The Betrayal of Maggie Blair - By Elizabeth Laird Page 0,81

by. That means that we won't know which direction they'll come from, if they come at all."

"They'll come." David Barbour was squinting experimentally down the barrel of his musket. "They know Mr. Renwick's around here somewhere. They came as close as anything yesterday."

"You brought him to Ladymuir, didn't you?" Mungo asked Dandy. "What's he like?"

"You'll be amazed. Just a wee slip of a fellow. But when he starts to speak, his words go all the way through you. I can't explain. You'll see."

So Mr. Renwick has the same effect on everyone, I thought, and I was oddly disappointed; I didn't know why.

Uncle Blair came out into the yard then.

"Ritchie and you lads, get all the people out of here now and off to the meeting place," he said. "The sooner they're hidden up there in the hollow, the better. Come back and lead the others as they arrive, then get into your lookout posts and keep yourselves hidden. You all have dry powder? And a good supply of musket balls? God willing we won't need to use them, but if the attack comes, then fight bravely. The enemy's hearts are filled with the strength of their wickedness, but if God be for us, who can stand against us?"

His words fired up a flame of courage in me, so that I blurted out, "Uncle, I'll stand guard and fight with the lads, if you have a spare musket."

He laughed, which made me flush with shame.

"Fighting's men's work, Maggie. But your courage does you credit. Go in, now, and help your aunt."

"She's a right one, that Maggie," I heard Ritchie say as I went back into the house, and David Barbour laughed and said, "Ritchie Blair, I do believe you're sweet on her. Look at you, blushing like a girl."

But that was just boys' talk and I thought nothing of it. I only wanted to see Mr. Renwick again.

In the kitchen my aunt was flustered, trying to prepare a huge breakfast for Mr. Renwick of which, I was sure, he would eat only a few mouthfuls.

"There you are, Maggie," she said crossly. "Disappearing again, just when you're needed. Help Nanny to dress, and mind Andrew. Annie dear, watch the oatcakes. I daren't let Maggie take charge of them and burn them again today."

I bit my lip and bent over Nanny.

Why does she dislike me so much? I asked myself. She never took to me, not even before Annie came.

Mr. Renwick appeared in the kitchen soon after. He was heavy-eyed and pale. Aunt Blair hovered around him, pressing on him bowls of porridge, eggs, fresh buttered oatcakes, and cream. As I'd predicted, he ate no more than a few morsels, and those I was sure were only for politeness' sake.

"It's as I thought," said Uncle Blair, coming in from the yard. "The people of God are assembling fearlessly under the very eyes of the enemy. Dozens of saints are here already, and more are moving this way across the hills. Did you sleep well, Mr. Renwick? It'll be a hard day's work for you, I fear. Have you given the man a good breakfast, Isobel?"

"He won't do more than nibble at it!" my aunt complained.

"Come, sir, come. You must eat to keep up your strength," Uncle Blair said earnestly.

Mr. Renwick turned on him his glorious smile.

"You know the promise we've been given, Brother Blair. 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.' It is prayer, you see, that will give me strength, and not this excellent breakfast."

I was standing by the table, watching and listening, and I couldn't bear to see how little he had eaten. I spread an oatcake thickly with butter and honey.

"Please, Mr. Renwick," I said, offering it to him.

"Well, well." He was looking directly at me so that I thought for a minute I would faint. "If you wish it so much." And he took the oatcake, to my intense delight, and ate it all.

"Shall we go now, brother, and begin the Lord's work?" he said, when the last crumb had gone.

"Ritchie will come and tell us when they're all assembled," said Uncle Blair, going to the door and peering out. "Look there, up on the hills, more are coming. The young men are posting themselves all around on vantage points, watching for the troops. They'll come and fetch us when the time is right."

"Then I'll

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