she's opening. It wad be a sair thing to leave the blessed sun and
the free air, and gang and be killed like a tod that's run to
earth, in a dungeon like that. But, my sooth, they will be hard-
bitten terriers will worry Dandie; so, as I said, deil hae me if I
baulk you.' This was uttered in the lowest tone of voice possible.
The entrance was now open. Meg crept in upon her hands and knees,
Bertram followed, and Dinmont, after giving a rueful glance toward
the daylight, whose blessings he was abandoning, brought up the
rear.




CHAPTER LIV

Die, prophet! in thy speech;
For this, among the rest, was I ordained.

Henry VI. Part III.


The progress of the Borderer, who, as we have said, was the last
of the party, was fearfully arrested by a hand, which caught hold
of his leg as he dragged his long limbs after him in silence and
perturbation through the low and narrow entrance of the
subterranean passage. The steel heart of the bold yeoman had well-
nigh given way, and he suppressed with difficulty a shout, which,
in the defenceless posture and situation which they then occupied,
might have cost all their lives. He contented himself, however,
with extricating his foot from the grasp of this unexpected