While Isobel went into the house to find the servants and bring them outside, Thorburn asked if all the tenants were present or if word needed to be passed to others. The man they'd left the horse with, Cyrus McTeague by name, informed Thorburn all but the farthest tenant farmers were present, wondering what changes they might expect with the new ownership. When Isobel and the house servants exited the house, Thorburn called her, Frang and William Craig to stand with him in the back of one of the wagons.

"Listen up!" Thorburn shouted, waiting for the noise to quiet down, and all eyes to turn to him.

"For those...