very extraordinary manner. "I do believe," thought John, "that this must
be Archie Kerr. Well! what will become of him, if, by any chance, the
minister should come out to look for me? Though he is a tipsy fellow, and
has behaved so ill about Marion, I should not wish any thing so bad as
_that_ to happen to him. I think I had best run as fast as I can and get
up the lane, and then Mr. Martin, when he sees me, will never think of
coming to the holm to-night." So saying, he began to hasten as fast as he
could; but just as came within a stone's throw of Archie, to John's great
alarm, Archie lost his balance, and fell, with his whole force, across the
road. John ran to endeavour to help him up again, but, when he got close
to him, he perceived that his head had struck against a stone, and that it
was bleeding profusely. "What shall I do now?" said John. "Pray, Archie,
try to raise yourself up, if you can; for I have not strength to move you,
and I cannot leave you lying here; for if a horse or cart were to come by,
you would be crushed to pieces." Archie spoke not, but John continued
pulling him as hard as he could, without the least success; and now,
becoming seriously alarmed, as he found his temple still bleeding in spite
of the neckcloth which John had taken from Archie's neck and tied round
his head, he thought the only thing he could do was to run home and
prevail on old Sandy, the shepherd, to come and help to remove Archie to a
place of safety. "But I will get as quietly as I can in at the back door
of the manse," thought John, "that the minister may know nothing about it;
for I don't know what would be the consequence, if he were to learn that
there was such a disgraceful sight, just before his own door, on a Sunday
evening."

With this intention, John ran up the lane, and had just got his hand upon
the latch of the back door, which he was lifting gently up, when he heard
the study bell ring for prayers, which on Sunday were always before
supper, in order that the children and servants of the family might be