Free God's Highlander by E. V. Thompson

Barbie Munro struggling frantically in his arms. It seemed an eternity
before his head rose above the surface of the water and he was able to fill his lungs with great gulps of air. There were a few more anxious moments when he felt the flimsy rescue-line tear, but by then he was able to gain a foothold. Coughing and choking, he was pulled to safety by Mairi.
    Overjoyed at their success, Mairi took the baby from Wyatt’s arms. Then he collapsed to his knees, coughing up water he was not aware of having swallowed.
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    Half an hour later, when they were no more than half a mile from Eskaig, the strangely garbed quartet were met by a party of villagers making their way up the flooded glen. In the lead were Lachlan and Ewan Munro.
    Lachlan Munro was not fully recovered from his illness, and his experiences in the storm had done nothing to help his recovery. He staggered rather than walked at the head of the villagers, but when he saw his two daughters he discovered new strength and was the first to reach them.
    â€˜Thank God! Thank God!’ was all the veteran of the Seventy-Second Regiment seemed capable of saying as he held the baby in one arm and hugged Kirstie to him with the other.
    His initial relief over, Lachlan Munro began to express his gratitude to Wyatt.
    â€˜Mairi’s the one you need to thank.’ Wyatt was embarrassed by the veteran’s tearful gratitude. ‘Without her courage and knowledge of the glen we’d never have succeeded in rescuing the girls – and I think you owe her a dress.’
    â€˜I owe the both of you far more than I’ll ever be able to repay.’ Lachlan Munro clasped Mairi’s hands, oblivious to the curious looks of the Eskaig villagers who had become aware that Mairi was wearing nothing beneath the preacher’s coat. ‘We’d given Kirstie and Barbie up for dead….’
    Lachlan Munro’s voice broke, and Wyatt laid a comforting arm across the ex-soldier’s shoulders. ‘ They’re both all right, but what about the others?’
    Lachlan Munro turned a gaunt face up to Wyatt. ‘I’ve never known such a storm, Captain. We were all washed away – yet the whole family is safe. It’s little short of a miracle.’

    â€˜That’s not the end of it, Lachlan. I’ve more good news for you. But it’s news to be shared with the family…. Where is the family?’
    â€˜In Eskaig. In the churchyard.’ Seeing Wyatt’s shocked expression. Lachlan Munro said hastily: ‘It’s best for everyone, Captain. It’s eviction for anyone who harbours those who’ve been turned off Lord Kilmalie’s land. We’re camped in the churchyard, but we’re not short of food.’
    Anger with John Garrett welled up inside Wyatt, but this was neither the time nor the place to air his views.
    â€˜You’ll not sleep without a roof over your head again, Lachlan, but let’s go and find your family. You’ll sleep in the manse tonight. Tomorrow? Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about….’

Six
    T HE VILLAGERS OF Eskaig owned few possessions, but throughout that evening small gifts of food were brought to the manse for the Munro family. Mairi was loaned a dress by a sternly disapproving matron who saw her pass by wrapped only in Wyatt’s loose and ill-fitting coat. Hurrying after the dishevelled party from the mountainside, the woman caught up with Mairi as she was about to enter the manse and thrust the dress at her.
    â€˜Here, girl. I’ve brought a dress for you to put on. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, parading through Eskaig half-naked. It’s an affront to decent Christian folk. I don’t know what your father can be thinking of, I’m sure. Before I ordered him inside the house my husband had seen more of you in a single minute than he’s seen of me in thirty years of marriage.’
    Careful not to smile, Wyatt said: