In a short time, the snow commenced falling; at first, skurrying in little gusts of driving wind, then more and more thickly, until they were in the midst of a heavy mountain storm. The atmosphere was filled with the flakes, which, driven by fierce winds, drifted on the side of the road. More and more difficult became the travelling; the poor jaded horses could scarcely drag the vehicle through the piles of snow. Stopping for dinner at a road-side inn, the landlord looked out upon the storm with a serious countenance. "It is a pity, young mon, that ye cam' oot in sic a storm; it will be fearfu' before nightfa'; perhaps ye had better bide wi' us until the mornin' breaks." "No, I must push on;" for Roland was not one to be daunted by difficulties. "Hae ye ever been oot in a Scotch snaw-storm on the mountains, my lad? Ye dinna' ken what ye hae to encounter." "I have not," was the reply; "but I shall only have three miles to walk, and that will be easier, I think, than riding." "Walk in sic a storm! I am sorry for the mon that tries it this dark night." The stage started; the storm increased; it was a weary drag through the piled up snow: and yet it was still falling thicker, faster, while the wind was raging; frequently, the horses had to pause; and it was late, indeed quite night, when they halted at the stopping place. The driver directed Roland how to find the road to Graham Hall; indeed, to be sure that he had the right start, he walked with him some distance, until he was fairly on the track. It was up a by-road that he was now walking. He was directed to go straight-forward until he came to a gate, that led directly to Malcolm's house, about one mile distant. It was a weary journey, more difficult than he had imagined; the beating of the snow in his face, and the tremendous power of the wind against which he was struggling, frequently overpowered him; and he had to stand still with his back to the storm, to recover himself for fresh efforts; his feet were growing benumbed, his mouth stiffened, and the feeling of weariness almost compelling him to lie down to sleep, was creeping slowly over him. Still he persevered, and roused all his energies to shake off the lethargy.