up some time in the narrative, passed in less than a single
minute. When he was fairly mastered, after one or two desperate
and almost convulsionary struggles, the ruffian lay perfectly
still and silent. 'He's gaun to die game ony how,' said Dinmont;
'weel, I like him na the waur for that.'

This observation honest Dandie made while he was shaking the
blazing flax from his rough coat and shaggy black hair, some of
which had been singed in the scuffle. 'He is quiet now,' said
Bertram; 'stay by him and do not permit him to stir till I see
whether the poor woman be alive or dead.' With Hazlewood's
assistance he raised Meg Merrilies.

'I kenn'd it would be this way,' she muttered, 'and it's e'en this
way that it should be.'

The ball had penetrated the breast below the throat. It did not
bleed much externally; but Bertram, accustomed to see gunshot
wounds, thought it the more alarming. 'Good God! what shall we do
for this poor woman?' said he to Hazlewood, the circumstances
superseding the necessity of previous explanation or introduction
to each other.

'My horse stands tied above in the wood,' said Hazlewood. 'I have
been watching you these two hours. I will ride off for some
assistants that may be trusted. Meanwhile, you had better defend
the mouth of the cavern against every one until I return.' He
hastened away. Bertram, after binding Meg Merrilies's wound as
well as he could, took station near the mouth of the cave with a
cocked pistol in his hand; Dinmont continued to watch Hatteraick,