Noon
It was but from an over-activity of bustling exertion that it might have been perceived , by a close observer , that her actions were spurred by some internal cause of painful excitement ; and such a spectator , too , might also have observed how often she broke off the snatches of songs or tunes which she hummed , apparently without knowing what she was doing , in order to cast a hasty glance from the door of the hut . Whatever might be in the mind of Hamish , his demeanour was directly the reverse of that adopted by his mother . Having finished the task of cleaning and preparing his arms , which he arranged within the hut , he sat himself down before the door of the bothy , and watched the opposite hill , like the fixed sentinel who expects the approach of an enemy . Noon found him in the same unchanged posture , and it was an hour after that period , when his mother , standing beside him , laid her hand on his shoulder , and said , in a tone indifferent , as if she had been talking of some friendly visit , `` When dost thou expect them ? '' `` They can not be here till the shadows fall long to the eastward , '' replied Hamish ; `` that is , even supposing the nearest party , commanded by Sergeant Allan Breack Cameron , has been commanded hither by express from Dunbarton , as it is most likely they will . '' `` Then enter beneath your mother 's roof once more ; partake the last time of the food which she has prepared ; after this , let them come , and thou shalt see if thy mother is an useless encumbrance in the day of strife . Thy hand , practised as it is , can not fire these arms so fast as I can load them ; nay , if it is necessary , I do not myself fear the flash or the report , and my aim has been held fatal . ''