238 A NIGHT SCENE. 



making the arrangements, and the proper hour being 

 now come, Harry Otter and CharHe Purdie went out 

 from the Pavilion to meet the party, who were to as- 

 semble at eight o'clock about a mile and a half up the 

 river. The night was most favourable, it being utterly 

 dark, and not a sough of air stirring. With caution and 

 with difficulty they felt their way step by step at the 

 rocky base of the Scaur, where it dips into the river, till 

 they descried the boat which was to take them across it 

 at the Brig-end pool. The clanking of the chain as it 

 was loosened and flung on the planks sounded harshly 

 in the silence of night ; the oars dipped duly, and 

 they were soon on the opposite side of the river, by 

 which means they cut oiF a great sweep of the haugh, 

 *' a huge half moon, a monstrous cantle out," and pro- 

 ceeded in a more direct line to their mark. They went 

 on in darkness through the chilling dews, now and 

 then stumbling into the patches of furze which were 

 scattered over the haugh ; soon they begin to hear the 

 rushing of the waters through the gorge of the Carry- 

 wheel : now it breaks full and loud upon the ear, for 

 they are arrived at the base of the wooded brae that 

 overhangs the cast. 



Two groups of men, but dimly seen, here await their 

 arrival ; one consists of spectators lying on the ground 

 with their plaids thrown athwart their bodies, and the 

 other of the heroes who were to figui'e in the grand 

 operation : these latter were sitting on the boats, and on 

 the masses of rock beside them on the water edge. 



All being now ready, a light was struck ; and the 

 spark being applied to rags steeped in pitch, and to 



