The night was dark but clear, and, as they crossed the churchyard, she perceived a tall Highland officer advancing towards her, and guessing who it was, she stopped, and said to Rollo, "What is Captain Lindsay doing here?" "How should I know?" rejoined the other. "He won't meddle with us. Come on. I'll take care of you." "I don't feel sure of that," she cried. "I shall go back." "No, you won't," said Rollo, seizing her arm, and detaining her. "Ah! you have basely betrayed me," she cried. "But Sergeant Dickson will punish you." Rollo replied by a coarse laugh, and the next moment Captain Lindsay came up. "Free me from this man," she cried. "He is acting by my orders, Helen," said Lindsay. "This time I have taken such precautions that you cannot escape me." "You cannot mean to carry me off against my will, Captain Lindsay," she cried. "I winna believe it of ye." "I hope you will come quietly, Helen," he said, "and not compel me to resort to force. But come you shall." "Never!" she rejoined. "Ye ken fu' weel that I am Erick Dickson's affianced wife. 'Twad be an infamy if ye were to tae me frae him." "I care not," replied Lindsay. "I am determined to make you mine. Fleet horses and trusty men are waiting outside the churchyard to bear you off. In half-an-hour you will be far from Manchester, and out of Erick's reach." "If ye hae the heart o' a man, Rollo, ye will not aid in this wicked deed," cried Helen. But Rollo shook his head, and she made another appeal to Captain Lindsay. "Let me gae for pity's sake," she cried. "I wad kneel to you, if I could." "No, no, Helen," he rejoined. "I don't mean to part with you. But we waste time. Bring her along." Finding all entreaties unavailing, and that she could not extricate herself from Rollo, who was a very powerful man, the unfortunate girl uttered a loud shriek; but her cries were instantly stifled by Captain Lindsay, who took off his scarf, and threw it over her head. But her cry had reached other ears than they expected. As they were hurrying her towards the spot where the horses were waiting for them, a well-known voice was heard, exclaiming: "Haud there, ye waur than rievers. When I saw the horses outside the kirkyard, and noticed that one on 'em had a pillion, I suspected something wrang; but when I heard the cry, I felt sure. Set her down, ye villains!" cried Sergeant Dickson, rushing towards them. "Heed him not, Rollo," said Captain Lindsay. "Place her on the pillion and ride off with her. Leave me to deal with the noisy fool." And, as he spoke, he drew his sword, planted himself in Dickson's way, while Rollo moved off with his burden. "Ye had better not hinder me, captain," cried the half-maddened sergeant, drawing a pistol. "Bid that dastardly ruffian set her down at once, or I'll send a bullet through your head." "You dare not," said Lindsay, contemptuously. "I will not see her stolen from me," cried the sergeant, furiously. "Set her down, I say."