Ardshiel was to starve : that was the thing he aimed at . And since them that fed him in his exile wouldnae be bought out -- right or wrong , he would drive them out . Therefore he sent for lawyers , and papers , and red-coats to stand at his back . And the kindly folk of that country must all pack and tramp , every father 's son out of his father 's house , and out of the place where he was bred and fed , and played when he was a callant . And who are to succeed them ? Bare-leggit beggars ! King George is to whistle for his rents ; he maun dow with less ; he can spread his butter thinner : what cares Red Colin ? If he can hurt Ardshiel , he has his wish ; if he can pluck the meat from my chieftain 's table , and the bit toys out of his children 's hands , he will gang hame singing to Glenure ! '' `` Let me have a word , '' said I. `` Be sure , if they take less rents , be sure Government has a finger in the pie . It 's not this Campbell 's fault , man -- it 's his orders . And if ye killed this Colin to-morrow , what better would ye be ? There would be another factor in his shoes , as fast as spur can drive . '' `` Ye 're a good lad in a fight , '' said Alan ; `` but , man ! ye have Whig blood in ye ! '' He spoke kindly enough , but there was so much anger under his contempt that I thought it was wise to change the conversation . I expressed my wonder how , with the Highlands covered with troops , and guarded like a city in a siege , a man in his situation could come and go without arrest . `` It 's easier than ye would think , '' said Alan . `` A bare hillside -LRB- ye see -RRB- is like all one road ; if there 's a sentry at one place , ye just go by another . And then the heather 's a great help . And everywhere there are friends ' houses and friends ' byres and haystacks .
And besides , when folk talk of a country XXXXX with troops , it 's but a kind of a byword at the best .
Be bought cares covered maun pluck spread stand take thought