MORAG (_with increasing excitement_). I canna, I canna! There is that in me that tells me something is going to befall us this night. Oh, that wind! Hear to it, sobbing round the house as if it brought some poor lost soul up to the door, and we refusing it shelter. MARY STEWART. Do not be fretting yourself like that. Do as I bid you. Put more peats to the fire. MORAG (_at the wicker peat-basket_). Never since I.... What was that? (_Both listen for a moment._) MARY STEWART. It was just the wind; it is rising more. A sore night for them that are out in the heather. (MORAG _puts peat on the fire without speaking._) MARY STEWART. Did you notice were there many people going by to-day? MORAG. No. After daybreak the redcoats came by from Struan; and there was no more till nine, when an old man like the Catechist from Killichonan passed. At four o'clock, just when the dark was falling, a horseman with a lad holding to the stirrup, and running fast, went by towards Rannoch. MARY STEWART. But no more redcoats? MORAG (_shaking her head_). The road has been as quiet as the hills, and they as quiet as the grave. Do you think will he come? MARY STEWART. Is it you think I have the gift, girl, that you ask me that? All I know is that it is five days since he was here for meat and drink for himself and for the others--five days and five nights, mind you; and little enough he took away; and those in hiding no' used to such sore lying, I'll be thinking. He must try to get through to-night. But that quietness, with no one to be seen from daylight till dark, I do not like it, Morag. They must know something. They must be watching. (_A sound is heard by both women. They stand listening._) MARY STEWART. Haste you with the light, Morag. MORAG. But it came from the back of the house--from the hillside. MARY STEWART. Do as I tell you. The other side may be watched. (_A candle is lit and placed in the window. Girl goes hurrying to the door._) MARY STEWART. Stop, stop! Would you be opening the door with a light like that shining from the house? A man would be seen against it in the doorway for a mile. And who knows what eyes may be watching? Put out the light now and cover the fire. (_Room is reduced to semi-darkness, and the door unbarred. Someone enters._) MORAG. You are cold, Dugald! (STEWART, _very exhausted, signs assent._) MORAG. And wet, oh, wet through and through! STEWART. Erricht Brig was guarded, well guarded. I had to win across the water. (_The old woman has now relit candle and taken away plaid from fire._) MARY STEWART. Erricht Brig--then-- STEWART (_nods_). Yes--in a corrie, on the far side of Dearig, half-way up. MARY STEWART. Himself is there then? STEWART. Aye, and Keppoch as well, and another and a greater is with them. MARY STEWART. Wheest! (_Glances at_ MORAG.) STEWART. Mother, is it that you can--