188 REACHES A HAVEN. CHAP. x. 



him of the direction in which Huntly might possibly 

 lie ; and as that town was his intended destination, he 

 faced about, as he thought, in that direction, and com- 

 menced running again at full speed. After having 

 run for about a mile, he came in sight of his destined 

 haven, a house. It stood on a slight elevation, 

 with its back to the road, and was surrounded by a 

 turf-and-stone wall Collecting his remaining strength 

 he ran up the slope, cleared the dyke at a bound, and 

 rushed into the house without further ceremony. 



He found two little maidens inside, who looked 

 rather frightened at his sudden appearance. And no 

 wonder! He must have looked more like a Lunatic 

 than a Naturalist. Being completely exhausted, he 

 threw himself right down on a seat without speaking 

 a single word. AVhen he recovered his breath, he 

 asked pardon of the little damsels for running in so 

 unceremoniously ; " he had been overtaken by the 

 storm." He asked them if he might be allowed to 

 rest there until the storm ceased ? 



" I dinna ken," said one of the girls, " oor mither's 

 nae in. She's oot breakin* sticks ; but," she added, 

 " I daresay ye may." 



There was a good fire of sods and peats on the 

 floor. Edward went towards it, with his dripping 

 clothes, to dry himself. He now began to look at his 

 belongings. He first took off his hat, which was the 

 hiding-place for many of his treasures. He found 

 that the bundles of rare moss which he had picked up 



