The family felt the warmest interest in us; but at the same time they occasionally manifested evident alarm.
The utmost precaution was observed so as to prevent our being noticed, and we only retired to bed when the hour of midnight had struck, and the house was sunk in silence and solitude.

During all that night the storm roared pitilessly and the rain fell heavily.

Had it surprised us on the bleak hill, our wandering had that night ended, and the ravens of Cumshinane had feasted on our flesh.

Next day the storm did not cease to howl nor the rain to sweep on the angry winds.

About five o'clock, during a brief pause of the rain, preparations were made which significantly intimated that we were expected to leave.