232 Winter 



were all within doors, for it was bitterly cold and the 

 sharp north wind had begun to drive stray flakes of 

 snow in front of it. Which way should they take ? 

 There could be no doubt of that : down the hill by the 

 foot-road, across the brook by the single-plank bridge, 

 through the wood until the highway was reached, and 

 then a bold push to get across the Border. Many a 

 Northumbrian lad and lass in the old time had trudged 

 .to the altar in that style, but few of the gallants 

 carried a treasure with them such as was under Aleck's 

 arm. Many a sharp look they cast on all sides lest 

 there should be any suspicious witness of their flight, 

 but not a soul did they see, and the friendly snow 

 dropped softly on their treacherous footprints. Not 

 a word did either say till they reached the old willow 

 near which the brook was crossed by a trembling plank. 

 Then Kitty grew nervous. 



' I'm frightened to cross the burn,' she said ; ' go you 

 first.' 



' Be quick, then,' he answered, 'and I'll hold it;' 

 and getting swiftly to the other side he seized the end 

 of the unsteady bit of wood. But instead of following 

 at once, Kitty screamed, ' Here is Jack, your father 

 must be chasing us.' Aleck stood undecided a 

 moment, then dashed the frail bridge into the water. 

 ' Hide where you can,' he shouted ; ' he can't jump the 

 burn, and I'll make off with the money.' 



' Oh, he'll kill me ! ' pleaded the girl. ' Don't run 

 away from me, Aleck ! ' 



