That he should be judged capable of so much, was not surprising to me; yet he became in consequence a still greater being in my eyes.
When I set Davie down, and fell myself on the grass, there was nobody near.

Everyone was engaged in a new search for Davie.

My father had rode off at once without dismounting, to inquire at the neighbouring toll-gate whether Willie had passed through.

It was not very likely, for such wanderers seldom take to the hard high road; but he could think of nothing else, and it was better to do something.

Having failed there, he had returned and ridden along the country road which passed the farm towards the hills, leaving Willie and Davie far behind him.