The entrance was small, and no one passing
would for an instant suspect it to be other than a tod's hole, {158a}
but within were fair-sized rooms, one containing a well of the purest
spring water. It is said that Wallace and Bruce had made use of this
cave in earlier days.
Here Inverawe left his guest. The man was so overcome by terror that
he clung on to Inverawe's plaid, {158b} imploring him not to leave him
alone. Inverawe was filled with disgust at this cowardly conduct, and
already almost repented having plighted his word to save such a
worthless creature.
On Inverawe's return home he found a man in a state of great
excitement waiting to see him. This man informed him of the murder of
his (Inverawe's) foster-brother by one Macniven. "We have," said he,
"tracked the murderer to within a short distance of this place, and I
am here to warn you in case he should seek your protection." Inverawe
turned pale and remained silent, not knowing what answer to give. The
man, knowing the love that subsisted between the foster-brothers,
thought this silence arose from grief alone, and left the house to
pursue the search for Macniven further.
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