For some time he had been following the dog doubtfully, for it seemed to be going too near the river. When they struck a cart-track, however, he concluded rightly that they were nearing a bridge. His faith in his guide was again tested before they had been many minutes on this sloppy road. The dog stopped, whined, looked irresolute, and then ran to the right, disappearing into the mist in an instant. He shouted to it to come back, and was surprised to hear a whistle in reply. This was sufficient to make him dash after the dog, and in less than a minute he stopped abruptly by the side of a shepherd. "Have you brocht it?" the man cried almost into Gavin's ear; yet the roar of the water was so tremendous that the words came faintly, as if from a distance. "Wae is me; is it only you, Mr. Dishart?" "Is it only you!" No one in the glen would have addressed a minister thus except in a matter of life or death, and Gavin knew it. "He'll be ower late," the shepherd exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in distress. "I'm speaking o' Whinbusses' grieve. He has run for ropes, but he'll be ower late." "Is there some one in danger?" asked Gavin, who stood, he knew not where, with this man, enveloped in mist. "Is there no? Look!" "There is nothing to be seen but mist; where are we?" "We're on the high bank o' the Quharity. Take care, man; you was stepping ower into the roaring water. Lie down and tell me if he's there yet. Maybe I just think that I see him, for the sicht is painted on my een." Gavin lay prone and peered at the river, but the mist came up to his eyes. He only knew that the river was below from the sound. "Is there a man down there?" he asked, shuddering. "There was a minute syne; on a bit island." "Why does he not speak?" "He is senseless. Dinna move; the mist's clearing, and you'll see if he's there syne. The mist has been lifting and falling that way ilka minute since me and the grieve saw him." The mist did not rise. It only shook like a blanket, and then again remained stationary. But in that movement Gavin had seen twice, first incredulously, and then with conviction. "Shepherd," he said, rising, "it is Lord Rintoul." "Ay, it's him; and you saw his feet was in the water. They were dry when the grieve left me. Mr. Dishart, the ground he is on is being washed awa bit by bit. I tell you, the flood's greedy for him, and it'll hae him----Look, did you see him again?" "Is he living?" "We saw him move. Hst! Was that a cry?" It was only the howling of the dog, which had recognized its master and was peering over the bank, the body quivering to jump, but the legs restless with indecision. "If we were down there," Gavin said, "we could hold him secure till rescue comes. It is no great jump." "How far would you make it? I saw him again!" "It looked further that time."