Page:Remarkable family adventure of Saunders Watson (1).pdf/16

Rh bell a-ringing. This however, was not heard by either of them at the moment; and Saundy after repeated tugs, got his body dragged from under his father, and raised himself, by it’s help, to his legs again. His first attempt was to place his father in the same position; but the fright had deprived him, if not of life, at least of motion. “Preserve us,” cried Saundy in utter despair, “am I left here alane, the only leevin craitir in this horrid place!” “I’m no deed, my bairn,” sighed his father, as he recovered and sat up on the floor. “Len me ye’r han I beseech ye, an’ let us in frae this shame o’ dreed an’ calamity. Gude kens what may be the upshot o’ this wark. I doot oo sudna hae shot sae soon; an’ ye ken if we’re fun here, oo may be hanged for murder, for oo hae nae witnesses to prove it did in a just cause.”

This was a joyous proposal for Saundy. He speedily picked up the two guns, the Bible, and the Scots Worthies, and taking his father’s hand as desired, had unlocked the door, and was just about to set his foot over the threshold, when to his consternation, he heard the sound of a number of people running towards the kirk stile. The firing of the gun and the ringing of the bell had alarmed the whole neighbourhood. Every one started out of bed and made for the