as he was flying with his mistress on his back, chanced, with the tail of his eye, to observe him performing. After having done this, Mr. Dallas returned into the house, and, making a virtue of necessity, he stepped boldly forth to meet the leader, when the party came to the door. "Muckle prosperity till you and your cause, noble captain," said he, making his reverence. "There's a bonny mornin'." "Who the devil are you, sir?" said Captain M'Taggart, sharply. "Troth, captain, I'm a poor travellin' chapman," replied Dallas. "I chanced to come here last night, and the gudewife gied me ludgings for charity's sake." "Where's your pack, sir?" demanded Captain M'Taggart. "Troth, I left it yesterday at Inverness to get some fresh gudes pit intil't," replied Dallas. "You are rather a suspicious character, methinks," said the captain. "See that you search every corner of the main house for this woman," continued he, turning to his men, "and if you find this fellow's pack bring it forth to me." "There's nae pack o' mine there, captain, an' that's as fack as death," said Dallas. "But ye need hae nae jealousy o' me, for I'm a reyal true and loyal subject o' the Prince." "Ta Prince!" cried the same man who had watched the last night's proceedings at the bonfire. "Ta Prince!--ta Teevil;--tat is ta vera chield tat wanted to mak' honest Shon Smiss trink ta helss o' tat teevil ta Tuke o' Cummerlant. He's a reyal and blotty whugg, and weel deserves till hae his craig raxit." "Hang up the villain directly, then," cried M'Taggart, carelessly.