When Malcolm and Joseph set out from Duff Harbour
to find the laird, they could hardly be said to have
gone in search of him: all in their power was
to seek the parts where he was occasionally seen in
the hope of chancing upon him; and they wandered in
vain about the woods of Fife House all that week,
returning disconsolate every evening to the little
inn on the banks of the Wan Water. Sunday came
and went without yielding a trace of him; and, almost
in despair, they resolved, if unsuccessful the next
day, to get assistance and organize a search for him.
Monday passed like the days that had preceded it,
and they were returning dejectedly down the left bank
of the Wan Water, in the gloamin’, and nearing
a part where it is hemmed in by precipitous rocks,
and is very narrow and deep, crawling slow and black
under the lofty arch of an ancient bridge that spans
it at one leap, when suddenly they caught sight of
a head peering over the parapet. They dared not
run for fear of terrifying him, if it should be the
laird, and hurried quietly to the spot. But when
they reached the end of the bridge its round back was
bare from end to end. On the other side of the
river, the trees came close up, and pursuit was hopeless
in the gathering darkness.
“Laird, laird! they’ve taen awa’
Phemy, an’ we dinna ken whaur to luik for her,”
cried the poor father aloud.
Almost the same instant, and as if he had issued from
the ground, the laird stood before them. The
men started back with astonishment —soon
changed into pity, for there was light enough to see
how miserable the poor fellow looked. Neither
exposure nor privation had thus wrought upon him:
he was simply dying of fear. Having greeted Joseph
with embarrassment, he kept glancing doubtfully at
Malcolm, as if ready to run on his least movement.
In a few words Joseph explained their quest, with
trembling voice and tears that would not be denied
enforcing the tale. Ere he had done, the laird’s
jaw had fallen, and further speech was impossible to
him. But by gestures sad and plain enough, he
indicated that he knew nothing of her, and had supposed
her safe at home with her parents. In vain they
tried to persuade him to go back with them, promising
every protection: for sole answer he shook his
head mournfully.
There came a sudden gust of wind among the branches.
Joseph, little used to trees and their ways with the
wind, turned towards the sound, and Malcolm unconsciously
followed his movement. When they turned again,
the laird had vanished, and they took their way homeward
in sadness.
