my courage.
Outside we could hear splashes as the cows launched themselves into the water. Mr. Lithgow was shouting encouragement and whistling to the dogs.
I dared to look out through the door. Most of the cattle were in the water already, swimming strongly, their red, horned heads bobbing swiftly above the eddying currents of the kyle, the fast-flowing channel of water that separated Bute from the mainland. Mr. Lithgow was in the boat, being rowed across to the island. Peter Boag, with one of the dogs, was chivvying the last reluctant cows to take the plunge. I had a moment's dread, mixed almost with relief, that I was to be left behind.
"Danny! Bring Samson!" came Mr. Lithgow's voice loud and clear from across the water. His shout echoed from the hills on the far side.
"Goodbye, Tam." I gave the old man one last hug. "You've saved my life twice now. I won't ever, ever forget it."
"Get on with you, Maidie." His voice shook.
"Goodbye, Maggie," said Annie, and in the quick glance I gave her, I saw the old malice sparkle in her eyes.
I went outside, not daring to look at the wall over to my right, and fumbled with Samson's bridle, my fingers all thumbs.
"Danny, come on, will you!" Mr. Lithgow called again.
And then I was running beside the trotting pony, down across the lush grass of Bute to the little strip of pale sand, and my bare feet were crunching on the litter of white shells, and then there was the water, ice-cold, making me gasp with the shock of it, and I was hanging on to Samson's bridle as he pulled me in, and the touch of land fell away beneath my feet, the last touch of my island, and I was struggling, choking, and gasping as the water closed over my head.
Chapter 14
It was only the thought of the gallows and the fire waiting for me in Rothesay that stopped me from giving up the attempt to cross that fast-flowing channel of freezing water. Without the fear of what was behind me, I'd have thrashed my way back to the shore of Bute. But the thought came to me that if I had to die, I would rather it was by my own action than through the cruelty of others.
I managed to keep my head out of the water until we were more than halfway across, then my fingers, which were stiff and numb with cold, slipped from the pony's wet mane. I was under the water at once, and only frantic kicks brought my head up again. Luckily, Samson's bridle was wrapped around my other wrist. I was dragging too hard on him, and he started to struggle in the water. For a moment I panicked, terrified that he would shake himself free of me, but from somewhere outside myself came a feeling of calm and strength. Taking a deep breath, I hauled on the bridle and drew myself close enough to catch Samson's mane again. A few moments later, his hooves rattled against the rocky shore of the little island, and he was off at once, scrambling out of the water. I managed to release his bridle just in time to prevent myself from being dragged on my knees across the stones. I had done it. I had felt my father's presence with me in the water, giving me the strength to survive.
The cattle were already on the far side of the tiny wooded island, plunging without hesitation into the second channel. I stood for a moment, shaking uncontrollably with the cold.
"Danny!" Mr. Lithgow called.
I looked around, thinking for a strange, unnerving moment that he had seen my father and was calling to him, but then I remembered my new name, and I staggered stiffly across the rough ground, streams of water running off my shirt.
"You can get in the boat this time," Mr. Lithgow said. "Lamont won't see you clearly from this distance. Here, take your plaid."
I dared to glance back. Mr. Lamont seemed to have lost interest in the crossing of the cattle. His stocky figure could be seen walking back along the coastal path toward Rothesay. I looked across at the bothy. There was no sign of Annie, but Tam was standing in the doorway, shading his eyes from the rising sun as he peered in my direction. I dared to raise my hand for a brief moment. I didn't wait to see an answering wave but scrambled into the little boat, keeping