He did not however find it so easily as he had expected, the peats being covered with snow. My father gave up trying to free himself and took to laughing instead at the ridiculous situation in which we were about to be discovered. He kept directing Turkey, however, who at length after some disappearances which made us very anxious about the lantern, caught sight of the stack, and walked straight towards it. Now first we saw that he was not alone, but accompanied by the silent Andrew. “Where are you, sir?” asked Turkey, throwing the light of the lantern over the ruin. “Buried in the peats,” answered my father, laughing. “Come and get us out.” Turkey strode up to the heap, and turning the light down into it said, “I didn’t know it had been raining peats, sir.” “The peats didn’t fall quite so far as the snow, Turkey, or they would have made a worse job of it,” answered my father. Meantime Andrew and Turkey were both busy; and in a few moments we stood upon our feet, stiff with cold and cramped with confinement, but merry enough at heart. “What brought you out to look for us?” asked my father. “I heard Missy whinnying at the stable-door,” said Andrew. “When I saw she was alone, I knew something had happened, and waked Turkey. We only stopped to run to the manse for a drop of whisky to bring with us, and set out at once.” “What o’clock is it now?” asked my father. “About one o’clock,” answered Andrew. “One o’clock!” thought I. “What a time we should have had to wait!” “Have you been long in finding us?” “Only about an hour.” “Then the little mare must have had great trouble in getting home. You say the other was not with her?” “No, sir. She’s not made her appearance.” “Then if we don’t find her, she will be dead before morning. But what shall we do with you, Ranald? Turkey had better go home with you first.” “Please let me go too,” I said. “Are you able to walk?” “Quite--or at least I shall be, after my legs come to themselves a bit.” Turkey produced a bottle of milk which he had brought for me, and Andrew produced the little flask of whisky which Kirsty had sent; and my father having taken a little of the latter, while I emptied my bottle, we set out to look for young Missy. “Where are we?” asked my father. Turkey told him. “How comes it that nobody heard our shouting, then?” “You know, sir,” answered Turkey, “the old man is as deaf as a post, and I dare say his people were all fast asleep.”