broke freely over her, and four of the soldiers were kept at work baling to throw out the water she took over her bows.  Once or twice they thought that she would capsize, so furious were the gusts, but the boatmen were quick and skillful.  The sheets were let go and the sails lowered until the force of the squall abated, and at last, after a passage which seemed rapid even to those on board, anxious as they were, she entered the little port.

Hurrying to the inn, they found that six horses were obtainable.  These they hired at once.  The host said that he could send to some farms, not far distant, and hire four more, but that an hour or so would elapse ere they came.  Leslie and William Long had already decided that the prisoners would most probably be taken to Kilbeg Castle, as being more secluded than the others.  They now agreed that they themselves with Mike and three soldiers should start at once, to intercept them if possible between the sea and the castle.  When the other horses arrived two of the soldiers were to ride with all speed to Anstruther, and two to St. Andrews, and were there to keep sharp watch to see if the Royalist arrived there, and landed aught in the way either of men or goods.

The point to which they were bound lay fully forty miles away.  They determined to ride as far as the horses would carry them, and then, if able to obtain no more, to walk forward.  Night was already setting in, and a driving rain flew before the gale.

“We shall never be able to keep the road,” Leslie said, “Landlord, have you one here who could serve as guide?  He must be quick-footed and sure.  Our business is urgent, and we are ready to pay well.”

A guide was speedily found, a lad on a shaggy pony, who had the day before come down from the north with cattle.  While the horses were being prepared the party had taken a hasty supper, and Leslie had seen that each of the soldiers had a tankard of hot spiced wine.  So quickly had the arrangements been made that in half an hour after their arrival at the port the party started from the inn.  The ride was indeed a rough one.  The country was heavy and wild.  The rain drenched them to the skin in spite of their thick cloaks, and the wind blew at times with such violence that the horses were fain to stop and stand huddled together facing it to keep their feet.  Hour after hour they rode, never getting beyond a walk, so rough was the road; often obliged to pause altogether from the force of the gale.  Twice they stopped at inns at quiet villages, knocked up the sleeping hosts, and obtained hot wine for themselves and hot gruel for their horses.  Their pace grew slower as the animals became thoroughly knocked up, and at last could not be urged beyond a walk.