Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/176

166 part in the political convulsions that were soon expected, were the subjects of their conversation.

They had not advanced above half way up the lake, and the young gentleman was pointing to his attendants the spot where their intended road turned northwards, and leaving the verge of the loch, ascended a ravine to the right-hand, when they discovered a single horseman coming down the shore, as if to meet them. The gleam of the sun-beams upon his head-piece and corslet showed that he was in armour, and the purpose of the other travellers required, that he should not pass unquestioned. "We must know who he is," said the young gentleman, "and whither he is going." And putting spurs to his horse, he rode forward as fast as the rugged state of the road would permit, followed by his two attendants, until he reached the point where the road along the side of the lake was intersected by that which descended from the