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 the prisoners was corresponding to their approaching deliverance.

"They hae done the job for anes," said Cuddie, "an' they ne'er do it again."

"They flee!—they flee!" exclaimed Mause, in ecstacy. "O, the truculent tyrants! they are riding now as they never rode before. O, the false Egyptians—the proud Assyrians—the Philistines—the Moabites—the Edomites—the Ishmaelites—The Lord has brought sharp swords upon them, to make them food for the fowls of heaven and the beasts of the field. See how the clouds roll, and the fire flashes ahint them, and goes forth before the chosen of the Covenant, e'en like the pillar o' cloud and the pillar o' flame that led the people o' Israel out o' the land of Egypt! This is indeed a day of deliverance to the righteous, a day of pouring out of wrath to the persecutors and the ungodly."

"Lord safe us, mother," said Cuddie, "haud the clavering tongue 0' ye, and lie down ahint the cairn, like Kettledrummle,