to drag for him, when he heard the sound of feet as of some one running.
He listened; for the moon was not up, and the night was too dark to enable
him to see at any distance. The steps approached, and in a few seconds, he
was convinced that it was John running as fast as he could. He called to
him, but John was too much out of breath to answer. Mr. Martin's mind now
felt eased on the certainty of the boy's safety. He sat down on the bank,
to recover himself, being completely overpowered, and for some minutes
could not articulate a word; but silently offered up his thanks to
Providence for relieving him from such a state of misery, as well as for
the boy's safety. John, who had stood still, when he reached Mr. Martin,
could not think what was the matter, but seeing his master sitting on the
damp grass, entreated him to tell him if he was ill, and wanted to run on
to the house, for assistance. "No John," said Mr. Martin, "you have run
enough for one night.--Where have you been to give us all such a
fright?"--"Indeed, Sir, I am sorry if I frightened any of the family,"
replied John; "I did not think of that, but I will tell you the whole
truth if you will only rise; for I am sadly afraid, you will catch cold by
sitting on the grass."--"You are right, my dear, I will rise immediately;
and do you tell me where you have been, for we thought you were drowned."
"Why, Sir," he said, "I was looking at that curious urn which Archie
found, when I heard him tell my mistress that poor Marion Scott was ill,
and that he was going to Langholm for Mr. Armstrong. Now, sir, when I used
to live with my father and mother, near Langholm, I many times observed
Archie come down there, and though I should be sorry to be a tale-bearer,
yet I cannot help explaining to you my reasons for acting as I did. I
often saw him in the public-house, and my father used to say he was sure
Archie would never do any good, if he did not mend his habits; for his
custom was to stop and drink spirits at every place where a dram was to be
had, all the way down the dale, and repeat the same on his return home
again. I remember once he was a whole day and night getting from Langholm