now?"

"What has happened? Do they rype the country with yon warrant still?"
asked Sim.

"Worse than that," said Rotha. "If that were all, we could leave Ralph
to settle with them; they would never serve their warrant, never."

"Worse; what's worse, lass?" said Sim, changing color.

"Outlawry," said Rotha.

"What's that, girl?--what's outlawry?--nothing to do with--with--with
Wilson, has it?" said Sim, speaking beneath his breath, and in quick
and nervous accents.

"No, no: not that. It means that unless Ralph is delivered up within
fourteen days this place will be taken by the bailiffs of the
Sheriff."

"And what of that?" said Sim. "Let them take it--better let them have
it than Ralph fall into their hands."

"Father, poor Mistress Ray would be turned into the roads--they'd have
no pity, none."

"I'll uphod thee that's true," said Sim. "It staggers me."

"We must find Ralph, and at once too," said Rotha.