He began to ponder how a horseman could make his way through such broken ground; the traces of hoofs, however, were still visible; he even thought he heard their sound at some distance, and, convinced that Mr.Dinmont's progress through the morass must be still slower than his own, he resolved to push on, in hopes to overtake him and have the benefit of his knowledge of the country.

At this moment his little terrier sprung forward, barking most furiously.
Brown quickened his pace, and, attaining the summit of a small rising ground, saw the subject of the dog's alarm.

In a hollow about a gunshot below him a man whom he easily recognised to be Dinmont was engaged with two others in a desperate struggle.

He was dismounted, and defending himself as he best could with the butt of his heavy whip.

Our traveller hastened on to his assistance; but ere he could get up a stroke had levelled the farmer with the earth, and one of the robbers, improving his victory, struck him some merciless blows on the head.