A consultation was now held as to the best mode of proceeding to the capture of the dreaded outlaw--a feat by no means considered either a safe or an easy one by those by whom it was now contemplated; for all were aware of his prowess, and of the desperate courage for which he was distinguished.
Macpherson, in the meantime, wholly unconscious of his danger, was still quietly seated on the small green bank where we left him. Ellen had not yet appeared, and he was listlessly employed in drawing figures on the ground with the point of his scabbard, when he was suddenly startled by a similar noise amongst the bushes with that which had alarmed him on a former occasion. He sprung to his feet, drew a pistol from his belt with his left hand, and his sword from its sheath with his right, and, thus prepared, awaited the result of the motion, which he now saw as well as heard. The rustling increased, the foliage rapidly opened in a line approaching him, and, in an instant afterwards, his friend, Eneas Chisholm, stood before the astonished freebooter.
"Eneas!" he exclaimed, under breath, but in a tone of great surprise.
"Hush, hush!" said Eneas, seizing his friend by the arm--"not a word. In five minutes you will be surrounded. You have been recognised and dogged. There are a dozen of the sheriff's men within five hundred yards of you, planning your capture. Let us be off--off instantly, Macpherson," he continued, urging the latter onwards. "If we can gain the town, we may escape. I know a place of concealment there."
"Nay, but Ellen--Ellen, Eneas!" said Macpherson, hanging backwards, and resisting the efforts of his friend to drag him away.
"Fool, fool, man!" said Eneas, passionately, and still urging him forcibly along. "An instant's delay, and both you and I are in the hands of our deadliest enemies."
"Ten times a fool!" exclaimed the latter, with increasing anger. "Fight a dozen men, all as well armed as ourselves!--and observe, besides," he added, "your obstinacy will sacrifice me as well as yourself."
"Ay, there you have me," replied Macpherson. "That shall not be--God forbid!" And he hurried along with his friend.
At this instant, a shrill whistle was heard from the copsewood.