He was startled by seeing a man coming towards him at full speed; a man ragged, bleeding, and evidently suffering agonies of terror.

"The avengers of blood are on my track, Oh, save me!" the poor wretch managed to gasp out.
Inverawe, filled with pity for the miserable man, swore "By the word of an Inverawe which never failed friend or foe yet" to save him.
Inverawe then led the stranger to the secret cave on Cruachan hill side.
None knew of this cave but the laird of Inverawe himself, as the secret was most carefully kept and had been handed down from father to son for many generations.

The entrance was small, and no one passing would for an instant suspect it to be other than a tod's hole, {158a} but within were fair-sized rooms, one containing a well of the purest spring water.

It is said that Wallace and Bruce had made use of this cave in earlier days.
Here Inverawe left his guest.

The man was so overcome by terror that he clung on to Inverawe's plaid, {158b} imploring him not to leave him alone.