The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

The person who sung kept a strained and powerful
voice at its highest pitch, so that it could be heard at a
very considerable distance. As the song ceased, they
might hear a stifled sound, as of steps and whispers of
persons approaching them. The song was again raised,
but the tune was changed:
“O sleep ye sound, Sir James, she said,
When ye suld rise and ride;
There’s twenty men, wi’ bow and blade,
Are seeking where ye hide.”
“I dare stay no longer,” said the stranger; “return
home, or remain till they come up—you have nothing
to fear—but do not tell you saw me—your sister’s fate
is in your hands.” So saying, he turned from her, and
with a swift, yet cautiously noiseless step, plunged into
the darkness on the side most remote from the sounds
which they heard approaching, and was soon lost to her
sight. Jeanie remained by the cairn terrified beyond ex-
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pression, and uncertain whether she ought to fly homeward
with all the speed she could exert, or wait the approach
of those who were advancing towards her. This
uncertainty detained her so long, that she now distinctly
saw two or three figures already so near to her, that a
precipitate flight would have been equally fruitless and
impolitic.