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By Robert Louis Stevenson
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hile my husband and Mr. Henley were engaged in writing plays in Bournemouth they made a number of titles, hoping to use them in the future. Dramatic composition was not what my husband preferred, but the torrent of Mr. Henley's enthusiasm swept him off his feet. However, after several plays had been finished, and his health seriously impaired by his endeavours to keep up with Mr. Henley, play writing was abandoned forever, and my husband returned to his legitimate vocation. Having added one of the titles, The Hanging Judge, to the list of projected plays, now thrown aside, and emboldened by my husband's offer to give me any help needed, I concluded to try and write it myself. As I wanted a trial scene in the Old Bailey, I chose the period of 1700 for my purpose; but being shamefully ignorant of my subject, and my husband confessing to little more knowledge than I possessed, a London bookseller was commissioned to send us everything he could procure bearing on Old Bailey trials. A great package came in response to our order, and very soon we were both absorbed, not so much in the trials as in following the brilliant career of a Mr. Garrow, who appeared as counsel in many of the cases.
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We sent for more books, and yet more, still intent on Mr. Garrow, whose subtle cross-examination of witnesses and masterly, if sometimes startling, methods of arriving at the truth seemed more thrilling to us than any novel. Occasionally other trials than those of the Old Bailey would be included in the package of books we received from London; among these my husband found and read with avidity:— THE TRIAL OF JAMES STEWART in Aucharn in Duror of Appin FOR THE Murder of COLIN CAMPBELL of Glenure, Efq; Factor for His Majefty on the forfeited Estate of Ardfhiel. My husband was always interested in this period of his country's history, and had already the intention of writing a story that should turn on the Appin murder. The tale was to be of a boy, David Balfour, supposed to belong to my husband's own family, who should travel in Scotland as though it were a foreign country, meeting with various adventures and misadventures by the way. From the trial of James Stewart my husband gleaned much valuable material for his novel, the most important being the character of Alan Breck. Aside from having described him as 'smallish in stature,' my husband seems to have taken Alan Breck's
personal appearance, even to his clothing, from the book. A letter from James Stewart to Mr. John Macfarlane, introduced as evidence in the trial, says: 'There is one Alan Stewart, a distant friend of the late Ardshiel's, who is in the French service, and came over in March last, as he said to some, in order to settle at home; to others, that he was to go soon back; and was, as I hear, the day that the murder was committed, seen not far from the place where it happened, and is not now to be seen; by which it is believed he was the actor. He is a desperate foolish fellow; and if he is guilty, came to the country for that very purpose. He is a tall, pockpitted lad, very black hair, and wore a blue coat and metal buttons, an old red vest, and breeches of the same colour.' A second witness testified to having seen him wearing 'a blue coat with silver buttons, a red waistcoat, black shag breeches, tartan hose, and a feathered hat, with a big coat, dun coloured,' a costume referred to by one of the counsel as 'French cloathes which were remarkable.' There are many incidents given in the trial that point to Alan's fiery spirit and Highland quickness to take offence. One witness 'declared also That the said Alan Breck threatened that he would challenge Ballieveolan and his sons to fight because of his removing the declarant last year from Glenduror.' On another page: 'Duncan Campbell, changekeeper at Annat, aged thirty-five years, married, witness cited, sworn, purged and examined ut supra, depones, That, in the month of April last, the deponent met with Alan Breck Stewart, with whom he was not acquainted, and John Stewart, in Auchnacoan, in the house of the walk miller of
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but lived to a great old age. that if they offered to turn out the possessors of Ardshiel's estate. He married Cameron Daughter to Ewen Cameron of Lochiel.' Following this is a paragraph stating that 'John Stewart 1st of Ardsheall of his descendants Alan Breck had Kidnapped . and drunk some drams. For several years my husband received letters of expostulation or commendation from members of the Campbell and Stewart clans. after drinking a dram at another house. where we were surprised and interested to discover that the feeling concerning the murder of Glenure (the 'Red Fox. it being a common phrase in the country. he had very good reason for it: that thereafter they left that house. I have in my possession a paper. came to the deponent's house.' Some time after the publication of Kidnapped we stopped for a short while in the Appin country.' also called 'Colin Roy') was almost as keen as though the tragedy had taken place the day before. tho there. and the deponent said.Auchofragan. yellow with age. Alan said. that he hated all the name of Campbell. he would make black cocks of them. and. and the deponent.' wherein it is said that 'Alan 3rd Baron of Appine was not killed at Flowdoun. if the deponent had any respect for his friends. that was sent soon after the novel appeared. containing 'The Pedigree of the Family of Appine. he would tell them. before they entered into possession by which the deponent understood shooting them. making the same answer. where they went in. that. he had no reason for doing so: But Alan said. and went on with them to the house: Alan Breck Stewart said. and Alan Breck renewed the former Conversation.
and Chickens mumbled. there were directions for the preparation of several lotions for the preservation of beauty. how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid. you shall not hear. S. DE G.' One day. DEDICATION MY DEAR CHARLES BAXTER: If you ever read this tale. These are nuts beyond my ability to crack. inquire as you please. In the midst of receipts for 'Rabbits. or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour. One of these was so charming that I interrupted my husband to read it aloud. To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan's favour. I sat beside him reading an old cookery book called The Compleat Housewife: or Accomplish'd Gentlewoman's Companion. 'Just what I wanted!' he exclaimed.' and other forgotten delicacies. But if you tried me on the point of Alan's guilt or innocence. Pickled Samphire.com . and the receipt for the 'Lily of the Valley Water' was instantly incorporated into Kidnapped.better be omitted. you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751. for the Highlander values a secret for itself and for the congeFree eBooks at Planet eBook. F. you may even hear that the descendants of 'the other man' who fired the shot are in the country to this day. Duncan Baan Stewart in Achindarroch his father was a Bastard. Baked Tansy. But that other man's name. I think I could defend the reading of the text. while my husband was busily at work. V. If you inquire. Skirret Pye.
in the intervals of present business. and in the meanwhile it pleases me to set it there. the L. R. sitting in the seats of Burns and his companions. If it is strange for me to look back from a distance both in time and space on these bygone adventures of our youth. I do not even ask you to like this tale.. your son will. and pack him to bed with some engaging images to mingle with his dreams. carry him awhile into the Highlands and the last century. in memory of many days that were happy and some (now perhaps as pleasant to remember) that were sad. my dear Charles. How. This is no furniture for the scholar's library. held its meetings and drank its beer. But perhaps when he is older. the past Kidnapped . I think I see you. he may then be pleased to find his father's name on the fly-leaf. moving there by plain daylight. but a book for the winter evening school-room when the tasks are over and the hour for bed draws near. where we begin to rank with Scott and Robert Emmet and the beloved and inglorious Macbean—or may pass the corner of the close where that great society.nial exercise of keeping it I might go on for long to justify one point and own another indefensible. beholding with your natural eyes those places that have now become for your companion a part of the scenery of dreams. and honest Alan. it must be stranger for you who tread the same streets—who may to-morrow open the door of the old Speculative. who was a grim old fire-eater in his day has in this new avatar no more desperate purpose than to steal some young gentleman's attention from his Ovid. J. it is more honest to confess at once how little I am touched by the desire of accuracy. As for you.
BOURNEMOUTH.com . R.must echo in your memory! Let it not echo often without some kind thoughts of your friend. SKERRYVORE.L.S. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.
' And we began to walk forward 10 Kidnapped . to set you on the way. The sun began to shine upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road. Campbell. good man! He asked me if I had breakfasted. the minister of Essendean. and hearing that I lacked for nothing.CHAPTER I I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June. the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs. Davie. Mr. and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of the dawn was beginning to arise and die away. 'Well. he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly under his arm. 'I will go with you as far as the ford. was waiting for me by the garden gate. when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father's house. and by the time I had come as far as the manse.' said he. the year of grace 1751. lad.
' said Mr. 'give my boy this letter into his hand. and I have been very happy there. Campbell. or so far as I may. Davie.' he said. and start him off to the house of Shaws. When your mother was gone. not far from Cramond. 'who can tell that for a surety? But the name of that family. That is the place I came from. which he said was your inheritance.'' 'The house of Shaws!' I cried. 'Why. boy. Essendean is a good place indeed. if I thought I had a chance to better myself where I was going I would go with a good will. Then it behoves me to tell your fortune.' your father said. or what was likely to become of me. 'Are ye sorry to leave Essendean?' said he. He is a steady lad. honest. 'if I knew where I was going. too. but then I have never been anywhere else. 'and a canny goer. and I doubt not he will come safe.' said I. and your father (the worthy. 'and it's where it befits that my boy should return. reputable house. 'as I am gone. Campbell.' says he. to speak truth. Davie. Davie. 'So soon. hath been done). after awhile. Christian man) began to sicken for his end. My father and mother. 'What had my poor father to do with the house of Shaws?' 'Nay. and. Your father. he gave me in charge a certain letter. peradventure in these latter days decayed. and the house is redd up and the gear disposed of' (all which. I shall be no nearer to in Essendean than in the Kingdom of Hungary. I would tell you candidly. and be well lived where he goes. sir. 'Very well.' 'Ay?' said Mr.com 11 . is the name you bear — Balfours of Shaws: an ancient.in silence. since they are both dead. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.
would you go?' 'Of a surety.was a man of learning as befitted his position. no man more plausibly conducted school. in his house of Shaws. the son of a poor country dominie in the Forest of Ettrick. A pretty lad like you should get to Cramond (which is near in by Edinburgh) in two days of walk. 'that would I. But I would rather hope that ye shall be well received. If the worst came to the worst. which was addressed in these words: 'To the hands of Ebenezer Balfour. Esquire. 'it lies near upon my 1 Kidnapped . 'and if you were in my shoes. Campbell of Minch. as your poor father forecast for you. here is the testamentary letter itself. all well-kenned gentlemen. and your high relations (as I cannot but suppose them to be somewhat of your blood) should put you to the door. Campbell. but (as ye will yourself remember) I took aye a pleasure to have him to the manse to meet the gentry. Lastly. these will be delivered by my son. ye can but walk the two days back again and risp at the manse door.' he resumed. Davie.' said the minister.' I stammered. to put all the elements of this affair before you. of Shaws. and others. nor had he the manner or the speech of a common dominie.' My heart was beating hard at this great prospect now suddenly opening before a lad of seventeen years of age. and those of my own house. Campbell of Dunswire. and without pause. Campbell of Kilrennet. laddie. David Balfour. and for anything that I ken come to be a great man in time.' He gave me the letter. 'Mr. had pleasure in his society. And here. superscrived by the own hand of our departed brother.
show yourself as nice. Dinnae shame us.' replied Mr. 'Be soople. and set you on the right guard against the dangers of the world. and urged upon me to be instant in my prayers and reading of the Bible. There. with all these domestics. Davie. upper and under. from the skirt pocket of his coat. I say no more: honour to whom honour. sir. 'Bear ye this in mind. I have here a little packet which contains four things. sate down upon it with a very long.' Here he cast about for a comfortable seat. as quick at the conception. as circumspect. It's a pleasure to obey a laird. he first put me on my guard against a considerable number of heresies. put his pocket-handkerchief over his cocked hat to shelter him. dinnae shame us! In yon great. and I'll promise you I'll try to make it so. lighted on a big boulder under a birch by the trackside. in things immaterial. heartily. and with some great difficulty. 'And now to come to the material. Campbell. 'it may be. and the sun now shining in upon us between two peaks. Davie. 'Of these four Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and as slow of speech as any. as he spoke. to the young. ye have had a country rearing. though gentle born. with uplifted forefinger.' said I. or should be. then. muckle house.conscience to improve this parting.' 'Well. that.com 1 . to which I had no temptation. he drew a picture of the great house that I was bound to. and how I should conduct myself with its inhabitants. very well said.' said he. As for the laird — remember he's the laird. That done. serious upper lip.' He tugged it. or (to make a quibble) to the immaterial.' 'Why.
The other three are gifties that Mrs. which is cubical. the first is your legal due: the little pickle money for your father's books and plenishing. it's my prayerful wish. and vanish like the morning. and my conscience smote me hard and fast. I watched him as long as he was in sight. among rich and respected gentlefolk of my own name and blood. then suddenly took me in his arms and embraced me very hard. and then whipped about.things. but I was in no mind to laugh.' I thought. nor once looked back. 'Davie. but. and prayed a little while aloud. 'was ever seen such black in1 Kidnapped . and he never stopped hurrying. for a young man setting out into the world. and go to a great. which is flat and square and written upon. will stand by you through life. into a better land. and in affecting terms. which is round. Campbell and myself would be blithe of your acceptance. it's but a drop of water in the sea. It might have been laughable to another. looking at me with his face all working with sorrow. then held me at arm's length. was overjoyed to get away out of that quiet country-side.' With that he got upon his feet. laddie. because I. that'll see you. set off backward by the way that we had come at a sort of jogging run. for my part. The first. and crying good-bye to me. will likely please ye best at the first off-go. like a good staff for the road. O Davie. it'll help you but a step. And as for the last. which I have bought (as I have explained from the first) in the design of re-selling at a profit to the incoming dominie. took off his hat. Then it came in upon my mind that this was all his sorrow at my departure. Davie. and a good pillow to your head in sickness. The second. busy house.
gratitude? Can you forget old favours and old friends at the mere whistle of a name? Fie. the trees about the manse. fie.—Take the flowers of lilly of the valley and distil them in sack.' And then. It is good against the Gout. That which he had called cubical. rub it in. then take it out. was a little piece of coarse yellow paper. That which he had called round. I took my last look of Kirk Essendean. it is good. and the big rowans in the Free eBooks at Planet eBook. It restores speech to those that have the dumb palsey. and you will find a liquor which comes from the flowers. I had never had much doubt of. and I was glad to get my bundle on my staff's end and set out over the ford and up the hill upon the farther side. put into a Glasse. to carry in a plaid-neuk. a great spooneful in the hour. and drink a spooneful or two as there is occasion. and the flowers.' To be sure. I found to be a shilling piece. was added: 'Likewise for sprains. and whether man or woman. but it was rather tremulous laughter.com 1 . which keep in a vial.' And I sat down on the boulder the good man had just left. till. sure enough it was a little Bible. ill or well. in the minister's own hand. and the third. and for the cholic. it comforts the heart and strengthens the memory. written upon thus in red ink: 'TO MAKE LILLY OF THE VALLEY WATER. which was to help me so wonderfully both in health and sickness all the days of my life. think shame. just as I came on the green drove-road running wide through the heather. and set into ane hill of ants for a month. I laughed over this. and opened the parcel to see the nature of my gifts. close stopt.
1 Kidnapped .kirkyard where my father and my mother lay.
on a long ridge. I came by a house where a shepherd lived. I could distinguish clearly. I beheld a regiment marching to the fifes. and got a rough direction for the neighbourhood of Cramond. There was a flag upon the castle. an old red-faced general on a grey horse at the one end. and at the other the company of Grenadiers. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. from one to another. the city of Edinburgh smoking like a kiln. to my great pleasure and wonder. The pride of life seemed to mount into my brain at the sight of the red coats and the hearing of that merry music. and ships moving or lying anchored in the firth. and in the midst of this descent. both of which. Presently after. with their Pope'shats. coming to the top of a hill. I saw all the country fall away before me down to the sea. till I came out upon the Glasgow road. and so. worked my way to the westward of the capital by Colinton.com 1 O . and both brought my country heart into my mouth.CHAPTER II I COME TO MY JOURNEY'S END n the forenoon of the second day. for as far away as they were. every foot in time. And there.
to be sure. and spying an honest fellow coming along a lane on the shaft of his cart. 'Well. 'it's nane 1 Kidnapped . in my country habit.' says he. mannie?' 'I was led to think that I would get a situation. But after two. and then. in so sharp a note that his very horse started.' 'What?' say I. and that all dusty from the road. looking as modest as I could. consorted ill with the greatness of the place to which I was bound. What'll like be your business.' he added. 'The house is a big.' I said. 'Doubtless. had given me the same look and the same answer. 'Are ye daft? There's nae folk there — to call folk. and I was told I was in Cramond parish. and began to substitute in my inquiries the name of the house of Shaws. 'Ay' said he. muckle house. if it's him you're wanting. 'not Mr. I began to take it in my head there was something strange about the Shaws itself. I changed the form of my inquiries. It was a word that seemed to surprise those of whom I sought my way.A little farther on. The better to set this fear at rest. 'there's the laird. I asked him if he had ever heard tell of a house they called the house of Shaws.' 'Ay. 'What for?' 'It's a great house?' I asked. 'What?' cries the carter. He stopped his cart and looked at me.' said I. mannie. or maybe three. 'but the folk that are in it?' 'Folk?' cried he. Ebenezer?' 'Ou. At first I thought the plainness of my appearance. ay' says the man. like the others.
Balfour of the Shaws. sour-looking woman coming trudging down a hill. whom I saw to be a barber on his rounds. that all the parish should start and stare to be asked the way to it? or what sort of a gentleman. the less I liked them. but ye seem a decent-spoken lad. acFree eBooks at Planet eBook. out of mere selfrespect. and he went on to his next customer no wiser than he came. and knowing well that barbers were great gossips. and if ye'll take a word from me. and returned to Mr. mere shame would not suffer me to desist till I had put the matter to the touch of proof.' The next person I came across was a dapper little man in a beautiful white wig. for they left the wider field to fancy. dark. and little as I liked the sound of what I heard. It was drawing on to sundown when I met a stout. to carry it through.' said the barber. The more indistinct the accusations were. nae kind of a man at all.of my affairs. But when I had come so far a way already. and she. I was bound. when I had put my usual question. 'nae kind of a man. hoot. that his ill-fame should be thus current on the wayside? If an hour's walking would have brought me back to Essendean. I still kept asking my way and still kept advancing. I cannot well describe the blow this dealt to my illusions.' and began to ask me very shrewdly what my business was. hoot. What kind of a great house was this. turned sharp about. I asked him plainly what sort of a man was Mr. and slow as I began to travel. had left my adventure then and there. 'Hoot.com 1 . but I was more than a match for him at that. Campbell's. ye'll keep clear of the Shaws.
and master. a fine flight of rooks in the sky. or bairn — black. blood stopped the building of it. See here!' she cried again — 'I spit upon the ground. nor was there any semblance of a garden. black be their fall!' And the woman. falling so pat. no road led up to it. whose voice had risen to a kind of eldritch sing-song. to arrest me ere I carried out my purpose. like a wayside omen. the fields dotted with sheep. I stood where she left me. took the pith out of my legs. The woman's face lit up with a malignant anger. the pleasanter that country-side appeared. 'That!' I cried. and was gone. tell him this makes the twelve hunner and nineteen time that Jennet Clouston has called down the curse on him and his house. and this one. The more I looked. I sat me down and stared at the house of Shaws. running in low hills. no smoke arose from any of the chimneys.companied me back to the summit she had just left. My heart sank. and the crops. wonderfully good. miss. wife. 'That is the house of Shaws!' she cried. being all set with hawthorn bushes full of flowers. guest. and pointed to a great bulk of building standing very bare upon a green in the bottom of the next valley. The country was pleasant round about. byre and stable. pleasantly watered and wooded. with my hair on end. turned with a skip. and crack my thumb at it! Black be its fall! If ye see the laird. to my eyes. In those days folk still believed in witches and trembled at a curse. 'Blood built it. and every sign of a kind soil and climate. but the house itself appeared to be a kind of ruin. man. tell him what ye hear. blood shall bring it down. and yet the barrack in the 0 Kidnapped .
which were very high up and narrow. but never finished. yet I saw no other. and some living inhabitant that must have lit it. a pair of hurdles were tied across with a straw rope. and cookery. It seemed like the one wing of a house that had never been finished. Presently it brought me to stone uprights. At last the sun went down.midst of it went sore against my fancy. as it seemed to me. It was very faint indeed to be the only way to a place of habitation. and as there were no park walls. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. the track that I was following passed on the right hand of the pillars. with an unroofed lodge beside them. than the smoke of a candle. but still there it was. and went wandering on toward the house. What should have been the inner end stood open on the upper floors. The night had begun to fall as I got close. and bats flew in and out like doves out of a dove-cote.com 1 . the drearier it appeared. and in three of the lower windows. and this comforted my heart. not much thicker. right up against the yellow sky. Country folk went by from the fields as I sat there on the side of the ditch. instead of gates of wrought iron. and showed against the sky with steps and stairs of uncompleted masonry. and then. and warmth. So I set forward by a little faint track in the grass that led in my direction. and coats of arms upon the top. The nearer I got to that. but I lacked the spirit to give them a good-e'en. A main entrance it was plainly meant to be. Many of the windows were unglazed. I saw a scroll of smoke go mounting. nor any sign of avenue. and meant a fire.
and jumping back and looking up. and a little dry. I was in two minds whether to run away. I knocked again. and the bell mouth of a blunderbuss. Ebenezer Kidnapped . a whole minute passed away. and giving ear as I came. The door. and I began instead to rain kicks and buffets on the door.' said a voice. and must have held his breath. the fire and the bright lights would show a mile away. and nothing stirred but the bats overhead. 'It's loaded. eager cough that came in fits. and the door open to a beggar's knock! I came forward cautiously. and hearkened again. was a great piece of wood all studded with nails. at one of the first-storey windows. but there was no sound of speech. 'I have come here with a letter. when I heard the cough right overhead. The house had fallen into a dead silence. that I could hear the ticking of the clock inside as it slowly counted out the seconds. beheld a man's head in a tall nightcap. in my father's house on Essen-Waterside. 'to Mr. and to shout out aloud for Mr.' I said. Balfour. By this time my ears had grown so accustomed to the quiet. the changing light of a little fire began to glimmer. heard some one rattling with dishes. but anger got the upper hand. but whoever was in that house kept deadly still. and not a dog barked. and knocked once. Was this the palace I had been coming to? Was it within these walls that I was to seek new friends and begin great fortunes? Why. and I lifted my hand with a faint heart under my jacket. I was in full career.and well barred. Then I stood and waited. as well as I could see it in the dim light.
man. 'Well. and with a curious change of voice. that the next question followed: 'Is your father dead?' I was so much surprised at this. and that'll be what brings ye chapping to my door. I repeated what I had said. 'I'll let ye in.' Another pause.' I cried. 'ye can put it down upon the doorstep.' At that.' said I. 'That is neither here nor there. and be off with ye. Balfour's hands. and it was after quite a long pause. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' 'I will do no such thing.' was the reply. that I could find no voice to answer. 'Ay' the man resumed. 'he'll be dead. 'I am not ashamed of my name. sharply. It is a letter of introduction.' and he disappeared from the window. I made sure the man started. as it was meant I should. for I was growing very wroth. 'Who are ye.' 'A what?' cried the voice. but stood staring. and then defiantly.' said I. 'I will deliver it into Mr. for I heard the blunderbuss rattle on the window-sill. after a considerable pause. 'They call me David Balfour. Is he here?' 'From whom is it?' asked the man with the blunderbuss. yourself?' was the next question.com . 'Well.' he said.Balfour of Shaws. no doubt.
Besides what I have named. He was a mean. and a cup of small beer.' said the voice. and showed me the barest room I think I ever put my eyes on. clay-faced creature. the man rejoined me. and the door was cautiously opened and shut to again behind me as soon as I had passed. stone-vaulted. Half-a-dozen dishes stood upon the shelves. I groped my way forward and entered the kitchen. narrow-shouldered. and while the person of the house set himself to replacing the defences of the door. stooping. a horn spoon. The fire had burned up fairly bright. As soon as the last chain was up. and his age might have been anything between Kidnapped .CHAPTER III I MAKE ACQUAINTANCE OF MY UNCLE P resently there came a great rattling of chains and bolts. empty chamber but lockfast chests arranged along the wall and a corner cupboard with a padlock. 'Go into the kitchen and touch naething. the table was laid for supper with a bowl of porridge. there was not another thing in that great.
His nightcap was of flannel. still keeping an eye upon me as he drank. but what most distressed and even daunted me. weariness. instead of coat and waistcoat. over his ragged shirt. I told him the letter was for Mr. What he was. So give us the letter. and little as ye seem to like either me or my house. 'Let's see the letter. my man.' If I had been some years younger. not for him.fifty and seventy. and then suddenly held out his hand. and you my born nephew.' He drank the cup about half out. 'I can do fine wanting it. neither black nor white.' said he. [1] Moistens. whether by trade or birth.com . 'for he was my born brother. I'm your born uncle. He was long unshaved. or my good parritch. Balfour. 'And who do ye think I am?' says he.' he returned. unprofitable serving-man. glancing at about the level of my knee. 'Are ye sharp-set?' he asked. Davie. was more than I could fathom.' 'You know my father's name?' 'It would be strange if I didnae. but Free eBooks at Planet eBook. he would neither take his eyes away from me nor look me fairly in the face. what with shame. but he seemed most like an old.' said he. 'Ye can eat that drop parritch?' I said I feared it was his own supper. who should have been left in charge of that big house upon board wages. I believe I had burst into tears. As it was. I could find no words. though. and sit down and fill your kyte. 'Give me Alexander's letter. 'O. for it slockens[1] my cough. I'll take the ale. and so was the nightgown that he wore. and disappointment.
' said I. 'No. 'but ye'll have had some hopes.' 'Hoot-toot!' said Uncle Ebenezer. which probably reminded him of hospitable duties. I did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life. and sat down to the porridge with as little appetite for meat as ever a young man had. Ay. Meanwhile. turned the letter over and over in his hands. my uncle.' said he. But I am no beggar. stooping over the fire. 'but what brought you here?' 'To give the letter. I could never do mair than pyke at food.' he continued.' He murmured a little grace to himself and fell to.' said I. 'that the seal has not been broken. 'when I was told that I had kinsfolk well-to-do. for his next speech ran thus: 'If ye're dry ye'll find water behind the door. 'Your father was very fond of his meat. if you're done with that bit parritch.' 'Ay. I look for no favours at your hands. 'You see for yourself. as soon as he had ousted me from the stool and spoon.handed him the letter. if not a great eater. sir.' Kidnapped . And. 'dinnae fly up in the snuff at me.' He took a pull at the small beer. and I want none that are not freely given. Davie. parritch. halesome food — they're grand food. nae doubt?' 'I confess. I have friends of my own that will be blithe to help me. my man. sir.' says he. he was a hearty.' said I. cunningly. I could just take a sup of it myself. I mind. 'Do ye ken what's in it?' he asked. We'll agree fine yet. suddenly. 'they're fine. For as poor as I appear. but as for me.
was more than I could read. however. 'Nor yet of Shaws. standing stiffly on my two feet. he seemed to be outgrowing that distaste. when he had ventured to look a little higher. Alexander — a secret.To this I returned no answer.' said I. 'Your father's been long dead?' he asked. or ill-will. but whether with himself. that he had conceived at first against my person. or me. on his part. continued to eat like a man under some pressure of time. 'A strange nature of a man!' For all that.' he continued. I dare say?' 'Not so much as the name.' 'Dear me. for presently he jumped up. sir. This set me in a muse. dear me!' said Ebenezer. till you told it me yourself. Once only. or with this conduct of my father's. it might pass off. and whether perhaps. 'To think o' that!' said he. He'll never have spoken muckle of me?' 'I never knew.' said I. and looking down upon my uncle with a mighty angry heart. sir. and to throw out little darting glances now at my shoes and now at my home-spun stockings. that he had any brother.com . our eyes met. came Free eBooks at Planet eBook. whether his timidity arose from too long a disuse of any human company. 'He was a secret man. he seemed singularly satisfied. Certainly. 'He never said muckle when he was young. silent man. 'Three weeks. upon a little trial. and no thief taken with a hand in a man's pocket could have shown more lively signals of distress. and my uncle change into an altogether different man. sir. He. From this I was awakened by his sharp voice.
And now come awa' to your bed. 'I cannae see the bed. or perhaps twenty. it must have been as Kidnapped . 'Hoot-toot. and lit by three fair windows. Davie. he lit no lamp or candle. and fell speedily asleep. furnished with fine embroidered furniture. as damp as a peat-hag. 'Lights in a house is a thing I dinnae agree with. my man. I lay down upon the floor under lee of the big bedstead. he pulled the door to.' To my surprise. The room was as cold as a well. Ten years ago. for that was my chamber. which he unlocked. sir. 'Hoot-toot!' said Uncle Ebenezer. I was close upon his heels. and begged a light to go to bed with. to find myself in a great chamber. hoot-toot!' said he. and pit-mirk.across the room behind me.' 'Neither moon nor star. and rolling myself in the latter. 'We'll agree fine yet!' he cried. but paused after a few steps. having stumbled after him as best I might. and hit me a smack upon the shoulder. when I had found my way to it. and the bed. Goodnight to ye. With the first peep of day I opened my eyes. and paused before a door. up a flight of steps.' And before I had time to add a further protest.' [2] Dark as the pit. but by good fortune I had caught up my bundle and my plaid. breathing deeply. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. I did as he bid. I'm unco feared of fires. and I heard him lock me in from the outside. hung with stamped leather.'[2] said I. 'there's a fine moon. and then he bade me go in. groped his way. 'I'm just as glad I let you in. but set forth into the dark passage.
but damp. were broken. The table was laid with two bowls and two horn spoons. 'Na. where he had lit the fire and was making the porridge. that I believe my uncle must at some time have stood a siege from his indignant neighbours — perhaps with Jennet Clouston at their head. to my great surprise. he poured an accurate half from one cup to the other. if my uncle was certainly a miser. besides. na. He carried me to the back of the house. and being very cold in that miserable room. I told him such was my habit. and indeed this was so common a feature in that house.pleasant a room to lie down or to awake in as a man could wish. There was a kind of nobleness in this that took my breath away.' said he. and told me to 'wash my face there. if I wanted. but the same single measure of small beer. where was a draw-well. Meanwhile the sun was shining outside.' He fetched another cup from the shelf. When we had made an end of our meal. he was one of that thorough breed that goes near to make the vice respectable. I made the best of my own way back to the kitchen. I knocked and shouted till my gaoler came and let me out. my uncle EbFree eBooks at Planet eBook. and perhaps my uncle observed it. instead of drawing more beer.' and when that was done. Many of the window-panes. asking me if I would like to drink ale — for so he called it. and the mice and spiders had done their worst since then. Perhaps my eye rested on this particular with some surprise. 'I'll deny you nothing in reason. for he spoke up as if in answer to my thought. disuse.com . dirt. but not to put himself about. and then.
and I mean to do the right by you. It 0 Kidnapped . and finding myself all alone with him. but I began to think my uncle made too light of my position. or maybe the army.' 'Uncle Ebenezer. and drew out of it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco. there was only one. I would have you to know that I have a pride of my own. I've a great notion of the family. no kind of word to onybody. though. He seemed to turn this over in his mind. and he shot out one of his questions. but while I'm taking a bit think to mysel' of what's the best thing to put you to — whether the law.' said I. 'And your mother?' and when I had told him that she. after another long pause. nae messages. whilk is what boys are fondest of — I wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled before a wheen Hieland Campbells. that had ever taken the least note of me. indeed. and I'll ask you to keep your tongue within your teeth. she was a bonnie lassie!' Then. from which he cut one fill before he locked it up again. From time to time his eyes came coasting round to me. was dead. and then. 'I've no manner of reason to suppose you mean anything but well by me. or the meenistry.enezer unlocked a drawer. too. Once it was. and that the minister.' said he. or else — there's my door. 'Ay. 'Whae were these friends o' yours?' I told him they were different gentlemen of the name of Campbell. For all that. Nae letters. Then he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked. 'Davie. I did not wish him to suppose me helpless. my man. 'ye've come to the right bit when ye came to your uncle Ebenezer.
com 1 . but just you give me a day or two. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. If you want to help me. and what's yours is mine. man — ca' cannie! Bide a day or two. David. 'ca' cannie. and I began next to say that I must have the bed and bedclothes aired and put to sun-dry. 'Is this my house or yours?' said he.was by no will of mine that I came seeking you. na.' said he.' And then on he rambled about the family. and say naething to naebody. and then all of a sudden broke off. and himself that stopped the building as a sinful waste. 'I didnae mean that.' He seemed grievously put out. and his father that began to enlarge the house. 'Hoots-toots. and this put it in my head to give him Jennet Clouston's message. in his keen voice. to find a fortune for you in the bottom of a parritch bowl. Blood's thicker than water. Davie. there's no doubt but I'll be glad of it.' [3] Sold up.' 'Very well. and if you show me your door again. What's mine is yours. and its ancient greatness. for nothing would make me sleep in such a pickle. my man.' It seemed to me (too soon.' said he. and as sure as sure. I'll have her roasted on red peats before I'm by with it! A witch — a proclaimed witch! I'll aff and see the session clerk. and none but I'll be grateful. 'The limmer!' he cried. 'enough said. 'Twelve hunner and fifteen — that's every day since I had the limmer rowpit![3] Dod. I dare say) that I was getting the upper hand of my uncle. I'm nae warlock. and there's naebody but you and me that ought the name. 'Na. I'll take you at the word. I'll do the right by you.' said I.
I'll no go. I had in the world ten times over. I was brought up to have a good conceit of myself. that's all that's to be said of it. and if you were all the uncle.' Uncle Ebenezer went and looked out of the window for awhile. when a thought arrested him. looking wickedly at a corner of the floor — 'this is no the way to win my favour. both without lace. David.' said he. These he threw on any way. I wouldn't buy your liking at such prices.' 'Uncle Ebenezer. and as for me. and was for setting out.' said he. you hate to have me in this house. like a man with palsy. and all the family. 'Well. he had a smile upon his face. 'we must bear and forbear. every word and every minute: it's not possible that you can like me. 'I can make nothing out of this.' The blood came to my face. well. I do not value your favour at a boddle's purchase. I could see him all trembling and twitching.And with that he opened a chest.' 'Sir.' He turned very pale. 'If you lock me out. You use me like a thief. 'This is no the way' he said. 'I cannae leave you by yoursel' in the house. and got out a very old and well-preserved blue coat and waistcoat.' I said.' I said. locked all up again. and taking a staff from the cupboard. 'it'll be the last you'll see of me in friendship.' says I. 'I'll have to lock you out. 'with a proper reverence for your age and our common blood. and a good enough beaver hat. you let me see it. I've spoken to you Kidnapped . and sucked his mouth in. But when he turned round.
na.' 'Well. Why do you seek to keep me.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and ye'll find that we agree. just you bide here quiet a bittie. and for the honour of the house I couldnae let you leave the way ye came.' he said. 'I'll stay awhile. very earnestly.com . we'll agree fine yet. and if we don't agree. there's a good lad. after I had thought the matter out in silence.' said I. 'I like you fine. I'll do my best it shall be through no fault of mine. and that like me!' 'Na.as I never thought to speak to any man. It's more just I should be helped by my own blood than strangers. sir. then? Let me gang back — let me gang back to the friends I have. na. Bide here quiet. na.
We had the porridge cold again at noon. I found a great number of books. shooting a question at me after a long silence. and nothing but the sight of my uncle. porridge and small beer was my uncle's diet. where he suffered me to go. revived the force of my distrust. and that in the same way as before. that I began to be almost reconciled to my residence at Shaws. This was an entry on the fly-leaf of a chap-book (one of Patrick Walker's) plainly written by my father's hand and thus conceived: 'To my brother Ebenezer on his fifth birthday' Now. and his eyes playing hide and seek with mine. He spoke but little. In a room next door to the kitchen.CHAPTER IV I RUN A GREAT DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF SHAWS F or a day that was begun so ill. slipped out of it again. both Latin and English. Indeed. in which I took great pleasure all the afternoon. what puzzled me was this: That. and hot porridge at night. One thing I discovered. the time passed so lightly in this good company. which put me in some doubt. and when I sought to lead him to talk about my future. the day passed fairly well. as my father was of Kidnapped .
and he caught me by the breast of the jacket. clear manly hand of writing. 'ye should-nae speak to me about your father. the first thing I said to Uncle Ebenezer was to ask him if my father had not been very quick at his book. but though I took down many interesting authors. but Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and not easily frightened. I was a clever chappie when I was young. and when at length I went back into the kitchen. David. I could read as soon as he could.' He sat awhile and shook.' My uncle seemed to make a great effort upon himself. an excellent. and story-book.course the younger brother. for I was far stronger than he. and bright like a bird's. This is no way to behave. and a thought coming into my head.' This puzzled me yet more. 'What do you mean?' I asked. blinking and winking strangely. I tried to get this out of my head.' he said. very calmly. history. before he was yet five. He jumped upon his stool. 'I was far quicker mysel'. 'Alexander? No him!' was the reply. he must either have made some strange error. 'Take your hand from my jacket. and then he caught up his spoon and fell to supper again. and sat down once more to porridge and small beer. old and new. 'Dod man. That's where the mistake is. poetry. and the horn spoon fell out of his hand upon the floor. and looked this time straight into my eyes: his own were little and light. but with no heart in his voice. or he must have written.' he added. I asked if he and my father had been twins. blinking in his plate: 'He was all the brother that ever I had. Why. 'What gars ye ask that?' he said. this notion of my father's hand of writing stuck to me.com .
'Davie. and said it again. each stealthily observing the other. he got out a single pipeful of tobacco.' he continued. to his door. I began to think my uncle was perhaps insane and might be dangerous. and sat awhile smoking. unless in his heart he had some cause to fear him? With this notion. on the other. 'There's a wee bit siller that I half promised ye before ye were born. but was busy turning something secretly over in his mind. I now began to imitate his covert looks. so that we sat at table like a cat and a mouse. 'I've been thinking. 'promised it to your father. just gen Kidnapped . almost a beggar. with his back to me. On the one hand. but nevertheless getting firmly settled in my head. there came up into my mind (quite unbidden by me and even discouraged) a story like some ballad I had heard folk singing.' he said.' then he paused. For why should my uncle play a part with a relative that came. at length. When he had cleared the platter. ye understand. all unacknowledged. O. went so clean beyond my comprehension that it put me into both fear and hope.still shaking. just as in the morning. of a poor lad that was a rightful heir and a wicked kinsman that tried to keep him from his own. naething legal. turned round a stool into the chimney corner. Not another word had he to say to me. black or white. the more certain I became that the something was unfriendly to myself. Now this last passage. and the longer we sat and the more I looked at him. this laying of hands upon my person and sudden profession of love for my dead father.
the difference made by this second thought was considerable.' I did his will. I said to myself there was something thundery and changeful in the weather. and as I stood just outside the door. but his heart failed him Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I'll get it out to ye and call ye in again. think again. Well. invented with some end which it puzzled me to guess. I could see. almost with a scream.com . I believe!' 'That's what I said. the rest was in his hand. I heard a hollow moaning of wind far off among the hills. besides. and little knew of what a vast importance that should prove to me before the evening passed. but a promise is a promise — and it has grown by now to be a matter of just precisely — just exactly' — and here he paused and stumbled — 'of just exactly forty pounds!' This last he rapped out with a sidelong glance over his shoulder. It was a dark night.' returned my uncle: 'pounds sterling! And if you'll step out-by to the door a minute. 'Scots!' The pound Scots being the same thing as an English shilling. that the whole story was a lie. just to see what kind of a night it is. and the next moment added.tlemen daffing at their wine. and I made no attempt to conceal the tone of raillery in which I answered — 'O. sir! Pounds sterling. smiling to myself in my contempt that he should think I was so easily to be deceived. When I was called in again. I keepit that bit money separate — it was a great expense. in small gold and silver. with a few stars low down. my uncle counted out into my hand seven and thirty golden guinea pieces.
'And see here. 'No a word!' said he. looking for some monstrous demand. I'm no saying that everybody would have. as I thought) that he was growing old and a little broken. I answered. and he crammed the change into his pocket. but all the while I was wondering what would come next. 'There.' says he.there. and there's the proof of it. and then waited.' said he. 'there's the key of the stair-tower Kidnapped . a baby would have refused it. Presently he looked towards me sideways. and could find no words in which to thank him. and that he would expect me to help him with the house and the bit garden. when at last he plucked up courage to speak.' Now. 'let's begin. too) it's a pleasure to me to do the right by my brother's son. it was only to tell me (very properly. and expressed my readiness to serve. done it. 'Well. 'There. but for my part (though I'm a careful body. but my word is my bond. for as to the reason he had given. I do my duty. and strange wi' strangers.' He pulled out of his pocket a rusty key.' I told him I was ready to prove my gratitude in any reasonable degree. I want nae thanks.' he said. and it's a pleasure to me to think that now we'll agree as such near friends should.' says he. 'tit for tat. 'that'll show you! I'm a queer man.' I spoke him in return as handsomely as I was able. 'Nae thanks. And yet. and why he had parted with his precious guineas. my uncle seemed so miserly that I was struck dumb by this sudden generosity.
' 'Very well. was of fine hewn stone. it seemed a body could scarce breathe. by the touch. and regular and solid underfoot.' Out I went into the night. 'there's nae bannisters. 'Keep to the wall.' said I. sir. 'Na. I had to put my hand over my eyes to get back to the colour of the darkness. though never a breath of it came near the house of Shaws.' he added. It had fallen blacker than ever. and presently struck the wall with the one. very cunningly. Ye can only win into it from the outside.com . and indeed I was already half blinded when I stepped into the tower.at the far end of the house. 'Nae lights in my house. sir?' said I. Minding my uncle's word about the bannisters. I had got the key into the keyhole and had just turned it.' he added. till I came the length of the stairtower door at the far end of the unfinished wing. 'Can I have a light. and bring me down the chest that's at the top. There's papers in't. though somewhat steep and narrow. as I was going. and I was glad to feel along the wall. But the stairs are grand underfoot.' said he. The wind was still moaning in the distance. Gang ye in there. and up the stairs. the whole sky lighted up with wild fire and went black again. the steps too. without sound of wind or thunder. It was so dark inside. but I pushed out with foot and hand. The wall. for that part of the house is no finished. and felt my way in the pitch Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I kept close to the tower side. 'Are the stairs good?' 'They're grand. and then. when all upon a sudden. and the lowermost round of the stair with the other. were of polished masonwork.' said he.
flying downwards. The house of Shaws stood some five full storeys high. a gust of a kind of angry courage came into my heart. sometimes beat about my face and body. This was the grand stair! I thought. for my ears were now troubled and my mind confounded by a great stir of bats in the top part of the tower. and I was wondering what might be the cause of this change. got me down upon my hands and knees. and as slowly as a snail. I should have said. it was because fear had me by the throat.darkness with a beating heart. by contrast with the flash. and with the thought. If I did not cry out. as I advanced. was square. so that I seemed to be clambering aloft upon an open scaffold. feeling before me every inch. Well. certainly to run great risks. The tower. not counting lofts. It was not only that the flash shone in on every side through breaches in the wall. it was more by Heaven's mercy than my own strength. and that one of my feet rested that moment within two inches of the well. I swore I would settle that 'perhaps. nor was that all. and in every corner the step was made of a great stone of a different shape to join the flights. My uncle had sent me here. Well. appeared to have redoubled. it seemed to me the stair grew airier and a thought more lightsome. but the same passing brightness showed me the steps were of unequal length. perhaps to die. and testing the solidity of every stone. I continued to ascend the stair. when a second blink of the summer lightning came and went. The darkness. and the foul beasts. I had come close to one of these 0 Kidnapped . and if I did not fall.' if I should break my neck for it.
the wind sprang up in a clap and shook the tower. and I thought I could see a figure standing in the rain. the rain followed. and the dreadful height I might have fallen from. stood and watched him. coming unheard into the kitchen. when. thanks to the lightning and my own precautions. But I knew what I wanted now. at least. whether my uncle thought the crash to be the sound of my fall. which showed me my uncle plainly. Certain it is. to set a stranger mounting it in the darkness was to send him straight to his death. and. just where I had fancied him to stand. and shed a little glimmer of light. and that he ran into the house and left the door open behind him. feeling forward as usual. with a wonderful anger in my heart. And then there came a blinding flash. or whether he heard in it God's voice denouncing murder. The stair had been carried no higher. and died again. and turned and groped my way down again. and hard upon the heels of it. and before I had reached the ground level it fell in buckets. I will leave you to guess. which I had shut behind me when I left.turns. brought out the sweat upon my body and relaxed my joints. like a man hearkening. my hand slipped upon an edge and found nothing but emptiness beyond it. I put out my head into the storm. I was safe enough) the mere thought of the peril in which I might have stood. The door. About half-way down. and looked along towards the kitchen. a great tow-row of thunder. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. now stood open. I followed as softly as I could. and (although. that he was seized on by a kind of panic fear. Now.com 1 . quite still.
and tumbled to the floor like a dead man. his face had a strange colour of blue. but I had myself to look to first of all. I concealed inside my waistcoat. and did not hesitate to let him lie as he had fallen. and a few necessaries that were nothing to my purpose. in the third. with one knee up and one arm sprawling abroad. then. The first was full of meal. Fear Kidnapped . My uncle gave a kind of broken cry like a sheep's bleat. flung up his arms. Ever and again he would be seized with a fit of deadly shuddering and groan aloud. and it was my design to furnish myself with arms before my uncle should come again to his senses and the power of devising evil. Thence I turned to the chests. drink down the raw spirits by the mouthful. I was somewhat shocked at this. came close behind him where he sat. all huddled.He had found time to open the corner cupboard and bring out a great case bottle of aqua vitae. I stepped forward. and he seemed to have ceased breathing. and carrying the bottle to his lips. and now sat with his back towards me at the table. He lay as he had fallen. The keys were hanging in the cupboard. some apparently of medicine. In the cupboard were a few bottles. ugly-looking Highland dirk without the scabbard. and turned to my uncle. a great many bills and other papers. the second of moneybags and papers tied into sheaves. This. and suddenly clapping my two hands down upon his shoulders — 'Ah!' cried I. had I had the time. with many other things (and these for the most part clothes) I found a rusty. which I should willingly enough have rummaged.
'as sure as death I will. 'I'll tell ye the morn. and with that he seemed to come a little to himself. I ran to the cupboard. 'I have a trouble. 'O man. why he had given me money to which I was convinced I had no claim. found there a blue phial of medicine. but I was full besides of righteous anger. 'Small thanks to you!' He had begun to seek for his breath with deep sighs. and there came into his eyes a terror that was not of this world.came on me that he was dead. 'It's the trouble. last of all.' said I. why he had tried to kill me. 'Come. At last he looked up and saw me. It is true I felt some pity for a man that looked so sick. then I got water and dashed it in his face. He heard me all through in silence. 'The blue phial. working his mouth and fluttering his eyelids.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. are ye alive?' 'That am I. why he feared that I should leave him.' I set him on a chair and looked at him. come.' 'Are ye alive?' he sobbed.' said he. in a broken voice. and. begged me to let him go to bed. and then.' said he — 'in the aumry — the blue phial. and.' he said.' said I. sure enough.' His breath came slower still. reviving a little. It's the heart. and I numbered over before him the points on which I wanted explanation: why he lied to me at every word. and this I administered to him with what speed I might. Davie. with the dose written on it on a paper. 'sit up. why he disliked it to be hinted that he and my father were twins — 'Is that because it is true?' I asked.com .
and pocketed the. lay down upon the chests and fell asleep. and then returning to the kitchen. however. I locked him into his room.And so weak was he that I could do nothing but consent. made up such a blaze as had not shone there for many a long year. Kidnapped . and wrapping myself in my plaid. key.
driving scattered clouds. I had a great opinion of my shrewdness. and he would leave no stone unturned that he might compass my destruction. I sat there nursing my knee and smiling at the fire. and began gravely to consider my position. There was now no doubt about my uncle's enmity. For all that. But I was young and spirited. and drive him like a herd of sheep. I sat down once more beside the fire. and had a plunge in a deep whirling pool. I had come to his door no better than a beggar and little more than a child. it would be a fine consummation to take the upper hand.CHAPTER V I GO TO THE QUEEN'S FERRY M uch rain fell in the night.com . and like most lads that have been country-bred. he had met me with treachery and violence. which I replenished. All aglow from my bath. and Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and before the sun began to peep or the last of the stars had vanished. there was no doubt I carried my life in my hand. I made my way to the side of the burn. and the next morning there blew a bitter wintry wind out of the north-west.
'have you nothing more to say to me?' And then. never a big bludgeon for my silly head. I went up-stairs and gave my prisoner his liberty. had made a mirror in which men could read the future. they say. I took you for a good man. with a jeering tone. and that he liked a bit of fun. I saw by his face that he had no lie ready for me. as it might have been the day before. never a seaman with a hairy cap. when we were interrupted by a knocking at the door. it must have been of other stuff than burning coal. Kidnapped . all swollen with conceit. and to attempt my life—' He murmured something about a jest. and assured me he would make all clear as soon as we had breakfasted.' I continued. The warlock of Essendean. with no more mother-wit or courage than a porridge-stick. there was never a ship. or the least sign of all those tribulations that were ripe to fall on me. Bidding my uncle sit where he was. to understand each other. changed his tone. 'You took me for a country Johnnie Raw. to cheat me. I think. 'It will be time. It seems we were both wrong. sir. seeing me smile. and then. What cause you have to fear me. 'Well. I went to open it. from the heights of my sufficiency.I saw myself in fancy smell out his secrets one after another. for in all the shapes and pictures that I sat and gazed at. or no worse than others at the least.' said I. though he was hard at work preparing one. Soon we were set to breakfast. Presently. smiling down upon him. and grow to be that man's king and ruler. He gave me good-morning civilly. and I gave the same to him. as he made no articulate reply. and I think I was about to tell him so.
'if you have no business at all. which I think the poor soul considered manly.' he added. 'And I say.' said I.' 'Stay.' 'Well. and then began to sing: 'For it's my delight. brother!' he cried. mate?' says he. and making many faces. Meanwhile.' said I. 'I'm mortal hungry. of a shiny night. 'What cheer.and found on the doorstep a half-grown boy in sea-clothes. 'come into the house. I asked him soberly to name his pleasure. with a cracked voice. that was highly pathetic and consisted ill with this gaiety of manner. then. suddenly. He had no sooner seen me than he began to dance some steps of the sea-hornpipe (which I had never before heard of far less seen). mate. Belflower. and there was something in his face. he was blue with the cold. I will even be so unmannerly as to shut you out. In the season of the year. pleasure!' says he.' 'Well.' With that I brought him in and set him down to my own place. 'O.' He showed me a letter as he spoke. 'Have you no fun about you? or do you want to get me thrashed? I've brought a letter from old Heasyoasy to Mr. winking to me between whiles. and you shall have a bite if I go empty for it. where he fell-to greedily on the remains of breakfast. he got to his feet with a great air of liveliness. a look between tears and laughter. For all that.com . snapping his fingers in the air and footing it right cleverly. and pulled Free eBooks at Planet eBook. my uncle had read the letter and sat thinking.
. Here it is. and put the letter in my hand. I was going to some place of Kidnapped . 'ELIAS HOSEASON. ye would be swier[5] to believe me upon my naked word. — I lie here with my hawser up and down.' said he. 'I have a venture with this man Hoseason. at the Queen's Ferry.[4] Mr. as per margin. if not speedily redd up. as soon as he saw that I had done. or maybe on board the Covenant if there was papers to be signed. forby: highly respeckit.' [5] Unwilling. I have drawn a bill upon you. If you have any further commands for over-seas. but ye'll believe Rankeillor. sir. Now. I stood awhile and thought. humble servant. 'You see. if you and me was to walk over with yon lad. we can jog on to the lawyer. to-day will be the last occasion. the Covenant. After a' that's come and gone. of Dysart. as the wind will serve us well out of the firth. 'Read that. and so far from a loss of time. I could see the captain at the Hawes. lying before me as I write: 'The Hawes Inn. of which. and he kenned your father. Davie.' [4] Agent. Rankeillor. and am. Rankeillor's. the captain of a trading brig. He's factor to half the gentry in these parts. you may looke to see some losses follow.me apart into the farthest corner of the room. and send my cabin-boy to informe. your most obedt. I will not seek to deny that I have had crosses with your doer. 'Sir. an auld man. Mr.' resumed my uncle.
shipping, which was doubtless populous, and where my uncle durst attempt no violence, and, indeed, even the society of the cabin-boy so far protected me. Once there, I believed I could force on the visit to the lawyer, even if my uncle were now insincere in proposing it; and, perhaps, in the bottom of my heart, I wished a nearer view of the sea and ships. You are to remember I had lived all my life in the inland hills, and just two days before had my first sight of the firth lying like a blue floor, and the sailed ships moving on the face of it, no bigger than toys. One thing with another, I made up my mind. 'Very well,' says I, 'let us go to the Ferry.' My uncle got into his hat and coat, and buckled an old rusty cutlass on; and then we trod the fire out, locked the door, and set forth upon our walk. The wind, being in that cold quarter the north-west, blew nearly in our faces as we went. It was the month of June; the grass was all white with daisies, and the trees with blossom; but, to judge by our blue nails and aching wrists, the time might have been winter and the whiteness a December frost. Uncle Ebenezer trudged in the ditch, jogging from side to side like an old ploughman coming home from work. He never said a word the whole way; and I was thrown for talk on the cabin-boy. He told me his name was Ransome, and that he had followed the sea since he was nine, but could not say how old he was, as he had lost his reckoning. He showed me tattoo marks, baring his breast in the teeth of the wind and in spite of my remonstrances, for I thought
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it was enough to kill him; he swore horribly whenever he remembered, but more like a silly schoolboy than a man; and boasted of many wild and bad things that he had done: stealthy thefts, false accusations, ay, and even murder; but all with such a dearth of likelihood in the details, and such a weak and crazy swagger in the delivery, as disposed me rather to pity than to believe him. I asked him of the brig (which he declared was the finest ship that sailed) and of Captain Hoseason, in whose praises he was equally loud. Heasyoasy (for so he still named the skipper) was a man, by his account, that minded for nothing either in heaven or earth; one that, as people said, would 'crack on all sail into the day of judgment;' rough, fierce, unscrupulous, and brutal; and all this my poor cabin-boy had taught himself to admire as something seamanlike and manly. He would only admit one flaw in his idol. 'He ain't no seaman,' he admitted. 'That's Mr. Shuan that navigates the brig; he's the finest seaman in the trade, only for drink; and I tell you I believe it! Why, look'ere;' and turning down his stocking he showed me a great, raw, red wound that made my blood run cold. 'He done that — Mr. Shuan done it,' he said, with an air of pride. 'What!' I cried, 'do you take such savage usage at his hands? Why, you are no slave, to be so handled!' 'No,' said the poor moon-calf, changing his tune at once, 'and so he'll find. See'ere;' and he showed me a great caseknife, which he told me was stolen. 'O,' says he, 'let me see him, try; I dare him to; I'll do for him! O, he ain't the first!' And he confirmed it with a poor, silly, ugly oath.
0 Kidnapped
I have never felt such pity for any one in this wide world as I felt for that half-witted creature, and it began to come over me that the brig Covenant (for all her pious name) was little better than a hell upon the seas. 'Have you no friends?' said I. He said he had a father in some English seaport, I forget which. 'He was a fine man, too,' he said, 'but he's dead.' 'In Heaven's name,' cried I, 'can you find no reputable life on shore?' 'O, no,' says he, winking and looking very sly, 'they would put me to a trade. I know a trick worth two of that, I do!' I asked him what trade could be so dreadful as the one he followed, where he ran the continual peril of his life, not alone from wind and sea, but by the horrid cruelty of those who were his masters. He said it was very true; and then began to praise the life, and tell what a pleasure it was to get on shore with money in his pocket, and spend it like a man, and buy apples, and swagger, and surprise what he called stick-in-the-mud boys. 'And then it's not all as bad as that,' says he; 'there's worse off than me: there's the twenty-pounders. O, laws! you should see them taking on. Why, I've seen a man as old as you, I dessay' — (to him I seemed old)— 'ah, and he had a beard, too — well, and as soon as we cleared out of the river, and he had the drug out of his head — my! how he cried and carried on! I made a fine fool of him, I tell you! And then there's little uns, too: oh, little by me! I tell you, I keep them in order. When we carry little uns, I have a rope's end of my own to wollop'em.' And so
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he ran on, until it came in on me what he meant by twenty-pounders were those unhappy criminals who were sent over-seas to slavery in North America, or the still more unhappy innocents who were kidnapped or trepanned (as the word went) for private interest or vengeance. Just then we came to the top of the hill, and looked down on the Ferry and the Hope. The Firth of Forth (as is very well known) narrows at this point to the width of a goodsized river, which makes a convenient ferry going north, and turns the upper reach into a landlocked haven for all manner of ships. Right in the midst of the narrows lies an islet with some ruins; on the south shore they have built a pier for the service of the Ferry; and at the end of the pier, on the other side of the road, and backed against a pretty garden of holly-trees and hawthorns, I could see the building which they called the Hawes Inn. The town of Queensferry lies farther west, and the neighbourhood of the inn looked pretty lonely at that time of day, for the boat had just gone north with passengers. A skiff, however, lay beside the pier, with some seamen sleeping on the thwarts; this, as Ransome told me, was the brig's boat waiting for the captain; and about half a mile off, and all alone in the anchorage, he showed me the Covenant herself. There was a sea-going bustle on board; yards were swinging into place; and as the wind blew from that quarter, I could hear the song of the sailors as they pulled upon the ropes. After all I had listened to upon the way, I looked at that ship with an extreme abhorrence; and from the bottom of my heart I pitied all poor souls that were condemned to
sail in her. We had all three pulled up on the brow of the hill; and now I marched across the road and addressed my uncle. 'I think it right to tell you, sir.' says I, 'there's nothing that will bring me on board that Covenant.' He seemed to waken from a dream. 'Eh?' he said. 'What's that?' I told him over again. 'Well, well,' he said, 'we'll have to please ye, I suppose. But what are we standing here for? It's perishing cold; and if I'm no mistaken, they're busking the Covenant for sea.'
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offered his large hand to Ebenezer.CHAPTER VI WHAT BEFELL AT THE QUEEN'S FERRY A s soon as we came to the inn. Balfour. Mr. sober-looking man sat writing. Mr.' returned my uncle. or more studious and self-possessed. 'I'm a Kidnapped . buttoned to the neck. a tall. in a fine deep voice. and a tall hairy cap drawn down over his ears. yet I never saw any man. In spite of the heat of the room.' said the skipper. At a table hard by the chimney. 'I am proud to see you. dark. we'll see the old coal-bucket burning on the Isle of May before to-night.' said he. than this ship-captain. Ransome led us up the stair to a small room. he wore a thick sea-jacket. 'you keep your room unco hot.' 'Captain Hoseason. and coming forward. with a bed in it. The wind's fair. Balfour. not even a judge upon the bench. He got to his feet at once. look cooler. and the tide upon the turn. 'and glad that ye are here in time.' 'It's a habit I have. and heated like an oven by a great fire of coal.
'we must all be the way we're made. I have a cold blood.' 'Well. it's the same with most men that have been carbonadoed. besides. I looked. at the seamen with the skiff — big brown fellows. as they call it.' replied my uncle. will warm up what they call the temperature. which hung upon the yards in clusters. too. some in shirts. nor flannel — no. one with a brace Free eBooks at Planet eBook. in the tropic seas. sir. Sir.com . that when he told me to 'run down-stairs and play myself awhile. some with coloured handkerchiefs about their throats. some with jackets. some brown and long. beat upon the shore.' I was fool enough to take him at his word. the Covenant. therefore. sir. For though I had promised myself not to let my kinsman out of sight. There's neither fur. But the weeds were new to me — some green. nor hot rum. the smell of the sea-water was exceedingly salt and stirring. well.' But it chanced that this fancy of the captain's had a great share in my misfortunes. and so sickened by the closeness of the room. only little wavelets.cold-rife man by my nature. Away I went. and the spirit of all that I beheld put me in thoughts of far voyages and foreign places. captain. and crossing the road in front of the inn. was beginning to shake out her sails. leaving the two men sitting down to a bottle and a great mass of papers. With the wind in that quarter. walked down upon the beach. and some with little bladders that crackled between my fingers. I was both so impatient for a nearer look of the sea. Even so far up the firth. not much bigger than I had seen upon a lake.
when I called him back to ask if he knew Mr. 'and a very honest man. 'Ye'll be no friend of his?' he asked. This threw me back on Ransome. as was much the custom in those days.of pistols stuck into his pockets. two or three with knotty bludgeons. I passed the time of day with one that looked less desperate than his fellows. He mopped and mowed at me. but he was glad to get the ale.' says he. and all with their case-knives. but he was far too great a man to sit with such poor customers as Ransome and myself. I offered him a share. none.' says he. ay. 'I thought not. that I would be no relative. crying for a bowl of punch. O. I told him I would give him no such thing. and welcome. 'and yet ye have a kind of gliff[6] Kidnapped . and expressed his gladness to be out of a port where there were no taverns and fiddlers. in the Scottish way. for all that. for neither he nor I was of an age for such indulgences. I might do well to make a friend of him. by-theby. And. and called me names. and asked him of the sailing of the brig. meaning. 'was it you that came in with Ebenezer?' And when I had told him yes. and both eating and drinking with a good appetite. I told him no. Rankeillor.' said I. 'Hoot. and he was leaving the room. as the landlord was a man of that county. that I made haste to get away from him. but all with such horrifying oaths. and presently we were set down at a table in the front room of the inn. and who soon came out of the inn and ran to me. He said they would get under way as soon as the ebb set. 'But a glass of ale you may have. Here it occurred to me that.' said he. who seemed the least wicked of that gang.
' said he. as he had been impatient to do from the beginning. And yet he was ance a fine young fellow. 'Did ye never hear that?' 'And what would he kill him for?' said I. and I sat stunned with my good fortune. But that was before the sough[8] gaed abroad about Mr.' said the landlord. 'What else would he have killed him for?' And with that he went away. Alexander. Of course.' said he.of Mr. 'He's a wicked auld man. 'Ou.' said the landlord. 'The place?' said I. another to know.' said the landlord. 'Ay.' [7]Rope. and there's many would like to see him girning in the tow[7]. I had guessed it a long while ago.com . that was like the death of him. 'Nae doubt. I said it seemed that Ebenezer was ill-seen in the country. 'Is that so? Was my — was Alexander the eldest son?' 'Deed was he. man?' said I. [8]Report. 'And what for. and Free eBooks at Planet eBook. too. but it is one thing to guess. Alexander. but just to get the place. 'And what was it?' I asked. and could scarce grow to believe that the same poor lad who had trudged in the dust from Ettrick Forest not two days ago. just that he had killed him. was now one of the rich of the earth. 'The Shaws?' 'Nae other place that I ken. Jennet Clouston and mony mair that he has harried out of house and hame.' [6]Look.
had a house and broad lands. I like your looks. and drink a bowl with me. but carrying his fine. and still with the same sober. I wish I was for longer here.' said he. And presently he came marching back towards the house. as I sat staring before me out of the inn window. 'Sir. and paying no heed to what I saw. and found the pair in the road together. 'Mr.' Now. he was neither so good as I supposed him. I wondered if it was possible that Ransome's stories could be true. I heard my uncle calling me. All these pleasant things. they fitted so ill with the man's looks. and I told him my uncle and I had an appointment with a lawyer. that we might make the better friends. and speaking with some authority. only I remember that my eye lighted on Captain Hoseason down on the pier among his seamen. Balfour tells me great things of you. and for my own part. and half disbelieved them. with no mark of a sailor's clumsiness. But indeed. Kidnapped . and left the better one behind as soon as he set foot on board his vessel. and might mount his horse tomorrow. for. The next thing. It was the captain who addressed me. and a thousand others. in fact. nor quite so bad as Ransome did. but we'll make the most of what we have. he was two men. but I was not going to put myself in jeopardy. I longed to see the inside of a ship more than words can tell. crowded into my mind. tall figure with a manly bearing. Ye shall come on board my brig for half an hour. till the ebb sets. and that with an air (very flattering to a young lad) of grave equality. grave expression on his face.
'Ay, ay,' said he, 'he passed me word of that. But, ye see, the boat'll set ye ashore at the town pier, and that's but a penny stonecast from Rankeillor's house.' And here he suddenly leaned down and whispered in my ear: 'Take care of the old tod;[9] he means mischief. Come aboard till I can get a word with ye.' And then, passing his arm through mine, he continued aloud, as he set off towards his boat: 'But, come, what can I bring ye from the Carolinas? Any friend of Mr. Balfour's can command. A roll of tobacco? Indian feather-work? a skin of a wild beast? a stone pipe? the mocking-bird that mews for all the world like a cat? the cardinal bird that is as red as blood? — take your pick and say your pleasure.' [9] Fox. By this time we were at the boat-side, and he was handing me in. I did not dream of hanging back; I thought (the poor fool!) that I had found a good friend and helper, and I was rejoiced to see the ship. As soon as we were all set in our places, the boat was thrust off from the pier and began to move over the waters: and what with my pleasure in this new movement and my surprise at our low position, and the appearance of the shores, and the growing bigness of the brig as we drew near to it, I could hardly understand what the captain said, and must have answered him at random. As soon as we were alongside (where I sat fairly gaping at the ship's height, the strong humming of the tide against its sides, and the pleasant cries of the seamen at their work) Hoseason, declaring that he and I must be the first aboard,
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ordered a tackle to be sent down from the main-yard. In this I was whipped into the air and set down again on the deck, where the captain stood ready waiting for me, and instantly slipped back his arm under mine. There I stood some while, a little dizzy with the unsteadiness of all around me, perhaps a little afraid, and yet vastly pleased with these strange sights; the captain meanwhile pointing out the strangest, and telling me their names and uses. 'But where is my uncle?' said I suddenly. 'Ay,' said Hoseason, with a sudden grimness, 'that's the point.' I felt I was lost. With all my strength, I plucked myself clear of him and ran to the bulwarks. Sure enough, there was the boat pulling for the town, with my uncle sitting in the stern. I gave a piercing cry — 'Help, help! Murder!' — so that both sides of the anchorage rang with it, and my uncle turned round where he was sitting, and showed me a face full of cruelty and terror. It was the last I saw. Already strong hands had been plucking me back from the ship's side; and now a thunderbolt seemed to strike me; I saw a great flash of fire, and fell senseless.
came to myself in darkness, in great pain, bound hand and foot, and deafened by many unfamiliar noises. There sounded in my ears a roaring of water as of a huge mill-dam, the thrashing of heavy sprays, the thundering of the sails, and the shrill cries of seamen. The whole world now heaved giddily up, and now rushed giddily downward; and so sick and hurt was I in body, and my mind so much confounded, that it took me a long while, chasing my thoughts up and down, and ever stunned again by a fresh stab of pain, to realise that I must be lying somewhere bound in the belly of that unlucky ship, and that the wind must have strengthened to a gale. With the clear perception of my plight, there fell upon me a blackness of despair, a horror of remorse at my own folly, and a passion of anger at my uncle, that once more bereft me of my senses. When I returned again to life, the same uproar, the same confused and violent movements, shook and deafened me; and presently, to my other pains and distresses, there was
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added the sickness of an unused landsman on the sea. In that time of my adventurous youth, I suffered many hardships; but none that was so crushing to my mind and body, or lit by so few hopes, as these first hours aboard the brig. I heard a gun fire, and supposed the storm had proved too strong for us, and we were firing signals of distress. The thought of deliverance, even by death in the deep sea, was welcome to me. Yet it was no such matter; but (as I was afterwards told) a common habit of the captain's, which I here set down to show that even the worst man may have his kindlier side. We were then passing, it appeared, within some miles of Dysart, where the brig was built, and where old Mrs. Hoseason, the captain's mother, had come some years before to live; and whether outward or inward bound, the Covenant was never suffered to go by that place by day, without a gun fired and colours shown. I had no measure of time; day and night were alike in that ill-smelling cavern of the ship's bowels where, I lay; and the misery of my situation drew out the hours to double. How long, therefore, I lay waiting to hear the ship split upon some rock, or to feel her reel head foremost into the depths of the sea, I have not the means of computation. But sleep at length stole from me the consciousness of sorrow. I was awakened by the light of a hand-lantern shining in my face. A small man of about thirty, with green eyes and a tangle of fair hair, stood looking down at me. 'Well,' said he, 'how goes it?' I answered by a sob; and my visitor then felt my pulse and temples, and set himself to wash and dress the wound
upon my scalp. 'Ay,' said he, 'a sore dunt[10]. What, man? Cheer up! The world's no done; you've made a bad start of it but you'll make a better. Have you had any meat?' [10] Stroke. I said I could not look at it: and thereupon he gave me some brandy and water in a tin pannikin, and left me once more to myself. The next time he came to see me, I was lying betwixt sleep and waking, my eyes wide open in the darkness, the sickness quite departed, but succeeded by a horrid giddiness and swimming that was almost worse to bear. I ached, besides, in every limb, and the cords that bound me seemed to be of fire. The smell of the hole in which I lay seemed to have become a part of me; and during the long interval since his last visit I had suffered tortures of fear, now from the scurrying of the ship's rats, that sometimes pattered on my very face, and now from the dismal imaginings that haunt the bed of fever. The glimmer of the lantern, as a trap opened, shone in like the heaven's sunlight; and though it only showed me the strong, dark beams of the ship that was my prison, I could have cried aloud for gladness. The man with the green eyes was the first to descend the ladder, and I noticed that he came somewhat unsteadily. He was followed by the captain. Neither said a word; but the first set to and examined me, and dressed my wound as before, while Hoseason looked me in my face with an odd, black look. 'Now, sir, you see for yourself,' said the first: 'a high feFree eBooks at Planet eBook.com
' replied Kidnapped . is a matter of concern to nobody but yoursel'. no appetite. But I was paid for nothing more. sir. Here he is. 'Admitting that you have been paid to do a murder ——' he began. to be the second officer of this old tub. 'you've a good head upon your shoulders. here he shall bide. I want that boy taken out of this hole and put in the forecastle. Riach caught him by the sleeve.' said Mr. but I will leave you no manner of excuse.' returned the skipper.' returned the captain. sir' said Riach. We'll be required on deck. But Mr. and a good Scotch tongue to ask with. Riach.' 'What ye may want. 'I will crave leave humbly to say that I have not. I would have no complaint to make of ye. Riach. Mr. and none too much. I have sailed with ye three cruises. Riach. 'Mr. 'Give me leave. 'but I can tell ye that which is to be. Riach.' 'I am no conjurer. in a sharper note. I make bold to say that ye would keep your breath to cool your porridge. 'What kind of talk is that?' 'It seems it is the talk that you can understand. 'and instead of asking riddles.ver.' 'Admitting that you have been paid in a proportion.' said the other. Hoseason turned upon him with a flash. looking him steadily in the face. Mr. and you ken very well if I do my best to earn it.' 'If ye could hold back your hand from the tin-pan. no meat: you see for yourself what that means. 'What's that?' he cried. no light.' said the captain. and set one foot upon the ladder.' he added. Paid I am.
'In all that time. and that (drunk or sober) he was like to prove a valuable friend. is not that enough?' said Hoseason. Riach turn after him and bow as low as to his knees in what was plainly a spirit of derision. ye should have learned to know me: I'm a stiff man. set all about with berths. The day being calm and the wind fair. sir. It was a blessed thing indeed to open my eyes again upon the daylight. 'Well. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com . who had lain silent throughout this strange conversation. 'Flit him where ye please!' Thereupon the captain ascended the ladder. and not only the good daylight. I was hoisted on a man's back. or lying down asleep. beheld Mr. the scuttle was open. The forecastle was a roomy place enough. fie! — it comes from a bad heart and a black conscience. and I. and bade me lie still and I should soon be well again. moreover. and a dour man.the captain. but from time to time (as the ship rolled) a dusty beam of sunlight shone in. Even in my then state of sickness. as the captain hinted. where the first thing that I did was to lose my senses. sir. I perceived two things: that the mate was touched with liquor. carried up to the forecastle. and to find myself in the society of men. than one of the men brought me a drink of something healing which Mr. and dazzled and delighted me. I had no sooner moved. If ye say the lad will die——' 'Ay. Riach had prepared. and laid in a bunk on some sea-blankets. in which the men of the watch below were seated smoking. but for what ye say the now — fie. Riach. will he!' said Mr. Five minutes afterwards my bonds were cut.
Man. as though they had been unclean beasts. There were some among them that had sailed with the pirates and seen things it would be a shame even to speak of. but came to know my companions. I suppose. were 'at a word and a blow' with their best friends. and had some glimmerings of honesty. some were men that had run from the king's ships. that would sit on my berthside for hours and tell me of his wife and child. There was one man. when I had drawn away from them at the Ferry pier. Rough they were.' said he. sure enough. and went with a halter round their necks. as sailors mostly are: being men rooted out of all the kindly parts of life. he explained: 'A clour[11] on the head was naething. and condemned to toss together on the rough seas. and these shipmates of mine were no exception to the rule. No class of man is altogether bad. it is years ago now: but I have never forgotten him. Here I lay for the space of many days a close prisoner. He was a fisher that had lost his boat. as the saying goes. They were a rough lot indeed. Well. but they had many virtues. His wife (who was 'young by him. Yet I had not been many days shut up with them before I began to be ashamed of my first judgment.' as Kidnapped . and bad. but each has its own faults and virtues. of maybe forty. and thus been driven to the deep-sea voyaging. simple even beyond the simplicity of a country lad like me. and all.There were no bones broken. and not only got my health again. of which they made no secret. with masters no less cruel. They were kind when it occurred to them. 'it was me that gave it ye!' [11] Blow.
and hoped great good from it in the land I was going to. and that was the destiny to which my wicked uncle had condemned me. and you must not suppose that I was going to that place merely as an exile. Among other good deeds that they did. now raving against the cruelty of Mr. where he berthed and served. but the men had a great respect for the chief mate. Shuan would not hurt a fly except when he was drinking. Shuan. come to an end. which had been shared among them. it has.com . I asked about the Free eBooks at Planet eBook. as they said. and Mr. and harsh when he was sober. but in those days of my youth. and it is a thankless business to speak ill of the dead. and none such a bad man when he was sober. unkind. nor yet keep the bairn when she was sick.he often told me) waited in vain to see her man return.' Indeed. they returned my money. The ship was bound for the Carolinas. The trade was even then much depressed. many of these poor fellows (as the event proved) were upon their last cruise. and though it was about a third short. white men were still sold into slavery on the plantations. Riach was sullen. of course. the deep seas and cannibal fish received them. I found there was a strange peculiarity about our two mates: that Mr. now nursing a bruised limb in silent agony. 'the only seaman of the whole jing-bang. Indeed. The cabin-boy Ransome (from whom I had first heard of these atrocities) came in at times from the round-house. and with the rebellion of the colonies and the formation of the United States. It made my heart bleed. he would never again make the fire for her in the morning. since that. I was very glad to get it. who was.
or (still more) if he had had a glass of spirits in the roundhouse.' all else had been blotted out in these years of hardship and cruelties. It was Mr. but not all. He could remember nothing of the time before he came to sea. others would grow as black as thun Kidnapped . picked up from sailor's stories: that it was a place where lads were put to some kind of slavery called a trade. and where apprentices were continually lashed and clapped into foul prisons. To be sure. Ransome. he would deride the notion. but I was told drink made no difference upon that man of iron. Some of the men laughed. unfriended creature staggering. but if he was in his usual crackbrain humour. and talking he knew not what. or rather I should say something like a boy. and how well fed and carefully taught both by my friends and my parents: and if he had been recently hurt. he thought every second person a decoy. and had a starling in the parlour. In a town.captain. He had a strange notion of the dry land. it was the pitifullest thing in life to see this unhappy. But his mind was scarce truly human. I would tell him how kindly I had myself been used upon that dry land he was so much afraid of. but besides that it was ruin to his health. and it was. Riach (Heaven forgive him!) who gave the boy drink. of the poor creature. I did my best in the small time allowed me to make some thing like a man. and dancing. and every third house a place in which seamen would be drugged and murdered. doubtless. he would weep bitterly and swear to run away. only that his father had made clocks. which could whistle 'The North Countrie. kindly meant.
there was a growl of quarrelling all day. and ink. and as I was never allowed to set my foot on deck. and think what he was doing. you should know. the strain told on the men's temper. the Covenant was meeting continual head-winds and tumbling up and down against head-seas. I felt ashamed to look at him. There was constant labour for all hands. pen. Getting him in a favourable stage of drink (for indeed he never looked near me when he was sober). you can picture to yourselves how weary of my life I grew to be. Rankeillor. And a change I was to get. as you shall hear. Campbell and another to Mr. of their own childhood or their own children) and bid him stop that nonsense. ten to one he would be able (with their help) to pull me through and set me in my rights. I pledged him to secrecy. that he would do his best to help me. 'And in the meantime. You're not the only one. All this time. and how impatient for a change. so that the scuttle was almost constantly shut.der (thinking. and the forecastle lighted only by a swinging lantern on a beam. I'll tell you that. that I should have paper. and that if I had told the truth. the sails had to be made and shortened every hour. and told him my whole story.com . perhaps. and write one line to Mr. but I must first tell of a conversation I had with Mr. As for me. There's many a man hoeing tobacco over-seas that should be mounting his Free eBooks at Planet eBook. which put a little heart in me to bear my troubles.' says he. He declared it was like a ballad. and the poor child still comes about me in my dreams. 'keep your heart up. long from berth to berth. Riach.
and here I am. Look at me: I'm a laird's son and more than half a doctor. at the best. many and many! And life is all a variorum. He whistled loud. 'I like fun. 0 Kidnapped .horse at his own door at home. man-Jack to Hoseason!' I thought it would be civil to ask him for his story. 'Never had one.' And he skipped out of the forecastle.' said he. that's all.
walking straight up to me. and I drew in my breath as if I Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Run away aft with ye.' Even as he spoke. he addressed me. in tones of kindness. 'we want ye to serve in the roundhouse.' said he. we all knew who was meant. carrying Ransome in their arms. and then. and instantly there began to go a whisper about the forecastle that 'Shuan had done for him at last. when the scuttle was again flung open.' There was no need of a name. It was as white as wax. the light fell direct on the boy's face. and Captain Hoseason came down the ladder.com 1 O . two seamen appeared in the scuttle. far less to speak of it. 'My man. but we had scarce time to get the idea rightly in our heads. Riach's watch (which was on deck) came below for his jacket. and the lantern swinging. a man of Mr.CHAPTER VIII THE ROUND-HOUSE ne night. The blood in me ran cold. You and Ransome are to change berths. He looked sharply round the bunks in the tossing light of the lantern. to my surprise. and had a look upon it like a dreadful smile. and the ship at that moment giving a great sheer into the sea. about eleven o'clock.
who had been always kind to me. and considering the size of the brig. at such an hour of the night. under the arched foot of the foresail. and were now on the high sea between the Orkney and Shetland Islands. For my part. stood some six feet above the decks. and pushed on across the decks. cresting swell. And at that I brushed by the sailors and the boy (who neither spoke nor moved). and two berths. And indeed (beyond that I wondered a little at the lateness of the sunset light) I gave no heed to it. which you entered by a hatchway in the middle of Kidnapped . surprised me greatly. The brig was sheering swiftly and giddily through a long. Inside were a fixed table and bench. for which I was bound. was of good dimensions. It was all fitted with lockers from top to bottom. catching at ropes. running between the seas. and where I was now to sleep and serve.had been struck. The round-house. run away aft with ye!' cried Hoseason. one for the captain and the other for the two mates. This. I could see the sunset still quite bright. so as to stow away the officers' belongings and a part of the ship's stores. and only saved from going overboard by one of the hands on deck. who had been so long shut in the dark and knew nothing of headwinds. She was on the starboard tack. but I was too ignorant to draw the true conclusion — that we were going north-about round Scotland. having avoided the dangerous currents of the Pentland Firth. 'Run away aft. turn and turn about. and on the left hand. I thought we might be half-way or more across the Atlantic. there was a second store-room underneath. and ran up the ladder on deck.
and he stared before him on the table like one stupid. The most of the cutlasses were in another place. strongly made and very black. were set in a rack in the aftermost wall of the round-house. gave it light by. all the best of the meat and drink and the whole of the powder were collected in this place. I stood in great fear of Hoseason. looking hard upon the table. that there had been too much of this work altogether. He gave the captain a glance that meant the boy was dead as plain as speaking. looking darkly at the mate. rather by surprise than violence. and all the firearms. All of a sudden he put out his hand to take the bottle. He took no notice of my coming in. Shuan (on his side) sat without a word. but enough to show Mr. A small window with a shutter on each side. and Mr. and at that Mr. so that we all three stood without a word. indeed.com . and took his place like the rest of us. nor did he move when the captain followed and leant on the berth beside me. except the two pieces of brass ordnance. Shuan sitting at the table. day. and his face was very stern.the deck. with the brandy bottle and a tin pannikin in front of him. not brightly. And as he Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Riach started forward and caught it away from him. with an oath. and had my reasons for it. and I whispered in his ear: 'How is he?' He shook his head like one that does not know and does not wish to think. Presently Mr. Shuan. Riach came in. but something told me I need not be afraid of him just then. and a skylight in the roof. staring down at Mr. and after dark there was a lamp always burning. crying out. and that a judgment would fall upon the ship. It was burning when I entered. He was a tall man.
' said the captain. 'this night's work must never be kennt in Dysart. They're in the bottom locker. 'What made ye throw the good bottle away?' he added. but he meant murder. It's too late now. and then Hoseason walked up to his chief officer.' he said. 'Well. for he sat down again. 'he brought me a dirty pannikin!' At that word.' and he tossed me a key. for the second time that night.spoke (the weather sliding-doors standing open) he tossed the bottle into the sea. and bade him lie down and go to sleep. David. sir. had not the captain stepped in between him and his victim. as you might speak to a bad child. do ye know what ye've done? Ye've murdered the boy!' Mr. but he took off his sea-boots and obeyed. the captain and I and Mr. sir. ay. 'Ye sot and swine. Here.' 'Mr. Shuan seemed to understand. The murderer cried a little. he still looked dazed. 'There was nae sense in that. that's what the story is. took him by the shoulder. Riach. 'Ah!' cried Mr. sir. The boy went overboard. and would have done it. led him across to his bunk. draw me another.' So the pair sat down and hob-a-nobbed. Shuan was on his feet in a trice. 'ye should have interfered long syne. with a dreadful voice. Riach. Riach all looked at each other for a second with a kind of frightened look. and while they Kidnapped . Mr. 'Sit down!' roars the captain. 'Yon was an ugly thing to see. and put up his hand to his brow. 'Ye'll need a glass yourself. and I would give five pounds out of my pocket it was true!' He turned to the table.' he added to Riach.
I could not but fancy they were making up lee-way with their consciences. or the two together. two and sometimes all three would sit down and brew a bowl together. the drink or his crime. any more than how I kept my own. raised himself upon his elbow and looked at them and at me. both Mr. the murderer. and when a fresh watch was to be set. except twice a week. How they kept their health. That was the first night of my new duties. the meals were either of oatmeal porridge or salt junk. which the captain took at regular hours. I cannot say I ever saw him in his proper wits.com . And yet in other ways it was an easy service. As for Mr. and that they would scarce have been so good with me if they had not been worse with Ransome. and right in the draught of the two doors. Riach and the captain were singularly patient. I had to serve at the meals. There was no cloth to lay. and in the course of the next day I had got well into the run of them.did so. He never grew used to my beFree eBooks at Planet eBook. and at night I slept on a blanket thrown on the deck boards at the aftermost end of the round-house. I know not. for some one would be always coming in from deck to get a dram. sitting down with the officer who was off duty. nor was I suffered to sleep without interruption. who had been lying and whimpering in his berth. had certainly troubled his mind. all the day through I would be running with a dram to one or other of my three masters. when there was duff: and though I was clumsy enough and (not being firm on my sealegs) sometimes fell with what I was bringing them. It was a hard and a cold bed. Shuan.
stared at me continually (sometimes. and some that were informing.' 'There was another boy?' he asked again. I have now forgotten. and more than once drew back from my hand when I was serving him. as pale as death. I could have thought. 'I thought that. would sometimes unbuckle a bit. and had I liked I might have been drunk from morning to night. who had been to the college. and told me many curious things. 'Ah!' says he. and when I had answered him. and he had been staring at me a long time. spoke to me like a friend when he was not sulking. sir. with a wife in Leith. He was a married man. You may think it strange. I was as well fed as the best of them. Altogether it was no very hard life for the time it lasted.' and went and sat down. which (as you are to hear) was not long. I hope not. up he got. and came close up to me.ing there. We were alone. too. I was still sorry for him. but for all the horror I had. which were the great dainty. 'No. Mr. though he kept me at the stick's end the most part of the time. like Mr. 'You were not here before?' he asked. I was pretty sure from the first that he had no clear mind of what he had done. but whether or no he had a family. even their pickles. Riach. I had company. to my great terror. with terror). except to call for brandy.' said I. But I had no cause to be afraid of him. and on my second day in the round-house I had the proof of it. and even the captain. Shuan. when all at once. and good company of its sort. I was allowed my share of. without another word. and tell me of the fine countries Kidnapped .
most heavily. rebuffed me like a dog and would not hear a word. perhaps from caution. and one of whom. would never suffer me to say another word about my story. till I was even glad of the work which kept me from thinking. to be sure. doing dirty work for three men that I looked down upon. Here I was. Riach. the captain. whom I tried to approach.he had visited. Mr. at least. I could only see myself slaving alongside of negroes in the tobacco fields. And then I had another trouble of my own. and on me and Mr. and as the days came and went. The shadow of poor Ransome. Shuan in particular. my heart sank lower and lower. lay on all four of us. should have hung upon a gallows. that was for the present. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com . and as for the future.
' they said. At last we were beaten so far to the south that we tossed and tacked to and fro the whole of the ninth day. within sight of Cape Wrath and the wild. There followed on that a council of the officers. I was serving Mr. when the ship struck something Kidnapped . wet. and some decision which I did not rightly understand. The tenth afternoon there was a falling swell and a thick. rocky coast on either hand of it. I saw men and officers listening hard over the bulwarks — 'for breakers. in which the ill-luck that had hitherto pursued the Covenant upon this voyage grew yet more strongly marked. others. Some days she made a little way. when I went on deck. seeing only the result: that we had made a fair wind of a foul one and were running south. Riach and the captain at their supper. Maybe about ten at night. All afternoon. and was excited. I felt danger in the air. white fog that hid one end of the brig from the other. she was driven actually back. and though I did not so much as understand the word.CHAPTER IX THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GOLD M ore than a week went by.
' And they hurried out. sir. and I set eyes on him for the first time. and the man (having his hands free. and she had parted in the midst and gone to the bottom with all her crew but one. and he pledged the captain handsomely. And yet. and heavily freckled and pitted with the small-pox. My two masters leaped to their feet. We had run down a boat in the fog.with a great sound. but sunburnt very dark. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. At the moment of the blow. His manners. Altogether I thought of him. while the rest were on the benches rowing. the stern had been thrown into the air. and when he took off his great-coat. It showed he had luck and much agility and unusual strength.com . that he should have thus saved himself from such a pass. 'She's struck!' said Mr. This man (as I heard afterwards) had been sitting in the stern as a passenger. 'No. were elegant. his face was of a good open expression.' said the captain. and we heard voices singing out. at the first sight. and for all he was encumbered with a frieze overcoat that came below his knees) had leaped up and caught hold of the brig's bowsprit. The captain was in the right of it. that here was a man I would rather call my friend than my enemy. he looked as cool as I did. 'We've only run a boat down. when the captain brought him into the round-house. besides. and I saw that he was belted with a great sword. he laid a pair of fine silver-mounted pistols on the table. He was smallish in stature. Riach. but well set and as nimble as a goat. that was both engaging and alarming. his eyes were unusually light and had a kind of dancing madness in them.
too.' says the captain.' cried the other.' says the captain. 'Well. costly clothes. about the boat. as soon as he had taken off the great-coat. still watching him. 'I'm vexed. for the matter of that. 'You have none such friends in your country.' said the captain. though somewhat spoiled with the fog and being slept in. 'that I would rather see on the dry land again than half a score of boats. 'There are some pretty men gone to the bottom. 'and fine coats.The captain. breeches of black plush.' 'Well. 'and ye seem to be a gentleman of great penetration. sir. sir. sir.' 'I have been in France. sir. so that it was plain he meant more by the words than showed upon the face of them. Ye've a French soldier's coat upon 0 Kidnapped . was taking his observations.' 'No doubt.' 'And that's true. 'They would have died for me like dogs. 'Don't be hasty.' says the other.' 'Oho!' says the stranger. 'there are more men in the world than boats to put them in.' was the reply. sir' says the captain. 'and so has many a pretty man.' said the captain. too.' said the stranger. 'Don't do a mischief before ye see the need of it. a red waistcoat. and a blue coat with silver buttons and handsome silver lace. And to be sure. 'is that how the wind sets?' And he laid his hand quickly on his pistols. but rather of the man's clothes than his person.' 'Friends of yours?' said Hoseason. he showed forth mighty fine for the round-house of a merchant brig: having a hat with feathers.
' 'So?' said the gentleman in the fine coat: 'are ye of the honest party?' (meaning. unhappily. to be sure.' 'Can ye so. for all that. sir. takes the name of honesty for its own). and I thank God for it. I promise you. sir. Now.' And then.' 'In France?' says the captain. sir. But where ye come from — we might talk of that.com 1 . that I cannot do.' replied the captain. I was for France. but so has many an honest fellow in these days. but she gave us the go-by in the fog — as I wish from the heart that ye had done yoursel'! And the best that I can say is this: If ye can set me ashore where I was going. but I learnt afterwards he was a great church-goer while on shore. and packed me off to the galley to get supper for the gentleman. Was he a Jacobite? for each side. 'I am a true-blue Protestant. 'No. and (to be still quite plain with ye) if I got into the hands of any of the red-coated gentry. 'Why. I lost no time.' (It was the first word of any religion I had ever heard from him. 'I can be sorry to see another man with his back to the wall. and when I Free eBooks at Planet eBook.) 'But. in these sort of civil broils. and there was a French ship cruising here to pick me up. to be quite plain with ye.' says he. and I dare say none the worse of it. he observed me standing in my corner. 'Well. it's like it would go hard with me. indeed?' asked the Jacobite. sir. I have that upon me will reward you highly for your trouble. I am one of those honest gentlemen that were in trouble about the years forty-five and six.your back and a Scotch tongue in your head.
I should show myself a hound indeed if I bought my own carcase any too dear. and then at the belt. It belongs to my chieftain. and how much of it'll come to you?' 'Little enough. knew' he added.' said Hoseason. sir. Now. ye can do your worst. let me tell you. and it is his officers that collect the rents. to be sure. that I could hold my tongue about it. and put it on again under his waistcoat.' and here he touched his hat. Take it. 'that not one doit of it belongs to me. or sixty if ye set me on the Linnhe Loch. Thirty guineas on the seaside.came back into the round-house. 'Half of it. 'and while I would be but a silly messenger to grudge some of it that the rest might come safe. ye seem to me to be a man that understands things: bring this money within the reach of Government. if not.' Kidnapped . sir. His estate is in the hands of the man they call King George. 'if they.' said Hoseason. 'and I'm your man!' The other swept back the guineas into the belt. and this money is a part of that very rent for which King George is looking. I found the gentleman had taken a money-belt from about his waist. and then at the gentleman's face. and I thought he seemed excited. The captain was looking at the guineas. is forfeited.' 'Ay. 'But I think. like every honest man in Scotland. if ye will. and poured out a guinea or two upon the table. 'My chief.' he cried. But for the honour of Scotland. drily. the poor tenant bodies take a thought upon their chief lying in exile. and then. 'And if I give ye over to the soldiers?' 'Ye would make a fool's bargain.' said the other. or try to collect them. 'I have told ye' sir' said he. if I was to try.
And as if all this were not enough. they shall ken what money it is. he had a belt full of golden guineas round his loins. and I'll play you cunning. for he was not only a rebel and a smuggler of rents. beginning to eat. of course. but I'll begowk[12] ye there!' cried the gentleman. and left me alone in the round-house with the stranger. heard tell of. I thought). 'what must be must. At that period (so soon after the forty-five) there were many exiled gentlemen coming back at the peril of their lives. Whatever my opinions. and run the gauntlet of our great navy to carry it across. All this I had. Sixty guineas. and now I had a man under my eyes whose life was forfeit on all these counts and upon one more. and as for the Highland chiefs that had been forfeited. and their clansmen outface the soldiery to get it in.' 'And here's mine. but had taken service with King Louis of France.'Ah. either to see their friends or to collect a little money.' [12]Befool. 'And so you're a Jacobite?' said I.com . If a hand is laid upon me. 'And you. should be a Whig?'[13] Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'Well. I could not look on such a man without a lively interest. by your long face.' said he. as I set meat before him. And thereupon the captain went out (rather hurriedly. Here's my hand upon it. and done.' said the other. 'Ay. it was a common matter of talk how their tenants would stint themselves to send them money.' returned the captain. 'Play me false.
or if that'll not hold.' 'I'll go and ask for the key. Mr. 'this bottle of yours is dry.' said I. Betwixt-and-Between.' he added.' 'Well. one upon each side. The fog was as close as ever. and it's hard if I'm to pay sixty guineas and be grudged a dram upon the back of it. 'he hasn't room to use his sword.' said I. but the swell almost down.[13] Whig or Whigamore was the cant name for those who were loyal to King George. 'We can get the man in talk. and the first word I heard.' returned Hoseason. Riach. They had laid the brig to. but the captain and the two officers were in the waist with their heads together.' said he.' said Riach. we can make a run by both the doors and get him under hand before he has the time to draw. 'And that's naething. more than confirmed me. that's true. and the wind (what little there was of it) not serving well for their true course. 'Betwixt and between. for indeed I was as good a Whig as Mr. and pin him by the two arms. Campbell could make me. not to annoy him. It was Mr. and stepped on deck.' 'Hut!' said Hoseason. as I drew softly near. crying out as if upon a sudden thought: 'Couldn't we wile him out of the round-house?' 'He's better where he is. 'But I'm saying. 'but he's hard to come at. Some of the hands were still hearkening for breakers. sir. not knowing precisely where they were.' At this hearing. I was seized with both fear and anger at Kidnapped . It struck me (I don't know why) that they were after no good.
might snap up a horn and a pistol or two without remark. and upon that he gave me the key of the spirit locker. yon man has a beltful of gold. was to go in and take them.' he said.these treacherous. as if all I heard were quite natural. my second was bolder. and that's when we come to Carolina. if I. And if ye can do it cleverly. and then to myself: 'And see here. great and little.' I told him I would do as he wished. 'do ye ken where the pistols are?' 'Ay. besides being a rank foe to King George.' Here Mr. God bless him!' I had never been so be-Davided since I came on board: but I said Yes. Ye see.' resumed the captain. here's our chance to get the firearms!' Riach cried. But a lad like you.' said the captain. yon wild Hielandman is a danger to the ship. bloody men that I sailed with. I'll bear it in mind when it'll be good for you to have friends. are in the round-house under this man's nose. David my man. 'the gentleman is seeking a dram. Will you give me the key?' They all started and turned about. My first mind was to run away. 'The trouble is. and I began to go slowly back to Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'Why.' put in Hoseason. David. Riach whispered him a little. or one of the officers. and then to me: 'Hark ye.' said I. 'Captain. 'that all our firelocks. ay. and I give you my word that you shall have your fingers in it. and the bottle's out. sir. though indeed I had scarce breath to speak with. Now. 'Very right. likewise the powder. he would fall to thinking. David's a good lad. David. 'David kens. greedy.com . David.
there was the fear of death very plain before me. 'but they have n't got me yet. 'Do ye want to be killed?' said I. 'Will ye stand with me?' 'That will I!' said I. when I came into the round-house and saw the Jacobite eating his supper under the lamp. then. and then. What was I to do? They were dogs and thieves.' said I.' 'Why. I have no credit by it. and at that my mind was made up all in a moment. my words nettled a very childish van Kidnapped . it's a ship full of them! They've murdered a boy already. 'they're all murderers here. and looked a question at me as clear as if he had spoken. He sprang to his feet. they had stolen me from my own country.' 'Ay. upon the other hand.' And then looking at me curiously. I added for the first time. 'what's your name?' 'David Balfour. but as if by compulsion. thinking that a man with so fine a coat must like fine people. 'of Shaws. ay' said he. they had killed poor Ransome.the round-house. and was I to hold the candle to another murder? But then. if they were as brave as lions. but as he had no estate of his own. for a Highlander is used to see great gentlefolk in great poverty. 'O!' cried I.' It never occurred to him to doubt me. it was by no choice of mine. I'll stand by you. nor yet murderer.' said he. Now it's you. 'I am no thief. for what could a boy and a man. against a whole ship's company? I was still arguing it back and forth. and getting no great clearness. that I walked right up to the table and put my hand on his shoulder.
' 'It would be yet better shut. only the skylight and the two doors were large enough for the passage of a man. being open. 'My name is Stewart. and next he set me down to the table with Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' he said. but when I was proceeding to slide to the other.' said he — 'for I cannae bring to mind the name of your landed estate. and ran in grooves. A king's name is good enough for me. and were fitted with hooks to keep them either shut or open. The doors. as the need arose. could be drawn close: they were of stout oak. he turned to examine our defences. 'Not so. shaking his head and saying he had never in all his life seen poorer weapons. 'Alan Breck. to support the breaching of the seas. where I would aye wish to find them. choosing it with great care.' says I. drawing himself up. and so will make so bold as to call you David — that door. The one that was already shut I secured in this fashion. The round-house was built very strong. besides. but so long as that door is open and my face to it. 'David. though I bear it plain and have the name of no farm-midden to clap to the hind-end of it.' And having administered this rebuke. the best part of my enemies will be in front of me. as though it were something of a chief importance.' says he. they call me. 'Ye see. is the best part of my defences.ity he had. David.com . I have but one face. Of its five apertures. Alan stopped me.' Then he gave me from the rack a cutlass (of which there were a few besides the firearms).
I had to cast the numbers twice. 'and that's a pity. the thought of the numbers that were soon to leap in upon us kept my heart in a flutter: and the sea. 'And that will be better work.a powder-horn. Kidnapped .' said he. 'how many are against us?' I reckoned them up. My chest was tight. 'Well. now' said he. where I look for the main battle. It is my part to keep this door.' said he.' said he. ran in my mind strangely.' he said. which he bade me charge. shaking his head. and where I thought my dead body would be cast ere morning.' I told him. the light dark to my eyes. which is all for the upper guard. for I would rather have ten foes in front of me than one friend like you cracking pistols at my back. my mouth dry. 'First of all. let me tell you. 'Fifteen. Thereupon he stood up in the midst with his face to the door. And. 'for a gentleman of decent birth. than scraping plates and raxing[14] drams to a wheen tarry sailors. 'I must stick to the point. And mind and dinnae fire to this side unless they get me down. It doesn't set my genius. ye have no hand. 'do you keep on charging the pistols. And now follow me. In that. and such was the hurry of my mind. made trial of the room he had to wield it in. 'that can't be cured.' said I. Alan whistled. a bag of bullets and all the pistols. too. indeed I was no great shot. and drawing his great sword. which I heard washing round the brig.' [14]Reaching.' I told him I would listen closely. and give heed to me.
' he cried. sir' said I. for when my face is at the one. and if they lift hand. 'I must hear the bursting of the glass!' 'Ye have some rudiments of sense.'And that.com . 'But have ye no ears to your head?' 'To be sure!' cried I. But that's not all. Let's make a bit of a soldier of ye. Stewart. in a great admiration of my candour. What else have ye to guard?' 'There's the skylight.' said Alan. 'There's many a pretty gentleman that wouldnae dare to say it.' said I.' said he. against the door. than ye must climb up into yon bed where ye're handy at the window. ye're to shoot.' 'And that's very true. my back is to the other. 'and that is a part of your work. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'But indeed. No sooner the pistols charged. grimly. David.' said Alan. s very bravely said.' 'Ay. 'there is the door behind you' which they may perhaps break in. Mr.' 'But then. I would need to have eyes upon both sides to keep the two of them.
'I'll mind this. Do ye see my sword? It has slashed the heads off mair Whigamores than you have toes upon your feet. Those on deck had waited for my coming till they grew impatient. sir. My badge is the oak. the sooner ye'll taste this steel throughout your vitals. indeed. and fall on! The sooner the clash begins. I bear a king's name.' said he. 'This is a strange return for hospitality. 'A naked sword?' says he. when the captain showed face in the open door. 'I am come of kings. but he neither winced nor drew back a foot. and pointed his sword at him.CHAPTER X THE SIEGE OF THE ROUND-HOUSE B ut now our time of truce was come to an end. Call up your vermin to your back.' 'Do ye see me?' said Alan. but he looked over at me with an ugly look. 'David. 'Stand!' cried Alan. Kidnapped 0 .' and the sound of his voice went through me with a jar.' The captain said nothing to Alan. The captain stood. and scarce had Alan spoken.
' Alan drew a dirk. but my heart beat like a bird's. I remember.Next moment he was gone. It came all of a sudden when it did. crossing Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and a sound of blows and some one crying out as if hurt. and the wind was steady and kept the sails quiet. which he held in his left hand in case they should run in under his sword. and after that. As for hope. and saw Mr. I. and there came a clash of steel upon the deck. on my part. clambered up into the berth with an armful of pistols and something of a heavy heart. 'And now. A little after. would not suffer me to think upon the words. and which continually returned. I tried to pray. and there was a dimness came before my eyes which I continually rubbed away. 'let your hand keep your head. with a rush of feet and a roar. and my chief wish was to have the thing begin and be done with it. I had none. by which I knew they were dealing out the cutlasses and one had been let fall. in which I made sure I heard the sound of muttering voices. The sea had gone down.com 1 . I do not know if I was what you call afraid. but that same hurry of my mind. but only a darkness of despair and a sort of anger against all the world that made me long to sell my life as dear as I was able. silence again. for the grip is coming. Shuan in the doorway. I looked back over my shoulder. like a man running. and set open the window where I was to watch.' said Alan. both quick and little. and then a shout from Alan. so that there was a great stillness in the ship. It was a small part of the deck that I could overlook. but enough for our purpose.
just as my ears seemed to be burst with the noise of the shots. for he sang out and gave back a step. ran past me and took post to drive the door in. standing as before. and as I turned back to my place. The whole place was full of the smoke of my own firing. white face. and just as I looked. some of those from behind caught hold of him by the heels and dragged him bodily out Kidnapped . and he was sinking slowly lower. Then I looked round again into the deck-house. 'Look to your window!' said Alan. and just as they swang the yard. with a terrible. and at my third shot (which went as wide as the second) the whole party threw down the yard and ran for it. far less against a fellowcreature. I must have hit one of them. and not often with a gun. for my head was scarce back at the window. and the rest stopped as if a little disconcerted. But it was now or never. I saw him pass his sword through the mate's body. I sent another ball over their heads. before five men. carrying a spare yard for a battering-ram. I had never fired with a pistol in my life. Right before him on the floor was Mr. 'That's him that killed the boy!' I cried. that he looked to be invincible. the blood was pouring from his mouth. and himself so swelled with triumph and fallen into so fine an attitude. It was none too soon for me to look to my own part. Shuan. on his hands and knees. only now his sword was running blood to the hilt. But there was Alan. I cried out: 'Take that!' and shot into their midst.blades with Alan. Before they had time to recover.
But this time. there'll be nae sleep for either you or me.' I settled back to my place. and thought it was the captain.' I heard one say.' After that the voices fell again into the same muttering as before. when all was still Free eBooks at Planet eBook. but now. one person spoke most of the time.of the round-house. my pistols were ready. David. This was but a dram before meat. 'It's what we have to pray for. I told him I had winged one. To your watch. [15]Bungled. I had not the time to think if I was frighted. And another answered him with a 'Wheesht. they'll be in earnest. and done with it.' said he. mind. I made sure they were coming on again. Our enemies were disputing not far off upon the deck. re-charging the three pistols I had fired. and first one and then another answered him briefly.' By this. By this. I believe he died as they were doing it. 'It was Shuan bauchled[15] it. 'Unless we can give them a good distaste of us.' says he. he asked if I had done much execution. and then turning to me. 'There's one of your Whigs for ye!' cried Alan. they'll be back again. While the brush lasted. like men taking orders. there's not enough blood let. Only now.com . man! He's paid the piper. 'And I've settled two. 'No. as though laying down a plan. and told Alan. and keeping watch with both eye and ear. and that so loudly that I could hear a word or two above the washing of the seas. and there was nothing to do but listen and wait.
only at the touch of him (and him alive) my whole flesh misgave me.again. Then there came a single call on the sea-pipe. and at the same moment. He had dropped his cutlass as he jumped. any Kidnapped . when I heard some one drop softly on the roof above me. ugly groan and fell to the floor. and I had begun to think my share of the fight was at an end. and at that I snatched another pistol and shot this one through the thigh. too. A knot of them made one rush of it. Before he got his feet. cutlass in hand. the glass of the skylight was dashed in a thousand pieces. struck me at the same time upon the head. There was no talk of missing. roaring out an oath. and I could no more pull the trigger than I could have flown. He gave the most horrible. so that he slipped through and tumbled in a lump on his companion's body. and when he felt the pistol. and a man leaped through and landed on the floor. whose legs were dangling through the skylight. or I grew so much afraid as came to the same thing. against the door. All this was upon Alan's side. I could have found it in my mind to cry out aloud. for I gave a shriek and shot him in the midst of the body. my mind ran upon nothing else. The foot of a second fellow. and knew they were taking their places in the dark. I had clapped a pistol to his back. and might have shot him. whipped straight round and laid hold of me. and that was the signal. and presently. The thought of the sharp swords and the cold steel was strong in me. when I began to hear stealthy steps and a brushing of men's clothes against the round-house wall. and at that either my courage came again.
but the fellow clung like a leech. I thought we were lost. and clap-to the hatch upon the top. but one of the seamen. and Alan was driving them along the deck as a sheepdog chases sheep. The round-house was like a shambles. and catching up my cutlass. leaping back to get his distance. being as cautious as he was brave. I clapped the muzzle to the very place and fired.more than there was time to aim. The door was thronged with their faces. fell on them in flank. The wrestler dropped at last. I was still thinking we were lost. roaring as he went. Another had broken in and had his cutlass raised. while he was engaged with others. and that brought me to my senses. and at every flash there came the scream of a man hurt. had run in under his guard and caught him about the body. and falling one against another in their haste. The sword in his hands flashed like quicksilver into the huddle of our fleeing enemies. ran upon the others like a bull. They broke before him like water. and meanwhile the seamen continued running and crying out as if he was still behind them.com . turning. when lo! they were all gone. and we heard them tumble one upon another into the forecastle. but I heard Alan shout as if for help. and Alan. Yet he was no sooner out than he was back again. Alan was dirking him with his left hand. But I had not time to be of help. I might have stood and stared at them for long. three were dead inside. and running. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. another lay in his death agony across the threshold. He had kept the door so long.
They are many. The smith made it. sword in hand. The fire set it. and tumbled them out of doors one after the other. 'This is the song of the sword of Alan.' Kidnapped . and embraced and kissed me hard upon both cheek. Here is your meat.' he cried in a kind of ecstasy. so that I have. only what HE was trying was to make one. the hill is one. Now it shines in the hand of Alan Breck. and his eyes were as bright as a five-year-old child's with a new toy. many's the time. and had it explained to me. 'David. 'am I no a bonny fighter?' Thereupon he turned to the four enemies. like a man trying to recall an air. All the while. Many the hands they guided: The sword was alone. man. 'Their eyes were many and bright. not in verse (of which I have no skill) but at least in the king's English. The dun deer vanish. passed his sword clean through each of them. heard it. 'Come to me from the hills of heather. 'The dun deer troop over the hill. and then out he burst with a great voice into a Gaelic song. O far-beholding eagles. He came up to me with open arms. 'Come to my arms!' he cried.and there were Alan and I victorious and unhurt. Swift were they to behold.' said he. As he did so. The hill remains. And O. and the thing became popular. I have translated it here. the flush was in his face. And presently he sat down upon the table. Come from the isles of the sea. 'I love you like a brother. he kept humming and singing and whistling to himself. He sang it often afterwards. the air that he was making all the time began to run a little clearer. and then clearer still.
and I wouldn't lose you for all Appin — no. 'I'll take the first watch. the thing was no sooner over than I was glad to stagger to a seat. who stood beside him in the tussle. I began to sob and cry like any child. and of that number. and might have claimed a place in Alan's verses. the thought of the two men I had shot sat upon me like a nightmare. For not only I knew no word of the Gaelic. three hours by the captain's watch upon the wall. Mr. David.Now this song which he made (both words and music) in the hour of our victory. Four more were hurt. 'Ye've done well by me. Alan always did me more than justice. nor for Breadalbane. But poets have to think upon their rhymes. first and last. and he took the first spell. and before I had a guess of what was coming. and more than all. pistol in hand and sword on knee. and the scurry and strain of our two spirts of fighting. and said I was a brave lad and wanted nothing but a sleep. and in good prose talk. Alan clapped my shoulder. There was that tightness on my chest that I could hardly breathe. is something less than just to me.com . the two that came by the skylight. I was innocent of any wrong being done me. I did my fair share both of the killing and the wounding.' said he. Shuan and five more were either killed outright or thoroughly disabled. Then he roused me up. two fell by my hand. and all upon a sudden. but of these. In the meanwhile. and I Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' So I made up my bed on the floor. the horror I had of some of my own share in it. So that. but what with the long suspense of the waiting. one (and he not the least important) got his hurt from me. altogether.
All my watch there was nothing stirring. and. and a very quiet morning. It was a mercy the night had fallen so still. before the end of which it was broad day. and a heavy rain that drummed upon the roof. Even as it was. or the brig might have gone ashore and nobody the wiser. the strange isle of Rum. Riach and the captain had to take turn and turn like Alan and me. I knew they had even no one at the tiller. rolling sea that tossed the ship and made the blood run to and fro on the round-house floor.took my turn of three hours. with a smooth. Kidnapped . looking out of the door of the roundhouse. for the wind had gone down as soon as the rain began. that Mr. that she must have drifted pretty near the coast or one of the islands of the Hebrides. and by the banging of the helm. Indeed (as I learned afterwards) there were so many of them hurt or dead. I judged by the wailing of a great number of gulls that went crying and fishing round the ship. and at last. a little more astern. and the rest in so ill a temper. I saw the great stone hills of Skye on the right hand.
of itself. This. 'we shall hear more of them ere long. Shuan being dead) were now shut in the forepart of the ship and condemned to what they hated most — cold water. which took away my hunger. indeed. 'And depend upon it. Ye may keep a man from the fighting. that the two thirstiest men that ever came out of Scotland (Mr.CHAPTER XI THE CAPTAIN KNUCKLES UNDER lan and I sat down to breakfast about six of the clock. Alan. and having at command all the drink in the ship — both wine and spirits — and all the dainty part of what was eatable. but the richest part of it was this. but never from his bottle. The floor was covered with broken glass and in a horrid mess of blood.' Alan said. expressed himself most lovingly. having ousted the officers from their own cabin.com A .' We made good company for each other. and taking a knife from Free eBooks at Planet eBook. In all other ways we were in a situation not only agreeable but merry. was enough to set us in good humour. such as the pickles and the fine sort of bread.
I would be afraid to think what a quarrel might have followed. asking for a parley. Riach. He was still so engaged when we were hailed by Mr. and stood on a coil of rope. He came to the edge of the round-house. it belonged to a king and so behoved to be royally looked after. though inwardly in fear of broken glass. For all that. cut me off one of the silver buttons from his coat. much as I admired his courage. began to visit his suit and brush away the stains. I was always in danger of smiling at his vanity: in danger. To be sure. and. I say. And wherever ye go and show that button. as I do not think he had been very forward in the battle. and then taking off his coat. so he had got off with 100 Kidnapped . pistol in hand and with a bold front.' He said this as if he had been Charlemagne. and I. so that his chin was on a level with the roof. for had I not kept my countenance. and now give ye one of them to be a keepsake for last night's work. with such care and labour as I supposed to have been only usual with women. when I saw what care he took to pluck out the threads where the button had been cut away. I put a higher value on his gift. 'from my father. Duncan Stewart. and commanded armies. and we looked at each other awhile in silence.the table. hailed him back again and bade him speak out. Mr. the friends of Alan Breck will come around you. climbing through the skylight and sitting on the edge of it. Riach from the deck. As soon as we were through with our meal he rummaged in the captain's locker till he found a clothes-brush.' says he. 'I had them. and indeed. besides (as he said). he had no other.
'He means none.' returned Mr. shaking his head. either standing watch or doctoring the wounded. David. They might speak at the window. and the parley was agreed to and parole given upon either side. Alan at once held a pistol in his face. it's me. that at last I handed him a pannikin with about a gill of brandy.' 'Is that so?' said I. we couldnae get the men to follow. He drank a part. 'It's not only the men. 'what we want is to be shut of him. Riach. I'll tell ye the honest truth. I'm frich'ened. 'would like to speak with your friend. and then carried the rest down upon the deck. 'This is a bad job.' said I. 'Put that thing up!' said the captain.' he continued.' Thereupon I consulted with Alan. and he now begged me for a dram with such instancy and such reminders of his former kindness. Riach's business. to share it (I suppose) with his superior.' And he smiled across at me. 'I'll tell ye more than that. and so old that my heart smote me for having fired upon him.' says he. 'Have I not passed Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and looking stern and pale. having been all night afoot.com 101 .nothing worse than a blow upon the cheek: but he looked out of heart and very weary.' 'And how do we know what treachery he means?' cried I. but this was not the whole of Mr. the captain came (as was agreed) to one of the windows. A little after. 'The captain. 'No. 'and if he did. and stood there in the rain.' said he. with his arm in a sling.' said he at last. 'It was none of our choosing. Davie.
'and faith. There is nothing left me. 'Ye've made a sore hash of my brig. 'that'll no do. and gave me your hand to back it. or Morar. well. sir? or do ye seek to affront me?' 'Captain. 'No. 'I doubt your word is a breakable.' continued Alan. Last night ye haggled and argle-bargled like an apple-wife. I'll have a talk with them mysel'! Unless there's naebody speaks English in that town. or Ardgour. and passed without speech.' says Alan. 'Well.' (And truly that was a fault of which the captain was quite free. and a man and a halfling boy upon the other! O. 'Set me on dry ground in Appin.' 'I give ye your choice. and then passed me your word. and my first officer (whom I could ill spare) has got your sword throughout his vitals. sir. man. sir. it's peetiful!' Hoseason flushed red. I haven't hands enough left to work her. and ye ken very well what was the upshot. There's none of the rest of us acquaint with this coast. I have a bonny tale for them. or Arisaig.' said Hoseason. bitterly. Fifteen tarry sailors upon the one side.' says Alan.) 'But we have other things to speak.' 'Ay. but to put back into the port of Glasgow after hands. and there (by your leave) ye will find them that are better able to talk to you.' 'Ay?' said Alan. sir. Be damned to your word!' says he. and it's one very dangerous to ships. 'ye'll get little good by swearing. Ye'll just have to set me ashore as we agreed.' said the captain. 'but my first officer is dead — ye ken best how.' he continued.my word. 10 Kidnapped . or in Morven.
in brief.' ' And I'm to wear my brogues and run jeopardy of the red-coats to please you?' cries Alan.' 'But see. and sixty.' 'It's to risk the brig. 'Could ye pilot us at all?' asked the captain. sir.' says Alan. except in a country of the Campbells. 'But all this will cost money. sir.' said Hoseason. Why. 'and your own lives along with her. 'We'll have the laugh of ye at the least. ye must be as feckless at the sailoring as I have found ye at the fighting. ay. if ye land me on the sea-side. we are but a few hours' sail from Ardnamurchan. and by night too.' said the captain. where ye please.' 'My mind runs little upon laughing. and set me in my own country. 'I am nae weathercock. if ye put me in the Linnhe Loch. and I'll set ye there. 'I'm more of a fighting Free eBooks at Planet eBook. sir. 'Give me sixty. then. who was frowning to himself. it's doubtful.' said the captain. 'A coble's not a ship' sir' said the captain.' [16]Coble: a small boat used in fishing. 'No. sir. If ye miss that. 'Well.' 'Well. within thirty miles of my own country. 'It has nae draught of water. for the matter of that. my poor country people in their bit cobles[16] pass from island to island in all weathers. to Glasgow if ye list!' says Alan. sir' says Alan. where we lie.' 'Take it or want it.' said Alan. Thirty guineas. That's a broad target.' 'Well.or. if ye want sixty guineas earn them.com 10 .
'I would see you in a rope's end before I risked my brig.' says he. 10 Kidnapped . We may meet in with a king's ship and she may lay us aboard.' The captain shook his head. And now.man (as ye have seen for yoursel') than a sailor-man. But there's one thing more. Now. ye might leave the money.' That was the last clause of the treaty.' 'Captain. still frowning. Riach could be happy again in their own way. and should ken something of the lie of it. But be it as ye will. As soon as I get a slant of wind (and there's some coming. so that Alan and I could at last wash out the round-house and be quit of the memorials of those whom we had slain. as I hear you're a little short of brandy in the fore-part. But I have been often enough picked up and set down upon this coast. 'if ye see a pennant. 'If I had lost less money on this unchancy cruise. it shall be your part to run away. I'll offer ye a change: a bottle of brandy against two buckets of water. sir. and was duly executed on both sides. and the captain and Mr. ye ken who for.' says Alan. or I'm the more mistaken) I'll put it in hand. sir. with no blame of mine: they keep the cruisers thick upon this coast. sir. if that was to befall. the name of which was drink.
com 10 . he was afraid to trust his brig so deep among the islands. a swell began to set in from round the outer Hebrides. On the day when the fog fell and we ran down Alan's boat. And here I must explain. Our course. a breeze sprang up from a little to the east of north. so that at first we had this swell upon our beam. But after nightfall. All day the breeze held in the same point. we lay becalmed to the east of the Isle of Canna or between that and Isle Eriska in the chain of the Long Island. was to the west of south. when we had turned Free eBooks at Planet eBook. to go round about the inner isles. the straight course was through the narrows of the Sound of Mull. But the captain had no chart. and the reader would do well to look at a map. and towards afternoon. At dawn after the battle. and rather freshened than died down. and the wind serving well.CHAPTER XII I HEAR OF THE 'RED FOX" B efore we had done cleaning out the round-house. Now to get from there to the Linnhe Loch. we had been running through the Little Minch. he preferred to go by west of Tiree and come up under the southern coast of the great Isle of Mull. and were much rolled about. This blew off the rain and brought out the sun.
Alan. sailing. I would hunt all of that name like blackcocks. when I came to mention that good friend of mine.' says he.' says he. Campbell the minister. telling him all my misfortune. as we were. If I lay dying. Only. so close on the back of the great rebellion.' 'I know nothing I would help a Campbell to. and the Campbells have long harried and wasted those of my name. before the swell came up. It was at this time we heard each other's stories. it was needful a man should know what he was doing when he went upon the heather. It was I that showed the example. 'ye ken very well that I am an Appin Stewart. 'he is a man you should be proud to give your hand to. 'unless it was a leaden bullet. Alan fired up and cried out that he hated all that were of that name.' said I.the end of Tiree and began to head more to the east. the early part of the day.' 'Why. Meanwhile. I would crawl upon my knees to my chamber window for a shot at one. which he heard with great good-nature. and smoked a pipe or two of the captain's fine tobacco. was very pleasant. 'Why. which was the more important to me.' I cried. in a bright sunshine and with many mountainous islands upon different sides. Mr. and got lands of us by treachery—but never 10 Kidnapped . Alan and I sat in the round-house with the doors open on each side (the wind being straight astern). as I gained some knowledge of that wild Highland country on which I was so soon to land. In those days. 'what ails ye at the Campbells?' 'Well. ay. the sea came right astern.
Duncan Stewart. 'I got my wastefulness from the same man I got the buttons from. as they were going out of the palace. to make a man the more angry. before King George and Queen Carline. and my father and three more were chosen out and sent to London town. And when they were through. when first it was mustered. So they were had into the palace and showed the whole art of the sword for two hours at a stretch. tricks fit for a peddler.with the sword. by.' he continued. and that was my poor father. they had a porter's lodge to go. 'There's more than that. and the best swordsman in the Hielands. He was in the Black Watch. and with the word brought down his fist upon the table. lying papers. falling again to smiling. David. and the Butcher Cumberland. the King (for all he was a rank usurper) spoke them fair and gave each man three guineas in his hand.' 'Ah!' says he. had a gillie at his back to carry his firelock for him on the march.' said I.com 10 . Now. and. grace be to him! He was the prettiest man of his kindred.' 'You that are so wasteful of your buttons. was wishful to see Hieland swordsmanship. Well. and that is the same as to say. the King. like other gentlemen privates. I should ken.' he cried loudly. 'I can hardly think you would be a good judge of business. in all the world. and it came in on my father. for I knew it was usually said by those who have the underhand. to let him see it at the best. as he was perhaps the first private Free eBooks at Planet eBook. But I paid the less attention to this. and many more of whom I havenae mind. for it was him that taught me. it appears. 'and all in the same story: lying words. and the show of what's legal over all.
Hieland gentleman that had ever gone by that door. which would aye be some protection. 'the punishment is death. which was a black spot upon my character at the best of times. the three others that came behind him did the same. and would still be a sore job for me if I fell among the red-coats. But for all I was so young.' 'Ay' said he. and there they were on the street.' 'I misdoubt it much.' 'What. So he gives the King's three guineas into the man's hand. it was right he should give the poor porter a proper notion of their quality. 'Dear.' said Alan. 10 Kidnapped . it would be a short shrift and a lang tow for Alan! But I have the King of France's commission in my pocket. And that was how I came to enlist. 'if they got hands on me. I was wiser than say my thought.' said Alan. and little besides. 'were you in the English army?' 'That was I. but the truth of it is. And that was the father that I had. dear. that it was Duncan Stewart.' said I. never a penny the better for their pains. as if it was his common custom. 'But I deserted to the right side at Preston Pans — and that's some comfort. as I am willing to prove with either sword or pistol. and some say it was another. 'And that's true.' said I. 'He left me my breeks to cover me.' I could scarcely share this view: holding desertion under arms for an unpardonable fault in honour. 'I have doubts mysel'. that was the first to fee the King's porter.' cried I. Some say it was one.' said Alan drily. God rest him!' 'I think he was not the man to leave you rich.' says I.
and taking it home in a kale-leaf. he that was all his life so great a man. they are true to their chief. 'you that are a condemned rebel.' said he. in that far country. 'Well. But the heart of the matter is the business of my chief. but Ardshiel is the captain of the clan. man. man?' cried I. but I weary for the heather and the deer. the children and the hope of Appin. ye see. but their hearts are staunch. and come of the blood and bearing the name of kings. Now. Whiles I pick up a few lads to serve the King of France: recruits. and a deserter. 'I have been back every year since fortysix!' 'And what brings ye. And then I have bit things that I attend to. which scarcely cleared my mind. David.' 'Tut!' says Alan. I weary for my friends and country. buying butter in the market-place. 'France is a braw place.'And.' said I. the tenants of Appin have to pay a rent to King George. He that had four hundred swords at his whistle.com 10 . and maybe a threat or two. and a man of the French King's — what tempts ye back into this country? It's a braving of Providence. 'Ay. I have seen.' 'I thought they called your chief Appin. that must be learned their letters and how to hold a sword. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' said he. and that's aye a little money. This is not only a pain but a disgrace to us of his family and clan. is now brought down to live in a French town like a poor and private person. and what with love and a bit of pressure. nae doubt. Ardshiel. the poor folk scrape up a second rent for Ardshiel. ye see. good heaven. with these eyes of mine. 'Ye see.' cried I. There are the bairns forby.
James of the Glens: James Stewart.' said he. I'm the hand that carries it. and does the management. but never a grimmer than Alan's when he had named the Red Fox. that is: Ardshiel's half-brother. 'I'm a Whig. He it is that gets the money in. his teeth shut together. if ye were one of the cursed race of Campbell. or little better. Now. 'ye're a Whig. David. 'I call it noble. 'Well. 'I told a different tale to yon captain man. But that's the handiwork of my good kinsman and my father's friend.' 'Ay' said he. but ye're a gentleman.' says he. and the good 110 Kidnapped . 'And who is the Red Fox?' I asked.' I cried. but this is the truth of it. who was afterwards so famous at the time of his hanging. When the men of the clans were broken at Culloden.. 'Who is he?' cried Alan.' And he struck the belt about his body. and I'll tell you that. If ye were the Red Fox. David. and that's what does it. 'Ay. 'Do they pay both?' cried I. I have seen many a grim face.' And at that name. for all my mind was occupied with the generosity of these poor Highlanders.' This was the first time I heard the name of that James Stewart. 'What! two rents?' I repeated. David. daunted. but still curious. 'Ay. But I took little heed at the moment. so that the guineas rang.Well. but I call it noble.. ye would gnash your teeth to hear tell of it. and he ceased speaking. And it's wonderful to me how little pressure is needed. both.
Ardshiel had to flee like a poor deer upon the mountains — he and his lady and his bairns. 'But when it came to Colin Roy. they plucked the weapons from the hands of his clansmen.com 111 . fiercely. That was the love the clansmen bore their chief. the English rogues. and a man may be cast into a gaol if he has but a kilt about his legs. and while he still lay in the heather. 'And you little better than a common Whig!' cries Alan. and the very clothes off their backs — so that it's now a sin to wear a tartan plaid. In he steps. how the poor commons of Appin. the black Campbell blood Free eBooks at Planet eBook.cause went down. when I told ye?' 'I called it noble. were wringing their very plaids to get a second rent. and send it over-seas for Ardshiel and his poor bairns. that couldnae come at his life. These guineas are the proof of it. and is hail-fellow-well-met with Sheamus — that's James of the Glens. a Campbell. and the horses rode over the fetlocks in the best blood of the north. that had borne arms for thirty centuries. And now. A sair job we had of it before we got him shipped. red-headed Colin of Glenure ——' 'Is that him you call the Red Fox?' said I. And at first he sings small. What was it ye called it. they stripped him of his lands. to be so-called King's factor on the lands of Appin.' said I. that came to his ears that I have just told you. ay. They stripped him of his powers. Alan. my chieftain's agent. the farmers and the crofters and the boumen. But by-and-by. and gets papers from King George. 'Will ye bring me his brush?' cries Alan. 'Ay. One thing they couldnae kill. in there steps a man. that's the man. were striking at his rights.
' 'Him beaten?' echoed Alan.in him ran wild. Alan. too. and Maccolls. and begging them to come. What! should a Stewart get a bite of bread. He sat gnashing his teeth at the wine table. and set his two hands upon his knees. one to King George by stark force. what does he do? He declares all the farms to let. 'that is a strange story.' said I.) 'Well. David man. 'It's little ye ken of Campbells. Him beaten? No: nor will be. where there was a Stewart to be starved and a red-headed hound of a Campbell to be pleasured!' 'Well. and less of the Red Fox.'' 'Well. and him not be able to prevent it? Ah! Red Fox.' said he. And Whig as I may be. in his black heart. And. and Macrobs (that had two rents to pay.' said I. there grows not enough heather in all Scotland to hide him 11 Kidnapped . and far he sent seeking them — as far as to the sides of Clyde and the cross of Edinburgh — seeking. the Lord have pity upon ye!' (Alan stopped to swallow down his anger. 'Ardshiel will have to hold his bonnet on a French roadside. David). 'Ay.' thinks he. 'I'll soon get other tenants that'll overbid these Stewarts. which he had long since suffered to go out. if ever I hold you at a gun's end. that I can find time and leisure for a bit of hunting. and a fine one. I am glad the man was beaten. and Maccolls. thinks he. 'and then. 'ye'll never guess that! For these same Stewarts. David. and fleeching. 'what followed?' Alan laid down his pipe. and one to Ardshiel by natural kindness) offered him a better price than any Campbell in all broad Scotland. and Macrobs' (for these are all names in my clan. till his blood's on the hillside! But if the day comes.
'it's a kent thing that Christianity forbids revenge.com 11 . and yourself no good. every father's son out of his father's house. 'Troth and indeed. 'ye are neither very wise nor very Christian to blow off so many words of anger. Tell me your tale plainly out. Therefore he sent for lawyers. 'since he couldnae be rid of the loyal commons by fair means. if there was no such a thing as a lad and a gun behind a heather bush! But that's nothing to the point. the more's the pity! And barring that about Christianity (of which my opinion is quite otherwise. or I would be nae Christian).' said I. David. and out of the place where he was bred and fed. and played when he was a callant. David.' 'Opinion here or opinion there. he swore he would be rid of them by foul. What did he next?' 'And that's a good observe. he would drive them out.' said Alan.from my vengeance!' 'Man Alan. he can spread his butter thinFree eBooks at Planet eBook. and red-coats to stand at his back. And since them that fed him in his exile wouldnae be bought out — right or wrong. This is what he did. Ardshiel was to starve: that was the thing he aimed at.' said he. 'it's well seen it was a Campbell taught ye! It would be a convenient world for them and their sort. And who are to succeed them? Bare-leggit beggars! King George is to whistle for his rents. 'come to that. I am much of your mind. They will do the man ye call the Fox no harm. And the kindly folk of that country must all pack and tramp.' 'Well.' said I.' 'Ay' said he. and papers.' 'Ay' said I. he maun dow with less. they will do him no harm.
' he continued.' said I. This was it. And everywhere there are friends' houses and friends' byres and haystacks. a man in his situation could come and go without arrest. And then the heather's a great help. And if ye killed this Colin to-morrow.' said Alan. 'but.' said Alan. he will gang hame singing to Glenure!' 'Let me have a word. if there's a sentry at one place. besides. what better would ye be? There would be another factor in his shoes. and whistled me the air. I have fished a water with a sentry on the other side of the brae. A soldier covers nae mair of it than his boot-soles. and the bit toys out of his children's hands. 'It's easier than ye would think. And besides. as fast as spur can drive. with the Highlands covered with troops. ye just go by another. when folk talk of a country covered with troops. 'it's no sae bad now as it was in forty-six. and guarded like a city in a siege. 'And then. man! ye have Whig blood in ye!' He spoke kindly enough. be sure Government has a finger in the pie. and I have sat in a heather bush within six feet of another. It's not this Campbell's fault. The Hielands are what they call pacified. 'A bare hillside (ye see) is like all one road.' 'Ye're a good lad in a fight. 11 Kidnapped . but there was so much anger under his contempt that I thought it was wise to change the conversation. and learned a real bonny tune from his whistling. it's but a kind of a byword at the best. if he can pluck the meat from my chieftain's table.ner: what cares Red Colin? If he can hurt Ardshiel. he has his wish. I expressed my wonder how.' said he. and killed a fine trout. man — it's his orders. 'Be sure. if they take less rents.
For his faults. and an excellent fencer with the small sword as well as with his own particular weapon. and for a long time sate very sad and silent. ye would think. was a dead shot. his childish propensity to take offence and to pick quarrels. he greatly laid aside in my case. but what tenty[17] folk have hidden in their thatch! But what I would like to ken. with never a gun or a sword left from Cantyre to Cape Wrath.com 11 . David. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.Small wonder. For though he had a great taste for courage in other men. But it's a kittle thing to decide what folk'll bear. is just how long? Not long. yet he admired it most in Alan Breck. but principally pipe-music. and I now knew them all. had read several books both in French and English. that he was skilled in all kinds of music. is more than I can tell. a good angler. was a well-considered poet in his own tongue. But whether it was because I had done well myself. out of regard for the battle of the round-house. or because I had been a witness of his own much greater prowess. and never a pretty lad to put a bullet in him?' [17] Careful. I will add the rest of what I have to say about my friend. with men like Ardshiel in exile and men like the Red Fox sitting birling the wine and oppressing the poor at home. and what they will not. they were on his face. Or why would Red Colin be riding his horse all over my poor country of Appin. But the worst of them. And with this Alan fell into a muse.
and. it blew hard. by the sharp tones in which he spoke of his brig. it was still pretty bright). so as to round the southwest corner of the Island of Mull. she tore through the seas at a great rate. above all. and the moon. and as dark as it ever would be at that season of the year (and that is to say. 'come out and see if ye can pilot. when Hoseason clapped his head into the round-house door. The sky was clear. a great deal of daylight lingered.' said he. shone brightly. and so Alan and I. it was plain to both of us he was in deadly earnest.CHAPTER XIII THE LOSS OF THE BRIG I t was already late at night. 'Do I look like tricks?' cries the captain. Though it was no good point of sailing for the Covenant. pitching and straining. with no great fear of treachery. 'I have other things to think of — my brig's in danger!' By the concerned look of his face.' 'Is this one of your tricks?' asked Alan. with a wisp of mist upon the top of it) lay full upon the lar-board bow. stepped on deck. The brig was close hauled. the hills of which (and Ben More above them all. which was nearly full. 'Here. and was bitter cold. 11 Kidnapped .
when the brig rising suddenly on the top of a high swell. If I had kent of these reefs. 'if it was the only one. Altogether it was no such ill night to keep the seas in. I am nae pilot.' 'Are there many of them?' says the captain. that was to pilot us. 'Doubtless. and what better would ye have?' 'Ay.' said Alan.' said Alan.' said Alan. no. 'There's a way through them.' said Alan. or if Shuan had been spared. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and immediately after we heard a low sound of roaring. 'The sea breaking on a reef. 'We'll have to haul our wind then. 'Truly. and I had begun to wonder what it was that sat so heavily upon the captain. if I had had a chart. sir. have ye never a word?' 'I'm thinking.' And sure enough. 'And now ye ken where it is. a thing like a fountain rose out of the moonlit sea. 'but where? But it somehow runs in my mind once more that it is clearer under the land. I suppose?' said the captain.and pursued by the westerly swell. 'these'll be what they call the Torran Rocks. Riach and the captain looked at each other. gloomily. 'Ye see for yourself. he pointed and cried to us to look. sir.' Mr. nor six hundred. 'but it sticks in my mind there are ten miles of them. it's not sixty guineas.' said Hoseason. 'What do ye call that?' asked the captain. just as he spoke there came a second fountain farther to the south. Away on the lee bow.com 11 . 'There!' said Hoseason.' 'So?' said Hoseason. would have made me risk my brig in sic a stoneyard! But you.
sir. we're in for it now. Riach. So. for one reef was so close on the brig's weather board that when a sea burst upon it the lighter sprays fell upon her deck and wetted us like rain. as I say. Riach had shown 11 Kidnapped . 'The sea to the south is thick. Pray God you're right.' As we got nearer to the turn of the land the reefs began to be sown here and there on our very path. indeed. and Mr. which was. The brightness of the night showed us these perils as clearly as by day. Well.' With that he gave an order to the steersman. too. and even then we'll have the land to kep the wind off us. perhaps. Sometimes. these being all that were fit (or.' he cried. counting the officers. It showed me. it fell to Mr. Riach to go aloft. it will be as it must. There were only five men on deck. the more alarming. 'it does seem clearer in by the land. Riach sometimes cried down to us to change the course. 'But where did I hear it? Well. both fit and willing) for their work. now on one foot. at least. But I think I might as well trust to a blind fiddler. and may as well crack on. and then. but still listening and looking and as steady as steel. none too soon. and sometimes blowing in his hands. and he sat there looking out and hailing the deck with news of all he saw.Mr. and that stoneyard on our lee. we'll have to come as near in about the end of Mull as we can take her. 'we'll try your way of it.' said Hoseason to Alan. Neither he nor Mr. now on the other. sir.' 'Well. well.' 'Pray God I am!' says Alan to me. after a while. and sent Riach to the foretop. the face of the captain as he stood by the steersman.
Riach. so high a place did the Covenant hold in his affections. besides. 'Ye have saved the brig. announced from the top that he saw clear water ahead.com 11 . 'but you'll allow. and it was strange to see three strong men throw their weight upon the tiller.' said he. now and then sheering to one side or the other to avoid a reef. 'Ye were right. I'll mind that when we come to clear accounts. 'you're not afraid?' 'No. Riach. but still hugging the wind and the land. wetting his lips. and threw the brig about. Mr. and Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Two hands were put to the helm. 'Reef to windward!' And just at the same time the tide caught the brig. it's a cold ending. This would have been the greater danger had not the sea been for some while free of obstacles. But this is matter only for conjecture. and admired them all the more because I found Alan very white.' sings out Mr. Alan!' I cried.' said Hoseason to Alan. but would have done it. but I saw they were brave in their own trade. 'this is no the kind of death I fancy!' 'What. The tide at the tail of the land ran very strong. sir. David. things having gone otherwise than he forecast.' By this time.' says he.' And I believe he not only meant what he said. we had got round Iona and begun to come alongside Mull. 'Ochone. 'Keep her away a point.well in the fighting. yourself. and it (like a living thing) struggle against and drive them back. and Hoseason himself would sometimes lend a help.
and the sense of danger. talking to himself and groaning out aloud whenever the ship hammered on the rock. he had 10 Kidnapped . off a little isle they call Earraid.threw the wind out of her sails. while the rest that lay helpless in their bunks harrowed me with screaming and begging to be saved. and the breaking of the heavier seas continually forced us to give over and hold on. sometimes it only ground the poor brig upon the reef. still in the same blank. my mind came clear again. and the singing of the wind. Riach and the seamen busy round the skiff. for the skiff lay amidships and was full of hamper. His brig was like wife and child to him. but we all wrought like horses while we could. which lay low and black upon the larboard. and came near to shake Mr. He stood holding by the shrouds. so that we could hear her beat herself to pieces. ran over to assist them. and what with the great noise of the sails. for I could scarcely understand the things I saw. Meanwhile such of the wounded as could move came clambering out of the fore-scuttle and began to help. She came round into the wind like a top. and as soon as I set my hand to work. and. I think my head must have been partly turned. The captain took no part. Sometimes the swell broke clean over us. I was on my feet in a minute. and the next moment struck the reef with such a dunch as threw us all flat upon the deck. Presently I observed Mr. It seemed he was struck stupid. The reef on which we had struck was close in under the southwest end of Mull. and the flying of the spray in the moonlight. It was no very easy task. Riach from his place upon the mast.
Presently. day by day. Well. when this man sang out pretty shrill: 'For God's sake. All the while. which helped me somewhat. but at the sudden tilting of the ship I was cast clean over the bulwarks into the sea. It was the spare yard I had got hold of. looking across at the shore. and then came up. We had one of the wounded men told off to keep a watch upon the seas and cry us warning. They say a man sinks a third time for good. and drank my fill. and the thing was so distracting to my wits. and then swallowed whole. then.com 11 . for it was a land of the Campbells. I remember only one other thing: that I asked Alan.looked on. and began to come to myself. for I would not like to write how often I went down. and I was amazed Free eBooks at Planet eBook. what country it was. and then down again. All the time of our working at the boat. I was being hurled along. but when it came to the brig. and got a blink of the moon. he seemed to suffer along with her. we had the boat about ready to be launched. there followed a sea so huge that it lifted the brig right up and canted her over on her beam. and sure enough. I cannot be made like other folk. And then all of a sudden I was in quiet water. hold on!' We knew by his tone that it was something more than ordinary. I know not. it was the worst possible for him. I went down. at the mishandling of poor Ransome. and he answered. or how often I came up again. I found I was holding to a spar. or my hold was too weak. Whether the cry came too late. that I was neither sorry nor afraid. and beaten upon and choked.
but when I laid hold upon the yard with both arms. and began to feel that a man can die of cold as well as of drowning. 'Well. had flung out me and the spare yard upon its landward margin. I soon begun to find that I was moving. sometimes. which for the time increased my fear of it. for a glimpse. Sometimes the whole tract swung to one side. 'if I cannot get as far as that. I was too far off and too low down to see. as if tired of that play. What it was I had no guess. but whether or not they had yet launched the boat. but it was plain she was already out of cry. While I was hailing the brig. and mortally slow. The sea was here quite quiet. but I now know it must have been the roost or tide race. Hard work it was. there was no sound of any 1 Kidnapped . but which yet boiled white all over and bristled in the moon with rings and bubbles. but in about an hour of kicking and splashing.to see how far I had travelled from the brig. and kicked out with both feet. it would all disappear and then boil up again. it's strange!' I had no skill of swimming. Essen Water being small in our neighbourhood. indeed. which had carried me away so fast and tumbled me about so cruelly. I now lay quite becalmed. I had got well in between the points of a sandy bay surrounded by low hills. and at last. The shores of Earraid were close in. like the tail of a live serpent.' thought I to myself. I hailed her. She was still holding together. I spied a tract of water lying between us where no great waves came. I could see in the moonlight the dots of heather and the sparkling of the mica in the rocks.
and grateful to God as I trust I have been often.surf. the moon shone clear.com 1 . I was: tired as I never was before that night. though never with more cause. Both. I cannot tell if I was more tired or more grateful. and when at last it grew so shallow that I could leave the yard and wade ashore upon my feet. and I thought in my heart I had never seen a place so desert and desolate. But it was dry land. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. at least.
but took off my shoes and walked to and fro upon the sand. and though the wind was broken by the land. though it was about the hour of their first waking. As soon as the day began to break I put on my shoes and climbed a hill — the ruggedest scramble I ever undertook— falling. Kidnapped 1 . It was half-past twelve in the morning. only the surf broke outside in the distance.CHAPTER XIV THE ISLET W ith my stepping ashore I began the most unhappy part of my adventures. and in a place so desertlike and lonesome. between big blocks of granite. To walk by the sea at that hour of the morning. was nowhere to be seen. it was a cold night. which put me in mind of my perils and those of my friend. I dared not sit down (for I thought I should have frozen). which must have lifted from the reef and sunk. not a cock crew. bare-foot. The boat. and beating my breast with infinite weariness. There was never a sail upon the ocean. struck me with a kind of fear. When I got to the top the dawn was come. or leaping from one to another. too. and in what I could see of the land was neither house nor man. There was no sign of the brig. the whole way. There was no sound of man or cattle.
I plumped in head over ears. I considered the sun would soon rise and dry my clothes. with a thick mist. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. till it occurred to me that perhaps the creek was fordable. but presently to my surprise it began to widen out again. and cut off on every side by the salt seas. and afraid to look longer at so empty a scene. but of the neighbouring part of Mull (which they call the Ross) is nothing but a jumble of granite rocks with heather in among. it was rather by God's grace than my own prudence. which seemed to run pretty deep into the land.I was afraid to think what had befallen my shipmates. and wondered what to do. At this I scratched my head. I had enough to trouble me without that. I was no wetter (for that could hardly be). and if ever I was heard of more. I must needs change my direction to go about the end of it. And at the worst. Instead of the sun rising to dry me. and as I had no means to get across. Back I went to the narrowest point and waded in. But not three yards from shore. After a little. and my belly that now began to ache with hunger. but had still no notion of the truth: until at last I came to a rising ground. So I set off eastward along the south coast. What with my wet clothes and weariness. It was still the roughest kind of walking. I stood in the rain. not only of Earraid. hoping to find a house where I might warm myself. it came on to rain. indeed the whole. my way was stopped by a creek or inlet of the sea. and it burst upon me all in a moment that I was cast upon a little barren isle. so that my case was lamentable. and shivered. and perhaps get news of those I had lost. At first the creek kept narrowing as I had looked to see.com 1 .
and if hope had not buoyed me up. I thought the yard was something farther out than when I left it. I was distressed with thirst. so that I could wade out till the water was almost to my neck and the little waves splashed into my face. to fetch and carry it back. I saw it bobbing very quietly some twenty feet beyond. What had carried me through the roost would surely serve me to cross this little quiet creek in safety. and had to stop. all at once. that I must pass it lightly over. more dead than alive. and having lost another hope was the more unhappy. I must have cast myself down and given up. and drink the peaty water out of the hags. It was a weary tramp in all ways. The sand was smooth and firm. as if on purpose. undaunted. they had either their pockets full of tools. I had nothing in my pockets but money 1 Kidnapped . My case was very different. or a chest of things would be thrown upon the beach along with them. or because I was growing fevered.but I was all the colder for this mishap. into the sea. But at that depth my feet began to leave me. the yard came in my head. And now. and shelved gradually down. as I went. In I went. With that I set off. Whether with the sea salt. and flung myself down upon the sands and wept. but at that I came ashore. The time I spent upon the island is still so horrible a thought to me. I had borne up well until this last disappointment. and at the first glance. In all the books I have read of people cast away. As for the yard. and I durst venture in no farther. I came to the bay at last. across the top of the isle. for the third time.
between two boulders that made a kind of roof. it was all desolate and rocky. and the gulls which haunted the outlying rocks in a prodigious number. But the creek. that Free eBooks at Planet eBook. nor could I ever distinguish what particular fish it was that hurt me. Perhaps they were out of season. A second trial of the same food (indeed I had no other) did better with me. my feet were in a bog. All day it streamed rain. and when I lay down that night. devouring them cold and raw as I found them. the island ran like a sop. Of these two I made my whole diet. not knowing quickness to be needful. besides. The second day I crossed the island to all sides. and so hungry was I. or strait. and among the rocks of the isle I found a great plenty of limpets.and Alan's silver button. that at first they seemed to me delicious. nothing living on it but game birds which I lacked the means to kill. But at least I had no sooner eaten my first meal than I was seized with giddiness and retching. and lay for a long time no better than dead. I never knew what to expect when I had eaten. which at first I could scarcely strike from their places. and sometimes I was thrown into a miserable sickness. There were. But as long as I was on the island.com 1 . and revived my strength. I think periwinkle is the English name. sometimes all was well. I was as much short of knowledge as of means. some of the little shells that we call buckies. and being inland bred. There was no one part of it better than another. there was no dry spot to be found. I knew indeed that shell-fish were counted good to eat. or perhaps there was something wrong in the sea about my island.
as if from a homestead in a hollow of the land. over the low country of the Ross. though if I had thought upon the very name of home in such a spot.cut off the isle from the main-land of the Ross. and the bay again opened into the Sound of Iona. and helped me 1 Kidnapped . so that the hut was of no use to me. I must have burst out weeping. What was more important. between fear and hope that I might see some human creature coming. I had good reasons for my choice. when I was wet and cold. the shell-fish on which I lived grew there in great plenty. where fishers used to sleep when they came there upon their business. when the tide was out I could gather a peck at a time: and this was doubtless a convenience. Altogether. although it put a point on my own sufferings. And on the other hand. It was the same with the roofs of Iona. I had become in no way used to the horrid solitude of the isle. but still looked round me on all sides (like a man that was hunted). opened out on the north into a bay. and it was the neighbourhood of this place that I chose to be my home. I used to watch this smoke. I could catch a sight of the great. Now. till my heart burned. morning and evening. yet it kept hope alive. and think of the fireside and the company. but the turf roof of it had fallen entirely in. There was in this part of the isle a little hut of a house like a pig's hut. and had my head half turned with loneliness. I saw smoke go up. this sight I had of men's homes and comfortable lives. But the other reason went deeper. from a little up the hillside over the bay. and gave me less shelter than my rocks. ancient church and the roofs of the people's houses in Iona.
Charles the Second declared a man could stay outdoors more days in the year in the climate of England than in any other. I supposed he must have swum the strait. and the rain. and though as long as the light lasted I kept a bright look-out for boats on the Sound or men passing on the Ross. This was very like a king. This was the day of incidents. It still rained. with a palace at his back and changes of dry clothes.com 1 . and indeed it seemed impossible that I should be left to die on the shores of my own country. but a little comforted. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.to eat my raw shell-fish (which had soon grown to be a disgust). and with a cruel sore throat. and fowls. yet it rained for more than twenty-four hours. It was the height of the summer. and saved me from the sense of horror I had whenever I was quite alone with dead rocks. before he trotted off upon the other side. and did not clear until the afternoon of the third day. was more than I could fancy. and within view of a church-tower and the smoke of men's houses. the people of Iona. though what should bring any creature to Earraid. as wet as ever. But the second day passed. In the morning I saw a red deer. I say it kept hope alive. perhaps. and I turned in to sleep. no help came near me. by having said good-night to my next neighbours. standing in the rain on the top of the island. But he must have had better luck on his flight from Worcester than I had on that miserable isle. a buck with a fine spread of antlers. and the cold sea. but he had scarce seen me rise from under my rock.
I was startled by a guinea-piece. but my father's leather purse. And yet the worst was not yet come. as I was jumping about after my limpets. so that my shanks went naked. save when asleep. I now saw there must be a hole. my throat was very sore. the rightful heir of an estate. my strength had much abated. my hands had grown quite soft with the continual soaking. and my heart so turned against the horrid stuff I was condemned to eat.A little after. I had left the shore at Queensferry with near on fifty pounds. It is true I picked up a third guinea a little after. English money. That made a fortune of three pounds and four shillings. But this was to lock the stable door after the steed was stolen. for a lad. which (because it had a flat top and overlooked the Sound) I was much in the habit of frequenting. so that from that day out. This state of my affairs dashed me still further. My clothes were beginning to rot. and. indeed my plight on that third morning was truly pitiful. and now starving on an isle at the extreme end of the wild Highlands. 10 Kidnapped . my stockings in particular were quite worn through. they kept back not only about a third of the whole sum. not that ever I stayed in one place. When the sailors gave me my money again. now I found no more than two guinea-pieces and a silver shilling. that the very sight of it came near to sicken me. and clapped my hand to the place in a great hurry. where it lay shining on a piece of turf. I carried my gold loose in a pocket with a button. There is a pretty high rock on the northwest of Earraid. which fell upon a rock in front of me and glanced off into the sea. my misery giving me no rest.
and ran along the shore from rock to rock.com 11 . The comfort of the sunshine is a thing I cannot tell. I shouted out. a coble with a brown sail and a pair of fishers aboard of it. I wore myself down with continual and aimless goings and comings in the rain. On the south of my rock. even after they were out of reach of my voice. right before my eyes. when I could not reach the yard. for they cried out in the Gaelic tongue. all of a sudden. It set me thinking hopefully of my deliverance. I could not believe such wickedness. of which I had begun to despair. crying on them piteously. and I scanned the sea and the Ross with a fresh interest. however. and grinding my face in the earth. As soon. and there was no doubt but they observed me. I still cried and waved to them. I lay down on the top of that rock to dry myself. when these fishers turned a deaf ear to my cries. came flying round that corner of the isle. and I be none the wiser.Indeed. Once. I thought my heart would have burst. They were near enough to hear — I could even see the colour of their hair. But the boat never turned aside. But this time I wept and roared like a wicked child. as the sun came out. All the time of my troubles I wept only twice. and then fell on my knees on the rock and reached up my hands and prayed to them. the second time. those two fishers Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and when they were quite gone. for Iona. Well. bound for Iona. tearing up the turf with my nails. and laughed. If a wish would kill men. and flew on. so that a boat could thus come quite near me upon that side. and now. a part of the island jutted out and hid the open ocean.
and what I managed to eat of the shell-fish agreed well with me and revived my courage. I began at once to hope and fear exceedingly. I observed the night was falling dry. The next day (which was the fourth of this horrible life of mine) I found my bodily strength run very low. but with such loathing of the mess as I could now scarce control. for I thought these men might have thought better of their cruelty and be coming back to my assistance.would never have seen morning. and with her head. I turned my 1 Kidnapped . with a thought of gratitude. I was in a better case than ever before. as I thought. I had all my first pains. I thought I should have died. I must eat again. forgiving all men. and so I got to sleep at last. since I had landed on the isle. I was scarce back on my rock (where I went always the first thing after I had eaten) before I observed a boat coming down the Sound. for my fishes poisoned me again. and as soon as I had thus made up my mind to the worst. clearness came upon me. But the sun shone. even my uncle and the fishers. But another disappointment. my clothes were dried a good deal. Sure enough. I should have done as well to fast. such as yesterday's. in my direction. the air was sweet. and there came on me that dreadful sense of illness. I had a fit of strong shuddering. which clucked my teeth together. truly. When I was a little over my anger. and I should likely have died upon my island. and made my peace with God. was more than I could bear. which we have no name for either in Scotch or English. my throat was so sore I could scarce swallow.
I told him I had no Gaelic. She was coming straight to Earraid! I could no longer hold myself back. And then it was out of all question. but all the rest was Gaelic and might have been Greek and Hebrew for me. All this time the boat was coming on. and I began to suspect he thought he was talking English. This I knew by their hair. The next time I counted the full thousand. Listening very close. my legs shook under me. and what frightened me most of all. but ran to the seaside and out. Then he stood up in the boat and addressed me a long while. speaking fast and with many wavings of his hand. for when I was brought to a stand at last. But now there was a third man along with them. and did not look again till I had counted many hundreds. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. the new man tee-hee'd with laughter as he talked and looked at me. my heart beating so as to hurt me. from one rock to another. they let down their sail and lay quiet. who looked to be of a better class.back. which the one had of a bright yellow and the other black. as slowly as I could. As soon as they were come within easy speech.com 1 . and my mouth was so dry. as far as I could go. I must wet it with the sea-water before I was able to shout. In spite of my supplications. It is a marvel I was not drowned. The boat was still heading for the island. they drew no nearer in. upon the sea. I caught the word 'whateffer' several times. and at this he became very angry. accordingly. and now I was able to perceive it was the same boat and the same two men as yesterday.
and taken the trouble to come back. and even watched for the ebbs. 'tide. Even I. or at the most by wading. and except in the bottom of the neaps. yes. I remembered he was always waving his hand towards the mainland of the Ross.' said I. and landed with a shout on the main island. it was shrunk into a little trickle of water. yes — yes. sure enough.' and began again as hard as ever in the Gaelic. 'Yes.' Then I had a flash of hope. yes. and. the better to get my shellfish — even I (I say) if I had sat down to think. instead of raging at my fate. and could not finish. leaped back the way I had come. from one stone to another.' says he. either dry-shod. to show him I had caught a word. It was no wonder the fishers had not understood me. can be entered and left twice in every twenty-four hours. and then he looked at the other men. In about half an hour I came out upon the shores of the creek. not above my knees. The wonder was rather that they had ever guessed my pitiful illusion. This time I picked out another word. which is only what they call a tidal islet. 'I told you I spoke English. 'Do you mean when the tide is out —?' I cried.'Whatever. and got free. and set off running across the isle as I had never run before. I had 1 Kidnapped . 'Yes.' said he. 'Tide.' At that I turned tail upon their boat (where my adviser had once more begun to tee-hee with laughter). must have soon guessed the secret. A sea-bred boy would not have stayed a day on Earraid. as much as to say. who had the tide going out and in before me in the bay. through which I dashed.
And even as it was. but in my present case. and I believe they both get paid in the end. not only in past sufferings. but the fools first. But for the fishers. I have seen wicked men and fools. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I had paid for it pretty dear. in pure folly.starved with cold and hunger on that island for close upon one hundred hours. a great many of both.com 1 . I might have left my bones there. being clothed like a beggar-man. scarce able to walk. and in great pain of my sore throat.
he gave me to understand that my shipmates had got safe ashore. There may be roads for them that know that country well.CHAPTER XV THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: THROUGH THE ISLE OF MULL T he Ross of Mull. which I had now got upon. like the isle I had just left. and big stone. It was low and longish. Kidnapped 1 . and brier. and no other landmark than Ben More. roofed with turf and built of unmortared stones. an old gentleman sat smoking his pipe in the sun. being all bog. I aimed as well as I could for the smoke I had seen so often from the island. and had broken bread in that very house on the day after. and with all my great weariness and the difficulty of the way came upon the house in the bottom of a little hollow about five or six at night. was rugged and trackless. but for my part I had no better guide than my own nose. and on a mound in front of it. With what little English he had.
no. and I told him my tale.com 1 . 'dressed like a gentleman?' He said they all wore rough great-coats. led me into his hut (it was no better) and presented me before his wife. partly to think of his vanity in dress. that he was bareheaded like myself. but to be sure. And then the old gentleman clapped his hand to his brow. yes!' said I.'Was there one. but this old gentleman (I call him so because of his manners. and I judged it more likely he had it out of harm's way under his great-coat. the one that came alone. for his clothes were dropping off his back) heard me all through with nothing but gravity and pity. 'Ah.' said the old gentleman. in some wonder. At first I thought Alan might have lost his hat. wore breeches and stockings. while the rest had sailors' trousers. 'Why. then. he took me by the hand. This set me smiling. A south-country man would certainly have laughed. 'Well. and then the rain came in my mind. 'I have a word for you. patting my shoulder and smiling to me all the time.' I asked. by Torosay. When I had done. The good woman set oat-bread before me and a cold grouse. and cried out that I must be the lad with the silver button. the first of them. for she had no English. as if she had been the Queen and I a duke. and the old gentleman (not to be behind) brewed me a strong punch out of their country Free eBooks at Planet eBook. that you are to follow your friend to his country. partly because my friend was safe. 'and he would have a feathered hat?' He told me.' He then asked me how I had fared.' said I.
and gave me an old bonnet for my head. Some went bare. The old gentleman. The Highland dress being forbidden by law since the rebellion. All the while I was eating. my throat already easier and my spirits quite restored by good fare and good news. and carried their trousers on their backs like a useless burthen: some had made an imitation of the tartan with little parti-coloured stripes patched together like an old wife's quilt. it was strange to see the variety of their array. and it was near noon of the next day before I took the road. again. and after that when I was drinking the punch. others. or herding little kine about the bigness of asses. but I must have wandered nearly half the time. The punch threw me in a strong sweat and a deep slumber. and the people condemned to the Lowland habit. grubbing in little miserable fields that would not keep a cat. but by putting a few stitches between the legs transformed it into a pair of 1 Kidnapped . Thought I to myself: 'If these are the wild Highlanders. though it was thick with the peat-smoke and as full of holes as a colander. although I pressed him hard. seemed like a palace. though I am free to own I was no sooner out of view of the house than I very jealously washed this gift of his in a wayside fountain. would take no money. True.spirit. I could wish my own folk wilder. only for a hanging cloak or great-coat. which they much disliked. still wore the Highland philabeg. and the house. the good people let me lie. I met plenty of people. I could scarce come to believe in my good fortune.' I not only started late.
To be sure. All those makeshifts were condemned and punished. in hopes to break up the clan spirit. they would give me a screed of the Gaelic that set me foolish. and repeated the name to them and pointed. At last. until I bethought me of the power of money in Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I came to a lone house. which was no doubt natural. for the law was harshly applied. who beg by patent — had a louting. few had any English. and already very weary. But these Highland beggars stood on their dignity. asked alms only to buy snuff (by their account) and would give no change. but in that out-of-the-way. country by—track as the one I followed) were infested with beggars. now that rapine was put down. so it was small wonder if I went out of my road as often as I stayed in it. but instead of simply pointing in reply. They seemed in great poverty. and the roads (even such a wandering.com 1 . flattering way with them. I knew Torosay to be my destination. and the chiefs kept no longer an open house. What was much more to the purpose. where I asked admittance. this was no concern of mine.trousers like a Dutchman's. and was refused. For our Lowland beggars — even the gownsmen themselves. there were few to make remarks and fewer to tell tales. and these few (unless they were of the brotherhood of beggars) not very anxious to place it at my service. And here again I marked a difference from my own part of the country. about eight at night. and if you gave them a plaek and asked change. sea-bound isle. except in so far as it entertained me by the way. would very civilly return you a boddle.
He was not alone in his poverty. and driven me from his door by signals. for it took all he had — the whole house was turned upside down. for my host was no robber. he would have scarce been thought so in the south. who had hitherto pretended to have no English. The odd shilling he kept for himself. protesting he could ill afford to have so great a sum of money lying 'locked up. before he could scrape together twenty shillings in silver. and vowed that no gentleman should leave his table after the bowl was brewed. I slept uneasily that night. fearing I should be robbed. but I might have spared myself the pain. so there was nothing for it but to sit and hear Jacobite toasts and Gaelic songs. and appealed to the rich man (Hector Maclean was his name). till all were tipsy and staggered off to the 10 Kidnapped . we must go five miles about to the house of what he called a rich man to have one of my guineas changed.' For all that he was very courteous and well spoken. the man of the house. and brewed punch in a fine china bowl. made us both sit down with his family to dinner. who had been a witness to our bargain and to my payment of the five shillings. I was for getting angry. for the next morning.so poor a country. and held up one of my guineas in my finger and thumb. over which my rascal guide grew so merry that he refused to start. This was perhaps a rich man for Mull. suddenly began to speak as clearly as was needful. and a neighbour brought under contribution. and agreed for five shillings to give me a night's lodging and guide me the next day to Torosay. only miserably poor and a great cheat. But Maclean had taken his share of the punch. Thereupon.
com 11 . and got out of sight of the house windows.' The impudent cheat answered me in the Gaelic that he had no English. No sooner. Maclean's house. only my guide looked constantly over his shoulder. however. had we crossed the back of a hill. he sat down upon the wayside Free eBooks at Planet eBook. As long as we went down a heathery valley that lay before Mr. 'since you are going with me. at the end of which distance. but I think it was rather for my misfortune.' I said.' said I. only grinned at me. and then (as you shall hear) only for a worse disappointment. all went well. and when I asked him the cause.bed or the barn for their night's rest. 'and hersel' will bring ye there. The two shillings carried him not quite as many miles.' said he. but my rascal guide got to the bottle at once. 'My fine fellow.' as he said. which he accepted greedily. 'I care very little for that. than he told me Torosay lay right in front.' I reflected awhile and then offered him two. 'I know very well your English comes and goes. and insisted on having in his hands at once 'for luck. and it was three hours before I had him clear of the house. Next day (the fourth of my travels) we were up before five upon the clock. Tell me what will bring it back? Is it more money you wish?' 'Five shillings mair. and that a hill-top (which he pointed out) was my best landmark.
and took off his brogues from his feet. 'Ha!' said I. He was quite blind. the brogues were worth in that country only a few pence. as we began to go on alongside. But his face went against me. First. which should have put me at my ease. and presently. I ran in upon him. In about half an hour of walk. At that. next. and lifted my hand to strike him. drawing a knife from his rags. the knife. I saw the steel butt of a pistol sticking from under the flap of his coat-pocket. and. leaving him barefoot and disarmed.' At that I boiled over. I overtook a great. like a man about to rest. I was now red-hot. and he but a little man. for a variety of reasons. ragged man. 'have you no more English?' He said impudently. squatted back and grinned at me like a wildcat. By good luck. and struck him in the mouth with the right. being sure I was done with that rogue. and set off upon my way. I was a strong lad and very angry. To carry such a thing meant a fine of fifteen pounds sterling upon a 1 Kidnapped . 'No. moving pretty fast but feeling before him with a staff. which was really a dagger. I chuckled to myself as I went. and told me he was a catechist. it seemed dark and dangerous and secret. put aside his knife with my left. lastly. wished him a good morning. forgetting everything but my anger. I picked up both that and his brogues. and he went down before me heavily. it was against the law for him to carry. and he. his knife flew out of his hand as he fell. he knew he could have no more of my money.
See. but at that he laughed aloud. that before the Act came out. 'Too much!' cries he. At the mention of the five shillings he cried out so loud that I made up my mind I should say nothing of the other two. 'down there a burn is running. 'that's nothing. is plainly trodden.com 1 . and it's hard at the foot of the hill. and was glad he could not see my blushes. that the way runs by to Torosay. Would ye believe me now. and my vanity for once got the heels of my prudence. 'Ha!' says he. I could shoot? Ay. 'Was it too much?' I asked. I told him about my guide. and said his stick was eyes enough for an eagle.' he said. at least. now. And give you the great pleasure of my company (me that is a man of some learning) in the bargain. as if to make sure. striking right and left.' I had to own he was right in every feature. for I was proud of what I had done. and the way here. or what a blind man could be doing with a pistol.' I said I did not see how a blind man could be a guide. and when there were weepons in this country. Nor could I quite see why a religious teacher should go armed. and transportation to the colonies upon a second. and Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and will show grassy through the heather. 'where I know every stone and heather-bush by mark of head. 'In the Isle of Mull.' says he. and told my wonder. and at the head of it there stands a bit of a small hill with a stone cocked upon the top of that. 'Why. a little faltering. could I!' cries he. being for droves. I will guide you to Torosay myself for a dram of brandy.first offence.
and gave him a wider berth. This was an unlucky day. He became at once very polite. and if he did not strike across the hill due south I would even blow his brains out. whether I could change a five-shilling piece for him (which he declared he had that moment in his sporran). whether I was rich. Then I struck on again for Torosay. I watched him striding along. I would show ye how it's done. and indeed I took a pleasure in this game of blindman's buff. If he had known. I had so plainly the upper-hand that my spirits rose.' I told him I had nothing of the sort. but quite in vain. where I came from. through bog and brier. and lied on in the dark. and these two. much better pleased to be alone than to travel with that man of learning. and I could see the sun twinkle on the steel of the butt. sure enough. and we kept changing sides upon that like ancers in a reel. tapping with his stick. and all the time he kept edging up to me and I avoiding him.then with a leer: 'If ye had such a thing as a pistol here to try with. and after trying to soften me for some time. But by the better luck for me. he knew nothing. He then began to question me cunningly. his pistol stuck at that time quite plainly out of his pocket. of whom I had just rid 1 Kidnapped . We were now upon a sort of green cattle-track which crossed the hills towards Torosay. but the catechist grew angrier and angrier. thought all was covered. he cursed me once more in Gaelic and took himself off. Then I told him that. and at last began to swear in Gaelic and to strike for my legs with his staff. I had a pistol in my pocket as well as he. until he turned the end of a hill and disappeared in the next hollow.
he bore some grudge against the family and friends of Ardshiel. 'That is a very dangerous man. When I told him of my catechist. He spoke good English. of a very high family. At Torosay.' he said.myself.' 'The cream of it is. but with a very ill meaning. perhaps as partaking of hospitality. and finding me to be something of a scholar. one after the other. and before he was drunk he read me a lampoon. in which I don't know which of us did best. where he easily beat me. with a sight of Alan's button. and then in the Latin. and said I was lucky to have got clear off. which he had made in elegiac verses upon a person of that house. there was an inn with an innkeeper. 'Duncan Mackiegh is his name. or perhaps because the trade is idle and drunken.' 'And why should he not?' says he. in very good Latin. until he was so tipsy that he wept upon my shoulder. sat up and watched him drink it). 'that he called himself a catechist. I tried him. but it was plain he had never seen or heard of it. as if by accident. he shook his head. were the two worst men I met with in the Highlands. and I sat up and drank punch with him (or to be more correct. and has been often accused of highway robberies. 'when that is what he is. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. he can shoot by the ear at several yards. tried me first in French. for to keep an inn is thought even more genteel in the Highlands than it is with us.com 1 . it appeared. and once of murder. on the Sound of Mull and looking over to the mainland of Morven. This pleasant rivalry put us at once upon friendly terms.' says I. Indeed. who was a Maclean.
from Earraid to Torosay. But perhaps it was a peety.' says my host. and. fifty miles as the crow flies. in four days and with little fatigue. Indeed I was by far in better heart and health of body at the end of that long tramp than I had been at the beginning. doubtless. having travelled the greater part of that big and crooked Island of Mull. going from one place to another to hear the young folk say their religion. he showed me to a bed.It was Maclean of Duart gave it to him because he was blind.' At last. 1 Kidnapped . when my landlord could drink no more. that is a great temptation to the poor man. 'for he is always on the road. and I lay down in very good spirits. and (with my wanderings) much nearer a hundred.
we could pull but two oars on one side. and Alan himself had sent me to that ferry. and as the boat was wretchedly equipped. and the passage was a very slow affair. There was no wind. however. and the people that passed the ferry with me were almost all of that clan. the passengers taking spells to help them. with a good will. and since Macrob was one of the names of Alan's clansmen. and the bright weather. and the good-nature and spirit of all concerned. and the sea-air. I was eager to come to private speech of Neil Roy.com 1 . and the whole company giving the time in Gaelic boat-songs. But there was one melancholy part. In the crowded boat this was of course impossible. The men gave way. the passage was a pretty thing to have seen. Both shores of the Sound are in the country of the strong clan of the Macleans. The skipper of the boat.CHAPTER XVI THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: ACROSS MORVEN T here is a regular ferry from Torosay to Kinlochaline on the mainland. and one on the other. on the other hand. was called Neil Roy Macrob. And what with the songs. In the mouth of Loch Free eBooks at Planet eBook.
it became plain she was a ship of merchandise. to prevent communication with the French. I saw the tears run down the cheeks of the men and women in the boat. came to the side and begged us to depart. Then I understood this was an emigrant ship bound for the American colonies. which was presently taken up both by the emigrants and their friends upon the beach. among whom they counted some near friends. and the circumstances and the music of the song (which is one called 'Lochaber no more') were highly affecting even to 1 Kidnapped . As we got a little nearer. who seemed near beside himself (and no great wonder) in the midst of this crying and confusion. Yet nearer. so that it sounded from all sides like a lament for the dying. Thereupon Neil sheered off. not only her decks. and what still more puzzled me. and the exiles leaned over the bulwarks. for they seemed to have no sense of time: but at last the captain of the ship. How long this might have gone on I do not know. and this I supposed at first to be one of the King's cruisers which were kept along that coast. but the sea-beach also. We put the ferry-boat alongside. and there began to come to our ears a great sound of mourning. and skiffs were continually plying to and fro between them.Aline we found a great sea-going ship at anchor. were quite black with people. both summer and winter. and the chief singer in our boat struck into a melancholy air. even as they bent at the oars. the people on board and those on the shore crying and lamenting one to another so as to pierce the heart. weeping and reaching out their hands to my fellow-passengers.
all is well.' It was not very easy to apologise. and that is to offer your dirty money to a Hieland shentleman. and without wasting time upon apologies. Alan Breck Stewart is his name. 'Aweel. 'I am very much affronted. The man you ask for is in France. 'and I think ye might have begun with that end of the stick. instead of showing him the button. and said I made sure he was one of Appin's men.' And very foolishly. only to fulfil his orders and be done with it. 'there is a name that you should never take into your mouth. 'and it comes in my mind that you will have news of him. showed him the button lying in the hollow of my palm. Neil on his part had no wish to prolong his dealings with me. and that is the name of Alan Breck.' said I. I sought to pass a shilling in his hand.myself. for I could scarce tell him (what was the truth) that I had never dreamed he would set up to be a gentleman until he told me so. whatever! But if ye are the lad with the silver button. and there is a thing that ye would never do.' I saw I had gone the wrong way to work.' says he. At this he drew back.com 1 . I would not hurt a hair upon his body.' says he.' he said. 'I am seeking somebody. and he made haste to give Free eBooks at Planet eBook. But if ye will pardon me to speak plainly. and I have the word to see that ye come safe. but if he was in my sporran. aweel. 'and your belly full of shillings. 'And what for no?' said he. 'and this is not the way that one shentleman should behave to another at all. At Kinlochaline I got Neil Roy upon one side on the beach.' said Neil.
to cross Morven the next day to Ardgour. the springs broke in a little hill on which the inn stood. and then ask my way to the house of James of the Glens.' and in brief. the sea in all this part running deep into the mountains and winding about their roots. at Aucharn in Duror of Appin. 'for it was never chancy to meet in with them. Campbells. for I had not been half an hour at the inn (standing in the door most of the time. and the 'redsoldiers. and silent Highlanders. and one end of the house became a running water. as perhaps Neil thought me. the third day. but full of prodigious wild and dreadful prospects. to avoid Whigs. I was not only discontented with my lodging.me my route. to be set across one loch at Corran and another at Balachulish.' to leave the road and lie in a bush if I saw any of the latter coming. There was a good deal of ferrying. as you hear. to conduct myself like a robber or a Jacobite agent. It makes the country strong to hold and difficult to travel. yet it was a wonder to myself. and thought I could hardly be worse off. full of smoke. as I was soon to see. vermin. I had some other advice from Neil: to speak with no one by the way. But very wrongly. Places of public entertainment were bad enough all over Scotland in those days. The inn at Kinlochaline was the most beggarly vile place that ever pigs were styed in. This was to lie the night in Kinlochaline in the public inn. but with myself for my mismanagement of Neil. who was warned that I might come. when I had to 10 Kidnapped . and lie the night in the house of one John of the Claymore. to ease my eyes from the peat smoke) when a thunderstorm came close by.
it was one of these he was carrying and reading when we met. and held in great esteem.go from the fireside to the bed in which I slept. Henderland must be well liked in the countryside. Early in my next day's journey I overtook a little. we soon found we had a more particular bond of interest. that is. and dressed decently and plainly in something of a clerical style.com 11 . stout. for I observed many of them to bring out their mulls and share a pinch of snuff with him. solemn man. he spoke with the broad south-country tongue. to evangelise the more savage places of the Highlands. as far. For my good friend. wading over the shoes. as they were none of Alan's. yet I judged Mr. which I was beginning to weary for the sound of. We fell in company at once. walking very slowly with his toes turned out. our ways lying together as far as to Kingairloch. I told him as far in my affairs as I judged wise. the minister of Essendean. and besides common countryship. This I found to be another catechist. he stopped and spoke with all the wayfarers and workers that we met or passed. but of a different order from the blind man of Mull: being indeed one of those sent out by the Edinburgh Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. As we went. sometimes reading in a book and sometimes marking the place with his finger. and though of course I could not tell what they discoursed about. and gave Balachulish as Free eBooks at Planet eBook. had translated into the Gaelic in his by-time a number of hymns and pious books which Henderland used in his work. Indeed. His name was Henderland.
the place I was travelling to. for I thought Aucharn. 'where the tenants find the money. would seem natural enough in the mouth of one travelling to that country. the Disarming Act. 'He's here and awa. Balfour? No. I thought. or even Duror. (Ye don't carry such a thing as snuff. He said it was a bad business. do ye. 'It's wonderful. would be too particular. the hiding priests and Jacobites. This moderation put it in my mind to question him of the Red Fox and the Appin tenants. He might be glowering at the two of us out of yon whin-bush. On his part. will ye?' 1 Kidnapped . and especially because they had framed the Act more severely against those who wore the dress than against those who carried weapons. and I wouldnae wonder! Ye'll no carry such a thing as snuff. blaming Parliament in several points. here to-day and gone tomorrow: a fair heather-cat. to meet a friend. he told me much of his work and the people he worked among. questions which. I'm better wanting it. Well.' said he.) But these tenants (as I was saying) are doubtless partly driven to it. And then there's one they call Alan Breck—' 'Ah!' I cried. He seemed moderate. and many other curiosities of the time and place. for their life is mere starvation. James Stewart in Duror (that's him they call James of the Glens) is half-brother to Ardshiel. Mr. 'what of him?' 'What of the wind that bloweth where it listeth?' said Henderland. and drives very hard. and he is a man much looked up to. the captain of the clan. the dress. and might put him on the scent.
I told him not at all.' 'You make a poor story of it all. and if he came to that. Henderland. There's something fine about it.' 'And what is the King's agent about?' I asked. However.I told him no. and stands well in the world's eye. 'If it is all fear upon both sides. is a chield to be respected.' says he. and that he had asked the same thing more than once. Henderland. 'But it seems strange ye shouldnae carry it.' said Mr.' said he. 'but the business has gone back and forth. and maybe. Mr. and selfdenial that should put the like of you and me to shame. 'It's highly possible. It's a fine blood. His life is forfeit already. we might take a lesson by them. 'Putting his head in a bees' byke!' 'He is to turn the tenants out by force. I hear?' said I. but humanly fine. I care to hear no more of it. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. desperate customer. as I was saying. and maybe is a far worse man. Mr. There's many a lying sneck-draw sits close in kirk in our own part of the country.' said I. 'Ay. Mr. if a tenant-body was to hang back he would get a dirk in his wame. 'that's true. 'Colin Campbell?' says Henderland. — Ye'll perhaps think I've been too long in the Hielands?' he added. Even Alan Breck. he would boggle at naething. 'but there's love too. Balfour. Ay. by all that I hear. 'Yes. and well kent to be James's right hand. smiling to me. that I had seen much to admire among the Highlanders. Campbell himself was a Highlander.com 1 . ay. no perhaps Christian. than yon misguided shedder of man's blood.' 'Na. sighing.' said he. this Alan Breck is a bold.
if I was his lady wife. And then Colin Campbell cam' in again. and satisfaction at meeting with a friend of Mr. It's to begin at Duror under James's very windows. the Appin Stewarts.' said he.' So we continued talking and walking the great part of the.' says Henderland. and which is one of the countries of the Camerons. First. 'And that's the worst part of it. But for all that. Mr. which doesnae seem wise by my humble way of it. 'No they. day. he'll get his death by the other. Campbell's ("whom. Mr. And now they tell me the first of the tenants are to flit to-morrow. Henderland after expressing his delight in my company.' I asked if they were worse than their neighbours. which they call Mamore. it's my belief that if he escapes the one lot. he has it all to begin again in the next country. and from both he has to drive out the tenants.as folk say. 'I will make bold to call that sweet singer of our covenanted Zion'). proposed 1 Kidnapped . James of the Glens rode to Edinburgh. I wouldnae be well pleased till I got him home again. And then Colin Campbell has the sogers coming. He's King's Factor upon both. Balfour (to be open with ye). nae doubt — they all hing together like bats in a steeple) and had the proceedings stayed. and had the upper-hand before the Barons of Exchequer. They're queer customers. For if Colin Roy can get his business done in Appin. 'Well.' 'Do you think they'll fight?' I asked. until at last. and indeed. and got some lawyer (a Stewart. 'they're disarmed — or supposed to be — for there's still a good deal of cold iron lying by in quiet places.' says he.
Doubtless it's a great privation. and since my double misadventure. 'It's a vow I took. I was inclined to Free eBooks at Planet eBook. caught up a jar and a small horn-spoon. and came in the afternoon to a small house. I stood in some fear of any Highland stranger. dashed into the room.that I should make a short stage. first with the guide and next with the gentleman skipper.' As soon as we had eaten (and porridge and whey was the best of the good man's diet) he took a grave face and said he had a duty to perform by Mr. standing alone by the shore of the Linnhe Loch. Campbell. We had no sooner come to the door of Mr. I think shame to mind it. Accordingly we shook hands upon the bargain. than to my great surprise (for I was now used to the politeness of Highlanders) he burst rudely past me.com 1 . I was overjoyed. the loch lay as still as a lake. but shone on those of Appin on the farther. not only to the Scottish Covenant but to other points of Christianity. and the whole place seemed solemn and uncouth. and that was to inquire into my state of mind towards God. and began ladling snuff into his nose in most excessive quantities. only the gulls were crying round the sides of it. Henderland's dwelling. To say truth. and lie the night in his house a little beyond Kingairloch. for I had no great desire for John of the Claymore. The sun was already gone from the desert mountains of Ardgour upon the hither side. 'I took a vow upon me that I wouldnae carry it. Then he had a hearty fit of sneezing.' says he. and looked round upon me with a rather silly smile. but when I think upon the martyrs.
but he had not spoken long before he brought the tears into my eyes. and so left him poorer than myself. at which excess of goodness I knew not what to do. but Mr. Before we went to bed he offered me sixpence to help me on my way. proud people. And though I was a good deal puffed up with my adventures and with having come off. out of a scanty store he kept in the turf wall of his house. with flying colours. we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold.smile at him since the business of the snuff. 1 Kidnapped . Henderland had their very speech upon his tongue. goodness and humility. and both proud and glad to be there. as the saying is. yet he soon had me on my knees beside a simple. But at last he was so earnest with me that I thought it the more mannerly part to let him have his way. poor old man. There are two things that men should never weary of.
the sun shone upon a little moving clump of scarlet close in along the water-side to the north. A little after we had started. but all silver-laced with little watercourses where the sun shone upon them. for he was one of his flock. and the sun shining upon little patches. Henderland found for me a man who had a boat of his own and was to cross the Linnhe Loch that afternoon into Appin. It seemed a hard country. There was but one thing to mention. for people to care as much about as Alan did. It was near noon before we set out.com 1 . Him he prevailed on to take me. fishing. this of Appin. It was much Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and in this way I saved a long day's travel and the price of the two public ferries I must otherwise have passed. rough and barren. The mountains on either side were high.CHAPTER XVII THE DEATH OF THE RED FOX T he next day Mr. The sea was here very deep and still. very black and gloomy in the shadow of the clouds. so that I must put the water to my lips before I could believe it to be truly salt. a dark day with clouds. and had scarce a wave upon it.
why I was going to join myself with an outlaw and a would-be murderer like Alan. I had no good will to them. too. it was a sad sight to me. Well. and a road or bridle track ran north and south through the midst of it. by the edge of which. and whether it was because of my thoughts of Alan. craggy side of a mountain that overhung the loch. whether I should not be acting more like a man of sense to tramp back to the south 1 Kidnapped . I sat down to eat some oat-bread of Mr. or from something prophetic in my bosom. My boatman (who was an honest fellow and mindful of his promise to the catechist) would fain have carried me on to Balachulish. but as this was to take me farther from my secret destination. and he answered he supposed it was some of the red soldiers coming from Fort William into Appin. every now and then. This was a wood of birches. It had many openings and ferny howes. as though the sun had struck upon bright steel. for I have heard it both ways) in Alan's country of Appin. I asked my boatman what it should be. but far more by the doubts of my mind. Here I was not only troubled by a cloud of stinging midges.of the same red as soldiers' coats. where was a spring. although this was but the second time I had seen King George's troops. and was set on shore at last under the wood of Lettermore (or Lettervore. What I ought to do. against the poor tenantry of the country. At last we came so near the point of land at the entering in of Loch Leven that I begged to be set on shore. I insisted. there came little sparks and lightnings. growing on a steep. Henderland's and think upon my situation.
I had seen his like before. Henderland would think of me if they should ever learn my folly and presumption: these were the doubts that now began to come in on me stronger than ever. who brought up the tail. and what Mr. and wore some part of his clothes in tartan. The way was in this part so rough and narrow that they came single and led their horses by the reins. I had no sooner seen these people coming than I made up my mind (for no reason that I can tell) to go through with my adventure. and presently after. I saw four travellers come into view. which showed that his master was of a Highland family. by his decent black garb and white wig. and a net of lemons (to brew punch with) hanging at the saddle-bow. a sound of men and horses came to me through the wood. If I had been better versed in these things. and either an outlaw or else in singular good odour with the Government. as was often enough the custom with luxurious travellers in that part of the country. I correctly took to be a lawyer. since the wearing of tartan was against the Act.country direct. Campbell or even Mr. As I was so sitting and thinking. who carried his hat in his hand and fanned himself. for he was in a breathing heat. This servant had a good-sized portmanteau strapped on his horse. at a turning of the road. of an imperious and flushed face. and when the first came alongside of Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com 1 . red-headed gentleman. by my own guidance and at my own charges. and knew him at once to be a sheriff's officer. The third was a servant. The first was a great. As for the fourth. The second. I would have known the tartan to be of the Argyle (or Campbell) colours.
and speers if I am on the way to Aucharn. what does this honest man so far from his country? and why does he come seeking the brother of Ardshiel? I have power here.' 10 Kidnapped . him they called the Red Fox.' says the lawyer. musingly. 'this is an ill subject for jesting. He stopped and looked at me.' says Glenure. for he it was that I had stopped. owing no man and fearing no man. very well said.' said the other. while the two followers had halted about a stone-cast in the rear. 'James of the Glens. and then to the lawyer: 'Is he gathering his people. and then. think ye?' 'Anyway. Here am I on my road to Duror on the job ye ken. 'I am neither of his people nor yours. I rose up from the bracken and asked him the way to Aucharn. but an honest subject of King George. turning to the lawyer.me. 'The man that lives there. 'Mungo.' said I.' 'If you are concerned for me.' replies the Factor.' 'Glenure. and here is a young lad starts up out of the bracken. 'But if I may make so bold as ask. and let the soldiers rally us.' These two had now drawn close up and were gazing at me. a little oddly. as I thought. I must tell you. and have twelve files of soldiers at my back. 'And what seek ye in Aucharn?' said Colin Roy Campbell of Glenure.' 'Why. 'we shall do better to bide where we are. 'there's many a man would think this more of a warning than two pyats. I am King's Factor upon several of these estates.' said I.' said he.
' says he. At last the lawyer laid down the dead man in his blood Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I would have set ye right and bidden ye God speed. and with the very sound of it Glenure fell upon the road. 'I am dead. at last. and there was a change in his voice.com 11 . a little nettled. but his fingers slipped on the buttons. And now the wounded man looked from one to another with scared eyes. but his face was as sharp as a pen and as white as the dead man's. 'your tongue is bold. Mungo?' And he turned again to look at the lawyer. 'Take care of yourselves. I am dead!' he cried. and I.' said he. But to-day — eh.'I have heard a waif word in the country. and he passed away. like a child. stood staring at them in a kind of horror. as if in doubt. If ye had asked me the way to the door of James Stewart on any other day but this.' He still kept looking at me. that went to the heart. The sheriff's officer had run back at the first sound of the shot. his head rolled on his shoulder. The lawyer had caught him up and held him in his arms.' said I. several times over. But just as he turned there came the shot of a firelock from higher up the hill. to hasten the coming of the soldiers. With that he gave a great sigh. The lawyer said never a word. the servant broke out into a great noise of crying and weeping.' He tried to open his clothes as if to look for the wound. on my side. but I am no unfriend to plainness. 'that you were a hard man to drive. 'O. 'Well. the servant standing over and clasping his hands.
the red-coats. crying and waving on me to come back. 'Why should I come back?' I cried. and began to run. that when I got to the top of the first steepness. 'Here!' I cried.upon the road. for that part was again very steep. and could see some part of the open mountain. and had got a good way up. when I halted and looked back. crying out. He was posted here to hold us in talk. for he had no sooner done so than I began to scramble up the hill. and on their left. and so now. with metal buttons. 'The murderer! the murderer!' So little a time had elapsed. The lawyer and the sheriff's officer were standing just above the road. I believe it was his movement that brought me to my senses. 'He's an accomplice. when a voice cried upon me to stand. The next moment he was lost in a fringe of birches. quick look over his shoulder. and then he dipped behind a shoulder. in a black coat. He was a big man. and got to his own feet with a kind of stagger. the murderer was still moving away at no great distance.' 1 Kidnapped . I was at the edge of the upper wood. I saw all the open part of the hill below me. and carried a long fowling-piece. 'I see him!' At that the murderer gave a little. All this time I had been running on my side. then he came out again on the upper side. where I could see him climbing like a jackanapes. 'Come you on!' 'Ten pounds if ye take that lad!' cried the lawyer. musket in hand. were beginning to struggle singly out of the lower wood. and I saw him no more.
that Alan every now and then would straighten himself to his full height and look back.At that word (which I could hear quite plainly. that I was all amazed and helpless.com 1 . and every time he did so. and quite another to run the peril of both life and character. and still I stood. and I had neither time to think nor breath to speak with. with a fishing-rod. to follow him. only 'Come!' says he. like thunder out of a clear sky.' said a voice close by. there came a great far-away cheering and crying of the soldiers. Alan stopped. and set off running along the side of the mountain towards Balaehulish. Just inside the shelter of the trees I found Alan Breck standing. now crawling on all fours among the heather. and I. had come so suddenly. Indeed. I scarce knew what I was doing. He gave me no salutation. now stooping behind low humps upon the mountain-side. but I obeyed. clapped down Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and others to put up their pieces and cover me. [18]Duck. though it was to the soldiers and not to me that he was crying it) my heart came in my mouth with quite a new kind of terror. some of them to run. The thing. Now we ran among the birches. 'Jock[18] in here among the trees. The pace was deadly: my heart seemed bursting against my ribs. like a sheep. Only I remember seeing with wonder. and as I did so. Indeed. Quarter of an hour later. I heard the firelocks bang and the balls whistle in the birches. The soldiers began to spread. it is one thing to stand the danger of your life. indeed it was no time for civilities. besides.
' said he. 'it's earnest. we traced back again across the mountain-side by the same way that we had come. with his face in the bracken.' And at the same speed. 'Now. for your life. till at last Alan threw himself down in the upper wood of Lettermore. My own sides so ached.flat in the heather. my head so swam. my tongue so hung out of my mouth with heat and dryness. only perhaps higher. and turned to me. but now with infinitely more precaution. where I had found him at the first. Do as I do. that I lay beside him like one dead. panting like a dog. 1 Kidnapped . and lay.
jovial gentleman struck out of life in a moment. peered out a little. and whether his was the hand that fired or only the head that ordered.' said I.' said he. still with my face in the bracken. I could not look upon his face. I held him in horror. David. than in that warm wood beside a murderer. went to the border of the wood.CHAPTER XVIII I TALK WITH ALAN IN THE WOOD OF LETTERMORE A lan was the first to come round. and yet that was but a part of my concern. 'Are ye still wearied?' he asked again. the pity of that sight was still sore within me. signified but little.com 1 . here was Alan skulking in the trees and running from the troops. Here was murder done upon the man Alan hated. 'no. my only friend in that wild country was blood-guilty in the first degree. and then returned and sat down. By my way of it. 'No. He rose. 'yon was a hot burst.' I said nothing. nor so much as lifted my face. 'Well. I would have rather lain alone in the rain on my cold isle. and a great. ruddy. I am not Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I had seen murder done.
and if ye have only taken a distaste to my society. without some kind of reason for the same. 'If ye ken anything against my reputation. David. 'I will hardly twine from ye. where it appears the Good People were in use to come and rest as they went through to Ireland.' 'With your permission. So when the man woke.wearied now.' said I. mighty gravely. Well. there was a poke beside him and something into the inside of it that moved. it will be proper for me to judge if I'm insulted.' 'Alan. I will tell it you. for old acquaintance' sake. 'nor do I want to hear it. You and me must twine.' He was silent for a little. but your ways are not mine. and it's not far from where we suffered ship-wreck.' said Alan.'[19] I said. Mr. 'what is the sense of this? Ye ken very well yon Campbell-man lies in his blood upon the road. 1 Kidnapped . 'No. whatever. and sent one flying that brought back the bairn in a poke[20] and laid it down beside the man where he lay sleeping.' said I. The name of this rock is called the Skerryvore. and I can speak. then says he. Balfour. 'Did ever ye hear tell of the story of the Man and the Good People?' — by which he meant the fairies. it's the least thing that ye should do. was cast upon a rock in the sea. and they're not God's: and the short and the long of it is just that we must twine. ye should ken.' says Alan.' [19] Part. 'I liked you very well. to let me hear the name of it. Alan. if he could just see his little bairn before he died! that at last the king of the Good People took peety upon him. 'The man. it seems the man cried so sore.
and there was his bairn dead.' said Alan cunningly. I am thinking to myself. and for greater security. Mr. He did not appear to see it.' said I. 'that if I were going to kill a gentleman. sitting up. that I ken!' 'At least. 'And do you know who did it?' I added. But the temptation and the act are different.Well. I thank God again for that. 'but it sticks in my head that it was blue.' said Alan. Mr. 'I swear upon the Holy Iron I had neither art nor part. 'that's true!' 'And now.' 'Well.' 'I thank God for that!' cried I. for you know very well what you told me in the brig. 'Do you know that man in the black coat?' 'I have nae clear mind about his coat. it would not be in my own country. that you and the man are very much alike.' [20] Bag. Balfour of Shaws. he stuck his dirk throughout that poke before he opened it. 'I will tell you first of all. but to take a life in cold blood. taking out his dirk and laying his hand upon it in a certain manner. as one friend to another. to bring trouble on my clan. Alan!' And I could say no more for the moment. Balfour.' continued Alan. 'you cannot justly blame me. 'And here is a great deal of work about a Campbell!' said he. 'Do you mean you had no hand in it?' cried I.com 1 . We may all be tempted. and I would not go wanting sword and gun. and offered him my hand. and with a long fishing-rod upon my back.' said I.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'They are not so scarce. act nor thought in it. it seems he was one of these gentry that think aye the worst of things.
' said he. half angered. And that is the good Christianity. and the lad whom I couldnae just clearly see had been in our shoes.' says Alan. and we in his (as might very well have been). to be sure. that you exposed yourself and me to draw the soldiers. should be very mindful of the case of them that have. and was in such clear good faith in what he said. 'He gaed very close by me.' 'Can you swear that you don't know him.' I cried. You and me were innocent of that transaction. since we were falsely suspected. 'and so would any gentleman.' said I. 'The innocent should surely come before the guilty.' When it came to this. Them that havenae dipped their hands in any little difficulty. Alan?' I cried. I think the best place for him will be the heather. For if it was the other way round about. but it's a strange thing that I should just have been tying my brogues.' said Alan. 'I couldnae just conscientiously swear to him. 'but I've a grand memory for forgetting. But he looked so innocent all the time. that we should get clear. did ye know him?' said I. I gave Alan up. and so ready to sacrifice himself for what he 1 Kidnapped .' 'Why.'Blue or black. 'Not yet. 'the innocent have aye a chance to get assoiled in court. David. half in a mind to laugh at his evasions. I think we would be a good deal obliged to him oursel's if he would draw the soldiers.' 'The better reason.' 'It's very likely. 'and that was. David.' says he. but for the lad that shot the bullet.' 'And yet there was one thing I saw clearly.
because he was a deserter.' said I. Justice. as Glenure found awhile ago at the roadside. here I had taken mine. with fifteen Campbells in the jurybox and the biggest Campbell of all (and that's the Duke) sitting cocking on the bench. by all the world. and I. for he could forgive me anything. 'Man. it'll be tried in Inverara. and would have Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'Or as if ye would be tried here. Then he grew very grave. 'I'll not say it's the good Christianity as I understand it. Well.com 1 . saying surely I had cast a spell upon him. willing to give him a little lesson. Alan's morals were all tail-first. but he was ready to give his life for them. and the whole of Appin would now be searched like a chamber.' Whereupon he gave me both of his. David? The same justice. Well. such as they were.deemed his duty. and said we had not much time to throw away. but must both flee that country: he. Henderland's words came back to me: that we ourselves might take a lesson by these wild Highlanders.' said Alan. because I was certainly involved in the murder.' 'As if this was your country!' said he. 'I have no fear of the justice of my country. that my mouth was closed. 'O!' says I. and every one obliged to give a good account of himself. but it's good enough. in a country of Stewarts!' 'It's all Scotland. the Campbells' head place. 'This is a Campbell that's been killed.' This frightened me a little. I confess.' said I. 'Alan. And here I offer ye my hand for the second time. Mr. I whiles wonder at ye.
na. but I would never deny he was a good chieftain to his clan.' I was a little better inclined to go with him. 'Na. that I began to be afraid he might be right. it mattered less than might appear. and laughed as merrily as myself. 'that you Low-country bodies have no clear idea of what's right and wrong. and naebody hanged. Still. 'the man's a Whig.' I asked him whither we should flee. though as the other four were equally in the Duke's dependence. And what would the clan think if there was a Campbell shot. I cried out that he was unjust to the Duke of Argyle. 'Hoot!' said Alan.' said he.frightened me more if I had known how nearly exact were Alan's predictions. who (for all he was a Whig) was yet a wise and honest nobleman.' says Alan. but it's harder yet to lie shackled in a red-coat prison. Alan made so sure there would be no question of justice in the matter. indeed. when to my surprise. and as he told me 'to the Lowlands. nae doubt. and the picture of that uncanny instrument came into my head with extraordinary clearness (as I had once seen it engraved at the top of a pedlar's ballad) and took away my appetite for courts of 10 Kidnapped . I was growing impatient to get back and have the upper-hand of my uncle. Besides. I would truly like least to die by the gallows. and their own chief the Justice General? But I have often observed. there being but eleven Campbells on the jury. take my word and run. 'we're in the Hielands. indeed it was but in one point that he exaggerated. Nae doubt it's a hard thing to skulk and starve in the Heather. for. and when I tell ye to run. David. Alan joined in.' At this I did at last laugh out aloud. Of all deaths.
' 'And that's a choice very easily made.' said Alan. But if ye ask what other chance ye have. but they still stuck to the trail.' 'But mind you. It was a rough part. and your life shall be like the hunted deer's. and away at the far end towards Balachulish. Alan. for it's a life that I ken well. or else hang.' said I.' says Alan. or we get clear! I tell ye this at the start. Looking out between the trees. 'Ay. 'it's no small thing. all hanging stone. David. Ay. can sit down and eat a bite. smiling to himself. and growing smaller every minute. and ye shall sleep with your hand upon your weapons. I answer: Nane. 'I'll chance it.' said he. There was no cheering now. Alan watched them. 'And now let's take another keek at the red-coats. and heather. Your bed shall be the moorcock's.' said I. and we shook hands upon it. 'they'll be gey weary before they've got to the end of that employ! And so you and me. running down exceeding steep into the waters of the loch. we could see a great side of mountain.com 11 . for I think they had other uses for what breath was left them. and he led me to the north-eastern fringe of the wood. and doubtless thought that we were close in front of them.justice. and big scrogs of birchwood. 'I'll go with you. ye shall taigle many a weary foot. Ye maun lie bare and hard. man. Either take to the heather with me. and take a Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and brook many an empty belly. and breathe a bit longer. little wee red soldiers were dipping up and down over hill and howe.
had she not struck and caught on some projection of the reef. and heaved the brig out of her place. But now her stern was thrown in the air. David. and the bows plunged under the sea. and money to carry us along. and with that. and lost me. In the meanwhile. and I shall here set down so much of Alan's as seems either curious or needful.dram from my bottle. we'll cry. so that the stern had hitherto been lowest. and then. when there came a second wave greater than the first. It was this that put him in some hope I would maybe get to land after all. and houseless mountains. and would certainly have sent her to the bottom. and saw me again. James of the Glens. wild. Then we'll strike for Aucharn.' So we sat again and ate and drank. those still on the brig had got the skiff launched. and at last had one glimpse of me clinging on the yard. 'Forth. the water began to pour into the fore-scuttle like the pouring of a mill-dam. Fortune!' and take a cast among the heather. where I must get my clothes. When she had struck first. each of us narrated his adventures. 1 Kidnapped . It appears he ran to the bulwarks as soon as the wave was passed. as I tumbled in the roost. and made him leave those clues and messages which had brought me (for my sins) to that unlucky country of Appin. in a place whence we could see the sun going down into a field of great. saw me. Partly as we so sat. it had been bows-on. and my arms. and one or two were on board of her already. and partly afterwards. such as I was now condemned to wander in with my companion. the house of my kinsman. on the way to Aucharn.
when there came a third great sea. seeing the water pour in and thinking the ship had foundered.' 'Riach. and the sailors began to spread out and come behind him.It took the colour out of Alan's face.com 1 . crying that Alan was alone. For there were still two men lying impotent in their bunks. having little taste for the employment. and she seemed to sail in chase of them. and bade them lay hands upon Alan. but settling all the while. even to tell what followed. that he had a great sum about him. that he had been the means of losing the brig and drowning all their comrades. asked the men if they werenae feared Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'And then. and presently she drew down and down. in that part of the shore there was no rock that Alan could set his back to. and that with such harrowing cries that all who were on deck tumbled one after another into the skiff and fell to their oars.' said I.' said Alan. but Hoseason was like a fiend. They were not two hundred yards away. began to cry out aloud. They hung back indeed. and the sea closed over the Covenant of Dysart. as if out of a muse. but they had scarce set foot upon the beach when Hoseason woke up. it was him that took up the clubs for me. 'Riach! Well. 'the little man with the red head — I havenae mind of the name that he is called. and these. her canvas filled for a moment. It was seven against one. as if a hand was drawing her. and at that the brig lifted clean over the reef. being stunned with the horror of that screaming. and that here was both revenge and wealth upon a single cast. Never a word they spoke as they pulled ashore. 'Ay' said Alan.
'He has some spunks of decency. Riach's stature. I'll put my back to the Hielandman's mysel'.' said Alan. I found his way a very good one! But ye see. like folk that were not agreeing very well together.' says I.' said I. which is no good company for a gentleman like me. 'he was kind to me in his way. The last that I saw they were all in a knot upon the beach.' 'What do you mean by that?' said I. says he 'Dod.' 'Well. 'Well. and. and indeed I thought it was a good observe. they didnae sto p to fash with me! Ye should have seen them linking for the beach! And when they got 1 Kidnapped .' That's none such an entirely bad little man. yon little man with the red head. But I thought it would be better no to wait. and ran. 'for he was as keen as any of the rest at the beginning.' (It was droll how Alan dwelt on Mr. for. If it hadnae been for that I would have waited and looked for ye mysel'.' says Alan. David. 'and I saw one man go down like a pair of breeks.of a judgment.' 'And so he was to Alan. continuing. let alone giving a hand to the little man.' said Alan. to say the truth. Ye see there's a strip of Campbells in that end of Mull. the one was not much smaller than the other. Man.' says he.) 'So.' said he. But how did Hoseason take it?' 'It sticks in my mind that he would take it very ill. 'and by my troth. I would think so.' 'Well. and whenever I met in with any one I cried out there was a wreck ashore. 'I set my best foot forward. and I'm thinking that would be the cause of it. the loss of the ship and the cries of these poor lads sat very ill upon the man. 'But the little man cried to me to run. the fists were going.
I'm thinking it was a judgment on the clan that the brig went down in the lump and didnae break. for if any wreck had come ashore they would have hunted high and low.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. But it was a very unlucky thing for you.there they found they had had the pleasure of a run.com 1 . which is aye good for a Campbell. and would soon have found ye. that same.
' said Alan. at the first sound of it. we came to the top of a brae. It seemed a house door stood open and let out a beam of fire and candle-light. for the season of the year. It was strange to see how.CHAPTER XIX THE HOUSE OF FEAR ight fell as we were walking. and all round the house and steading five or six persons were moving hurriedly about. and how. the bustle began again as 1 Kidnapped N . he would be in a bonny mess. as if the bearers were affrighted. all the moving torches came to a stand. at the third. settled in and thickened. extremely dark. But I dare say he'll have a sentry on the road. 'If this was the soldiers instead of you and me. and saw lights below us. which had broken up in the afternoon. each carrying a lighted brand. I could by no means see how he directed himself. about half-past ten of the clock. and the clouds. The way we went was over rough mountainsides.' Hereupon he whistled three times. At last. 'James must have tint his wits. and he would ken well enough no soldiers would find the way that we came. in a particular manner. and though Alan pushed on with an assured manner. so that it fell.
'James Stewart. for here is a young gentleman with me that has nane of the other. 'ye must take the sour with the sweet. but I am thinking it will be the better for his health if we give his name the go-by.com 1 . it's Appin that must pay.' he added. from which they brought out guns. and by the sound of mattock blows from somewhere farther down the brae. 'It will bring trouble on the country.' said Alan. Some were on ladders.' [21]Blame. man. handsome man of more than fifty.' And he wrung his hands. 'and by my troth. While this was going on I looked about me at the servants. and a laird in his country too. Alan. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. putting his arm through mine. Colin Roy is dead. and who's to bear the wyte[21] of it? The accident fell out in Appin — mind ye that. and different weapons of war. we came down the brae. but now it's done. 'This has been a dreadful accident. digging in the thatch of the house or the farm buildings. 'Hoots!' said Alan. Having thus set folks' minds at rest. 'I will ask ye to speak in Scotch. swords. 'a young gentleman of the Lowlands. Alan. I suppose they buried them. and were met at the yard gate (for this place was like a well-doing farm) by a tall. This is him. the next he had turned to Alan.before. I wish he was alive again! It's all very fine to blow and boast beforehand.' he cried. and I am a man that has a family. and be thankful for that!' 'Ay' said James. who cried out to Alan in the Gaelic. and greeted me courteously enough. others carried them away.' James of the Glens turned to me for a moment.
and though none spoke above his breath. ye see.' 'Bury my French clothes!' cried Alan. no!' And he laid hold upon the packet and retired into the barn to shift himself. The faces in the torchlight were like those of people overborne with hurry and panic. to cry out orders which were apparently never understood. their speech sounded both anxious and angry. 1 Kidnapped . 'Troth. and back into his private terrors. smiling and talking at first in a very hospitable manner. I believe. recommending me in the meanwhile to his kinsman. men struggled together for the same gun and ran into each other with their burning torches. 'What's that the lassie has?' he asked. he sat frowning and biting his fingers. there prevailed no kind of order in their efforts. and these. We'll be to bury them.' said James. and it has often made me smile to think how Alan's instinct awoke at the mere sight of it. will be your ain French clothes. 'They'll search Appin with candles. It was about this time that a lassie came out of the house carrying a pack or bundle. But presently the gloom returned upon him. We're digging the bit guns and swords into the moss. only remembered me from time to time. Alan.Though they were all so busy. I am thinking. and we must have all things straight. in his frightened and somewhat fawning way. and sat down with me at table. James carried me accordingly into the kitchen. and James was continually turning about from his talk with Alan. and then gave me but a word or two and a poor smile. 'We're just setting the house in order.
'I am but poor company altogether. running over a great mass of papers and now and again setting one alight and burning it to the bitter end. He struck the lad repeatedly. [22] Mad. and every now and again one of the men would thrust in his face from the yard. 'but I can think of nothing but this dreadful accident. and I was right glad when Alan returned. carried on at him a long time together in the Gaelic. only the wife. 'Do you wish to hang your father?' and forgetful of my presence. I was then taken out in my turn Free eBooks at Planet eBook. in a blind hurry of fear. 'Are you gone gyte?'[22] he cried. looking like himself in his fine French clothes. though (to be sure) they were now grown almost too battered and withered to deserve the name of fine. with her face in her hands. all the while a servant lass with a red face was rummaging about the room. At last James could keep his seat no longer. at the name of hanging. and the trouble it is like to bring upon quite innocent persons. his eldest son was crouched upon the floor. and at that his excitement burst out so that it was painful to witness.His wife sat by the fire and wept.' says he.com 1 . sir. and cry for orders. and begged my permission to be so unmannerly as walk about. This was all wretched for a stranger like myself to hear and see. throwing her apron over her face and sobbing out louder than before.' A little after he observed his son burning a paper which he thought should have been kept. the young man answering nothing. and whimpering as she went.
And if it comes on me——' he paused. and some ammunition. that he could only scrape together three-and-fivepence-halfpenny. sure to seek ye. I had about two guineas left. but after a little practice very easy to the feet. Money. and given that change of clothing of which I had stood so long in need. and as for James.' said he. and by my way of it. sure to lay on ye the wyte of this day's accident. indeed. with a white face. it falls on me that am your near kinsman and harboured ye while ye were in the country. 'and get word sent to me. and bit his fingers. and a pair of Highland brogues made of deer-leather. for it seemed understood that I was to fly with him. By the time I came back Alan must have told his story.' said Alan. rather strange at first. and they were all busy upon our equipment. Alan's belt having been despatched by another hand. ye'll have to get this business prettily off. though I professed my inability to use the former. we were ready for the heather. and a bottle of right French brandy. the most of it in coppers. 10 Kidnapped . it appears he had brought himself so low with journeys to Edinburgh and legal expenses on behalf of the tenants. 'This'll no do. 'Ye must find a safe bit somewhere near by. a bag of oatmeal.by another of the sons.' said James. that trusty messenger had no more than seventeen-pence to his whole fortune. was lacking. Alan. Ye see. and with these. 'It would be a painful thing for our friends if I was to hang. They gave us each a sword and pistols. They're sure to get wind of ye. This is no time to be stayed for a guinea or two. an iron pan. If it falls on you.
'It's a day that sticks in my throat. For with all that I have said and that you have said. He spoke with a pleading earnestness.' said he. will I! It's a sore thing to do between such near friends. if I would only have listened to him. I'll see that I'll have to get a paper out against ye mysel'. it will look very black against the two of us. 'Well.com 11 . Alan. 'O man. man. man—man Alan! you and me have spoken like two fools!' he cried. 'Ay' said Alan. man!' cried James. 'Look things in the face! Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'I see that. Alan — ay.' 'And ye'll have to be clear of the country.' said James. 'This is unco hard on me that brought him here. For I'll have to paper your friend from the Lowlands. Ye see that. James. 'if they lay me by the heels. follow me out. and ye'll. striking his hand upon the wall so that the house rang again. but if I get the dirdum[23] of this dreadful accident. too. I'll have to fend for myself. and clear of Scotland — you and your friend from the Lowlands. do ye mark that? Well. too. have to offer a reward for ye. throwing his head back. 'and my friend from the Lowlands here' (nodding at me) 'gave me a good word upon that head. it's then that you'll be needing the money. Alan.' said James. man.' says Alan. 'It's like making me a traitor!' 'Now. taking Alan by the breast of the coat. Do ye see that?' [23] Blame.' said Alan. Alan — say that ye see that!' I thought Alan flushed a bit.' 'But see here. ay. and that's true.'It would be an ill day for Appin. returning to his former manner.
'Well. 'And.' cried James. 'what say ye to. and let honest. musingly. and all the time. Alan. after a little pause on both sides.' 'I wonder at your father's son.' said I. 'But just the habit he was in.' 'I have but one word to say. Alan. 'No. Alan! There's my hand on that. no: the habit he took off — the habit Mungo saw him in.' said he. Mungo Campbell'll be sure to paper him. saw the faces of his hereditary foes on the bench.' But at this both Alan and James cried out in horror. it'll be a jury of Campbells. and it's my part to see nothing done but what shall please you. bidding me 1 Kidnapped . 'Would ye sell the lad with a gift? Would ye change his clothes and then betray him?' 'No. he was clutching at every straw. set the hunt on him. 'that naebody kens his name.' 'Nor yet they shallnae.' said James.' cried Alan. and in the jury-box. as ye call it. But the plain common-sense is to set the blame where it belongs. I dare say. what matters if I paper him too? And then. and the like? I couldnae well do less. and his age. and what he looked like.' But I thought he seemed crestfallen. indeed. I am a man that has a family. no.' And then. that? Ye are here under the safeguard of my honour. 'There's one thing. Paper him. innocent folk show their faces in safety. for all the world as if he had really known my name and was foregoing some advantage. sir' says Alan. and that is on the man who fired the shot. 'for to all this dispute I am a perfect stranger. Alan. turning to me. sternly.He'll be papered anyway.' said Alan. and the gallows in the background.
and that seems to be what's wanted. 'I am Alan's friend. paper King George! We're all three innocent. as soon as my back is turned.' said I. came running over to us. that my hands dropped at my side and I despaired of argument. if you please. 'But for this lad that has come here and seen us at our worst. blessing God for our goodness to her family. it was no more than your bounden duty.' she said. Stewart leaped out of her chair. paper Alan. I will keep it. whether I consent or not. 'Very well. it must have been a Cameron from Mamore that did the act) and if I did not see that the lad might be caught? 'Ye havenae surely thought of that?' said they. But at least. and if I can be helpful to friends of his. for I saw Alan troubled. and burst once Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' I thought it best to put a fair face on my consent. as they call it.' And with that she kissed me. but I have your face. and bless it. for that was not to be thought of.' she says. they will paper me. besides (thinks I to myself). and seen the goodman fleeching like a suitor. But in this I saw I was wrong. than Mrs. I will not stumble at the risk. and. for I had no sooner said the words. recovering from my little fit of annoyance. and asking me what the Camerons would think? (which confirmed me. 'As for you. and wept first upon my neck and then on Alan's. 'paper me. sir. Alan. and think of it.' said I to James. with such innocent earnestness.hold my tongue. then. and as long as my heart beats under my bosom. my lad.com 1 . him that by rights should give his commands like any king — as for you. 'my heart is wae not to have your name.
and over much the same broken country as before. 'The day comes unco soon in this month of July.' [24] The rallying-word of the Campbells. bending somewhat eastwards. and crying of 'Cruachan!'[24] and running of red-coats.' said Alan. a fine riding of dragoons.more into such sobbing. and to-morrow there'll be a fine to-do in Appin. in a fine mild dark night. Thereupon we said farewell. 'Hoot. that I stood abashed. looking mighty silly. and set out again. 1 Kidnapped . hoot. and it behoves you and me to the sooner be gone.
For all our hurry. This was to pass the news. in that country. that in more than half of the houses where we called they had heard already of the murder. that country appeared to be a desert. upon its face. In the others.com 1 S . hidden in quiet places of the hills. day began to come in while we were still far from any shelter.CHAPTER XX THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE ROCKS ometimes we walked. and go himself and rap upon the side of the house and speak awhile at the window with some sleeper awakened. yet there were huts and houses of the people. the news was received with more of consternation than surprise. as well as I could make out (standing back at a distance and hearing a strange tongue). sometimes ran. walked ever the less and ran the more. was so much of a duty that Alan must pause to attend to it even while fleeing for his life. When we came to one of these. and as it drew on to morning. Alan would leave me in the way. and so well attended to by others. of which we must have passed more than twenty. which. It found us in a prodigious valFree eBooks at Planet eBook. Though.
and I put my hand over my 1 Kidnapped . Alan looked neither to the right nor to the left. that it may have been the valley called Glencoe. 'This is no fit place for you and me. and the river dinning upon all sides. The first peep of morning. showed us this horrible place. our time of journeying usually by night. our pace being so hurried. strewn with rocks and where ran a foaming river. there came on me a deadly sickness of fear.' he said. now by great detours. for that rock was small and he might have pitched over on the far side. and he had caught and stopped me. It went through with a horrid thundering that made my belly quake.' And with that he ran harder than ever down to the waterside. Wild mountains stood around it. I am all to seek. 'This is a place they're bound to watch.ley. and I have sometimes thought since then. I had scarce time to measure the distance or to understand the peril before I had followed him. side by side upon a small rock slippery with spray. in a part where the river was split in two among three rocks. and there hung over the lynn a little mist of spray. but jumped clean upon the middle rock and fell there on his hands and knees to check himself. When I saw where I was. where the massacre was in the time of King William. and I could see Alan knit his brow. a far broader leap in front of us. then. there grew there neither grass nor trees. But for the details of our itinerary. our way lying now by short cuts. and the names of such places as I asked and heard being in the Gaelic tongue and the more easily forgotten. So there we stood.
The next minute Alan had set the brandy bottle to my lips. I bent low on my knees and flung myself forth. I saw he was speaking. and I was sliddering back into the lynn. with that kind of anger of despair that has sometimes stood me in stead of courage. I kept stumbling as I ran. putting his hands to his mouth. he shouted. only I saw his face was red with anger. it was but my hands that reached the full length. and when at last Alan paused under a great rock that stood there among Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Never a word he said. 'Hang or drown!' and turning his back upon me. and landed safe. Alan took me and shook me. and partly drunken with the brandy. but the roaring of the falls and the trouble of my mind prevented me from hearing. slipped again. I was now alone upon the rock. when Alan seized me. I had this good example fresh before me. but now I was sick and bruised. The same look showed me the water raging by. I should never leap at all.eyes. but set off running again for his life. which sent the blood into my head again. Then. I had a stitch that came near to overmaster me. and I must stagger to my feet and run after him. and that he stamped upon the rock. these slipped. which gave me the more room. and just wit enough to see that if I did not leap at once. then by the collar. Sure enough. the brandy was singing in my ears. and with a great strain dragged me into safety. caught again. leaped over the farther branch of the stream.com 1 . I had been weary before. first by the hair. and forced me to drink about a gill. and the mist hanging in the air: and with that I covered my eyes again and shuddered. and his mouth to my ear.
and with the aid of that and a pair of shallow footholds in the rock. but by rights it was two rocks leaning together at the top. nor so much as relaxed the frowning look upon his face. Even Alan (though you may say he had as good as four hands) failed twice in an attempt to climb them. 'now we have a chance. All this while Alan had not said a word. for the two rocks. but clapped flat down. it was none too soon for David Balfour. both some twenty feet high. and its bottom. which was bestrewed with rocks. being both somewhat hollow on the top and sloping one to the other. and the river. and at the first sight inaccessible.a number of others. nor any living creature but some eagles screaming round a cliff.' and then looking 1 Kidnapped . but nowhere the smoke of a house. we could see the stony sides of the valley. 'Ay' said he. The dawn had come quite. Even now we were on the rock he said nothing. A great rock I have said. that he secured a lodgment. that I knew that he was in mortal fear of some miscarriage. silent frenzy of hurry. where as many as three or four men might have lain hidden. he let down his leathern girdle. and then by standing on my shoulders and leaping up with such force as I thought must have broken my collar-bone. and it was only at the third trial. and had run and climbed with such a savage. which went from one side to another. and made white falls. clear. I scrambled up beside him. Then at last Alan smiled. Then I saw why we had come there. and keeping only one eye above the edge of our place of shelter scouted all round the compass. made a kind of dish or saucer. Once there.
' says he. 'I have proved myself a gomeral this night. is what makes the prettiest kind of a man.' I was anxious to redeem my character. ye'll give me news of it. And next (which is the worst of the two. for a man that has been so much among the heather as myself) I have come wanting a water-bottle. it's me. no. 'Why.' said he. to run down and fill the bottle at the river. 'I wouldnae waste the good spirit either.com 1 . No.at me with some amusement. and offered. so that the day has caught us where we should never have been. we lie here in some danger and mair discomfort. 'Hoots! small blame to ye! To be feared of a thing and yet to do it. 'ye may have observed (you that's a man of so much penetration) that Alan Breck Stewart was perhaps walking quicker than his ordinar'. [25]Brisk. At this I suppose I coloured with mortification. Ye may think that a small matter. 'It's been a good friend to you this night. and here we lie for a long summer's day with naething but neat spirit. and that in my own country of Appin.' I asked him why. And what's mair. or in my poor opinion.' said he. if he would pour out the brandy. ye would still be cocking on yon stone.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. David. 'it's no you that's to blame. For first of all I take a wrong road. And then there was water there.' said Alan. for he added at once. and water's a thing that dauntons even me. 'Ye're no very gleg[25] at the jumping. and thanks to that.' says he. but before it comes night.
' 'Well. About half a mile up the water was a camp of red-coats. some planted like the first. then. ye may depend upon it. on the top of a rock about as high as ours. the last thing I heard was still the crying of the eagles. The valley was as clear as in a picture. and near by. the chain of posts was continued by horse-soldiers. 'you were running fit to burst. lad. and I'll watch.' said I.' 'Was I so?' said he. with the sun sparkling on his arms. Lower down. 'and why not?' He peered over the edge of the rock. 'Wheesht!' he whispered. And now here is enough said. here near together. It was now high day. cloudless. some on the ground level and marching and counter-marching. a big fire blazed in their midst. there stood a sentry. there was nae time to be lost. whom we could see in the distance riding to and fro. and signed to me to do the like. and very hot. surprised at his anxious and dark face. All the way down along the river-side were posted other sentries. and found Alan's hand pressed upon my mouth. to be a bed to me. Higher up the glen. at which some were cooking. I dare say it would be nine in the morning when I was roughly awakened. and some bracken grew there.' Accordingly. a little peaty earth had drifted in between the top of the two rocks. I lay down to sleep. 'Well. on places of command. so as to meet half-way. the infantry 10 Kidnapped . there widelier scattered. 'Ye were snoring.'You!' I cried. gang you to your sleep. where the ground was more open.
We took turn about to lie on the naked rock. come night.com 11 . and ducked again into my place.' 'And what are we to do till night?' I asked. I should have suffered so cruelly. we'll try our hand at getting by them. and. 'birstle.' That one good Scotch word. which kept cooler. like scones upon a girdle. and it ran in my mind how strange it was. and the little patch of earth and fern.' said Alan. bristling with arms and dotted with the red coats and breeches. 'Lie here. I took but one look at them. Davie: that they would watch the burn-side. that in the same climate and at only a few days' distance.continued.' says he. a man could scarce endure the touch of it. It was strange indeed to see this valley. They began to come in about two hours ago. 'Ye see. was only large enough for one at a time. 'this was what I was afraid of. but if they'll only keep in the foot of the valley. 'and birstle. The posts are thinner down the water. You are to remember that we lay on the bare top of a rock. they could easy spy us with a glass. which was indeed like the position of that saint that was martyred on a gridiron. we'll do yet. man! but ye're a grand hand at the sleeping! We're in a narrow place. and. they were more widely set. but as the stream was suddenly swelled by the confluence of a considerable burn. If they get up the sides of the hill. first from cold upon my island and now from heat upon Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and only watched the fords and stepping-stones. which had lain so solitary in the hour of dawn. the sun beat upon us cruelly. the rock grew so heated.' was indeed the most of the story of the day that we had now to pass.
These lay round in so great a number. and indeed I have never grown used to it. It was in this way that I first heard the right English speech. and they would sometimes hang about our rock. one fellow as he went by actually clapping his hand upon the sunny face of the rock on which we lay. and plucking it off again with an oath. The soldiers kept stirring all day in the bottom of the valley.this rock. and got some relief by bathing our breasts and temples. now changing guard.' To be sure. as perhaps a very critical eye might here and there spy out even in these memoirs. and being so hopeless a task. but we kept the bottle as cool as we could. so that we scarce dared to breathe. it was gone about with the less care. I had heard Ransome. now in patrolling parties hunting among the rocks. only raw brandy for a drink. My surprise was all the greater to hear that manner of speaking in the mouth of a grown man. burying it in the earth. which was worse than nothing. which sent a cold thrill into my vitals. and spoke so imperfectly at the best. The tediousness and pain of these hours upon the rock 1 Kidnapped . but he had taken his ways from all sorts of people. Yet we could see the soldiers pike their bayonets among the heather. and no less at that strange trick of dropping out the letter 'h. that to look for men among them was like looking for a needle in a bottle of hay. and I was amazed at the clipping tones and the odd sing-song in which he spoke. nor yet altogether with the English grammar.' says he. 'I tell you it's 'ot. that I set down the most of it to childishness. All the while we had no water.
and sharp pangs like rheumatism.' said Alan. Alan proposed that we should try a start. I minded then. and lying quite naked to the eye of any soldier who should have strolled that way. I was by this time afraid of but one thing in the world. Here.. and there was now temptation to resist.com 1 . so weak was I and so giddy with that long exposure. which was the side sheltered from the soldiers. and that was to be set Free eBooks at Planet eBook. about two. and as the soldiers were now lying closer along the river-side. on the lines in our Scotch psalm: — 'The moon by night thee shall not smite. all passing by on the other side. Presently we began again to get a little strength. None came. Nor yet the sun by day. and slipped over the edge and dropped on the ground on the shadowy side. and have often minded since. however. as weak as water.grew only the greater as the day went on.' and indeed it was only by God's blessing that we were neither of us sun-smitten. we lay for an hour or two. For the sun being now got a little into the west. the rock getting still the hotter and the sun fiercer. aching from head to foot. there came a patch of shade on the east side of our rock. There were giddiness. to be supported. I followed him at once. At last. as well as pain to thole. then. and instantly fell all my length. so that our rock continued to be our shield even in this new position. it was beyond men's bearing. 'As well one death as another. and sickness.
so that in this way. and stood dozing at their posts or only kept a lookout along the banks of the river. When we must pass an open place. and would start the echo calling among the hills and cliffs. By sundown we had made some distance. A man had need of a hundred eyes in every part of him. and that was a deep rushing burn. we drew steadily away from their neighbourhood. But the business was the most wearing I had ever taken part in. keeping down the valley and at the same time towards the mountains.back upon the rock. so we got ourselves at once in marching order. but a swift judgment not only of the lie of the whole country. now making a run for it. now crawling flat on our bellies in the shade. had now laid by much of their vigilance. quickness was not all. having searched this side of the valley after a fashion. heart in mouth. But now we came on something that put all fears out of season. The soldiers. to keep concealed in that uneven country and within cry of so many and scattered sentries. and being perhaps somewhat sleepy with the sultriness of the afternoon. but of the solidity of every stone on which we must set foot. in that part. for the afternoon was now fallen so breathless that the rolling of a pebble sounded abroad like a pistol shot. and 1 Kidnapped . to join the glen river. that tore down. and began to slip from rock to rock one after the other. anything else was welcome to me. though to be sure the sentry on the rock was still plainly in our view. At the sight of this we cast ourselves on the ground and plunged head and shoulders in the water. even by our slow rate of progress.
com 1 . Free eBooks at Planet eBook. but after awhile shone out and showed me many dark heads of mountains. drank again and again. being wonderfullv renewed. and with no guess at our direction. we set forth again. and at last. so that I walked without much fatigue. or (as in our case) good reason for not making one.I cannot tell which was the more pleasant. or the greed with which we drank of it. The moon rose at last and found us still on the road. lying up the steep sides of mountains and along the brows of cliffs. standing our full height and stepping out at a good pace of walking. We lay there (for the banks hid us). The way was very intricate. it was in its last quarter. Alan to make sure of his direction. and the night was dark and cool. As soon as the shadow of the night had fallen. and was reflected far underneath us on the narrow arm of a sea-loch. let our wrists trail in the running water till they ached with the chill. at first with the same caution. the great shock as the cool stream went over us. At this sight we both paused: I struck with wonder to find myself so high and walking (as it seemed to me) upon clouds. but in continual fear of falling and rolling down the mountains. though it is but cold water mingled with oatmeal. it is the chief standby of those who have taken to the heather. This. we got out the meal-bag and made drammach in the iron pan. clouds had come in with the sunset. yet makes a good enough dish for a hungry man. but presently with more boldness. and where there are no means of making fire. bathed our chests. and was long beset with clouds.
plaintive. warlike. for throughout the rest of our night-march he beguiled the way with whistling of many tunes. desert mountains. 1 Kidnapped . and he must certainly have judged us out of ear-shot of all our enemies. dark. reel tunes that made the foot go faster. on the great. and all these.Seemingly he was well pleased. tunes of my own south country that made me fain to be home from my adventures. merry. making company upon the way.
The name of the cleft was the Heugh of Corrynakiegh. Birches grew there in a thin.CHAPTER XXI THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE HEUGH OF CORRYNAKIEGH E arly as day comes in the beginning of July. which a little farther on was changed into a wood of pines. whaups would be always whistling. yet it was on the whole a Free eBooks at Planet eBook. the wood of cushat-doves. and although from its height and being so near upon the sea. From the mouth of the cleft we looked down upon a part of Mamore.com 1 . pretty wood. and on the sealoch that divides that country from Appin. with a water running through the midst. and this from so great a height as made it my continual wonder and pleasure to sit and behold them. and upon the one hand a shallow cave in a rock. The burn was full of trout. it was often beset with clouds. and cuckoos were plentiful. on the open side of the mountain beyond. a cleft in the head of a great mountain. it was still dark when we reached our destination.
but they were of good flesh and flavour. for my ignorance had much distressed him. and got some profit of my lessons. we spent a great part of our days at the water-side. and would push me so close that I made sure he must run me through the body. This was indeed our chief pleasure and business. We slept in the cave. which is often all that is required. and not only to save our meal against worse times. and covering ourselves with Alan's great-coat. where we were so bold as to make fire: so that we could warm ourselves when the clouds set in. making our bed of heather bushes which we cut for that purpose. He made it somewhat more of a pain than need have been. There was a low concealed place. The largest we got might have been a quarter of a pound. So. In any by-time Alan must teach me to use my sword. in a turning of the glen. though I could never in the least please my master. but with a rivalry that much amused us. and cook hot porridge. I was often tempted to turn tail. if it was but to stand on guard with an assured countenance. as I had sometimes the upper-hand of him in the fishing. lacked only a little salt to be delicious. and grill the little trouts that we caught with our hands under the stones and overhanging banks of the burn. for he stormed at me all through the lessons in a very violent manner of scolding. and I think besides. and the five days we lived in it went happily. I was not altogether displeased with 1 Kidnapped . stripped to the waist and groping about or (as they say) guddling for these fish.pleasant place. he was not sorry to turn to an exercise where he had so much the upper-hand of me. but held my ground for all that. and when broiled upon the coals.
and some that I am no just so sure of. getting a piece of wood. 'Could ye lend me my button?' says he. David. Then he looked at me a little shyly. 'It seems a strange thing to ask a gift again. I see not what we shall be able to do. In the meanwhile. 'It will be many a long day. 'Now.com 1 . which was to get away. 'We are here in a desert place. 'there is a little clachan' (what is called a hamlet in the English) 'not very far from Corrynakiegh. looking in the embers of the fire. you are not to suppose that we neglected our chief business. There there are living many friends of mine whom I could trust with my life. David.' Alan said to me on our first morning. Ye see. so now we must get word sent to James. but I own I am laith to cut another. 'before the red-coats think upon seeking Corrynakiegh. he fashioned it in a cross. 'Ye're a man of small contrivance.' I gave him the button.' 'And how shall we send that word?' says I. and tying in a little sprig of birch and another of fir.myself. and presently. the four ends of which he blackened on the coals. there will Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and it has the name of Koalisnacoan. which yet we dare not leave.' 'Ay?' said Alan. and he must find the siller for us. he looked upon his work with satisfaction.' Thereupon he fell in a muse. and unless ye get the fowls of the air to be your messengers.' said he. whereupon he strung it on a strip of his great-coat which he had used to bind the cross.
If it was otherwise. So when it comes dark again. or fiery cross. 'and if he finds it.' said I. THE CLAN IS NOT TO RISE. This cross is something in the nature of the crosstarrie. 'I would as lief they didnae see me.' [26]A bouman is a tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him the increase.' 'But being so?' said I. they would never spare siller where there was a Stewart to be hurt. 'I wish he was a man of more penetration. for there it is standing in his window. 'it may be. But even supposing so.' 'Well. Then he will see my button.' says I. yet he will know well enough the clan is not to rise. So he will say to himsel'. John Breck Maccoll. James himsel' is to set money on them. a bouman[26] of Appin's. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING. There's bad folk everywhere. and no word with it. what is he to think?' 'Well. there is a 00 Kidnapped . and what's far worse. for by my troth I am afraid he will make little enough of it! But this is what I have in my mind.' said he. AND HAS NEED OF ME. which is the signal of gathering in our clans. 'Being so. THE SON OF DUNCAN IS IN THE HEATHER.' says Alan.be money set upon our heads. I would go down to Koalisnacoan whatever. I will steal down into that clachan. and set this that I have been making in the window of a good friend of mine. And then he will say to himsel'. and that was Duncan Stewart's. and as for the Campbells. and trust my life into these people's hands as lightly as I would trust another with my glove. weak ones. 'With all my heart.
He would have to go to the school for two-three years. for he will no be worth the salt to his porridge. but it would be a sore job for John Breck to read it.com 01 .' says Alan. David.' So that night Alan carried down his fiery cross and set it in the bouman's window. which I misdoubt). Mr. He was troubled when he came back. and it's possible we might be wearied waiting on him. Balfour of Shaws. On all accounts we lay the next day in the borders of the wood and kept a close look-out. so that if it was John Breck that came we might be ready to guide him.good deal of heather between here and the Forth. 'and it would certainly be much simpler for me to write to him. for the dogs had barked and the folk run out from their houses. drolling with him a little. the devil may fly away with him.' 'Eh. and he will say to himsel' (if he is a man of any penetration at all. ALAN WILL BE LYING IN A WOOD WHICH IS BOTH OF PINES AND BIRCHES. man.' 'And that is a very true word. THAT IS NOT SO VERY RIFE HEREABOUT. for what I care. drolling with me. And if he does not. and he thought he had heard a clatter of arms and seen a red-coat come to one of the doors. Then he will think to himsel'. and then he will come and give us a look up in Corrynakiegh. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'you're very ingenious! But would it not be simpler for you to write him a few words in black and white?' 'And that is an excellent observe.' says Alan. 'But then John Breck will see the sprig of birch and the sprig of pine.' said I. and if it was the red-coats we should have time to get away.
which he shaped into a pen. about forty. Alan would have had him carry a message to James. he was guided to the spot where we lay. from under his hand. grossly disfigured with the small pox. straggling up the open side of the mountain in the sun. and would either have a letter or wash his hands of us. and what he had was the child of terror. but I thought he had little good-will to serve us. and tearing a corner from his French military commission (which he carried in his pocket. but the bouman would hear of no message. yet Alan (according to his very handsome use. for we lacked the means of writing in that desert. and looking round him as he came. wild. But he was a man of more resources than I knew. the man turned and came a little towards us: then Alan would give another 'peep!' and the man would come still nearer. Perhaps the strange language made him appear more backward than he really was. made himself a kind of ink with gunpowder from his horn and water from the running stream. like a talisman to keep him from the gallows). I thought Alan would be gravelled at that.' he said in his screaming voice. and looked both dull and savage. he sat down and wrote as follows: 0 Kidnapped .About noon a man was to be spied. He was a ragged. whenever I was by) would suffer him to speak no Gaelic. and so by the sound of whistling. bearded man. Although his English was very bad and broken. 'She was forget it. No sooner had Alan seen him than he whistled. searched the wood until he found the quill of a cushat-dove.
The money she had sent was all that she could beg or borrow. He gave us the news of the country. and indeed he was no doubt well pleased to have got to the end of such a dangerous commission. — Please send the money by the bearer to the place he kens of. It seemed it was noised on all sides that Alan Breck had fired the shot. and that James and some of his servants were already clapped in prison at Fort William. both he and James were no better than dead men. who promised to make what manner of speed he best could. Stewart was of a miserable sadness. and poor folk brought in trouble daily. which Alan answered. He was three full days gone. In it she besought Alan not to let himself be captured. looking for us.' This he intrusted to the bouman.'DEAR KINSMAN. right and left. He seemed less sulky than before. assuring him. we heard a whistling in the wood.com 0 . and the little note the bouman had carried us from Mrs. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. but about five in the evening of the third. This was all as bad as could be. and there was a bill issued for both him and me. and she prayed heaven we could be doing with it. under strong suspicion of complicity. Lastly. that arms were being found. with one hundred pounds reward. S. that it was alive with red-coats. if he fell in the hands of the troops. 'Your affectionate cousin. and presently the bouman came up the water-side. and carried it off with him down the hill. she said. 'A.
the description had ceased to be a danger and become a source of safety. pock-marked. speaks like a Lowlander. 'you should change your clothes. if I went back to France in a bonnet!' This put a second reflection in my mind: that if I were to separate from Alan and his tell-tale clothes I should be safe against arrest. shag. wearing an old blue coat. Nor was this all. partly as he might look into the barrel of an enemy's gun to judge if it be truly aimed. for since I had changed these rags. partly as a man may look in a mirror.' and I as 'a tall strong lad of about eighteen. 'Alan. A fine sight I would be. 'I have nae others. and lace a great deal tarnished.she enclosed us one of the bills in which we were described. troth!' said Alan. only when he came to the word tarnish. lowcountry shoes. very ragged. As for myself. a long homespun waistcoat. a French side-coat of blue with silver buttons. but suppose I was taken in company with the reputed murderer. wanting the toes.' said I.' 'Na. my case would begin to be 0 Kidnapped . This we looked upon with great curiosity and not a little fear. his legs bare. and might go openly about my business.' Alan was well enough pleased to see his finery so fully remembered and set down. and yet was well enough pleased too. I thought I cut a miserable figure in the bill. an old Highland bonnet. and has no beard. for suppose I was arrested when I was alone. he looked upon his lace like one a little mortified. dressed in a feathered hat. a red waistcoat and breeches of black. there was little against me. active man of thirty-five or thereby. blue breeches. Alan was advertised as 'a small.
putting the purse in his pocket. 'Her nainsel will loss it. But there was no thought of the sort in the honest head of my companion. And what could I do but hold my peace. it was more than I had. when the bouman brought out a green purse with four guineas in gold. I. that was my father's before me? Now I will tell you what is in my mind. John Breck. But then Alan. and at last said. this gentleman and me will be for taking the road. 'What!' cried Alan. helping. and chafe. He believed he was serving. but I thought of it none the less. he set his hands on his knees and looked at the bouman with a smiling mouth.grave. if ye will hand me over my button. with sea-trousers). and protecting me. too.' But the bouman. but a burden on my purse.' meaning he thought he had lost it. after feeling about in a hairy purse that hung in front of him in the Highland manner (though he wore otherwise the Lowland habit. I thought of it all the more. For generosity's sake I dare not speak my mind upon this head.' said Alan. 'you will lose my button. so that taking things in their proportion.com 0 . with my less than two. with less than five guineas. John Breck: it is in my mind this is the worst day's work that ever ye did since ye was born. and that dancFree eBooks at Planet eBook. had to get as far as France.' And as Alan spoke. And now. Alan's society was not only a peril to my life. and take my chance of it? 'It's little enough. 'but it'll do my business. True. not beyond Queensferry. and the best part of another in small change. began to roll his eyes strangely.
and Alan I (getting our chattels together) struck into another to resume our flight. and I thank you for parting with it. and then to me. the bouman took himself off by one way.' said Alan.ing light in his eyes that meant mischief to his enemies. 'ye have done very well by me. and set your neck at a venture. and all at once. 'For.' says he. he seemed to find that button and handed it to Alan.' Lastly. 'Here is my button back again.' Then he took the warmest parting of the bouman. 'Well. perhaps he had meant to cheat and then. and it is a good thing for the honour of the Maccolls. which is of a piece with all your friendships to me. at least. cast back to honesty as being safer. and I will always give you the name of a good man. 0 Kidnapped . Perhaps the bouman was honest enough. finding himself alone with two of us in a desert place.
' said Alan.com 0 S . there's no Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' said I. To the north. or shall we risk it. if that was all. a little. The sun was not long up. and no to be thought of.' 'Ay.' said Alan. desert land. Shall we lie here till it comes night. 'this is the kittle bit. In front of us there lay a piece of low. which we must now cross. 'David.CHAPTER XXII THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE MOOR ome seven hours' incessant. 'nor yet the half. but it isnae. but I could walk as far again. This is how we stand: Appin's fair death to us. so that (as Alan said) there might have been twenty squadron of dragoons there and we none the wiser. in a howe of the hill-side till the mist should have risen. and stave on ahead?' 'Well. broken. thin mist went up from the face of the moorland like a smoke. and shone straight in our eyes. We sat down. hard travelling brought us early in the morning to the end of a range of mountains. therefore. and held a council of war. 'I am tired indeed. To the south it's all Campbells. and made ourselves a dish of drammach. well.
muckle to be gained by going north; neither for you, that wants to get to Queensferry, nor yet for me, that wants to get to France. Well, then, we'll can strike east.' 'East be it!' says I, quite cheerily; but I was thinking' in to myself: 'O, man, if you would only take one point of the compass and let me take any other, it would be the best for both of us.' 'Well, then, east, ye see, we have the muirs,' said Alan. 'Once there, David, it's mere pitch-and-toss. Out on yon bald, naked, flat place, where can a body turn to? Let the red-coats come over a hill, they can spy you miles away; and the sorrow's in their horses' heels, they would soon ride you down. It's no good place, David; and I'm free to say, it's worse by daylight than by dark.' 'Alan,' said I, 'hear my way of it. Appin's death for us; we have none too much money, nor yet meal; the longer they seek, the nearer they may guess where we are; it's all a risk; and I give my word to go ahead until we drop.' Alan was delighted. 'There are whiles,' said he, 'when ye are altogether too canny and Whiggish to be company for a gentleman like me; but there come other whiles when ye show yoursel' a mettle spark; and it's then, David, that I love ye like a brother.' The mist rose and died away, and showed us that country lying as waste as the sea; only the moorfowl and the pewees crying upon it, and far over to the east, a herd of deer, moving like dots. Much of it was red with heather; much of the rest broken up with bogs and hags and peaty pools; some had been burnt black in a heath fire; and in another place
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there was quite a forest of dead firs, standing like skeletons. A wearier-looking desert man never saw; but at least it was clear of troops, which was our point. We went down accordingly into the waste, and began to make our toilsome and devious travel towards the eastern verge. There were the tops of mountains all round (you are to remember) from whence we might be spied at any moment; so it behoved us to keep in the hollow parts of the moor, and when these turned aside from our direction to move upon its naked face with infinite care. Sometimes, for half an hour together, we must crawl from one heather bush to another, as hunters do when they are hard upon the deer. It was a clear day again, with a blazing sun; the water in the brandy bottle was soon gone; and altogether, if I had guessed what it would be to crawl half the time upon my belly and to walk much of the rest stooping nearly to the knees, I should certainly have held back from such a killing enterprise. Toiling and resting and toiling again, we wore away the morning; and about noon lay down in a thick bush of heather to sleep. Alan took the first watch; and it seemed to me I had scarce closed my eyes before I was shaken up to take the second. We had no clock to go by; and Alan stuck a sprig of heath in the ground to serve instead; so that as soon as the shadow of the bush should fall so far to the east, I might know to rouse him. But I was by this time so weary that I could have slept twelve hours at a stretch; I had the taste of sleep in my throat; my joints slept even when my mind was waking; the hot smell of the heather, and the drone of the
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wild bees, were like possets to me; and every now and again I would give a jump and find I had been dozing. The last time I woke I seemed to come back from farther away, and thought the sun had taken a great start in the heavens. I looked at the sprig of heath, and at that I could have cried aloud: for I saw I had betrayed my trust. My head was nearly turned with fear and shame; and at what I saw, when I looked out around me on the moor, my heart was like dying in my body. For sure enough, a body of horsesoldiers had come down during my sleep, and were drawing near to us from the south-east, spread out in the shape of a fan and riding their horses to and fro in the deep parts of the heather. When I waked Alan, he glanced first at the soldiers, then at the mark and the position of the sun, and knitted his brows with a sudden, quick look, both ugly and anxious, which was all the reproach I had of him. 'What are we to do now?' I asked. 'We'll have to play at being hares,' said he. 'Do ye see yon mountain?' pointing to one on the north-eastern sky. 'Ay,' said I. 'Well, then,' says he, 'let us strike for that. Its name is Ben Alder. it is a wild, desert mountain full of hills and hollows, and if we can win to it before the morn, we may do yet.' 'But, Alan,' cried I, 'that will take us across the very coming of the soldiers!' 'I ken that fine,' said he; 'but if we are driven back on Appin, we are two dead men. So now, David man, be brisk!' With that he began to run forward on his hands and
10 Kidnapped
knees with an incredible quickness, as though it were his natural way of going. All the time, too, he kept winding in and out in the lower parts of the moorland where we were the best concealed. Some of these had been burned or at least scathed with fire; and there rose in our faces (which were close to the ground) a blinding, choking dust as fine as smoke. The water was long out; and this posture of running on the hands and knees brings an overmastering weakness and weariness, so that the joints ache and the wrists faint under your weight. Now and then, indeed, where was a big bush of heather, we lay awhile, and panted, and putting aside the leaves, looked back at the dragoons. They had not spied us, for they held straight on; a half-troop, I think, covering about two miles of ground, and beating it mighty thoroughly as they went. I had awakened just in time; a little later, and we must have fled in front of them, instead of escaping on one side. Even as it was, the least misfortune might betray us; and now and again, when a grouse rose out of the heather with a clap of wings, we lay as still as the dead and were afraid to breathe. The aching and faintness of my body, the labouring of my heart, the soreness of my hands, and the smarting of my throat and eyes in the continual smoke of dust and ashes, had soon grown to be so unbearable that I would gladly have given up. Nothing but the fear of Alan lent me enough of a false kind of courage to continue. As for himself (and you are to bear in mind that he was cumbered with a great-coat) he had first turned crimson, but as time went on the redness
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began to be mingled with patches of white; his breath cried and whistled as it came; and his voice, when he whispered his observations in my ear during our halts, sounded like nothing human. Yet he seemed in no way dashed in spirits, nor did he at all abate in his activity, so that I was driven, to marvel at the man's endurance. At length, in the first gloaming of the night, we heard a trumpet sound, and looking back from among the heather, saw the troop beginning to collect. A little after, they had built a fire and camped for the night, about the middle of the waste. At this I begged and besought that we might lie down and sleep. 'There shall be no sleep the night!' said Alan. 'From now on, these weary dragoons of yours will keep the crown of the muirland, and none will get out of Appin but winged fowls. We got through in the nick of time, and shall we jeopard what we've gained? Na, na, when the day comes, it shall find you and me in a fast place on Ben Alder.' 'Alan,' I said, 'it's not the want of will: it's the strength that I want. If I could, I would; but as sure as I'm alive I cannot.' 'Very well, then,' said Alan. 'I'll carry ye.' I looked to see if he were jesting; but no, the little man was in dead earnest; and the sight of so much resolution shamed me. 'Lead away!' said I. 'I'll follow.' He gave me one look as much as to say, 'Well done, David!' and off he set again at his top speed.
1 Kidnapped
after years. you would have needed pretty good eyes to read. for in these last hours it never occurred to me that I had any choice but just to obey as long as I was able. The sky was cloudless. and die obeying. and could walk upon Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and pretty far north. like a bright spot in the midst of the moor. And I dare say I would have made a good enough private. and the fire dwindling away behind us. I did not think of myself. in the darkest part of that night. By what I have read in books. I have often seen it darker in a winter midday. this is the officer's part to make men continue to do things.com 1 . who was the cause of it. Heavy dew fell and drenched the moor like rain. they would lie down where they were and be killed. it was still early in July. and this refreshed me for a while. they know not wherefore. When we stopped to breathe.It grew cooler and even a little darker (but not much) with the coming of the night. or they would write of it more strongly. and I had time to see all about me. and I scarce remembered there was such a lad as David Balfour. and when. and by that time we were past the greatest danger. anger would come upon me in a clap that I must still drag myself in agony and eat the dust like a worm. neither past nor future. with despair — and of Alan. Day began to come in. the shapes of the hills like things asleep. I think few that have held a pen were ever really wearied. I thought. I had no care of my life. but just of each fresh step which I was sure would be my last. Alan was in the right trade as a soldier. but for all that. if the choice was offered. the clearness and sweetness of the night. with hatred.
Not that ever I looked at him. 1 Kidnapped . the pain of this rough handling was quite swallowed up by the pains of which I was already full. [27] Village fair. and as white as dead folk. when upon a sudden the heather gave a rustle. like people lifting weights at a country play. or we should not have walked into an ambush like blind men. I say Alan did as I did. dear heart have mercy! what a pair we must have made. each set his mouth and kept his eyes in front of him. and looked as little where we were going. I heard Alan and another whispering in the Gaelic.[27] all the while. and the next moment we were lying on our backs. Never a word passed between us. But.our feet like men. I don't think I cared. with the moorfowl crying 'peep!' in the heather. each with a dirk at his throat. but I was not afraid of him. and his eyes very light. but because it is plain he must have been as stupid with weariness as myself. and what they said was all one to me. Alan leading and I following a pace or two behind. and I was too glad to have stopped walking to mind about a dirk. We were going down a heathery brae. for I had enough ado to keep my feet. It fell in this way. like a fiddler and his wife. going double like old grandfathers. and the light coming slowly clearer in the east. I lay looking up in the face of the man that held me. and lifted up his foot and set it down again. stumbling like babes. and I mind his face was black with the sun. three or four ragged men leaped out. instead of crawling like brutes.
sitting in the heather. and I had supposed him long ago in France. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. 'They are Cluny's men. There was no such thing possible for me. We're just to bide here with these. 'Still in his own country and kept by his own clan. 'is Cluny still here?' 'Ay. I had no sooner closed my eyes. King George can do no more. 'I am rather wearied. until the messenger returned.' And without more words.' said Alan. 'What. there was a price on his life.' Now Cluny Macpherson. seemed to be filled with whirring grasshoppers. than my body. and above all my head. had been one of the leaders of the great rebellion six years before. That was all the rest I had. he rolled on his face in a deep heather bush. You have heard grasshoppers whirring in the grass in the summer time? Well. and seemed to sleep at once. or at Cluny's wild and dirty sentries. is he so!' said Alan. but Alan gave me the put-off. 'We couldnae have fallen better.' he said. and wrists.' I cried. and look at the sky which dazzled me. till they can get word to the chief of my arrival. our weapons were taken away. peering out over the top of the brae and chattering to each other in the Gaelic. 'and I would like fine to get a sleep.Then the dirks were put up. Even tired as I was. and I must open my eyes again at once. which are his out-sentries. and we were set face to face. the surprise of what I heard half wakened me. with the rest of the heads of that desperate party. the chief of the clan Vourich. belly.' I think I would have asked farther. and tumble and toss. and sit up and lie down.com 1 .
the air to have a current. it seems. With all that. that I was smiling. the ground seemed to me a cloud. two of the gillies had me by the arms. and supposed it was in anger. and the next moment. 1 Kidnapped . For my part. Alan was in excellent good spirits. which carried me to and fro. through a labyrinth of dreary glens and hollows and into the heart of that dismal mountain of Ben Alder. we must get once more upon our feet and set forward. and now I felt a kind of dreadful lightness. and that gave me a pang of light-headed fear. although I dare say it was slowly enough in truth). the hills a feather-weight. But my good companion had nothing in his mind but kindness. too. I saw Alan knitting his brows at me. I remember. hard as I tried. of which. it made me sick to hear of eating. for I thought it was out of place at such a time. and could not stop smiling. the messenger had brought him word. very hungry. I had been dead-heavy before. like what a child may have.when. and I began to be carried forward with great swiftness (or so it appeared to me. as it appeared that Cluny would be glad to receive us. so that I could have wept at my own helplessness. which would not suffer me to walk. a sort of horror of despair sat on my mind. I drifted like a gossamer. and looking pleasantly forward to a dram and a dish of hot collops. much refreshed by his sleep. like a running burn.
like a wasp's nest in a green hawthorn.CHAPTER XXIII CLUNY'S CAGE W e came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood. we found that strange house which was known in the country as 'Cluny's Cage. A projection of the cliff had been cunFree eBooks at Planet eBook. Within. Quite at the top. The walls were of wattle and covered with moss.' said one of the guides. was the living centrebeam of the roof. hillside thicket.' The trunks of several trees had been wattled across. and it half hung. The whole house had something of an egg shape. which scrambled up a craggy hillside. and was crowned by a naked precipice. 'It's here. which grew out from the hillside. the intervals strengthened with stakes. and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage. and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor. half stood in that steep. and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder.com 1 . like sailors on the shrouds of a ship. A tree. by which we mounted. and we struck up hill. it was large enough to shelter five or six persons with some comfort. The trees clung upon the slope.
sir. and only went to France at last by the express command of his master. and the smoke rising against the face of the rock. and it was quite a sight to see him rise out of his place to welcome us. For all that he had the manners of a king.' 'And how is yourself. Mr. he moved from one to another as the soldiers drew near or moved away. sir!' said he.' says Cluny. He was mighty plainly habited. but with strangers. he had caves.ningly employed to be the fireplace. and underground chambers in several parts of his country. By this manner of living. the both of ye. he rang the words out like a herald.' Alan never referred to my estate without a touch of a sneer. 'Well. watching a gillie about some cookery. and following the reports of his scouts. while so many others had fled or been taken and slain: but stayed four or five years longer. gentlemen. 'and bring in your friend that as yet I dinna ken the name of. Stewart. and to present to ye my friend the Laird of Shaws. and it is strange to reflect that he may have regretted his Cage upon Ben Alder. besides. with a knitted nightcap drawn over his ears. and thanks to the affection of his clan. 'Step in by. come awa'. readily escaped notice from below. Cluny?' said Alan. Mr. 'I make 1 Kidnapped . There he soon died. and being not dissimilar in colour. when we were alone. And I am proud to see ye. This was but one of Cluny's hiding-places. and smoked a foul cutty pipe. he had not only stayed all this time in safety. 'I hope ye do brawly. When we came to the door he was seated by his rock chimney. David Balfour.
but no longer with the same groundless horror and distress of mind.ye welcome to my house. cookery was one of his chief fancies. and communicated only with his sentinels and the gillies that Free eBooks at Planet eBook. but for the more part lived quite alone. he sometimes visited or received visits from his wife and one or two of his nearest friends. and we had a strange host. like those of an old maid. We'll take a dram for luck. still a little mistily perhaps. which is a queer. rude place for certain. No sooner had I taken out the drain than I felt hugely better. and could look on and listen. and if he had been there himself in proper person. under the cover of night. and as soon as this handless man of mine has the collops ready. And so here's a toast to ye: The Restoration!' Thereupon we all touched glasses and drank. My life is a bit driegh. it's like he would have done as I did. He had a particular place. and sit and twirl my thumbs. but one where I have entertained a royal personage. he kept an eye to the collops. Stewart — ye doubtless ken the personage I have in my eye. the Cage was arranged in a particular way. Cluny had grown to have all manner of precise habits.' I see little company. we'll dine and take a hand at the cartes as gentlemen should.' says he. It was certainly a strange place. Mr. pouring out the brandy.com 1 . In his long hiding. and even while he was greeting us in. where no one else must sit. I am sure I wished no ill to King George. which none must disturb. It appears. and weary for another great day that we all hope will be upon the road. and mind upon a great day that is gone by.
and the men of his country. Disputes were brought to him in his hiding-hole to be decided. could have made a fortune by betraying him. and gave him the news of the country. he still exercised a patriarchal justice in his clan. which was often enough. of which he was immoderately greedy.waited on him in the Cage. 0 Kidnapped . and like the other landed gentlemen of Scotland. laughed out of all bounds of reason. There was no end to his questions. laid aside revenge and paid down money at the bare word of this forfeited and hunted outlaw. king. and his gillies trembled and crouched away from him like children before a hasty father. one of them. who would have snapped their fingers at the Court of Session. came and shaved him. and this with a proscribed. fugitive chief. sometimes within a mile of where he lay. With each of them. stripped by the late Act of Parliament of legal powers. there might have been a purpose in his questions. Altogether. both parties touching their bonnets at the same time in a military manner. hours after the barber was gone. he ceremoniously shook hands. he gave his commands and breathed threats of punishment like any. as he entered. I had a fair chance to see some of the inner workings of a Highland clan. he put them as earnestly as a child. The first thing in the morning. and would break out again laughing at the mere memory. who was a barber. and when the least of the ragged fellows whom he rated and threatened. To be sure. for though he was thus sequestered. the troops riding upon all sides in quest of him. When he was angered. and at some of the answers. his country conquered.
greasy pack of cards. so the fault that has since.[28] Indeed. I do not know if the collops were truly very good. there were mair dragoons than lemons in my country in the year forty-six. I gathered the Prince was a gracious. for at that time we were glad to get the meat and never fashed for kitchen.On that first day. as soon as the collops were ready. Cluny gave them with his own hand a squeeze of a lemon (for he was well supplied with luxuries) and bade us draw in to our meal. Now this was one of the things I had been brought up to eschew like disgrace. 'are such as I gave his Royal Highness in this very house. made such a wreck of him. like the son of a race of polite kings. thumbed. too. but not so wise as Solomon. he was often drunk. and his eyes brightened in his face as he proposed that we should fall to playing. and rising from his place to show us where they stood. but my heart rose against the sight of them. spirited boy. it being held by my father neither the part of a Christian nor yet of a gentleman to set his own livelihood and fish for that of others. We were no sooner done eating than Cluny brought out an old. meaning the collops. giving us the very words of the speakers. had even then begun to show itself.' said he. on the cast of paintFree eBooks at Planet eBook. I gathered. that while he was in the Cage.com 1 . bating the lemon juice. and I could eat but little. such as you may find in a mean inn. by all accounts. By these. 'They. All the while Cluny entertained us with stories of Prince Charlie's stay in the Cage.' [28]Condiment.
' 'Sir. and pointed me to a bed of heather in a corner of the Cage. And if either he. for the house of Cluny Macpherson?' 'I will put my hand in the fire for Mr. or any other man.' says he. and told them I had no call to be a judge of others. I might have pleaded my fatigue. For all that he Kidnapped . and I would have ye bear in mind who says it. Balfour. And I'm fit and willing. as you are a man that likely has sons of your own. But the gentleman is tired.' I had no will that these two friends should cut their throats for my sake.' said I. say nae mair. 'and I and any that I call friend are company for the best. and what's more. 'He is an honest and a mettle gentleman. to play ye any game that ye can name. Cluny stopped mingling the cards. but for my own part.' says Cluny. cocking his hat. which was excuse enough. canting talk is this. 'What in deil's name is this?' says he. I bear a king's name. I will be proud to step outside with him. 'in this poor house of mine I would have you to ken that any gentleman may follow his pleasure. I must have got very red in the face. If your friend would like to stand on his head.' says Alan. he is welcome.ed pasteboard. 'I am very wearied. but I spoke steadily.' said Cluny.' 'Say nae mair. 'Sir. if he has no mind to the cartes. as Alan says. sir. 'What kind of Whiggish. is not preceesely satisfied. it will never hinder you and me. I may tell you it was a promise to my father. but I thought it behoved that I should bear a testimony. it was a matter in which I had no clearness. To be sure. and should sleep. or you.
and the fire. smacked somewhat of the Covenanter.com . like the voice of a silly river. and seeing them hard at it. and grumbled when he looked. and a great glittering pile of as much as sixty or a hundred guineas on the table. and I am clear that Alan must have begun by winning. and I had scarce lain down upon the bed before I fell into a kind of trance. for I remember sitting up. or men snoring. only of a general. I knew well enough I was ill. But Alan and Cluny were most of the time at the cards. but as he spoke in the Gaelic. a strange heaviness had come over me. and were little in their place among wild Highland Jacobites. looked at me askance. And indeed it must be owned that both my scruples and the words in which I declared them. What with the brandy and the venison. It Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and was too sick even to ask for a translation. and the bed I lay in. I paid little heed while I lay in this poor pass. Sometimes I was broad awake and understood what passed. and the plaids on the wall. abiding horror — a horror of the place I was in. for I remember I was now and then amazed at being answered. and myself. I understood not a word of his opinion. and that was all I cared about.was displeased enough. was called in to prescribe for me. sometimes I only heard voices. yet I was conscious of no particular nightmare. and the plaids upon the wall dwindled down and swelled out again. in which I continued almost the whole time of our stay in the Cage. like firelight shadows on the roof. I must sometimes have spoken or cried out. The barber-gillie. and the voices. black. who was a doctor too.
looked strange enough, to see all this wealth in a nest upon a cliff-side, wattled about growing trees. And even then, I thought it seemed deep water for Alan to be riding, who had no better battle-horse than a green purse and a matter of five pounds. The luck, it seems, changed on the second day. About noon I was wakened as usual for dinner, and as usual refused to eat, and was given a dram with some bitter infusion which the barber had prescribed. The sun was shining in at the open door of the Cage, and this dazzled and offended me. Cluny sat at the table, biting the pack of cards. Alan had stooped over the bed, and had his face close to my eyes; to which, troubled as they were with the fever, it seemed of the most shocking bigness. He asked me for a loan of my money. 'What for?' said I. 'O, just for a loan,' said he. 'But why?' I repeated. 'I don't see.' 'Hut, David!' said Alan, 'ye wouldnae grudge me a loan?' I would, though, if I had had my senses! But all I thought of then was to get his face away, and I handed him my money. On the morning of the third day, when we had been forty-eight hours in the Cage, I awoke with a great relief of spirits, very weak and weary indeed, but seeing things of the right size and with their honest, everyday appearance. I had a mind to eat, moreover, rose from bed of my own movement, and as soon as we had breakfasted, stepped to the entry of the Cage and sat down outside in the top of
the wood. It was a grey day with a cool, mild air: and I sat in a dream all morning, only disturbed by the passing by of Cluny's scouts and servants coming with provisions and reports; for as the coast was at that time clear, you might almost say he held court openly. When I returned, he and Alan had laid the cards aside, and were questioning a gillie; and the chief turned about and spoke to me in the Gaelic. 'I have no Gaelic, sir,' said I. Now since the card question, everything I said or did had the power of annoying Cluny. 'Your name has more sense than yourself, then,' said he angrily. 'for it's good Gaelic. But the point is this. My scout reports all clear in the south, and the question is, have ye the strength to go?' I saw cards on the table, but no gold; only a heap of little written papers, and these all on Cluny's side. Alan, besides, had an odd look, like a man not very well content; and I began to have a strong misgiving. 'I do not know if I am as well as I should be,' said I, looking at Alan; 'but the little money we have has a long way to carry us.' Alan took his under-lip into his mouth, and looked upon the ground. 'David,' says he at last, 'I've lost it; there's the naked truth.' 'My money too?' said I. 'Your money too,' says Alan, with a groan. 'Ye shouldnae have given it me. I'm daft when I get to the cartes.' 'Hoot-toot! hoot-toot!' said Cluny. 'It was all daffing; it's
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all nonsense. Of course you'll have your money back again, and the double of it, if ye'll make so free with me. It would be a singular thing for me to keep it. It's not to be supposed that I would be any hindrance to gentlemen in your situation; that would be a singular thing!' cries he, and began to pull gold out of his pocket with a mighty red face. Alan said nothing, only looked on the ground. 'Will you step to the door with me, sir?' said I. Cluny said he would be very glad, and followed me readily enough, but he looked flustered and put out. 'And now, sir,' says I, 'I must first acknowledge your generosity.' 'Nonsensical nonsense!' cries Cluny. 'Where's the generosity? This is just a most unfortunate affair; but what would ye have me do — boxed up in this bee-skep of a cage of mine — but just set my friends to the cartes, when I can get them? And if they lose, of course, it's not to be supposed ——' And here he came to a pause. 'Yes,' said I, 'if they lose, you give them back their money; and if they win, they carry away yours in their pouches! I have said before that I grant your generosity; but to me, sir, it's a very painful thing to be placed in this position.' There was a little silence, in which Cluny seemed always as if he was about to speak, but said nothing. All the time he grew redder and redder in the face. 'I am a young man,' said I, 'and I ask your advice. Advise me as you would your son. My friend fairly lost his money, after having fairly gained a far greater sum of yours; can I accept it back again? Would that be the right part for me to
play? Whatever I do, you can see for yourself it must be hard upon a man of any pride.' 'It's rather hard on me, too, Mr. Balfour,' said Cluny, 'and ye give me very much the look of a man that has entrapped poor people to their hurt. I wouldnae have my friends come to any house of mine to accept affronts; no,' he cried, with a sudden heat of anger, 'nor yet to give them!' 'And so you see, sir,' said I, 'there is something to be said upon my side; and this gambling is a very poor employ for gentlefolks. But I am still waiting your opinion.' I am sure if ever Cluny hated any man it was David Balfour. He looked me all over with a warlike eye, and I saw the challenge at his lips. But either my youth disarmed him, or perhaps his own sense of justice. Certainly it was a mortifying matter for all concerned, and not least Cluny; the more credit that he took it as he did. 'Mr. Balfour,' said he, 'I think you are too nice and covenanting, but for all that you have the spirit of a very pretty gentleman. Upon my honest word, ye may take this money — it's what I would tell my son — and here's my hand along with it!'
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lan and I were put across Loch Errocht under cloud of night, and went down its eastern shore to another hiding-place near the head of Loch Rannoch, whither we were led by one of the gillies from the Cage. This fellow carried all our luggage and Alan's great-coat in the bargain, trotting along under the burthen, far less than the half of which used to weigh me to the ground, like a stout hill pony with a feather; yet he was a man that, in plain contest, I could have broken on my knee. Doubtless it was a great relief to walk disencumbered; and perhaps without that relief, and the consequent sense of liberty and lightness, I could not have walked at all. I was but new risen from a bed of sickness; and there was nothing in the state of our affairs to hearten me for much exertion; travelling, as we did, over the most dismal deserts in Scotland, under a cloudy heaven, and with divided hearts among the travellers. For long, we said nothing; marching alongside or one beKidnapped
each with a set countenance: I. Wheedling my money from me while I lay half-conscious was scarce better than theft. I am in but little. without a penny to his name. and I could open my mouth upon neither without black ungenerosity. that was impossible. The thought of a separation ran always the stronger in my mind. I was ready to share it with him. and yet here he was trudging by my side. quite blithe to sponge upon the money he had driven me to beg. At last. going over a Free eBooks at Planet eBook. And yet Alan had behaved like a child. indeed.com . and (what is worse) a treacherous child. It would be a fine. your friendship is a burden. and my company only increases yours. and the more I approved of it. Alan angry and ashamed. and drawing what strength I had from these two violent and sinful feelings. True. for Alan to turn round and say to me: 'Go. but it made me rage to see him count upon my readiness.hind the other. take your risks and bear your hardships alone ——' no. These were the two things uppermost in my mind. go. ashamed that he had lost my money. generous thing. save with the tail of my eye. So I did the next worst. and even to think of it privily to myself. nor so much as looked once at my companion. and say to him: 'You are in great danger. the more ashamed I grew of my approval. upon the other side of Loch Errocht. handsome.' But for me to turn to the friend who certainly loved me. I am in the most danger. and said nothing. made my cheeks to burn. and by what I could see. angry that I should take it so ill. angry and proud.
and then: 'Do you think I am one to turn my back on you in your chief need? You dursn't say it to my face. 'and you will bear me out that I have never reproached you. ye'd better say it. where the walking was easy.' 'O. 'but when I say I was to blame?' 'Why. I have to say that I'm sorry. 'what have I done that you should even me to dogs by such a supposition? I never yet failed a friend.' says I. 'But aside from that. ye were to blame. and I will own I'm no very keen to stay where I'm no wanted.' This pierced me like a sword. with rather a trembling voice. 'this is no way for two friends to take a small accident.' said I. coolly. and so that's said. rushy place. and seemed to lay bare my private disloyalty.' He seemed disconcerted.' I continued.' said he. My whole conduct's there to give the lie to it. and you do wrong to cast it up to me——' 'Which is what I never did.' 0 Kidnapped . even if you can.' said Alan. And now if you have anything.' says he. but that was from weariness. he could bear it no longer. Are we to part? Ye said so once before. 'Alan Breck!' I cried.' 'Never. 'David. Are ye to say it again? There's hills and heather enough between here and the two seas. I fell asleep upon the muir. and it's not likely I'll begin with you. at which I was meanly pleased. 'No. 'I have nothing.' says he. and came close to me. There are things between us that I can never forget.smooth. It's true. David. 'but ye ken very well that ye've done worse. of course.
' And we fell back into our former silence. it was you that was to blame. then it shouldnae be you to seek the quarrel. badly. and supped. The gillie put us across Loch Rannoch in the dusk of the next day. Ye should try to make that burden light for me. turning the heads of Glen Lyon. This was to get us up at once into the tops of the mountains: to go round by a circuit. then. and came to our journey's end. and lay down to sleep. very quietly. I never named the thing till you did. 'say nae mair. 'that I have long been owing ye my life. and in a manner it did. By your own way of it. And now you blame me. but the wrong manner. instead of making it a stick to break his back with. without another word.' said Alan.' cried I. I will. and it made me the more cruel. ye would perhaps speak less about yourself.com 1 . 'You asked me to speak. If ye thought more of others. David.' This ought to have touched me. 'Well. and now I owe ye money.' said I. you would be blithe to let it lie.' said Alan.' 'Aweel. and come down upon the lowFree eBooks at Planet eBook. and Glen Dochart. and was now not only angry with Alan. You own yourself that you have done me a disservice. and when a friend that likes you very well has passed over an offence without a word.'I will only say this to ye. I felt I was behaving. but angry with myself in the bargain. and gave us his opinion as to our best route. 'because I cannae laugh and sing as if I was glad to be affronted. The next thing will be that I'm to go down upon my knees and thank you for it! Ye should think more of others. Glen Lochay. I have had to swallow an affront: I have never reproached you. Alan Breck.
Alan was little pleased with a route which led us through the country of his blood-foes. had good reasons to give him on all hands. who was indeed the chief man of Cluny's scouts. by night. and Campbells. the Glenorchy Campbells. Heaven Kidnapped . But I see that ye're a man of some penetration. A fire was never to be thought of. and crows. naming the force of troops in every district. and be it as ye please!' We set forth accordingly by this itinerary. a race of his own name and lineage. we should come almost at once among the Athole Stewarts. and for the best part of three nights travelled on eerie mountains and among the well-heads of wild rivers. He objected that by turning to the east. and alleging finally (as well as I could understand) that we should nowhere be so little troubled as in a country of the Campbells. Our only food was drammach and a portion of cold meat that we had carried from the Cage. we were often so involved in fog. Alan gave way at last. and not once cheered by any glimpse of sunshine. but heath. but with only half a heart.lands by Kippen and the upper waters of the Forth.' said he. incessantly clambered upon break-neck hills and among rude crags. 'There's naething there that I ken. almost continually blown and rained upon. we lay and slept in the drenching heather. But the gillie. and come besides by a far easier and swifter way to the place whither we were bound. often buried in mist. although following a different chief. that we must lie quiet till it lightened. 'It's one of the dowiest countries in Scotland. By day. and as for drink. We often wandered.
Ransome carried below on the men's backs. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I would be aroused in the gloaming.com . the rain driving sharp in my face or running down my back in icy trickles. I was troubled with a very sore throat. and when I slept in my wet bed. every glen gushed water like a cistern. I could well understand the story of the Water Kelpie. now booming like thunder. During our night tramps. who is fabled to keep wailing and roaring at the ford until the coming of the doomed traveller. if the wind blew. perhaps. with the rain beating above and the mud oozing below me. that demon of the streams. Shuan dying on the round-house floor. every stream was in high spate. it was solemn to hear the voice of them below in the valleys. my teeth chattered in my head. and had filled and overflowed its channel. or Colin Campbell grasping at the bosom of his coat. to sit up in the same puddle where I had slept. and sup cold drammach. I was never warm. falling suddenly apart and showing us the gulf of some dark valley where the streams were crying aloud. which never left me. I had a painful stitch in my side. the mist enfolding us like as in a gloomy chamber — or. rendered the more dreadful by the gloom of the weather and the country. it was to live over again in fancy the worst part of my adventures — to see the tower of Shaws lit by lightning. such as I had on the isle. Alan I saw believed it. This was a dreadful time. In this steady rain the springs of the mountain were broken up. From such broken slumbers.knows we had no want of water. now with an angry cry. The sound of an infinite number of rivers came up from all round.
slower to forget it. David. scarcely even that of speech. During all these horrid wanderings we had no familiarity. but always ready to help. and now incensed both against my companion and myself. or rather the peep of the third day. showed some marks of concern. 'Ye had better let me take your pack.' said he.or half believed it. found us upon a very open hill. I would still be shocked) to see him cross himself in the manner of the Catholics. indeed. The second night. slow to take offence. looking in my face. the clouds ran higher. I thank you.' he said. and always hoping (as I could very well see) that my displeasure would blow by. for perhaps the ninth time since we had parted from the scout beside Loch Rannoch. and Alan. as cold as ice. which is my best excuse. The truth is that I was sickening for my grave. and when the cry of the river rose more than usually sharp. Before we had reached a place of shelter. But besides that I was of an unforgiving disposition from my birth. and passing him over with my eyes as if he had been a bush or a stone.' said I.' Kidnapped . for though it still rained. 'I do very well. 'I'm not a patient man. I was little surprised (though. Alan flushed darkly. of course. nursing my anger. 'I'll not offer it again. roughly refusing his services. For the same length of time I stayed in myself. the grey had come pretty clear. For the best part of two days he was unweariedly kind. so that we could not follow our usual plan and lie down immediately to eat and sleep. silent.
silly speech of a boy of ten. whistled airs. the chill of the wind went through me. and never without a taunt. I felt I could drag myself but little farther. Henceforth.'I never said you were. In this poor state I had to bear from my companion something in the nature of a persecution. and was in high good spirits. I had lain in the mire so long that (as the Bible has it) my very clothes 'abhorred me. My head was light Free eBooks at Planet eBook. he quite forgave himself for the affair at Cluny's. with a touch in the air like frost. but his conduct answered for him. but I was too miserable to repent. walked jauntily. I must lie down and die on these wet mountains like a sheep or a fox.' he would say. and looked at me upon one side with a provoking smile. 'Here. Alan made no answer at the time. and no one else's. of course.' I was dead weary. and the sound of it confused my ears. The third night we were to pass through the western end of the country of Balquhidder. cocked his hat again. my Whiggie! I ken you're a fine jumper!' And so on. As for me. and a northerly wind that blew the clouds away and made the stars bright. the change of weather came too late. He spoke a good deal. I knew it was my own doing. and still made a great noise among the hills. The streams were full. pretty soon. It came clear and cold. but I observed that Alan thought no more upon the Kelpie. and my bones must whiten there like the bones of a beast.' said I. which was exactly the rude. 'Whig' was the best name he had to give me. it is to be thought.com . 'here's a dub for ye to jump. deadly sick and full of pains and shiverings. all the time with a gibing voice and face.
and should know your manners. and be done with my life in a more sudden manner. where folk differed. and then spasms of shuddering. that he soon forgot the incident. Flushes of heat went over me. he would remember. and if I did not. but I was afoot so briskly. when I lie down and die. my leg simply doubling under me. when I would have been better on my knees. and bad-hearted schoolboy. ah. At last I began to feel that I could trail myself no farther: and with that. I thought. when I was dead. I was growing worse and worse. you will feel it like a buffet in your face. So I went like a sick. 'Mr. and set off again with such a natural manner. And at each of Alan's taunts. Once I had fallen. there came on me all at once the wish to have it out with Alan. 'I have a better taunt in readiness. Stewart. 'you are older than I am. I began to glory in the thought of such a death. what a revenge! ah. and this had struck Alan for the moment. alone in the desert. Alan would repent then. but I began to love the prospect. silly.perhaps. it was the part of gentlemen to differ civilly.' I stopped. 'Ah!' thinks I to myself. in a voice that quivered like a fiddle-string. feeding my anger against a fellow-man. how much he owed me. how you will regret your ingratitude and cruelty!' All the while. The stitch in my side was hardly bearable. He had just called me 'Whig. let my anger blaze.' said I. I may tell you I could find a better taunt than some of Kidnapped . Do you think it either very wise or very witty to cast my politics in my teeth? I thought. crying on God for mercy. with the wild eagles besieging my last moments. and the remembrance would be torture. I hugged myself.
'I am sorry for that.' Alan had stopped opposite to me.' I continued.' said I. 'O!' says I. are ye waukin' yet? And are your drums a-beatin' yet?' And it came in my mind that Alan. 'for I am not done.' 'I am a Stewart —' began Alan. as I could see by the starlight. I doubt the pirliecue[29] will please you as little. his hands in his breeches pockets. 'But it's time these manners ceased. 'Is that to remind me you have been beaten on both sides?' The air stopped on Alan's lips. Mr. his head a little on one side. Johnnie Cope. smiling evilly. his hat cocked. had been engaged upon the royal side. and if you distaste the sermon. and the best I can say of them is this. 'David!' said he. on the day of that battle.com .' 'Do you know that you insult me?' said Alan. I have seen a good many of those that bear it. and when I had done he began to whistle a Jacobite air. 'Why do ye take that air. 'and I mean you shall henceforth speak civilly of my King and my good friends the Campbells. 'I ken ye bear a king's name. since I have been in the Highlands. You have been chased in the field by the grown Free eBooks at Planet eBook. that they would be none the worse of washing.yours. He listened. very low. But you are to remember. It was the air made in mockery of General Cope's defeat at Preston Pans: 'Hey. Stewart?' said I.
David.' I repeated. But before I could touch his blade with mine.' 'Ready?' said he. na. and wondering at myself. it seems a poor kind of pleasure to outface a boy. 'I am as ready as yourself.men of my party. 'It's the bare truth. wringing his mouth in his hand like a man in sore perplexity. Come on!' And drawing my sword. na — I cannae. 'This is a pity' he said at last. how he had helped and cheered and borne with me in our Kidnapped . you have run before them like a hare. 'Na.' said I. 'Ready. 'There are things said that cannot be passed over. I fell on guard as Alan himself had taught me.' 'I never asked you to. 'It's the truth!' cried Alan.' 'That was your look-out when you insulted me. and sorry. and he stood for a moment. I cannae. and drew his sword. 'David!' he cried . and I found myself only sick.' he kept saying. Both the Campbells and the Whigs have beaten you. Alan stood quite still. the tails of his great-coat clapping behind him in the wind. I would have given the world to take back what I had said.' said I. 'na. 'Are ye daft? I cannae draw upon ye. It behoves you to speak of them as of your betters. and blank.' At this the last of my anger oozed all out of me. 'I am no blower and boaster like some that I could name. who can recapture it? I minded me of all Alan's kindness and courage in the past. It's fair murder. but a word once spoken. he had thrown it from him and fallen to the ground.' he said.' [29] A second sermon.
I spoke in a weeping voice that would have melted a heart of stone. This last hour my legs have been fainting under me. I liked ye fine — even when I was the angriest. there should be no want of houses. 'if ye cannae help me. none could cover the offence.' he continued.' and I pressed his arm Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I've a stitch in my side like a redhot iron. If I die. and then recalled my own insults. and the pang in my side was like a sword for sharpness. At the same time.' said I. 'that's the way! Now lean upon me hard. 'Alan!' I said.' He started up sitting. Alan? In my heart. Gude kens where there's a house! We're in Balwhidder. 'No. I cannae breathe right. 'Can ye walk?' asked Alan. 'I'm by with it. nor friends' houses here. ye'll can forgive me. too. and saw that I had lost for ever that doughty friend. but where an apology was vain. I must just die here. I thought I must have swooned where I stood.evil days. 'Let me get my arm about ye. 'It's true.com . let me get into the bield of a house — I'll can die there easier.' said I. it was needless to think of one. whether I chose or not. I put my pride away from me. 'I can be doing this way. No apology could blot out what I had said. 'not without help. wheesht!' cried Alan. the sickness that hung upon me seemed to redouble. no. Davie?' 'Ay' said I. a mere cry for help might bring Alan back to my side. and looked at me. ye ken —' He shut his mouth upon a sob. O. This it was that gave me a thought. Do ye gang easier so.' 'Wheesht. 'Dinna say that! David man.' I had no need to pretend.
' said he. Ay. let's say no more about it!' said I. 'I'm no a right man at all. had not my stitch caught me so hard.with my hand. was that ye never quarrelled: — and now I like ye better!' 0 Kidnapped .' cried I. stoutly. Alan. I could have laughed. 'Alan. 'Davie. ye'll have to try and forgive me. will ye no be better on my back?' 'O. where there's bound to be houses.' he added. 'We're neither one of us to mend the other — that's the truth! We must just bear and forbear. man Alan. I'm no saying I'm just exactly what ye would call a tall man. and I dare say.' cried Alan. it'll be a foot. Again he came near sobbing. and I don't. his voice tailing off in a laughable manner. O. My poor man.' 'O man. 'We'll follow down the burn. I dare say ye'll be just about right. but if I had laughed.' says I. I think I must have wept too. 'and me a good twelve inches taller?' 'Ye're no such a thing. or near hand. with a start. 'For just precisely what I thought I liked about ye. 'now when I come to think of it. I could nae remember ye were just a bairn. I couldnae see ye were dying on your feet.' he said. I have neither sense nor kindness. but my stitch is sore! Is there nae house?' 'I'll find a house to ye. Davie. 'There may be a trifling matter of an inch or two. David. 'what makes ye so good to me? What makes ye care for such a thankless fellow?' 'Deed. or may be even mair!' It was sweet and laughable to hear Alan eat his words up in the fear of some fresh quarrel. know' said Alan. whatever.
James More. which came to the same thing. were many of that old. which was of no very safe enterprise in such a part of the Highlands as the Braes of Balquhidder. was extremely wishful to avoid them. for the Maclarens followed Alan's chief in war. with the Grahames. it was filled and disputed by small septs. No great clan held rule there. Here were Stewarts and Maclarens. Macgregor of Macgregor. who took up the quarrel of any friend.' driven into the wild country about the springs of Forth and Teith by the advance of the Campbells. red-handed clan of the Macgregors. the more immediate leader of that part of them about Balquhidder.com 1 . Here. and made but one clan with Appin. and now worse than ever. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.CHAPTER XXV IN BALQUHIDDER A t the door of the first house we came to. proscribed. too. nameless. Rob Roy's eldest son. having credit with no side or party in the whole country of Scotland. lay waiting his trial in Edinburgh Castle. They had always been ill-considered. and Alan. the Maclarens. and what they call 'chiefless folk. however distant. was in exile. and broken remnants. and the Stewarts. they were in ill-blood with Highlander and Lowlander. Their chief. Alan knocked.
and indeed his foolhardiness in staying was a common subject of outcry with the two or three friends that were let into the secret. and was much of a lover of music. Maclaren. What was much more astonishing. where Alan was not only welcome for his name's sake but known by reputation. and a doctor fetched. where I could see them through the window as I lay in bed. strong man. and at night. would come into the house to visit me. Mrs. But whether because he was a very good doctor. I lay bedridden for no more than a week. I was as free of all inquiry as though I had lain in a desert. and as Duncan Dhu (which was the name of our host) had a pair of pipes in his house. who found me in a sorry plight. when the coast was clear. All this time Alan would not leave me though I often pressed him. Here then I was got to bed without delay. although once a party of two companies and some dragoons went by in the bottom of the valley. or I a very young. The soldiers let us be. no magistrate came near me. thought nothing good enough for such a guest. and we commonly turned night into day. I need not say if I was pleased to see him. this time of my recovery was quite a festival. for it was a household of Maclarens that we found. and there was no question put of whence I came or whither I was going. our hostess. many coming about Kidnapped . Yet my presence was known before I left to all the people in Balquhidder and the adjacent parts. and in that time of excitement. He hid by day in a hole of the braes under a little wood. and before a month I was able to take the road again with a good heart.Chance served us very well.
yet he stepped about Balquhidder like a gentleman in his own walled policy. yet he walked into the house of his blood enemies as a rider[30] might into a public inn. in larger characters.com . He was sought upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and marrying her (as was alleged) by force. but among these clansmen. I could not change my age or person. it is told to a whole countryside. too. Other folk keep a secret among two or three near friends. and somehow it leaks out. There was but one thing happened worth narrating. and connect me with the bill. at least. For though I had changed my clothes. had now been printed.the house on visits and these (after the custom of the country) spreading the news among their neighbours. and many others must have had their guess. and they will keep it for a century. that they could fail to put one thing with another. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. a quarrel never satisfied. The bills. the amount of the blood money that had been set upon my life. So it was. Duncan had time to pass me word of who it was. one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy. There was one pinned near the foot of my bed. [30]Commercial traveller. Duncan Dhu and the rest that knew that I had come there in Alan's company. and above all about that time. where I could read my own not very flattering portrait and. and Lowland boys of eighteen were not so rife in these parts of the world. It was he who had shot James Maclaren at the plough stilts. and that is the visit I had of Robin Oig. You should understand. and we looked at one another in concern. could have entertained no doubt of who I was.
He came in with a great show of civility. sir. 'but it's one somewhat blown upon of late days. but like a man among inferiors. for I thought best to compliment him. He bowed in return. my brother raised a part of the 'Gregara' and marched six companies to strike a stroke for the good side. Maclaren.it was then close upon the time of Alan's coming. sir' he replied. and if you are in any reasonable degree of nearness one of Kidnapped . He was brother to Balfour of Baith.' said I.' 'I would give ye my name in return. 'But what I am come to say. Macgregor-Campbell. but clapped it on his head again to speak to Duncan. came to my bedside and bowed. a little alarmed. of whom ye will scarce have failed to hear. and yet if we sent word or sought to make a signal.' 'They call me David Balfour. 'that your name is Balfour.' said I. 'is this. sir. 'nor yet of your father. and the surgeon that marched with our clan and cured my brother's leg when it was broken in the brush at Preston Pans. in case he was proud of having had an outlaw to his father.' he went on.' 'No. 'at your service. it was sure to arouse suspicion in a man under so dark a cloud as the Macgregor.' says he. and leaving thus set himself (as he would have thought) in a proper light. the two were little likely to agree. sir. and it'll perhaps suffice if I tell ye that I am own brother to James More Drummond or Macgregor. took off his bonnet to Mrs. was a gentleman of the same name precisely as yourself. 'I am given to know.' And I sat up and bowed in bed. In the year '45.
' says Alan. and by a movement of his haunch. 'Mr. it's not a name to be ashamed of. I could scarce keep from smiling that a man who was under the lash of the law (and was indeed hanged some three years later) should be so nice as to the descent of his acquaintances. sir.' You are to remember that I knew no more of my descent than any cadger's dog. my uncle. I am thinking.' answered Alan. 'It sticks in my mind that I am in the country of my friends the Maclarens.' Angry as I was at these words. and the two drew back and looked at each other like strange dogs.that gentleman's kin. had prated of some of our high connections.com . I have come to put myself and my people at your command. Just in the door.' says Robin. 'There may be Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' returned the other. 'Troth. Stewart. I could hear him telling Duncan that I was 'only some kinless loon that didn't know his own father. Robin told me shortly he was sorry he had put himself about. 'That's a kittle point. but they seemed fairly to swell out with pride. thrust clear the hilt of it. They were neither of them big men. turned his back upon me without a sign of salutation. 'I did not know ye were in my country. and ashamed of my own ignorance. but nothing to the present purpose. Each wore a sword. Mr. so that it might be the more readily grasped and the blade drawn.' says Robin. he met Alan coming in. and as he went towards the door. to be sure. and there was nothing left me but that bitter disgrace of owning that I could not tell. Macgregor.
still addressing Robin.' 'My father was an old man. ye will have heard a good deal more than that.' said Alan. sir. 'The match was unequal.' 'Why. 'Well. Here will be a braw chance to settle it. sir. 'Gentlemen.' says Alan. Ardshiel. Here are my pipes. and Duncan. thrust himself between. sir?' says Robin.' returned Robin. nor yet Robin from him. and when my kinsman and captain. not so many years back. You and me would make a better pair.' 'I was thinking that.' said Alan. 'The gentleman I have in my mind had the ill-taste to clap Campbell to his name. 'I am not the only man that can draw steel in Appin.' said he. It's an auld dispute which one of ye's the best. from whom indeed he had not so much as shifted his eyes. and Duncan had been hanging at the elbow of these fighting cocks.two words to say to that. and here are you two gentlemen who are baith acclaimed pipers. it was a case of now or never. whateffer.' 'Do ye mean my father. Macgregor. 'I think I will have heard Kidnapped . sir. I could never hear that the Macgregor had the best of it. 'why. I was half out of bed. ready to intervene upon the least occasion. I wouldnae wonder.' said Alan. But I think I will have heard that you are a man of your sword?' 'Unless ye were born deaf.' says Alan. 'I will have been thinking of a very different matter. But when that word was uttered. had a talk with a gentleman of your name. Mr. with something of a white face to be sure.
Maclaren pressed them to taste his mutton-ham and 'the wife's brose.com . with a mighty show of politeness. 'And that is a very bold word. Robin took the pipes and played a little spring in a very ranting manner. Maclaren. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. I'll follow you. as folk say? Are ye a bit of a piper?' [31]Rumour.' replied Robin.' Each ate a small portion of the ham and drank a glass of the brose to Mrs. Have ye music.some sough[31] of the sort. Mr.' returned Robin. 'I have made bolder words good before now.' quoth Alan.' 'It is easy to try that. and to set before his guests a mutton-ham and a bottle of that drink which they call Athole brose. which will be worse for the breath than any brose in Scotland.' says Alan. But Robin put aside these hospitalities as bad for the breath. but down they sat. strained honey and sweet cream.' 'I will take no advantages. one upon each side of the peat fire. The two enemies were still on the very breach of a quarrel. Stewart. and which is made of old whiskey. sir. Duncan Dhu made haste to bring out the pair of pipes that was his principal possession. 'and that against better adversaries.' said Alan.' reminding them the wife was out of Athole and had a name far and wide for her skill in that confection. 'I would have ye to remark. slowly beaten together in the right order and proportion. 'Eat and drink. and then after a great number of civilities. 'that I havenae broken bread for near upon ten hours. 'I can pipe like a Macrimmon!' cries Robin.
Mr. 'but ye show a poor device in your warblers. Mr. then. he decorated with a perfect flight of grace-notes. and taking the instrument from his rival. which it seemed that he remembered perfectly.' returned Alan. blow' said Alan. 'Ye're a far better judge than any Maclaren in Balquhidder: for it's a God's truth that you're a very creditable piper for a Stewart. his face grew dark and hot.' I had been pleased with Robin's playing. Macgregor. and Robin proceeded to imitate and correct some part of Alan's variations.' said Robin.' Alan did as he asked. that I was amazed to hear him. 'that ye seek to change them for the sword?' 'And that's very well said.'Ay.' said Robin. 'That's no very bad. Hand me the pipes. which. 'And now be the judge yourself. ye need appeal to naebody.' said the rival. Mr. ye have music. and then wandered into variations.' said Robin.' 'Me!' cried Alan.' 'Do ye own yourself beaten at the pipes. gloomily. and he sat and Kidnapped . such as pipers love. ye can. and call the 'warblers. As for Alan. he first played the same spring in a manner identical with Robin's. the blood starting to his face. Stewart. Stewart.' 'Indeed. I appeal to Duncan. 'and in the meantime' (laying a strong accent on the word) 'I take back the lie. 'I give ye the lie. with such ingenuity and sentiment. Alan's ravished me. he worked them throughout to so new a purpose. and with so odd a fancy and so quick a knack in the grace-notes. and taking up the variations from the beginning. as he went on. 'Ay.' said Alan.
besides.com . and long before that piece was at an end. But Robin only held out his hand as if to ask for silence. 'Robin Oig. when it was done. when the time quickened. and he had no thought but for the music. I am not fit to blow in the same kingdom with ye. like a man under some deep affront.gnawed his fingers. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. The first notes were scarce out. and struck into the slow measure of a pibroch. all night long the brose was going and the pipes changing hands. It was a fine piece of music in itself. and nobly played. but it seems. the last signs of his anger died from him. Body of me! ye have mair music in your sporran than I have in my head! And though it still sticks in my mind that I could maybe show ye another of it with the cold steel. it was a piece peculiar to the Appin Stewarts and a chief favourite with Alan. before there came a change in his face.' he said. 'Ye can blow the pipes — make the most of that. 'Enough!' he cried. and the three men were none the better for what they had been taking.' And he made as if to rise. I warn ye beforehand — it'll no be fair! It would go against my heart to haggle a man that can blow the pipes as you can!' Thereupon that quarrel was made up. and the day had come pretty bright. he seemed to grow restless in his seat. 'ye are a great piper. before Robin as much as thought upon the road.
' said he. ye ken the saying.' Well. I'll lay my sword they let us pass un0 Kidnapped . or if when we came there he should fail to help me. and beautiful warm weather. besides. would be watched with little interest. Rankeillor's. it's just precisely there that they'll be looking to lay hands on us. 'Forth bridles the wild Hielandman. we must surely starve.CHAPTER XXVI END OF THE FLIGHT: WE PASS THE FORTH T he month. but it was already far through August. if we seek to creep round about the head of that river and come down by Kippen or Balfron. 'It's a chief principle in military affairs. Forth is our trouble. with every sign of an early and great harvest. which is the main pass over that river. and the line of the Forth and even Stirling Bridge. But if we stave on straight to the auld Brig of Stirling. was not yet out. the hunt must have now greatly slackened. In Alan's view. when I was pronounced able for my journey. 'to go where ye are least expected. for if we came not soon to Mr. Our money was now run to so low an ebb that we must think first of all on speed. as I have said.
within view of a herd of deer. accordingly. we pushed to the house of a Maclaren in Strathire. whence we could hear the drums beat as some part of the garrison paraded. overgrown with burdock. the happiest ten hours of sleep in a fine. we found a little sandy islet. the green plants gave us shelter for our heads. where we slept the twenty-first of the month.' In Allan Water. 'I kenna if ye care. a friend of Duncan's. That night we struck Allan Water. near by where it falls into the Forth. we had food and drink in plenty. Shearers worked all day in a field on one side of the river. and whence we set forth again about the fall of night to make another easy stage. that I have ever tasted. 'Now. and to crown all. and we could hear the stones going on the hooks and the voices and even the words of the men talking. but ye're in your own land again. and the moon shining on the Links of Forth.com 1 . we were within sight of safety. within plain view of Stirling Castle. The twenty-second we lay in a heather bush on the hillside in Uam Var.' said Alan. butterbur and the like low plants. that would just cover us if we lay flat. Here it was we made our camp. and followed it down. But the sand of the little isle was sun-warm.' The first night. It behoved to lie close and keep silent.challenged. We passed the Hieland Line in the first hour. as flat as a pancake. with the town and castle on a hill in the midst of it. we might cast our bonnets in the air. and coming to the edge of the hills saw the whole Carse of Stirling underfoot. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and now if we could but pass yon crooked water. breathing sunshine and on bonedry ground.
At last there came by an old. whiles lying still and hearing nothing earthly but the washing of the water on the piers. and lower down a few lighted windows in the town. and her stick. who first stopped a little. keeping to the fields and under the field fences. we waded ashore and struck for the Bridge of Stirling. hobbling woman with a crutch stick. 'but for all that we'll lie down here cannily behind a dyke. and you may conceive with how much interest I looked upon it. an old.' So we lay for about a quarter of an hour.' said Alan. and the night still so dark. but as the very doors of salvation to Alan and myself.' said he. The woman was so little. and make sure. and then set forth again up the steep spring of the bridge. and there seemed to be no guard upon the passage. that we soon lost sight of her. but it was all mighty still. close to where we lay. 'Na. whiles whispering. a few lights shone along the front of the fortress.' I whispered.As soon as the shearers quit their work and the dusk began to fall. but Alan was more wary. only heard the sound of her steps. 'her foot still sounds boss[32] upon the bridge. narrow bridge with pinnacles along the parapet. The bridge is close under the castle hill. 'It looks unco' quiet. I was for pushing straight across. The moon was not yet up when we came there. 'She's bound to be across now.' Kidnapped . high. draw slowly farther away. and bemoaned herself and the long way she had travelled. and a cough that she had by fits. not only as a place famous in history.
'If we cannae pass the river. never do for us. and struck along a road that led to the eastward. And just then — 'Who goes?' cried a voice. so that had we tried.' said Alan. we'll have to see what we can do for the firth. he began to crawl away through the fields. 'To be sure there are fords. 'Well?' said I. got to his feet again. David.' quoth Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and here was I back again. a wandering.' 'There are fords upon the river. we might have passed unseen. hunted blackguard. and none upon the firth. and we heard the butt of a musket rattle on the stones. and a little after. that I was little likely to be pleased with anything. just upon the chance!' said he. and indeed I was so sharply cut by the disappointment.' said Alan. 'Ou. A moment back and I had seen myself knocking at Mr.' said I.[32]Hollow. 'This'll never. 'Well. I must suppose the sentry had been sleeping. like a hero in a ballad. We have still the Forth to pass. Davie — weary fall the rains that fed and the hillsides that guided it!' 'And why go east?' said I. and a bridge forbye.' And without another word. but he was awake now. I could not conceive what he was doing. being well out of eyeshot. Rankeillor's door to claim my inheritance. on the wrong side of Forth. and the chance forfeited.com . 'This'll never do. 'what would ye have? They're none such fools as I took them for.
' 'Ye think so?' said Alan.' 'Ay.' says Alan. 'and of what service.' 'I'm not up to you in talking back. 'or I'm the more deceived. 'David. it can tell no tales. 'but I can see we're making bad worse. then. I'll make a body to take it back again! So deave me with no more of your nonsense. but walk (for that's what you've got to do) —and let Alan think for ye. I'll make one!' 'I think I see ye!' said I. I swim like a stone. borrow. when they are watched?' 'Well.' returned he. there's the boat on the wrong side — somebody must have brought it — the country-side will all be in a bizz —-' 'Man!' cried Alan. 'But for us that have neither one nor other.' 'But there's such a thing as a boat. 'if I make a boat. 'but a river can be swum.' All night. If it's hard to pass a river.Alan.' 'By them that have the skill of it.' says I. but if we pass the firth. 'I do that.' said I. nor yet steal a boat.' I said.' said I. and by Alloa and Clackmannan and Culross. it stands to reason it must be worse to pass a sea. 'ye're a man of small invention and less faith. and for my own part. Alan. But let me set my wits upon the hone. 'but I have yet to hear that either you or me is much of a hand at that exercise. they might just as well not have been invented. we walked through the north side of the Carse under the high line of the Ochil mountains. all of which we avoid Kidnapped .' says he. and if I cannae beg. 'And what's more than all that: if ye pass a bridge. and such a thing as money.
where I had no doubt wealth awaited me. I kept looking across the water and sighing to myself. man. It was altogether a right pleasant sight to me. clad in poor enough attire of an outlandish fashion. came to the little clachan of Limekilns. which we only knew to be a public by the wand over the door. and the birds go over. and looks across the Hope to the town of the Queensferry. there was Mr. cultivated hills and the busy people both of the field and sea. a price set upon my head. and an outlawed man for my sole company. This is a place that sits near in by the water-side. there's all that heart could want waiting me.com . For all that. with three silver shillings left to me of all my fortune. and I could not take my fill of gazing at these comfortable. and here was I upon the north. green. As we went. mighty hungry and tired.ed: and about ten in the morning. but it's a heart-break!' In Limekilns we entered a small change-house. The fields were being reaped. At last he stopped in the way. but just me only! O. two ships lay anchored. 'to think of it! Over there. Smoke went up from both of these. Alan!' said I. and from other villages and farms upon all hands. and boats were coming and going on the Hope. Rankeillor's house on the south shore. and bought some bread and cheese from a good-looking lass that was the servant. Alan had fallen into a muse. 'O. and the boats go over — all that please can go. meaning to sit and eat it in a bush of wood on the sea-shore. This we carried with us in a bundle. and though I took no heed of it. that we saw some third part of a mile in front. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.
'and a bonny lass she was. 'have it as you will. if ye have any affection for my neck (to say nothing of your own) ye will perhaps be kind enough to take this matter responsibly. if ye please. So bear it. in mind. David.' Kidnapped . 'I don't want the lass to fall in love with ye.' said Alan. tapping on the bread and cheese. it would be liker it. 'What good can that do?' 'Well. rag-and-tatter.' 'Ye thought that?' cries he. right about.' 'Well.' said I. I want her to be sorry for ye. that's good news.' said Alan. 'David Balfour. clappermaclaw kind of a look to ye. but apart from that ye'll do fine for my purpose — ye have a fine. and back to the change-house for that boat of ours.' said I.' said he. with one of his droll looks. laughing. well. ye see.' I followed him. 'I was rather in hopes it would maybe get us that boat. David. the bottom ground of which is just exactly as serious as the gallows for the pair of us. 'That's all that you ken.'Did ye take heed of the lass we bought this of?' says he. I am going to do a bit of playacting. 'Man. as if ye had stolen the coat from a potato-bogle. For all that. and conduct yourself according. and this is a very funny employ for ye. to which end there is no manner of need that she should take you for a beauty. 'ye're a very funny gentleman by your way of it. why so?' says I. 'To be sure.' 'In the name of all that's wonderful.' said I. 'I wish ye were a wee thing paler. Let me see' (looking me curiously over). no doubt.' 'If it were the other way about. hang-dog. Come.
com . affectionate countenance. 'And where could I get a horse to him?' cried Alan. The maid appeared surprised (as well she might be) at our speedy return. Alan turned upon her. with a kind of fury. She drew quite near. turning on her with the same appearance of fury. to my great wonder. he seemed to be half carrying me. helped me to a chair. 'Wrong?' cries he. as indeed it closed her mouth for the time. indeed!' and he kept grumbling to himself as he fed me. the whole with that grave. called for a tass of brandy with which he fed me in little sips. and slept oftener in wet heather than dry sheets. and by the time he pushed open the change-house door. 'He's walked more hundreds of miles than he has hairs upon his chin. but Alan had no words to spare for her in explanation.' said the maid. 'Would ye have me steal?' I thought this roughness would have sent her off in dudgeon.' says she. with his back to her. like a man ill-pleased.' said Alan.As we got near the clachan. But my Free eBooks at Planet eBook. and stood leaning with her back on the next table. overwrought lad and his most tender comrade. of a poor. 'What's like wrong with him?' said she at last. 'Ower young. quo' she! Wrong enough. It was small wonder if the maid were taken with the picture we presented. that might have imposed upon a judge. concerned. he made me take his arm and hang upon it like one almost helpless with weariness. 'He would be better riding. 'He's young for the like of that. sick. I would think! Wrong. and then breaking up the bread and cheese helped me to eat it like a nursery-lass. Wrong.
but I'll tell ye what I'll do instead. 'I'll whistle ye a bit tune. 'Has he nae friends?' said she.' says she. but my very embarrassment helped on the plot. 'if we could but win to them! — friends and rich friends. had a great fund of roguishness in such affairs as these.' I was all this while chafing at the part I played. and for as simple as he was in some things of life.' And with that he leaned pretty far over the table. for I ever hated to take part in lies. food to eat. for I was better already.' she said at last — 'ye're gentry. but with a wonderful pretty sentiment. in a tearful voice. and sitting tongue-tied between shame and merriment. Kidnapped . My voice stuck in my throat. beds to lie in.' 'Wheesht.' 'Well. 'Ye neednae tell me.' says he. 'No. 'I cannae very safely say. and looked over her shoulder to the door.' said Alan. for the lass no doubt set down my husky voice to sickness and fatigue. softened a little (I believe against his will) by this artless comment. but somehow at this I could hold in no longer. gave her a few bars of 'Charlie is my darling. and in a mere breath of a whistle. as if she were herself some disinherited great lady. 'That has he so!' cried Alan.' said Alan. doctors to see to him — and here he must tramp in the dubs and sleep in the heather like a beggarman.companion knew very well what he was doing. and bade Alan let me be.' 'And why that?' says the lass. 'My dear. 'and suppose we were? Did ever you hear that gentrice put money in folk's pockets?' She sighed at this. 'that's true indeed.' says she.
' I cried. or at least her father's. 'For if ye upset the pot now. Davie. and thinkFree eBooks at Planet eBook. she took up that same place by the next table. 'He's old enough to——' and Alan struck his forefinger on the back part of his neck. 'And him so young!' cries the lass. and had no sooner set the meat before us. We waited for no second bidding. flushing high. 'Poor lamb!' says she. and even my groan served Alan's purpose.com .' This was so true that I could only groan. and while we sat and ate. Then she told us to fall to.' said Alan. leaving us alone together. though.' she cried. as much as to bid me cheer up. and he was gone for the day to Pittencrieff.' said he.' At this the lass turned and ran out of that part of the house. and there would be no more to pay. ye may scrape your own life out of the fire. 'I can stand no more of this. 'unless we manage the better.' 'Ye'll have to sit it then. Alan in high good humour at the furthering of his schemes.'That's it. than she touched me on the shoulder with a little friendly touch. meaning that I was old enough to lose my head. for the inn was her own.' said Alan. 'It's what will be. 'Alan. but Alan Breck is a dead man. for bread and cheese is but cold comfort and the puddings smelt excellently well. and I in bitter dudgeon at being called a Jacobite and treated like a child. looking on. 'It would be a black shame. for it was overheard by the lass as she came flying in again with a dish of white puddings and a bottle of strong ale.
and think upon this poor sick lad of mine. 'Ay' said Alan.' said Alan. my lass.' said she. But I'll tell ye what ye would do. and where to go.' said she.' she said at last to Alan. there would be two souls saved — mine to all likelihood — his to a dead surety. for I saw two (no less) upon the beach. 'if ye mean that. I kenna! Shall we go wanting. as I came in by your town's end. and drawing the string of her apron through her hand. lassie? Are ye to lie in your warm bed and think upon us. shaking her head. and when he gants his 0 Kidnapped . and how to do. 'Na. Now if we could have the use of a boat to pass under cloud of night into Lothian. and frowning to herself. when the wind gowls in the chimney and the rain tirls on the roof? Are ye to eat your meat by the cheeks of a red fire. and some secret. with the death grapple at his throat he must aye be trailing in the rain on the lang roads. If we lack that boat. 'I'm thinking ye have rather a long tongue. 'ye're not that kind.ing.' said he. 'but ye see I ken the folk I speak to. 'Look here.' 'I would never betray ye.' 'I couldnae. we have but three shillings left in this wide world. 'there are boats in the Kingdom of Fife. ye would help.' 'No. he must aye be moving. 'but if ye could?' She answered him nothing. decent kind of a man to bring that boat back again and keep his counsel.' said he. and what other place there is for us except the chains of a gibbet — I give you my naked word. biting his finger ends on a blae muir for cauld and hunger? Sick or sound. I couldnae.' 'No.
and set forth again from Limekilns as far as to the wood. and I will tell you more. I could see the lass was in great trouble of mind. King George has no truer friend in all Scotland than myself. Rankeillor of the Ferry?' 'Rankeillor the writer?' said she. but shook hands with her upon the bargain. 'Did ever you. by a dreadful error. so you may judge by that if I am an ill-doer.' said she.' said I. and lie close in the bit wood on the sea-beach.' And she bade us finish our meat. 'Mr. although Alan's darkened. 'I daur say that!' 'Well.' Her face cleared up mightily at this. 'And ye can trust me.' says she. 'of Mr.' At this we waited for no more. and so now I determined to step in myself and to allay her scruples with a portion of the truth. It was a small piece of perhaps a score of elders and hawthorns and a few young ashes.' At this appeal. Rankeillor is a kennt man. 'I'll find some means to put you over.last on a rickle of cauld stanes. 'That's more than I would ask. get clear of the clachan as soon as might be. and yet in some fear she might be helping malefactors. 'it's to his door that I am bound. Here we must lie. in some peril of my life. there will be nae friends near him but only me and God. hear' said I. making the best of the brave warm weather and the good Free eBooks at Planet eBook. that though I am indeed. not thick enough to veil us from passersby upon the road or beach. however.com 1 . made short work of the puddings. being tempted to help us.
We had but one trouble all day. lights came out in houses and hamlets and then. It was impossible but he should conceive some suspicion of two men lying all day concealed in a thicket and having no business to allege. if she had one. and we were long since strangely tortured with anxieties. and a long story of wrongs that had been done him by all sorts of persons. and after he was gone. but as soon as her father was asleep. begged us to lose no time and to hold our peace. we looked out and saw the lass herself coming rowing to us in a boat. from the Lord President of the Court of Session. before we heard the grinding of oars upon the rowing-pins. As long as he stayed there he kept us in hot water with prying questions. we were in the greater impatience to be gone ourselves. saying Kidnapped . as he was a man not very likely to hold his tongue. down to the Bailies of Inverkeithing who had given him more of it than he desired. I was abashed how to find expression for my thanks. a red-nosed. one after another. when a strolling piper came and sat in the same wood with us. who had denied him justice. and come to our assistance single-handed.hopes we now had of a deliverance. began to be put out. but it was past eleven. bleareyed. the night fell quiet and clear. stolen a neighbour's boat. drunken dog. had left the house by a window. At that. and planing more particularly what remained for us to do. with a great bottle of whisky in his pocket. She had trusted no one with our affairs. The day came to an end with the same brightness. but she was no less abashed at the thought of hearing them. not even her sweetheart.
as we were lying in a den on the sea-shore and I had been already dozing. we had nothing to say. 'It is a very fine lass. Even after she was gone. had shaken hands with us.' And a matter of an hour later.' he said at last.com . Only Alan stood a great while upon the shore shaking his head. she was so simple a creature that my heart smote me both with remorse and fear: remorse because we had traded upon her ignorance. 'David. she had set us on the Lothian shore not far from Carriden.(very properly) that the heart of our matter was in haste and silence. it is a very fine lass. before there was one word said either of her service or our gratitude. what with one thing and another. For my part. and was out again at sea and rowing for Limekilns. as indeed nothing was enough for such a kindness. he broke out again in commendations of her character. and fear lest we should have anyway involved her in the dangers of our situation. I could say nothing. and so. Free eBooks at Planet eBook.
he should lie in the fields by the roadside near to Newhalls. it takes me off to that last day of my uncertainty. many slated. as that of Peebles. and stir for naught until he heard me whistling. Every time it comes to me. RANKEILLOR T he next day it was agreed that Alan should fend for himself till sunset. which has run in my head from that day to this. and will likely run in my head when I lie dying. At first I proposed I should give him for a signal the 'Bonnie House of Airlie. whistling and beating the measure with a finger.' which was a favourite of mine. the town-hall not so fine. I was in the long street of Queensferry before the sun was up. with Alan sitting up in the bottom of the den. the houses of good stone. but he objected that as the piece was very commonly known. but take it altogether. but as soon as it began to grow dark. any ploughman might whistle it by accident. and the grey of the dawn coming on his face. I thought. and taught me instead a little fragment of a Highland air. nor yet the street so noble. it Kidnapped . It was a fairly built burgh.CHAPTER XXVII I COME TO MR.
I began to take a fresh apprehension: that it might be no easy matter even to come to speech of the lawyer. And as I continued to walk up and down. I suppose they would have burst out laughing in my face. and if I had asked for the house of such a man as Mr. with a strange gnawing in my inwards. and the people to appear out of the houses. like a dog that has lost its master. it might come to the gallows yet for both of us. and the fires began to be kindled. and nudging or speaking one to another with smiles. and the windows to open. my concern and despondency grew ever the blacker.com . nor so much as of my own identity. and through the street. and every now and then a movement of despair. and a condemned. and no clear proof of my rights. As the morning went on. far less to convince him of my story. I was indeed sorely cheated and left in a sore pass. and what time had I to spare with less than three shillings in my pocket. perhaps nine in the forenoon. For the life of me I could not muster up the courage to address any of these reputable burghers. I thought shame even to speak with them in such a pickle of rags and dirt. if my hope broke with me. hunted man upon my hands to ship out of the country? Truly. I saw now that I had no grounds to stand upon. Even if things were as I conceived. So I went up and down. and down to the harbour-side. Rankeillor. It grew to be high day at last. and saw people looking askance at me upon the street or out of windows. it would in all likelihood take time to establish my contentions.put me to shame for my foul tatters. and I was worn with these wanderFree eBooks at Planet eBook. If it was all a bubble.
' He seemed to muse awhile. I was in such a plight that no one set eyes on me once. Kidnapped . Mr. holding his lip in his hand.' 'My name is David Balfour. and chanced to have stopped in front of a very good house on the landward side. 'Why. but he looked at me again. [33]Newly rough-cast.' said I. clear glass windows. I was even envying this dumb brute. asked him to direct me to the house of Mr. kindly. and for a rather singular chance. Rankeillor. flowering knots upon the sills.' said I. sir. ruddy. 'David Balfour?' he repeated. was so much struck with my poor appearance that he came straight up to me and asked me what I did. and taking heart of grace. 'that is his house that I have just come out of. Well. 'I have come from a great many strange places.ings.' 'I do not know your name. and this gentleman. like one surprised. when the door fell open and there issued forth a shrewd. 'And where have you come from.' 'Then.' said I. sir. in rather a high tone. David Balfour?' he asked. I am that very man. I told him I was come to the Queensferry on business. looking me pretty drily in the face. a house with beautiful. 'nor yet your face. as it proved. 'but I think it would be as well to tell you where and how in a more private manner.' said he. 'I have to beg the favour of an interview. the walls new-harled[33] and a chase-dog sitting yawning on the step like one that was at home.' said he. consequential man in a well-powdered wig and spectacles.
'Your father and mother?' said he. smiling. 'if you have any business. pray be brief and come swiftly to the point.' says he. 'and carry you in medias res.com . But I had shot my bolt and sat speechless. the blood came in my face when I added: 'I have reason to believe myself some rights on the estate of Shaws. sir. 'My father was Alexander Balfour. 'Well?' said he.' He got a paper book out of a drawer and set it before him open. schoolmaster of that Free eBooks at Planet eBook.' And he led me back with him into his house. the 12th of March. no doubt.' says he. cried out to some one whom I could not see that he would be engaged all morning. 'I will even do as Horace says. 'that will be the best.' said he.and looking now at me and now upon the causeway of the street. For all that. 'Come. and brought me into a little dusty chamber full of books and documents.' I answered. 'And now. Mr. and indeed his scrap of Latin had been set to test me. but what that meant I knew not. though I thought he looked a little ruefully from his clean chair to my muddy rags. Where were you born?' 'In Essendean. with a keen look. Here he sate down. come.' He seemed to follow this statement in his paper book.' said I. Balfour. 'Yes. 'the year 1733. and bade me be seated.' He nodded as if he was well pleased. 'you must continue. sir. Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo —do you understand that?' says he. and though I was somewhat encouraged.
'where was that?' 'Off the south end of the Isle of Mull.' said I. 'By whom I was received into his own house. I do not think my uncle would deny me.' said I. the minister. 'No. sir. would give me his word. this agrees pretty exactly with other informations that I hold. and stand before you today in this poor accoutrement. Rankeillor. 'but they are in the hands of Mr. Campbell. 'The same. Mr. 'Did you ever meet a man of the name of Hoseason?' asked Mr. 'for it was by his means and the procurement of my uncle.' 'Have you any papers proving your identity?' asked Mr. But so far. and for that matter. Campbell. sir. I think her people were from Angus. carried to sea. I may tell you. 'and my mother Grace Pitarrow. in what sense?' 'In the plain meaning of the word.' I answered. But you say you were kidnapped. for my sins.' said I. too.' said I.' 'Ah!' says he. suffered shipwreck and a hundred other hardships.' 'Meaning Mr. 'I was on my Kidnapped .place.' 'You say you were shipwrecked. smiling. Rankeillor.' said I. and could be readily produced. 'I did so. 'you are deeper than me in the geography. 'Whom you have seen?' he asked. 'The name of the isle on which I was cast up is the Island Earraid.' said I. that I was kidnapped within sight of this town.' said Rankeillor. sir. Ebenezer Balfour?' says he.
' said he.way to your house.' 'You are not to forget. and I own I shall not be very well contented until it is set right. non sum. in God's providence. sir. Here is a considerable hiatus. 'I cannot be convinced till I have heard you.' 'Indeed.' and we are now at August the 24th. when I was trepanned on board the brig.' said the lawyer. a fate that. sir.' said I.' 'The brig was lost on June the 27th.' says he.' 'This is to argue in a circle. and knew no more of anything till we were far at sea. we have a proverb in the country that evil-doers are aye evildreaders. Balfour. it would better befit your time of life. And you know. 'it is not so bad as that. but while you Free eBooks at Planet eBook. he fairly laughed aloud.com . but yet before I told my story. and in proportion as I gained ground. cruelly struck down. It has already caused a vast amount of trouble to your friends. Balfour. Rankeillor. Fui. 'that I have already suffered by my trustfulness. of near upon two months. Mr. I would be glad to know that I was talking to a friend. I have escaped. gaining confidence. I was destined for the plantations.' said I. I was indeed your uncle's man of business. Mr. which I made with something of a smile myself. If you were more trustful. 'these months are very easily filled up. and was shipped off to be a slave by the very man that (if I rightly understand) is your employer?' All this while I had been gaining ground with Mr. But at this sally. looking in his book. I cannot be your friend till I am properly informed. thrown below. no. 'No.
' continued Mr. intending to fulfil your education. Mr. we had no shadow of probation.' said he.' 0 Kidnapped . Campbell stalked into my office. and from matters in my competence (to be touched upon hereafter) I was disposed to fear the worst. it was not for lack of being talked about. which could very ill afford it. Campbell. Rankeillor with a smile. Mr. Further interrogated where you now were. but I had known your father. I am not exactly sure that any one believed him. and if your ears did not sing. And now. and that you had started for the continent of Europe. demanding you from all the winds. Ebenezer admitted having seen you. he deponed that you had expressed a great desire to break with your past life. That is a close sum of his replies. In the very article. Interrogated how you had come to send no word to Mr. but believed you were in Leyden. 'you understand the whole process of these matters. protested ignorance. We were then at a full stand. Balfour. I had never heard of your existence. injury to my pocket. which was probable and praiseworthy. declared (what seemed improbable) that he had given you considerable sums. On the very day of your sea disaster. comes Captain Hoseason with the story of your drowning. whereupon all fell through. a good deal of water has run under the bridges. Campbell. with no consequences but concern to Mr. and can judge for yourself to what extent I may be trusted. for whatever shrewd suspicions we might entertain. and another blot upon your uncle's character.(imberbis juvenis custode remoto) were gallivanting in the west. Mr. 'and in particular he so much disrelished me expressions of mine that (in a word) he showed me to the door.
I could see he now treated me as if I was myself beyond a doubt. years after. Moreover. The name of Alan had of course rung through Scotland. 'if I tell you my story. and pass lightly. Mr.' Thereupon I told him my story from the first. 'Sir. so that first point of my identity seemed fully granted. so that I sometimes feared he was asleep. 'above all of Highlanders. but it was all uttered with a fine geniality of eye and manner which went far to conquer my distrust. 'But.Indeed he was more pedantic than I can represent him.com 1 . 'these are rather alarming prolocutions. many of whom are obnoxious to the law. and placed more scraps of Latin in his speech. he remembered and would remind me of. he listening with his spectacles thrust up and his eyes closed. 'I would name no unnecessary names. Balfour. I will ask no better guarantee than just your face. with the news of the Appin murder and the offer of the reward. Yet when I called Alan Breck in full. Pass me your word it shall be sacred. and for what touches myself. and if there are in your story any little jostles to the law.' said I. heard for that time only.' He passed me his word very seriously.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. we had an odd scene. I must commit a friend's life to your discretion. and it had no sooner escaped me than the lawyer moved in his seat and opened his eyes. Even strange outlandish Gaelic names.' said he. But no such matter! he heard every word (as I found afterward) with such quickness of hearing and precision of memory as often surprised me.' said he. I would beg you to bear in mind that I am a lawyer.
' It was truly the most open farce.'Well. a great Odyssey of yours. and to Cluny. and quiet persons. You must tell it. I saw he must have heard the name all too clearly. Rankeillor. 'Well. We will call your friend. and had already guessed I might be coming to the murder. 'this is a great epic. 'but since I have let it slip. it was quite in the taste of that age. and I am far from sure I caught the name exactly. sought out every cranny to avoid offence to either. so I smiled.' said I. And in future. well. and consented.' 'Not at all. Through all the rest of my story Alan was Mr. 'I am somewhat dull of hearing. it might have been better not. though for my part I prefer the stronger tongue. when there were two parties in the state. sir. Jameson. when I had quite done. after all. and I wondered that the lawyer should care to keep it up. You have rolled much. quae regio in terris — what Kidnapped . Colin Campbell passed as a Mr. it was no matter of mine. but. if you please. Thomson's kinsman. Thomson — that there may be no reflections. Mr. I would take some such way with any Highlander that you may have to mention — dead or alive. James Stewart. I may as well continue. said it was no very Highland-sounding name.' said the lawyer. which amused me the more. as it was a piece of policy after his own heart. as you may have remarked. Thomson. was mentioned under the style of Mr. when I came to that part of my tale. or in English if you please. in a sound Latinity when your scholarship is riper.' By this. Glen. I gave the name of 'Mr. If he chose to play this part of ignorance. with no very high opinions of their own. a Highland chief. in like manner.' said Mr.
David. Well. well. indubitably. and a comb. if (with all his merits) he were soused in the North Sea. and. Thomson seems to me a gentleman of some choice qualities. and I think (speaking humanly) that you are near the end of your troubles. Mr. for Mr. It would please me none the worse.com . is a sore embarrassment. a singular aptitude for getting into false positions. my eye fell on my unseemly tatters. though perhaps a trifle bloody-minded. upon the whole. and I was once more plunged in confusion. he looked upon me with so much humour and benignity that I could scarce contain my satisfaction. he left me to my Free eBooks at Planet eBook. But you are doubtless quite right to adhere to him. by. I had been so long wandering with lawless people. seemed mighty elevations. and laid out some clothes that belonged to his son. and here.parish in Scotland (to make a homely translation) has not been filled with your wanderings? You have shown. Even as I thought so. yes. for the man. and led me into a bedroom in the upper part of the house. But the lawyer saw and understood me. covered house. Balfour would stay to dinner. called over the stair to lay another plate. for behaving well in them. he adhered to you. these days are fortunately. nor less paribus curis vestigia figit. He rose. Here he set before me water and soap. besides. and to talk amicably with a gentleman in broadcloth. for I dare say you would both take an orra thought upon the gallows. and making my bed upon the hills and under the bare sky. It comes — we may say — he was your true companion.' As he thus moralised on my adventures. with another apposite tag. that to sit once more in a clean. This Mr.
Kidnapped .toilet.
not Free eBooks at Planet eBook. made me his compliments. about your father and your uncle? To be sure it is a singular tale. was not always old. Mr. And yet I was ashamed of the change too. You will be wondering. 'Sit ye down. and blithe was I to look in the glass and find the beggarman a thing of the past. Mr.com .' replied the lawyer. David. no doubt. and the explanation is one that I blush to have to offer you.' said I. Mr. 'and what may perhaps surprise you more. of the borrowed clothes. 'and now that you are looking a little more like yourself.' 'Truly. and David Balfour come to life again. above all.CHAPTER XXVIII I GO IN QUEST OF MY INHERITANCE I made what change I could in my appearance. For. let me see if I can find you any news. When I had done. really with embarrassment. 'the matter hinges on a love affair.' says he. David. and. 'I cannot very well join that notion with my uncle.' said he. and had me again into the cabinet. Rankeillor caught me on the stair.' 'But your uncle.
Nor was that all. mighty certain of the victory. Mr. and I ingenuously confess. qui bellus es. ay. people stood in their doors to look after him. for I was a plain lad myself and a plain man's son. took all this folly with a long countenance.always ugly. However. not altogether without envy. as he went by upon a mettle horse. found him in a ditch. but he was weak. to the mirth of the whole country. who was the admired and the beloved. 'Ay. and shouted his sorrows into the lug of Tom. and when he found he had deceived himself. He had a fine. was a kind gentleman. no doubt.' said the lawyer.' 'It sounds like a dream. with his silly family standing round the bed in tears. Mr. however. Kidnapped . and the upshot of the matter for that while was that she showed both of them the door. screamed like a peacock. and that with the same lady. In 1715. and Harry. and brought him back multum gementem. and in those days it was a case of Odi te. now he lay sick at home. She was no such fool. made. David. I have seen it with these eyes. 'that is how it is with youth and age. majora canamus — the two lads fell in love. Dick. and the spoiled one. now he rode from public-house to public-house. it's from her you must inherit your excellent good sense. but he had a spirit of his own that seemed to promise great things in the future. Both got upon their knees to her. and one day — by your leave! — resigned the lady. The whole country heard of it. and she refused to be bandied from one to another. gallant air. Sabelle. Your father. Ebenezer. what must he do but run away to join the rebels? It was your father that pursued him.' said I. dolefully weak.
from whose ill results you have recently been smarting.' said I. and the end of it was.That was in August. and takes all the law allows him. The scene must have been highly farcical. Now. not at all. they talk a great deal of charity and generosity. sir. they came at last to drive a sort of bargain. no.' I thought myself it was a silly business. 'Why. Ebenezer!' 'And yet that is certainly the strangest part of all. that from concession to concession on your father's part.' said I. the other the estate. The one man took the lady. but I could not forget my father had a hand in it. However. some dignus vindice nodus. and wanted nothing so much as to be tied up and soundly belted. and in the meanwhile.com .' returned the lawyer. this piece of Quixotry on your father's part. and from one height to another of squalling. you were poorly reared. sentimental selfishness upon your uncle's. Anyhow. it had some note of tragedy. that was not your father's view. what a time it has been for the tenants on the estate of Shaws! And I might add (if it was a matter I cared much about) what a time for Mr. but in this disputable state of life. Your father and mother lived and died poor folk. David.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. sir. I often think the happiest consequences seem to flow when a gentleman consults his lawyer. has brought forth a monstrous family of injustices. Mr. dear me! the same year I came from college. 'For tragedy implies some ponderable matter in dispute. as it was unjust in itself. 'that a man's nature should thus change. and this piece of work was all about the petulance of a young ass that had been spoiled. 'Surely.
In the meantime (thinking to myself) I began to see the outlines of that scheme on which Kidnapped . he came to think the more of money. Money was all he got by his bargain. you are the heir of entail. and the latter end of all these pretty manners and fine feelings you have seen for yourself.'True. He was selfish when he was young.' said I. and the other succeed in the estate.' said Mr. raised a cry of murder. those who knew it not. what is my position?' 'The estate is yours beyond a doubt. But it may be difficult to prove. 'It matters nothing what your father signed. 'And yet I imagine it was natural enough. But your uncle is a man to fight the indefensible. and contenting yourself in the meanwhile with a fair provision. The kidnapping. and my advice (upon the whole) is to make a very easy bargain with your uncle. he is selfish now that he is old. and it would be likely your identity that he would call in question. well. besides which. He could not think that he had played a handsome part. we might find that we had burned our fingers. Rankeillor. so that upon all sides he found himself evited. Those who knew the story gave him the cold shoulder. perhaps even leaving him at Shaws where he has taken root for a quarter of a century. and that to carry family concerns before the public was a step from which I was naturally much averse. seeing one brother disappear.' 'Well. if any of your doings with your friend Mr. would be a court card upon our side. 'and in all this. if we could only prove it.' I told him I was very willing to be easy. Thomson were to come out. and a family lawsuit always scandalous.' replied the lawyer. sir. to be sure. A lawsuit is always expensive.
He may not have told you all. when I had done. His name may not be even Thomson!' cries the lawyer. but once they were in the box. sir. Mr.' 'You must be the judge. Mr. 'for some of these fellows will pick up names by the roadside as another would gather haws. twinkling. Which (from what you have let fall) I cannot think to be desirable. I am afraid your scheme is inadmissible. I say nothing against your friend.' I asked. Rankeillor. sir. Mr. Thomson must certainly crop out.we afterwards acted.' 'Well. and that lady had Free eBooks at Planet eBook. for he kept musing to himself till we were called to dinner and the company of Mrs. out of court. For mark you here.' said I. 'The great affair. David! — it would be my duty to lay hands on him. 'Dear doctor! No. indeed.' said I. Mr. we could no longer check their testimony. 'Dear doctor!' cries he.com . Thomson: I know nothing against him.' And I opened my plot to him. David. sir. and some word of your friend Mr. rubbing his brow. 'and if possible. Now I put it to you: is it wise to meet? He may have matters to his charge. 'But this would seem to involve my meeting the man Thomson?' says he. 'here is my way of it. But it was clear my plan had taken hold upon his fancy.' said I.' said Mr. 'is to bring home to him the kidnapping?' 'Surely. David: we could no doubt find some men of the Covenant who would swear to your reclusion. 'I think so. and if I did — mark this. Rankeillor.
Each had gone his proper errand. Torrance had been taking a glass and did not know his master.'s discretion. When and where was I to meet my friend Mr. filling his glass. When I had answered all of them. seemingly to his contentment. Then he got a sheet of paper and a pencil. he fell into a still deeper muse. he kept re0 Kidnapped .scarce left us again to ourselves and a bottle of wine. so it would appear. you will be so kind as put on your hat and be ready to come along with this gentleman and me. and set to work writing and weighing every word. as soon as the clerk was gone. who had forgot my spectacles. while he thoughtfully rolled his wine upon his tongue. 'are you to venture it?' 'Why.' 'What. Thomson. for you will probably be wanted as a witness. The very sight of Torrance brings in my head a little droll matter of some years ago.' said he. sir.' And thereupon he laughed heartily. when I had made a tryst with the poor oaf at the cross of Edinburgh. that I give you my word I did not know my own clerk. 'Torrance.' cried I. 'But let us speak no more of business. even the claret being now forgotten. and when it is done. and when it came four o'clock. would I consent to such and such a term of an agreement — these and the like questions he kept asking at long intervals. and I. I said it was an odd chance. but what held me all the afternoon in wonder. was so blind without them. ere he was back harping on my proposal. 'I must have this written out fair against to-night.' says he. was I sure of Mr. and at last touched a bell and had his clerk into the chamber. supposing we could catch the old fox tripping. T. and smiled out of politeness.
I was so thinking when. Mr. and the poor souls that had gone down with the brig in her last plunge. I could hope. recalling how many that had been there with me that day were now no more: Ransome taken. the lawyer was bowing right and left. 'Why. Rankeillor and I arm in arm. from the evil to come. I could not look upon the place without emotion. Mr.' he cries. we set out from the house. and telling it again with fresh details and laughter. I have forgot my glasses!' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. the scene of my misfortune. and began to laugh. All these. clapped his hand to his pockets. and continually being button-holed by gentlemen on matters of burgh or private business. and yet I could not behold the place without sorrow for others and a chill of recollected fear. Towards the time I had appointed with Alan. and I could see he was one greatly looked up to in the county. upon a sudden.turning and dwelling on this story. and the brig herself. Rankeillor cried out. I had outlived. 'if this be not a farcical adventure! After all that I said. At last we were clear of the houses. so that I began at last to be quite put out of countenance and feel ashamed for my friend's folly. Shuan passed where I dared not follow him. All through the town. My only thought should have been of gratitude. and began to go along the side of the haven and towards the Hawes Inn and the Ferry pier. and come through these hardships and fearful perils without scath. and Torrance following behind with the deed in his pocket and a covered basket in his hand.com 1 .
He was somewhat dashed in spirits. but takes a gentleman of Kidnapped . It is not a thing (mark ye) that any one could do. As soon as we were past the Hawes (where I recognised the landlord smoking his pipe in the door. and knew that if he had left his spectacles at home. it had been done on purpose. I understood the purpose of his anecdote. or how be made to bear damaging evidence against myself? For all that. and I had little doubt myself that he saw reasonably well. so that he might have the benefit of Alan's help without the awkwardness of recognising him. and made but a poor meal in an alehouse near Dundas. for now (suppose things to go the very worst) how could Rankeillor swear to my friend's identity. 'and I dare to say that you could lay your hands upon no better man to put it through than Alan Breck. and had spoken to and recognised a good few persons as we came through the town. he sprang into a new man.At that. walking behind with Torrance and sending me forward in the manner of a scout. I went up the hill. Rankeillor changed the order of march. having passed a long day alone skulking in the county. he began to brighten up. and at length I had the pleasure to hear it answered and to see Alan rise from behind a bush. whistling from time to time my Gaelic air. and as soon as I had told him in what a forward state our matters were and the part I looked to him to play in what remained. But at the mere sight of my clothes. of course.' says he. he had been a long while of finding out his want. 'And that is a very good notion of yours. and was amazed to see him look no older) Mr. And indeed it was well thought upon.
penetration. Thomson.' This he said. 'Mr. stiffly. But I accept your apology. Thomson. 'But I have forgotten my glasses. Accordingly I cried and waved on Mr. Balfour. Only let me remind you. for (what with the dusk and the want of my glasses) I am not very clear as to the path. and as for you. David. 'will tell you that I am little better than blind.' says he.' says Alan. David here' (clapping me on the shoulder).' said Rankeillor. which was a very proper one to make.' said he. Mr. you will find Torrance a pleasant kind of body to speak with. Thomson. it's quite needless he should hear more of your adventures or those of — ahem — Mr. but the Highlandman's vanity was ready to startle at a less matter than that. who came up alone and was presented to my friend. Mr. to see justice done to Mr. Rankeillor. sir. Thomson. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Mr. and by what I can see. and our friend. 'And now as you and I are the chief actors in this enterprise. to which end. Mr. 'I would say it mattered the less as we are met here for a particular end.' 'And that is more than I could look for. not very likely to have much else in common. I am pleased to meet you.com . and that you must not be surprised if I pass you by to-morrow. But it sticks in my head your lawyer-man will be somewhat wearying to see me.' Accordingly these two went on ahead in very close talk. 'Why. I think we should come into a nice agreement. I propose that you should lend me your arm. heartily. thinking that Alan would be pleased.
and Torrance and I brought up the rear. it was dark and mild. Alan strode to the door without concealment and began to knock. and then the lawyer and Torrance and I crept quietly up and crouched down beside the corner of the house. Night was quite come when we came in view of the house of Shaws. Ten had been gone some time. which was indeed the best thing for our arrangements. Kidnapped . We made our last whispered consultations some fifty yards away. rustling wind in the south-west that covered the sound of our approach. It seemed my uncle was Already in bed. and as we drew near we saw no glimmer of light in any portion of the building. with a pleasant. and as soon as we were in our places.
What brings ye here? I have a blunderbush.' 'What brings ye here? and whae are ye?' says my uncle. For all that. however. and knew that my uncle had come to his observatory. 'Have a care of that blunderbuss. so that there was nothing to alarm an honest man in his own house. Mr. and when he spoke his voice had a quaver of misgiving. 'This is nae kind of time of night for decent folk. At last. By what light there was. I could hear the noise of a window gently thrust up. on the steps. and his knocking only roused the echoes of the house and neighbourhood. he studied his visitor awhile in silence. they're nasty things to burst. and I hae nae trokings[34] wi' night-hawks.com . 'What's this?' says he. stepping back and looking up into the darkness. the three witnesses were hidden quite out of his view. 'Is that yoursel'. he would see Alan standing. like a dark shadow.CHAPTER XXIX I COME INTO MY KINGDOM F or some time Alan volleyed upon the door.' [34]Dealings. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. Balfour?' returned Alan.
and a still longer to undo the fastenings. 'I have no manner of inclination to rowt out my name to the country-side. what must be must. and then says he. repenting (I dare say) and taken with fresh claps of fear at every second step and every bolt and bar. we heard the creak of the hinges. Would I go? Now I will tell you what I am thinking. 'What was that?' cried my uncle. and a gentleman of better family. doubtfully. in a mighty changed voice. 'but what brings me here is another story. 'Shall I give ye the rest of the name. and if ye're sure it's what ye would like. then?' said Alan. I am thinking that it is here upon this doorstep that we must confer upon this business.' 'And what is't?' asked my uncle. 'but the point is. 'I'm thinking I'll better let ye in. and it seems my uncle slipped gingerly out and (seeing that Alan had stepped back a pace or two) sate him down on the top doorstep with the blunderbuss ready in his hands.' said Alan. he was a little while digesting it. and it shall be here or nowhere at all whatever.' says my uncle. for I would have you to understand that I am as stiffnecked as yoursel'. Kidnapped .' said Alan. however. But it took him a long time to get down-stairs.' This change of note disconcerted Ebenezer. weel. 'I dare say that. and then. I'll set it to a tune and sing it to you.' says Alan. being more of your affair than mine.' and shut the window. 'Weel. There was a pause.angrily. At last. 'David.
com . where from that day to this he has been a great expense to my friends. to make the ransom smaller. 'I see what ye would be at: pretending ye don't care.' 'Ay. when he came upon a lad that was half drowned. now' says he. Balfour. and I've nae call to interfere. and not so particular about the law as some that I could name. And I may tell ye at the off-go. Well. My friends are a wee wild-like.' says Alan.' 'Why. will doubtless have perceived that I am a Hieland gentleman. and finding that the lad owned some decent folk. and he and some other gentleman took and clapped him in an auld. ay. 'mind I have my blunderbush.' said Alan. It seems there was a ship lost in those parts. 'but this is no a very chanty kind of a proceeding. ye are little likely to set eyes upon him. And now that we understand each other.' says my uncle. he brought him to.' added Alan. ruined castle.'And. and was your born nephew. 'He wasnae a good lad at the best of it. 'are no very well off. unless we can agree upon some terms. 'I'm no very caring.' says he. and the next day a gentleman of my family was seeking wreck-wood for his fire along the sands. and I'm bound to be prepared. ye'll can name your business. but the county of my friends is no very far from the Isle of Mull. and if ye take a step nearer ye're as good as deid. simply. 'you that are a man of so much understanding.' Free eBooks at Planet eBook. My name has nae business in my story. they asked me to give ye a bit call and confer upon the matter.' 'Na.' says Alan. For my friends.' My uncle cleared his throat.' 'And a very civil speech. 'to be sure. Mr. of which ye will have heard.
and if ye did.' says Alan. 'My friends would doubtless keep your nephew as long as there was any likelihood of siller to be made of it. well then. 'And what for why?' asked Ebenezer.' says he. and it came to be kennt. or I'm the more deceived. or else ye had very good reasons for not wanting him. I am clearly of opinion they would let him gang where he pleased.' said my uncle. Mr. 'by all that I could hear.' 'Hoot. Balfour.' 'I'm no just very popular the way it is. 'How that?' says my uncle. 'and I dinnae see how it would come to be kennt. it's the second. but I'm no very caring about that either.' replied Alan. sharply.' said my uncle. 'Why. It seems it's not the first. and would pay for us to keep him. just this.' said Alan. 'it's the mere truth.' 'I was thinking that. and be damned to him!' 'Ay. in the deil's name! Ye cannae desert your brother's son for the fair shame of it. ye wouldnae be very popular in your country-side. No by me. onyway.' 'Ou. and ye can make a kirk and a mill of him for what I care.' said Alan. 'Blood's thicker than water. way' says Alan. 'I wouldnae be muckle made up with that. I take nae manner of interest in the lad. 'Then it'll have to be David that tells it. So that's idle talk. my buckie. and I'll pay nae ransome. and blythe am I to ken it. nor yet by you or your friends.'Na. there were two ways of it: either ye liked David and would pay to get him back. for it should be a pretty penny in my pocket and the Kidnapped . sir. but if there was nane.' returned Ebenezer.
the hilt would dirl on your breast-bane. and that out of hand. hae't your ain way. 'Well. I bear a king's name. 'Before your jottering finger could find the trigger. 'Come. sirs!' cried Ebenezer. I will ram three feet of iron through your vitals. 'No?' said Alan. see here: you dinnae want the lad back.' 'Eh. it's fair disrepitable. sir.pockets of my friends. whae's denying it?' said my uncle.' 'Eh. and ye'll see that we'll can agree fine.' 'Troth.' said Alan. man. man. I am nae rider to kick my shanks at your hall door. me! that's no kind of Free eBooks at Planet eBook. In two words: do ye want the lad killed or kept?' 'O. and how much will ye pay?' My uncle made no answer.com . and I'm tryin to be as ceevil as it's morally possible. 'Powder and your auld hands are but as the snail to the swallow against the bright steel in the hands of Alan. 'O. 'Pit it as ye please. sirs.' said the other. Just tell me what like ye'll be wanting. I'll do naething to cross ye. what do ye want done with him. says you! And where would I be with my blunderbush?' he snarled. 'I ask for nothing but plain dealing. As for that wild talk.' cried my uncle. well. 'give me a meenit! What's like wrong with ye? I'm just a plain man and nae dancing master. but shifted uneasily on his seat. 'I would have you to ken that I am a gentleman. Vitals.' cried Alan. or by the top of Glencoe.' said my uncle. scrambling to his feet. sir.' 'I dinnae follow ye there. Either give me an answer in civility.
' 'Well. I would first have to ken some small matters.' 'Ye're unco scrupulous.' 'Well. Kidnapped? He never was!' 'That's no fault of mine nor yet of yours. 'What for?' 'For kidnapping David. 'and if I have to pay for it.' says Alan.' returned my uncle. keepit!' wailed my uncle. that'll be the dearer.' says he. and quicker. 'they're baith crime. well. 'It's a lee. 'We'll have nae bloodshed. 'as ye please. for instance.' said Ebenezer. whatever! And the killing's easier. 'O. I would have to ken. 'He was never kidnapped. 'I never had naething to do with onything morally wrong. And besides. it's a black lee!' cried my uncle. though.' 'The dearer?' cries Ebenezer. 'and now about the price. Keeping the lad'll be a fashious[35] job. keepit. It's no very easy for me to set a name upon it. 'nor yet of Hoseason's.' [35]Troublesome.' sneered Alan. struck aback. I'll have to pay for it.language!' 'Killed or kept!' repeated Alan.' 0 Kidnapped .' said Alan. and I'm no gaun to begin to pleasure a wild Hielandman. if you please. He leed in his throat that tauld ye that. 'Would ye fyle your hands wi' crime?' 'Hoot!' said Alan. 'I'll have him keepit. and surer. 'ye forget the lad's my brother's son. what ye gave Hoseason at the first off-go?' 'Hoseason!' cries my uncle.' said Alan. a fashious. if he's a man that can be trusted.' says Alan. simply. 'I'm a man o' principle. kittle business.
'What do ye mean?' cried Ebenezer. 'Good-evening. 'It's a braw nicht.' said I. and ye must lie on your bed the way ye made it.' said Alan. and the lawyer. so ye can see for yoursel' what good ye can do leeing. he leed. That will do excellently well. 'Weel. stepping forward. But that's past praying for.' said the lawyer. 'Did Hoseason tell ye?' 'Why. Mr. he was to have the selling of the lad in Caroliny. but just sat where he was on the top door-step and stared upon us like a man turned to stone. neither black nor white. Balfour.' said he. we gang shares. whilk would be as muckle mair. ye see. And. and then mighty civilly.' said my uncle. but no from my pocket. 'Hoseason and me are partners. where the fire was out and only a rush-light burnFree eBooks at Planet eBook. 'That's my concern. Thomson. and set him down in a chair beside the hearth. led him into the kitchen. Mr. plucked him up from the doorstep. Alan filched away his blunderbuss. how else would I ken?' cried Alan. And I must plainly say ye drove a fool's bargain when ye let a man like the sailor-man so far forward in your private matters.' 'Thank you. taking him by the arm. Balfour' added Torrance. Never a word said my uncle. 'Good-evening. 'I dinnae care what he said. ye donnered auld runt. And the point in hand is just this: what did ye pay him?' 'Has he tauld ye himsel'?' asked my uncle. whither we all followed. But I'll be perfec'ly honest with ye: forby that. Uncle Ebenezer. that I gave him twenty pound. Mr. And.com 1 . and the solemn God's truth is this.
and I am free to confess he took it very ill. and sat down and sulked. I pay you my compliment. There we all looked upon him for a while.' This was just the stab that Alan would feel keenest. exulting greatly in our success. which I believe to be deserved. In the meanwhile give us the cellar key. and gave him my hand. Ebenezer. or his fame at least has never come my way. Not a word would he answer.' says he. but stepped off to the far end of the kitchen. for I promise you we shall make easy terms. 'I wish you all joy in your good fortune. 'Mr. 'you must not be down-hearted. like one who smelt an offence. Do I understand your name to be James? or Charles? or is it George. come.ing.' replied Rankeillor. turning to me and taking me by the hand. 'Mr.' And then to Alan. sir. 'Come. Mr. Thomson. and thanked him by title as the chief spring of my success. but in one point you somewhat outran my comprehension. and was at last prevailed upon to join our party.' Then. with a spice of drollery. that you mentioned a king's name.' said the lawyer. Kidnapped . 'Only. and it was not till I stepped after him. it was most artfully conducted. sir?' quoth Alan. I judged you must refer to that you had in baptism. that he began to smile a bit. David. drawing himself up. and Torrance shall draw us a bottle of your father's wine in honour of the event. 'and as there has never yet been a King Thomson. perhaps?' 'And why should it be any of the three. but yet with a sort of pity for the man's shame.
So the beggar in the ballad had come home. and when I lay down that night on the kitchen chests. and I lay till dawn. and to pay me two clear thirds of the yearly income of Shaws. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. to which Torrance and I and Alan set ourselves down. Alan and Torrance and Rankeillor slept and snored on their hard beds. They stayed there closeted about an hour. and often with an empty belly. my uncle bound himself to satisfy Rankeillor as to his intromissions. at the end of which period they had come to a good understanding. a good supper came out of the basket. while the lawyer and my uncle passed into the next chamber to consult. and my uncle and I set our hands to the agreement in a formal manner. I was a man of means and had a name in the country. but for me who had lain out under heaven and upon dirt and stones. and in fear of death. By the terms of this. and a bottle of wine uncorked.By that time we had the fire lighted. looking at the fire on the roof and planning the future. so many days and nights.com . this good change in my case unmanned me more than any of the former evil ones.
Mr. and with nothing in view but the fields and woods that had been my ancestors' and were now mine. On both these heads I unbosomed to Rankeillor the next morning. you should remember Kidnapped S . Thomson. 'is one thing. David. but. About my clear duty to my friend. on my hands. 'Mr. Thomson's kinsman quite another. of A. to whom I was so much beholden.CHAPTER XXX GOOD-BYE o far as I was concerned myself. but in the case of James. he was of a different mind. If you interfere to balk his vengeance. of A. my eye would take a glad bit of a run over the prospect. The D.' says he. is doubtless an excellent nobleman. I know little of the facts. if you like. timeo qui nocuere deos. but I gather that a great noble (whom we will call. I had come to port. Mr. walking to and fro about six of the clock before the house of Shaws. Even as I spoke on these grave subjects. but I had still Alan. and I felt besides a heavy charge in the matter of the murder and James of the Glens. I must help him out of the county at whatever risk. the lawyer had no doubt. the D.)[36] has some concern and is even supposed to feel some animosity in the matter. and my heart jump with pride.
would be a brief transition to the gallows. There. sir. 'is to my bankers. on a Highland quarrel and with a Highland Judge upon the bench. and I take it back with an apology. Now I had made all these reasonings before and found no very good reply to them. and that is to put you in the dock. 'This. 'Why. 'very many. 'I would just have to be hanged — would I not?' 'My dear boy. and be hanged. like a gentleman. There are worse things in the world than to be hanged.' said I. 'In that case. with this credit. making his comments on them as he wrote.' he cried. It is a poor thought that at my time of life I should be advising you to choose the safe and shameful. and do what you think is right. but so is he.there is one way to shut your testimony out. so that I saw I had pleased him heartily) and there he wrote me two letters. so I put on all the simplicity I could. sir. And to be tried for your life before a Highland jury.' 'Not many. Consult Mr. Thomson's kinsman. he will know of ways. well.com . Go and do your duty. yes. Thomson.' said I.' Thereupon he turned into the house (still in a great fervour of mind. the British Linen Company. if you must. can supply Free eBooks at Planet eBook. placing a credit to your name. And it would be ten times better for your uncle (to go no farther afield) if he were dangling decently upon a gibbet. 'go in God's name. you would be in the same pickle as Mr.' cries he. smiling. and you. You will object that you are innocent. sir.' says he.' [36]The Duke of Argyle.
and less kindness while I stayed. and (do you know?) I think it would be needless to refer to Mr. but in the affair of a friend like Mr. I would be even prodigal. with any particulars. there was the peak of a nightcap bobbing up and down and back and forward. like a place not lived in. tell him your tale. Alan and I went slowly forward upon our way. Thompson. if I were you. Then for his kinsman. I trust you will be a good husband of your money. like the head of a rabbit from a burrow. I give you here a letter to a namesake of your own. but at least I was watched as I went away. David!' Thereupon he took his farewell. Form yourself upon the laird. and offer testimony. when you deal with the Advocate. and set out with Torrance for the Ferry. Thomson. Balfour of Pilrig. It stood there. while Alan and I turned our faces for the city of Edinburgh. of A. and in all these matters. It will look better that you should be presented by one of your own name. Mr. a man whom I esteem. may the Lord guide you. and the laird of Pilrig is much looked up to in the Faculty and stands well with Lord Advocate Grant. the learned Mr. be discreet. I had little welcome when I came. there is no better way than that you should seek the Advocate. that you may reach the Lord Advocate well recommended. bare and great and smokeless. is quite another matter. I would not trouble him. and will turn on the D. As we went by the footpath and beside the gateposts and the unfinished lodge. we kept looking back at the house of my fathers. he is a good model. having Kidnapped .the means. Now. whether he may take it or not. only in one of the top windows.
and held out his left hand.com . you could feel very well that we were nearer tears than laughter. Here he repeated to me once again what had been agreed upon between us: the address of the lawyer. and it should be his part to find a ship and to arrange for Alan's safe embarkation. for we both knew without a word said that we had come to where our ways parted. and when we got near to the place called Rest-and-be-Thankful. The same thought was uppermost in both. we both stopped. and looked over at Edinburgh in silence. and he with me on my new clothes and my estate. and it was resolved that Alan should keep to the county.' said Alan. and a man therefore to be wholly trusted. than the words seemed to leave us. No sooner was this business done. and remembrance of all the bygone days sate upon us sorely. and looked down on Corstorphine bogs and over to the city and the castle on the hill. the daily hour at which Alan might be found. now there. 'Well. but coming once in the day to a particular place where I might be able to communicate with him. I was to seek out a lawyer. Free eBooks at Planet eBook. either in my own person or by messenger. We talked indeed of what should be done. who was an Appin Stewart. and the signals that were to be made by any that came seeking him.little heart either to walk or speak. and though I would seek to jest with Alan under the name of Mr. good-bye. and then we stood a space. We came the by-way over the hill of Corstorphine. In the meanwhile. Thomson. that we were near the time of our parting. biding now here. Then I gave what money I had (a guinea or two of Rankeillor's) so that he should not starve in the meanwhile.
the narrow arched entries that continually vomited passengers. and a hundred other particulars too small to mention. It was coming near noon when I passed in by the West Kirk and the Grassmarket into the streets of the capital. nor so long as he was in my view did I take one back glance at the friend I was leaving. The huge height of the buildings. and all the time (although you would think I would not choose but be delighted with these braws and novelties) there was a cold gnawing in my inside like a remorse for something wrong. that I could have found it in my heart to sit down by the dyke. and cry and weep like any baby. the foul smells and the fine clothes.'Good-bye. so that I let the crowd carry me to and fro. struck me into a kind of stupor of surprise. But as I went on my way to the city. Neither one of us looked the other in the face. the wares of the merchants in their windows.' said I. Kidnapped . and yet all the time what I was thinking of was Alan at Rest-and-be-Thankful. I felt so lost and lonesome. and gave the hand a little grasp. the hubbub and endless stir. running up to ten and fifteen storeys. The hand of Providence brought me in my drifting to the very doors of the British Linen Company's bank. and went off down hill.
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