In the dead of night the attack was made.

My brethren fled; I knew not whither to go; but, determined to fly far from the tracts of our ravagers, I took my course over the hills, and finding the valley of stones fit for my purpose, for two months have lived alone in this wilderness." "Unhappy Scotland!" ejaculated Helen.

Her eyes had followed the chief, who, during this narrative, leaned thoughtfully against the entrance of the cave.

His eyes were cast upward with an expression that made her heart utter the exclamation which had escaped her.
The knight turned and approached her.

"You hear from the lips of my venerable friend," said he, "a direful story; happy then am I, gentle lady, that you and he have found a refuge, though a rough one.