Part 26

"Over muir and vale she sped, As if Elfin feet her tread. Pass'd the river, cross'd the road, Where a shepherd's cottage stood. He concern'd, thrice urged her stay, Mountain scale another day.

"See the storm, it's gatherin' fast, Strong men couldna stan' that blast. Shelter tak', an' I'll convoy Oot ow'er hills wi' muckle joy, The morn's morn as sune's it's licht. Stey wi's noo. It's a'maist nicht.

"Fifteen fouk, an' mair they say, Lost the life, e'er break o' day, Amang thae hills. Sae may ye Fa doon, warsle till ye dee. Tak' ye advice; stey here the nicht; Mornin' sun may shine fu' bricht."

"Daurna tarry--I maun hame. Dinna bid me!--I'm gaun hame. Young an' yaul, I'm no' sae fleyd, Warsle through baith win' an' tide; Stan' the snifter ow'r the hill-- Lovin' herts wi' joy to thrill."

"Blew fierce snow-drift. Almost gone, On she struggled, bravely on; Paus'd to take a breath of air; Step by step cross'd over where Lowthers wore their winter's sheet; Down-hill, blinded with the sleet.

"Daurna tarry--I maun hame," 'Twas on heart her upmost theme. "Burn! ye roar fu' lood an' baul'; An' oh! yer water's dreedfu' caul'. Ventur' maun I, an' get through, Should ye swell frae bank to broo.

"Wae's me! Waded aft this burn, Ne'er till noo felt sic a turn! Think I'll faint--I'm unco wauff! Water! then, gi'es ae bit quaff. Raether better!--Noo--I'll try: Fence an' hill 'll sune be by.

"Daurna tarry--I'm gaun hame! Thocht gi'es stren'th, though I feel lame. Wae's me!--What's come ow'r me noo? Up maun dim' this scraggy broo-- Hech!--That blast is unco keen; Bannet canna noo be seen.

"Daurna tarry!--Yes--I maun! Lay me doon for this weak dwaum. Shawl my heid 'ill shelter gi'e; Claes keep warm!--Come-to a wee! Daurna tarry!--Wish 'twere sae-- Faether!--Mither!--Sister!--Wae!

"Whaur am I?--On caul' hillside! Maun I here--"Hoo lang--abide? Faether, in the heav'ns hie, Think, for Jesus' sake, on me. Deein' though I'm, a' my lane-- Daurna tarry--I'll get hame!

"Daurna tarry--I maun hame! Aeh! Hoo my hert lang'd for hame. Hame on earth's nae mair for me; 'Mang the sna' I'm gaun to dee. Freen's, 'O leave them no' alane!' Daurna tarry--'Bring them hame.'

"Noo sleep I maun! an' this caul' sna' Cleer win'in'-sheet roon' me will bla'."

* * * * * *

Almost a week her body lay, The grave its home--home-coming day.