Strickland to send the men forth and
go himself. Then I am ready."
On Black Alan he rode with Robin down the hill and through the wood
and upon the White Farm way. The earth was mainly bare of snow, but
frozen hard. The hoofs rang out but left no print. The air hung still,
light and dry; the sun, far in the south, sent slanting, pale-gold
beams. The two men made little speech as they rode. They passed men
and youths, single figures and clusters.
"Ony news, Littlefarm? We've been--or we're going--seeking here, or
here--"
A woman stopped them. "It was thae gipsies, sirs! I had a dream about
them, five nights syne! A lintwhite was flying by them, and they gave
chase. Either it's that or she made away with herself! I had a dream
that might be read that way, too."
When they came to White Farm it was to find there only Jenny and Menie
and Merran.
"Somebody maun stay to keep the house warm gin the lassie come
stumbling hame, cauld and hungry and half doited! Eh, Glenfernie, ye
that are a learned man and know the warld, gie us help!"
"I am going up the glen," said Alexander to Greenlaw. "I do not know
why, but I think it should be tried again. And I know it, root and
branch. I am going afoot. I will leave Black Alan here."
They wasted no time. He went, while Robin Greenlaw on his gray took
the opposed direction.
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