climb up by that sloping bank just opposite."

He led the way to the spot he indicated, and then plunged into
the stream, swimming quietly and steadily across, and allowing the
stream to drift him down.

The horsemen followed his example. They had swum many a swollen
river, and although their horses snorted and plunged at first, they
soon quieted down and swam steadily over. They just struck the spot
which the boy had indicated. He had already arrived there, and,
without a word, trotted forward.

It was soon dark, and the horsemen were obliged to keep close to
his heels to see his figure. It was as much as they could do to
keep up with him, for the ground was rough and broken, sometimes
swampy, sometimes strewn with boulders.

"It is well we have a guide," Colonel Munro said to his companion;
"for assuredly, even had we got safely across the stream, we should
never have found our way across such a country as this. Scotland
is a fine country, Hume, a grand country, and we are all proud of
it, you know, but for campaigning, give me the plains of Germany;
while, as for your weather here, it is only fit for a water rat."

Hume laughed at this outburst.

"I sha'n't be sorry, Munro, for a change of dry clothes and a corner
by a fire; but we must be nearly there now if I remember right.
Graheme's hold is about three miles from the Nith."