Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

184 MEMOIR OF ROB ROY.
to lead to the interior ; and he had no doubt that
it would also unravel the mystery of the sud-
den disappearance of the men he had followed,
as well as develop the meaning of their con-
versation which he had overheard.
With a full resolution to explore every part
of the pile, he unsheathed his dirk, and en-
tered the vault with cautious steps. He went
on a considerable way through this confined
and dreary entrance, till at last it seemed to
terminate in a large space, where he now heard
men in angry conversation. The place was
dark and dismal ; but he was led by a faint
ray of light to a door, from which proceeded
many piteous sighs, that appeared to be those
of a person in distress.
He entered the apartment, and by the light
of a wood fire that blazed in a corner, he be-
held a female figure lying on a parcel of dried
grass. — "Alas!" said the lady, as she turned
round to look at our hero, — " what am I now
doomed to suffer ? Do you come, ruffian, to
finish my life with your dagger ? " " No,
madam," said he, " I come to save your life,
if it is in jeopardy. I heard your cries, and
came to relieve you. Who are you, and what
brought you to this miserable place ?" —