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Stevenson + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Kidnapped + +Author: Robert Louis Stevenson + +Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #421] +Last Updated: July 9, 2014 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KIDNAPPED *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + KIDNAPPED + </h1> +<h2>By Robert Louis Stevenson</h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> +<h3>Illustrated by Louis Rhead</h3> +<p> + <br /> + </p> +<hr /> +<p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + BEING<br /> MEMOIRS OF THE ADVENTURES OF<br /> DAVID BALFOUR<br /> IN THE + YEAR 1751<br /> HOW HE WAS KIDNAPPED AND CAST AWAY; HIS SUFFERINGS IN<br /> + A DESERT ISLE; HIS JOURNEY IN THE WILD HIGHLANDS;<br /> HIS ACQUAINTANCE + WITH ALAN BRECK STEWART<br /> AND OTHER NOTORIOUS HIGHLAND JACOBITES;<br /> + WITH ALL THAT HE SUFFERED AT THE<br /> HANDS OF HIS UNCLE, EBENEZER<br /> + BALFOUR OF SHAWS, FALSELY<br /> SO CALLED<br /><br /> WRITTEN BY HIMSELF AND + NOW SET FORTH BY<br /> ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON<br /> WITH A PREFACE BY MRS. + STEVENSON<br /> + </h3> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0010m.jpg" alt="0010m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0010.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0011m.jpg" alt="0011m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0011.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0013m.jpg" alt="0013m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0013.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE TO THE BIOGRAPHICAL EDITION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> DEDICATION </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0003"> + CHAPTER III </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0007"> + CHAPTER VII </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0011"> + CHAPTER XI </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0016"> + CHAPTER XVI </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0021"> + CHAPTER XXI </a> <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a> + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX </a> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX </a> + </td> + <td> + I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS <br /><br /> I COME TO + MY JOURNEY'S END <br /><br /> I MAKE ACQUAINTANCE OF MY UNCLE <br /><br /> + I RUN A GREAT DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF SHAWS <br /><br /> I GO TO THE + QUEEN'S FERRY <br /><br /> WHAT BEFELL AT THE QUEEN'S FERRY <br /><br /> I + GO TO SEA IN THE BRIG "COVENANT" OF DYSART <br /><br /> THE ROUND-HOUSE + <br /><br /> THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GOLD <br /><br /> THE SIEGE OF THE + ROUND-HOUSE <br /><br /> THE CAPTAIN KNUCKLES UNDER <br /><br /> I HEAR OF + THE "RED FOX" <br /><br /> THE LOSS OF THE BRIG <br /><br /> THE ISLET + <br /><br /> THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: THROUGH THE ISLE OF MULL + <br /><br /> THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: ACROSS MORVEN <br /><br /> + THE DEATH OF THE RED FOX <br /><br /> TALK WITH ALAN IN THE WOOD OF + LETTERMORE <br /><br /> THE HOUSE OF FEAR <br /><br /> THE FLIGHT IN THE + HEATHER: THE ROCKS <br /><br /> THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE HEUGH OF + CORRYNAKIEGH <br /><br /> THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE MOOR <br /><br /> + CLUNY'S CAGE <br /><br /> THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER <br /><br /> THE + QUARREL IN BALQUHIDDER <br /><br /> END OF THE FLIGHT: WE PASS THE FORTH + <br /><br /> I COME TO MR. RANKEILLOR <br /><br /> I GO IN QUEST OF MY + INHERITANCE <br /><br /> I COME INTO MY KINGDOM <br /><br /> GOOD-BYE + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0015m.jpg" alt="0015m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0015.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO THE BIOGRAPHICAL EDITION + </h2> + <p> + While 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. 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. + </p> + <p> + 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:— + </p> + <h4> + THE,<br /> TRIAL<br /> OF<br /> JAMES STEWART<br /> in Aucharn in Duror of + Appin<br /> FOR THE<br /> Murder of COLIN CAMPBELL of Glenure, Efq;<br /> + Factor for His Majefty on the forfeited<br /> Estate of Ardfhiel. + </h4> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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, pock-pitted 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." + </p> + <p> + 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, change-keeper 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 Auchofragan, and went on + with them to the house: Alan Breck Stewart said, that he hated all the + name of Campbell; and the deponent said, he had no reason for doing so: + But Alan said, he had very good reason for it: that thereafter they left + that house; and, after drinking a dram at another house, came to the + deponent's house, where they went in, and drunk some drams, and Alan Breck + renewed the former Conversation; and the deponent, making the same answer, + Alan said, that, if the deponent had any respect for his friends, he would + tell them, that if they offered to turn out the possessors of Ardshiel's + estate, he would make black cocks of them, before they entered into + possession by which the deponent understood shooting them, it being a + common phrase in the country." + </p> + <p> + Some time after the publication of Kidnapped we stopped for a short while + in the Appin country, where we were surprised and interested to discover + that the feeling concerning the murder of Glenure (the "Red Fox," also + called "Colin Roy") was almost as keen as though the tragedy had taken + place the day before. For several years my husband received letters of + expostulation or commendation from members of the Campbell and Stewart + clans. I have in my possession a paper, yellow with age, that was sent + soon after the novel appeared, containing "The Pedigree of the Family of + Appine," wherein it is said that "Alan 3rd Baron of Appine was not killed + at Flowdoun, tho there, but lived to a great old age. 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 better be omitted. Duncan Baan Stewart in Achindarroch his father was + a Bastard." + </p> + <p> + One day, while my husband was busily at work, I sat beside him reading an + old cookery book called The Compleat Housewife: or Accomplish'd + Gentlewoman's Companion. In the midst of receipts for "Rabbits, and + Chickens mumbled, Pickled Samphire, Skirret Pye, Baked Tansy," and other + forgotten delicacies, there were directions for the preparation of several + lotions for the preservation of beauty. One of these was so charming that + I interrupted my husband to read it aloud. "Just what I wanted!" he + exclaimed; and the receipt for the "Lily of the Valley Water" was + instantly incorporated into Kidnapped. + </p> + <p> + F. V. DE G. S. <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> + <h4> + MY DEAR CHARLES BAXTER: + </h4> + <p> + If you ever read this tale, 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, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to + Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David + Balfour. These are nuts beyond my ability to crack. But if you tried me on + the point of Alan's guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading + of the text. To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in + Alan's favour. If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of + "the other man" who fired the shot are in the country to this day. But + that other man's name, inquire as you please, you shall not hear; for the + Highlander values a secret for itself and for the congenial exercise of + keeping it. I might go on for long to justify one point and own another + indefensible; it is more honest to confess at once how little I am touched + by the desire of accuracy. This is no furniture for the scholar's library, + but a book for the winter evening school-room when the tasks are over and + the hour for bed draws near; and honest Alan, 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, carry him + awhile into the Highlands and the last century, and pack him to bed with + some engaging images to mingle with his dreams. + </p> + <p> + As for you, my dear Charles, I do not even ask you to like this tale. But + perhaps when he is older, your son will; he may then be pleased to find + his father's name on the fly-leaf; and in the meanwhile it pleases me to + set it there, in memory of many days that were happy and some (now perhaps + as pleasant to remember) that were sad. If it is strange for me to look + back from a distance both in time and space on these bygone adventures of + our youth, it must be stranger for you who tread the same streets—who + may to-morrow open the door of the old Speculative, 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, the L. J. R., + held its meetings and drank its beer, sitting in the seats of Burns and + his companions. I think I see you, moving there by plain daylight, + beholding with your natural eyes those places that have now become for + your companion a part of the scenery of dreams. How, in the intervals of + present business, the past must echo in your memory! Let it not echo often + without some kind thoughts of your friend, + </p> + <p> + R.L.S. SKERRYVORE, BOURNEMOUTH. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0021m.jpg" alt="0021m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0021.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9021m.jpg" alt="9021m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9021.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in + the month of June, the year of grace 1751, when I took the key for the + last time out of the door of my father's house. The sun began to shine + upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road; and by the time I + had come as far as the manse, the blackbirds were whistling in the garden + lilacs, and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of the dawn + was beginning to arise and die away. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Campbell, the minister of Essendean, was waiting for me by the garden + gate, good man! He asked me if I had breakfasted; and hearing that I + lacked for nothing, he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly + under his arm. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Davie, lad," said he, "I will go with you as far as the ford, to + set you on the way." And we began to walk forward in silence. + </p> + <p> + "Are ye sorry to leave Essendean?" said he, after awhile. + </p> + <p> + "Why, sir," said I, "if I knew where I was going, or what was likely to + become of me, I would tell you candidly. Essendean is a good place indeed, + and I have been very happy there; but then I have never been anywhere + else. My father and mother, since they are both dead, I shall be no nearer + to in Essendean than in the Kingdom of Hungary, and, to speak truth, if I + thought I had a chance to better myself where I was going I would go with + a good will." + </p> + <p> + "Ay?" said Mr. Campbell. "Very well, Davie. Then it behoves me to tell + your fortune; or so far as I may. When your mother was gone, and your + father (the worthy, Christian man) began to sicken for his end, he gave me + in charge a certain letter, which he said was your inheritance. 'So soon,' + says he, 'as I am gone, and the house is redd up and the gear disposed of' + (all which, Davie, hath been done), 'give my boy this letter into his + hand, and start him off to the house of Shaws, not far from Cramond. That + is the place I came from,' he said, 'and it's where it befits that my boy + should return. He is a steady lad,' your father said, 'and a canny goer; + and I doubt not he will come safe, and be well lived where he goes.'" + </p> + <p> + "The house of Shaws!" I cried. "What had my poor father to do with the + house of Shaws?" + </p> + <p> + "Nay," said Mr. Campbell, "who can tell that for a surety? But the name of + that family, Davie, boy, is the name you bear—Balfours of Shaws: an + ancient, honest, reputable house, peradventure in these latter days + decayed. Your father, too, was a man of learning as befitted his position; + no man more plausibly conducted school; nor had he the manner or the + speech of a common dominie; but (as ye will yourself remember) I took aye + a pleasure to have him to the manse to meet the gentry; and those of my + own house, Campbell of Kilrennet, Campbell of Dunswire, Campbell of Minch, + and others, all well-kenned gentlemen, had pleasure in his society. + Lastly, to put all the elements of this affair before you, here is the + testamentary letter itself, superscrived by the own hand of our departed + brother." + </p> + <p> + He gave me the letter, which was addressed in these words: "To the hands + of Ebenezer Balfour, Esquire, of Shaws, in his house of Shaws, these will + be delivered by my son, David Balfour." My heart was beating hard at this + great prospect now suddenly opening before a lad of seventeen years of + age, the son of a poor country dominie in the Forest of Ettrick. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Campbell," I stammered, "and if you were in my shoes, would you go?" + </p> + <p> + "Of a surety," said the minister, "that would I, and without pause. A + pretty lad like you should get to Cramond (which is near in by Edinburgh) + in two days of walk. If the worst came to the worst, and your high + relations (as I cannot but suppose them to be somewhat of your blood) + should put you to the door, ye can but walk the two days back again and + risp at the manse door. But I would rather hope that ye shall be well + received, as your poor father forecast for you, and for anything that I + ken come to be a great man in time. And here, Davie, laddie," he resumed, + "it lies near upon my conscience to improve this parting, and set you on + the right guard against the dangers of the world." + </p> + <p> + Here he cast about for a comfortable seat, lighted on a big boulder under + a birch by the trackside, sate down upon it with a very long, serious + upper lip, and the sun now shining in upon us between two peaks, put his + pocket-handkerchief over his cocked hat to shelter him. There, then, with + uplifted forefinger, he first put me on my guard against a considerable + number of heresies, to which I had no temptation, and urged upon me to be + instant in my prayers and reading of the Bible. That done, he drew a + picture of the great house that I was bound to, and how I should conduct + myself with its inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + "Be soople, Davie, in things immaterial," said he. "Bear ye this in mind, + that, though gentle born, ye have had a country rearing. Dinnae shame us, + Davie, dinnae shame us! In yon great, muckle house, with all these + domestics, upper and under, show yourself as nice, as circumspect, as + quick at the conception, and as slow of speech as any. As for the laird—remember + he's the laird; I say no more: honour to whom honour. It's a pleasure to + obey a laird; or should be, to the young." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said I, "it may be; and I'll promise you I'll try to make it + so." + </p> + <p> + "Why, very well said," replied Mr. Campbell, heartily. "And now to come to + the material, or (to make a quibble) to the immaterial. I have here a + little packet which contains four things." He tugged it, as he spoke, and + with some great difficulty, from the skirt pocket of his coat. "Of these + four things, the first is your legal due: the little pickle money for your + father's books and plenishing, which I have bought (as I have explained + from the first) in the design of re-selling at a profit to the incoming + dominie. The other three are gifties that Mrs. Campbell and myself would + be blithe of your acceptance. The first, which is round, will likely + please ye best at the first off-go; but, O Davie, laddie, it's but a drop + of water in the sea; it'll help you but a step, and vanish like the + morning. The second, which is flat and square and written upon, will stand + by you through life, like a good staff for the road, and a good pillow to + your head in sickness. And as for the last, which is cubical, that'll see + you, it's my prayerful wish, into a better land." + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0025m.jpg" alt="0025m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0025.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + With that he got upon his feet, took off his hat, and prayed a little + while aloud, and in affecting terms, for a young man setting out into the + world; then suddenly took me in his arms and embraced me very hard; then + held me at arm's length, looking at me with his face all working with + sorrow; and then whipped about, and crying good-bye to me, set off + backward by the way that we had come at a sort of jogging run. It might + have been laughable to another; but I was in no mind to laugh. I watched + him as long as he was in sight; and he never stopped hurrying, nor once + looked back. Then it came in upon my mind that this was all his sorrow at + my departure; and my conscience smote me hard and fast, because I, for my + part, was overjoyed to get away out of that quiet country-side, and go to + a great, busy house, among rich and respected gentlefolk of my own name + and blood. + </p> + <p> + "Davie, Davie," I thought, "was ever seen such black ingratitude? Can you + forget old favours and old friends at the mere whistle of a name? Fie, + fie; think shame." + </p> + <p> + And I sat down on the boulder the good man had just left, and opened the + parcel to see the nature of my gifts. That which he had called cubical, I + had never had much doubt of; sure enough it was a little Bible, to carry + in a plaid-neuk. That which he had called round, I found to be a shilling + piece; and the third, which was to help me so wonderfully both in health + and sickness all the days of my life, was a little piece of coarse yellow + paper, written upon thus in red ink: + </p> + <p> + "TO MAKE LILLY OF THE VALLEY WATER.—Take the flowers of lilly of the + valley and distil them in sack, and drink a spooneful or two as there is + occasion. It restores speech to those that have the dumb palsey. It is + good against the Gout; it comforts the heart and strengthens the memory; + and the flowers, put into a Glasse, close stopt, and set into ane hill of + ants for a month, then take it out, and you will find a liquor which comes + from the flowers, which keep in a vial; it is good, ill or well, and + whether man or woman." + </p> + <p> + And then, in the minister's own hand, was added: + </p> + <p> + "Likewise for sprains, rub it in; and for the cholic, a great spooneful in + the hour." + </p> + <p> + To be sure, I laughed over this; but it was rather tremulous laughter; 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; till, just as I came on the green + drove-road running wide through the heather, I took my last look of Kirk + Essendean, the trees about the manse, and the big rowans in the kirkyard + where my father and my mother lay. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0028m.jpg" alt="0028m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0028.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + I COME TO MY JOURNEY'S END + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9028m.jpg" alt="9028m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9028.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + n the forenoon of the second day, coming to the top of a hill, I saw all + the country fall away before me down to the sea; and in the midst of this + descent, on a long ridge, the city of Edinburgh smoking like a kiln. There + was a flag upon the castle, and ships moving or lying anchored in the + firth; both of which, for as far away as they were, I could distinguish + clearly; and both brought my country heart into my mouth. + </p> + <p> + Presently after, I came by a house where a shepherd lived, and got a rough + direction for the neighbourhood of Cramond; and so, from one to another, + worked my way to the westward of the capital by Colinton, till I came out + upon the Glasgow road. And there, to my great pleasure and wonder, I + beheld a regiment marching to the fifes, every foot in time; an old + red-faced general on a grey horse at the one end, and at the other the + company of Grenadiers, with their Pope's-hats. The pride of life seemed to + mount into my brain at the sight of the red coats and the hearing of that + merry music. + </p> + <p> + A little farther on, and I was told I was in Cramond parish, and began to + substitute in my inquiries the name of the house of Shaws. It was a word + that seemed to surprise those of whom I sought my way. At first I thought + the plainness of my appearance, in my country habit, and that all dusty + from the road, consorted ill with the greatness of the place to which I + was bound. But after two, or maybe three, had given me the same look and + the same answer, I began to take it in my head there was something strange + about the Shaws itself. + </p> + <p> + The better to set this fear at rest, I changed the form of my inquiries; + and spying an honest fellow coming along a lane on the shaft of his cart, + I asked him if he had ever heard tell of a house they called the house of + Shaws. + </p> + <p> + He stopped his cart and looked at me, like the others. + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said he. "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "It's a great house?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Doubtless," says he. "The house is a big, muckle house." + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said I, "but the folk that are in it?" + </p> + <p> + "Folk?" cried he. "Are ye daft? There's nae folk there—to call + folk." + </p> + <p> + "What?" say I; "not Mr. Ebenezer?" + </p> + <p> + "Ou, ay" says the man; "there's the laird, to be sure, if it's him you're + wanting. What'll like be your business, mannie?" + </p> + <p> + "I was led to think that I would get a situation," I said, looking as + modest as I could. + </p> + <p> + "What?" cries the carter, in so sharp a note that his very horse started; + and then, "Well, mannie," he added, "it's nane of my affairs; but ye seem + a decent-spoken lad; and if ye'll take a word from me, ye'll keep clear of + the Shaws." + </p> + <p> + The next person I came across was a dapper little man in a beautiful white + wig, whom I saw to be a barber on his rounds; and knowing well that + barbers were great gossips, I asked him plainly what sort of a man was Mr. + Balfour of the Shaws. + </p> + <p> + "Hoot, hoot, hoot," said the barber, "nae kind of a man, nae kind of a man + at all;" and began to ask me very shrewdly what my business was; but I was + more than a match for him at that, and he went on to his next customer no + wiser than he came. + </p> + <p> + I cannot well describe the blow this dealt to my illusions. The more + indistinct the accusations were, the less I liked them, for they left the + wider field to fancy. What kind of a great house was this, that all the + parish should start and stare to be asked the way to it? or what sort of a + gentleman, that his ill-fame should be thus current on the wayside? If an + hour's walking would have brought me back to Essendean, I had left my + adventure then and there, and returned to Mr. Campbell's. But when I had + come so far a way already, mere shame would not suffer me to desist till I + had put the matter to the touch of proof; I was bound, out of mere + self-respect, to carry it through; and little as I liked the sound of what + I heard, and slow as I began to travel, I still kept asking my way and + still kept advancing. + </p> + <p> + It was drawing on to sundown when I met a stout, dark, sour-looking woman + coming trudging down a hill; and she, when I had put my usual question, + turned sharp about, accompanied me back to the summit she had just left, + 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, + running in low hills, pleasantly watered and wooded, and the crops, to my + eyes, wonderfully good; but the house itself appeared to be a kind of + ruin; no road led up to it; no smoke arose from any of the chimneys; nor + was there any semblance of a garden. My heart sank. "That!" I cried. + </p> + <p> + The woman's face lit up with a malignant anger. "That is the house of + Shaws!" she cried. "Blood built it; blood stopped the building of it; + blood shall bring it down. See here!" she cried again—"I spit upon + the ground, and crack my thumb at it! Black be its fall! If ye see the + laird, tell him what ye hear; tell him this makes the twelve hunner and + nineteen time that Jennet Clouston has called down the curse on him and + his house, byre and stable, man, guest, and master, wife, miss, or bairn—black, + black be their fall!" + </p> + <p> + And the woman, whose voice had risen to a kind of eldritch sing-song, + turned with a skip, and was gone. I stood where she left me, with my hair + on end. In those days folk still believed in witches and trembled at a + curse; and this one, falling so pat, like a wayside omen, to arrest me ere + I carried out my purpose, took the pith out of my legs. + </p> + <p> + I sat me down and stared at the house of Shaws. The more I looked, the + pleasanter that country-side appeared; being all set with hawthorn bushes + full of flowers; the fields dotted with sheep; a fine flight of rooks in + the sky; and every sign of a kind soil and climate; and yet the barrack in + the midst of it went sore against my fancy. + </p> + <p> + Country folk went by from the fields as I sat there on the side of the + ditch, but I lacked the spirit to give them a good-e'en. At last the sun + went down, and then, right up against the yellow sky, I saw a scroll of + smoke go mounting, not much thicker, as it seemed to me, than the smoke of + a candle; but still there it was, and meant a fire, and warmth, and + cookery, and some living inhabitant that must have lit it; and this + comforted my heart. + </p> + <p> + So I set forward by a little faint track in the grass that led in my + direction. It was very faint indeed to be the only way to a place of + habitation; yet I saw no other. Presently it brought me to stone uprights, + with an unroofed lodge beside them, and coats of arms upon the top. A main + entrance it was plainly meant to be, but never finished; instead of gates + of wrought iron, a pair of hurdles were tied across with a straw rope; and + as there were no park walls, nor any sign of avenue, the track that I was + following passed on the right hand of the pillars, and went wandering on + toward the house. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0033m.jpg" alt="0033m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0033.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The nearer I got to that, the drearier it appeared. It seemed like the one + wing of a house that had never been finished. What should have been the + inner end stood open on the upper floors, and showed against the sky with + steps and stairs of uncompleted masonry. Many of the windows were + unglazed, and bats flew in and out like doves out of a dove-cote. + </p> + <p> + The night had begun to fall as I got close; and in three of the lower + windows, which were very high up and narrow, and well barred, the changing + light of a little fire began to glimmer. 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, in my father's house on Essen-Waterside, the + fire and the bright lights would show a mile away, and the door open to a + beggar's knock! + </p> + <p> + I came forward cautiously, and giving ear as I came, heard some one + rattling with dishes, and a little dry, eager cough that came in fits; but + there was no sound of speech, and not a dog barked. + </p> + <p> + The door, as well as I could see it in the dim light, was a great piece of + wood all studded with nails; and I lifted my hand with a faint heart under + my jacket, and knocked once. Then I stood and waited. The house had fallen + into a dead silence; a whole minute passed away, and nothing stirred but + the bats overhead. I knocked again, and hearkened again. By this time my + ears had grown so accustomed to the quiet, that I could hear the ticking + of the clock inside as it slowly counted out the seconds; but whoever was + in that house kept deadly still, and must have held his breath. + </p> + <p> + I was in two minds whether to run away; but anger got the upper hand, and + I began instead to rain kicks and buffets on the door, and to shout out + aloud for Mr. Balfour. I was in full career, when I heard the cough right + overhead, and jumping back and looking up, beheld a man's head in a tall + nightcap, and the bell mouth of a blunderbuss, at one of the first-storey + windows. + </p> + <p> + "It's loaded," said a voice. + </p> + <p> + "I have come here with a letter," I said, "to Mr. Ebenezer Balfour of + Shaws. Is he here?" + </p> + <p> + "From whom is it?" asked the man with the blunderbuss. + </p> + <p> + "That is neither here nor there," said I, for I was growing very wroth. + </p> + <p> + "Well," was the reply, "ye can put it down upon the doorstep, and be off + with ye." + </p> + <p> + "I will do no such thing," I cried. "I will deliver it into Mr. Balfour's + hands, as it was meant I should. It is a letter of introduction." + </p> + <p> + "A what?" cried the voice, sharply. + </p> + <p> + I repeated what I had said. + </p> + <p> + "Who are ye, yourself?" was the next question, after a considerable pause. + </p> + <p> + "I am not ashamed of my name," said I. "They call me David Balfour." + </p> + <p> + At that, I made sure the man started, for I heard the blunderbuss rattle + on the window-sill; and it was after quite a long pause, and with a + curious change of voice, that the next question followed: + </p> + <p> + "Is your father dead?" + </p> + <p> + I was so much surprised at this, that I could find no voice to answer, but + stood staring. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," the man resumed, "he'll be dead, no doubt; and that'll be what + brings ye chapping to my door." Another pause, and then defiantly, "Well, + man," he said, "I'll let ye in;" and he disappeared from the window. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0036m.jpg" alt="0036m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0036.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + I MAKE ACQUAINTANCE OF MY UNCLE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9036m.jpg" alt="9036m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9036.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + resently there came a great rattling of chains and bolts, and the door + was cautiously opened and shut to again behind me as soon as I had passed. + </p> + <p> + "Go into the kitchen and touch naething," said the voice; and while the + person of the house set himself to replacing the defences of the door, I + groped my way forward and entered the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + The fire had burned up fairly bright, and showed me the barest room I + think I ever put my eyes on. Half-a-dozen dishes stood upon the shelves; + the table was laid for supper with a bowl of porridge, a horn spoon, and a + cup of small beer. Besides what I have named, there was not another thing + in that great, stone-vaulted, empty chamber but lockfast chests arranged + along the wall and a corner cupboard with a padlock. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the last chain was up, the man rejoined me. He was a mean, + stooping, narrow-shouldered, clay-faced creature; and his age might have + been anything between fifty and seventy. His nightcap was of flannel, and + so was the nightgown that he wore, instead of coat and waistcoat, over his + ragged shirt. He was long unshaved; but what most distressed and even + daunted me, he would neither take his eyes away from me nor look me fairly + in the face. What he was, whether by trade or birth, was more than I could + fathom; but he seemed most like an old, unprofitable serving-man, who + should have been left in charge of that big house upon board wages. + </p> + <p> + "Are ye sharp-set?" he asked, glancing at about the level of my knee. "Ye + can eat that drop parritch?" + </p> + <p> + I said I feared it was his own supper. + </p> + <p> + "O," said he, "I can do fine wanting it. I'll take the ale, though, for it + slockens (moistens) my cough." He drank the cup about half out, still + keeping an eye upon me as he drank; and then suddenly held out his hand. + "Let's see the letter," said he. + </p> + <p> + I told him the letter was for Mr. Balfour; not for him. + </p> + <p> + "And who do ye think I am?" says he. "Give me Alexander's letter." + </p> + <p> + "You know my father's name?" + </p> + <p> + "It would be strange if I didnae," he returned, "for he was my born + brother; and little as ye seem to like either me or my house, or my good + parritch, I'm your born uncle, Davie, my man, and you my born nephew. So + give us the letter, and sit down and fill your kyte." + </p> + <p> + If I had been some years younger, what with shame, weariness, and + disappointment, I believe I had burst into tears. As it was, I could find + no words, neither black nor white, but handed him the letter, and sat down + to the porridge with as little appetite for meat as ever a young man had. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, my uncle, stooping over the fire, turned the letter over and + over in his hands. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0039m.jpg" alt="0039m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0039.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Do ye ken what's in it?" he asked, suddenly. + </p> + <p> + "You see for yourself, sir," said I, "that the seal has not been broken." + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "but what brought you here?" + </p> + <p> + "To give the letter," said I. + </p> + <p> + "No," says he, cunningly, "but ye'll have had some hopes, nae doubt?" + </p> + <p> + "I confess, sir," said I, "when I was told that I had kinsfolk well-to-do, + I did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life. But I am + no beggar; I look for no favours at your hands, and I want none that are + not freely given. For as poor as I appear, I have friends of my own that + will be blithe to help me." + </p> + <p> + "Hoot-toot!" said Uncle Ebenezer, "dinnae fly up in the snuff at me. We'll + agree fine yet. And, Davie, my man, if you're done with that bit parritch, + I could just take a sup of it myself. Ay," he continued, as soon as he had + ousted me from the stool and spoon, "they're fine, halesome food—they're + grand food, parritch." He murmured a little grace to himself and fell to. + "Your father was very fond of his meat, I mind; he was a hearty, if not a + great eater; but as for me, I could never do mair than pyke at food." He + took a pull at the small beer, which probably reminded him of hospitable + duties, for his next speech ran thus: "If ye're dry ye'll find water + behind the door." + </p> + <p> + To this I returned no answer, standing stiffly on my two feet, and looking + down upon my uncle with a mighty angry heart. He, on his part, continued + to eat like a man under some pressure of time, and to throw out little + darting glances now at my shoes and now at my home-spun stockings. Once + only, when he had ventured to look a little higher, our eyes met; and no + thief taken with a hand in a man's pocket could have shown more lively + signals of distress. This set me in a muse, whether his timidity arose + from too long a disuse of any human company; and whether perhaps, upon a + little trial, it might pass off, and my uncle change into an altogether + different man. From this I was awakened by his sharp voice. + </p> + <p> + "Your father's been long dead?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Three weeks, sir," said I. + </p> + <p> + "He was a secret man, Alexander—a secret, silent man," he continued. + "He never said muckle when he was young. He'll never have spoken muckle of + me?" + </p> + <p> + "I never knew, sir, till you told it me yourself, that he had any + brother." + </p> + <p> + "Dear me, dear me!" said Ebenezer. "Nor yet of Shaws, I dare say?" + </p> + <p> + "Not so much as the name, sir," said I. + </p> + <p> + "To think o' that!" said he. "A strange nature of a man!" For all that, he + seemed singularly satisfied, but whether with himself, or me, or with this + conduct of my father's, was more than I could read. Certainly, however, he + seemed to be outgrowing that distaste, or ill-will, that he had conceived + at first against my person; for presently he jumped up, came across the + room behind me, and hit me a smack upon the shoulder. "We'll agree fine + yet!" he cried. "I'm just as glad I let you in. And now come awa' to your + bed." + </p> + <p> + To my surprise, he lit no lamp or candle, but set forth into the dark + passage, groped his way, breathing deeply, up a flight of steps, and + paused before a door, which he unlocked. I was close upon his heels, + having stumbled after him as best I might; and then he bade me go in, for + that was my chamber. I did as he bid, but paused after a few steps, and + begged a light to go to bed with. + </p> + <p> + "Hoot-toot!" said Uncle Ebenezer, "there's a fine moon." + </p> + <p> + "Neither moon nor star, sir, and pit-mirk,"* said I. "I cannae see the + bed." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Dark as the pit. +</pre> + <p> + "Hoot-toot, hoot-toot!" said he. "Lights in a house is a thing I dinnae + agree with. I'm unco feared of fires. Good-night to ye, Davie, my man." + And before I had time to add a further protest, he pulled the door to, and + I heard him lock me in from the outside. + </p> + <p> + I did not know whether to laugh or cry. The room was as cold as a well, + and the bed, when I had found my way to it, as damp as a peat-hag; but by + good fortune I had caught up my bundle and my plaid, and rolling myself in + the latter, I lay down upon the floor under lee of the big bedstead, and + fell speedily asleep. + </p> + <p> + With the first peep of day I opened my eyes, to find myself in a great + chamber, hung with stamped leather, furnished with fine embroidered + furniture, and lit by three fair windows. Ten years ago, or perhaps + twenty, it must have been as pleasant a room to lie down or to awake in as + a man could wish; but damp, dirt, disuse, and the mice and spiders had + done their worst since then. Many of the window-panes, besides, were + broken; and indeed this was so common a feature in that house, that I + believe my uncle must at some time have stood a siege from his indignant + neighbours—perhaps with Jennet Clouston at their head. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the sun was shining outside; and being very cold in that + miserable room, I knocked and shouted till my gaoler came and let me out. + He carried me to the back of the house, where was a draw-well, and told me + to "wash my face there, if I wanted;" and when that was done, I made the + best of my own way back to the kitchen, where he had lit the fire and was + making the porridge. The table was laid with two bowls and two horn + spoons, but the same single measure of small beer. Perhaps my eye rested + on this particular with some surprise, and perhaps my uncle observed it; + for he spoke up as if in answer to my thought, asking me if I would like + to drink ale—for so he called it. + </p> + <p> + I told him such was my habit, but not to put himself about. + </p> + <p> + "Na, na," said he; "I'll deny you nothing in reason." + </p> + <p> + He fetched another cup from the shelf; and then, to my great surprise, + instead of drawing more beer, he poured an accurate half from one cup to + the other. There was a kind of nobleness in this that took my breath away; + if my uncle was certainly a miser, he was one of that thorough breed that + goes near to make the vice respectable. + </p> + <p> + When we had made an end of our meal, my uncle Ebenezer unlocked a drawer, + and drew out of it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco, from which he cut + one fill before he locked it up again. Then he sat down in the sun at one + of the windows and silently smoked. From time to time his eyes came + coasting round to me, and he shot out one of his questions. Once it was, + "And your mother?" and when I had told him that she, too, was dead, "Ay, + she was a bonnie lassie!" Then, after another long pause, "Whae were these + friends o' yours?" + </p> + <p> + I told him they were different gentlemen of the name of Campbell; though, + indeed, there was only one, and that the minister, that had ever taken the + least note of me; but I began to think my uncle made too light of my + position, and finding myself all alone with him, I did not wish him to + suppose me helpless. + </p> + <p> + He seemed to turn this over in his mind; and then, "Davie, my man," said + he, "ye've come to the right bit when ye came to your uncle Ebenezer. I've + a great notion of the family, and I mean to do the right by you; but while + I'm taking a bit think to mysel' of what's the best thing to put you to—whether + the law, or the meenistry, or maybe the army, whilk is what boys are + fondest of—I wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled before a wheen + Hieland Campbells, and I'll ask you to keep your tongue within your teeth. + Nae letters; nae messages; no kind of word to onybody; or else—there's + my door." + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Ebenezer," said I, "I've no manner of reason to suppose you mean + anything but well by me. For all that, I would have you to know that I + have a pride of my own. It was by no will of mine that I came seeking you; + and if you show me your door again, I'll take you at the word." + </p> + <p> + He seemed grievously put out. "Hoots-toots," said he, "ca' cannie, man—ca' + cannie! Bide a day or two. I'm nae warlock, to find a fortune for you in + the bottom of a parritch bowl; but just you give me a day or two, and say + naething to naebody, and as sure as sure, I'll do the right by you." + </p> + <p> + "Very well," said I, "enough said. If you want to help me, there's no + doubt but I'll be glad of it, and none but I'll be grateful." + </p> + <p> + It seemed to me (too soon, I dare say) that I was getting the upper hand + of my uncle; and I began next to say that I must have the bed and + bedclothes aired and put to sun-dry; for nothing would make me sleep in + such a pickle. + </p> + <p> + "Is this my house or yours?" said he, in his keen voice, and then all of a + sudden broke off. "Na, na," said he, "I didnae mean that. What's mine is + yours, Davie, my man, and what's yours is mine. Blood's thicker than + water; and there's naebody but you and me that ought the name." And then + on he rambled about the family, and its ancient greatness, and his father + that began to enlarge the house, and himself that stopped the building as + a sinful waste; and this put it in my head to give him Jennet Clouston's + message. + </p> + <p> + "The limmer!" he cried. "Twelve hunner and fifteen—that's every day + since I had the limmer rowpit!* Dod, David, 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." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Sold up. +</pre> + <p> + And with that he opened a chest, and got out a very old and well-preserved + blue coat and waistcoat, and a good enough beaver hat, both without lace. + These he threw on any way, and taking a staff from the cupboard, locked + all up again, and was for setting out, when a thought arrested him. + </p> + <p> + "I cannae leave you by yoursel' in the house," said he. "I'll have to lock + you out." + </p> + <p> + The blood came to my face. "If you lock me out," I said, "it'll be the + last you'll see of me in friendship." + </p> + <p> + He turned very pale, and sucked his mouth in. + </p> + <p> + "This is no the way," he said, looking wickedly at a corner of the floor—"this + is no the way to win my favour, David." + </p> + <p> + "Sir," says I, "with a proper reverence for your age and our common blood, + I do not value your favour at a boddle's purchase. I was brought up to + have a good conceit of myself; and if you were all the uncle, and all the + family, I had in the world ten times over, I wouldn't buy your liking at + such prices." + </p> + <p> + Uncle Ebenezer went and looked out of the window for awhile. I could see + him all trembling and twitching, like a man with palsy. But when he turned + round, he had a smile upon his face. + </p> + <p> + "Well, well," said he, "we must bear and forbear. I'll no go; that's all + that's to be said of it." + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Ebenezer," I said, "I can make nothing out of this. You use me like + a thief; you hate to have me in this house; you let me see it, every word + and every minute: it's not possible that you can like me; and as for me, + I've spoken to you as I never thought to speak to any man. Why do you seek + to keep me, then? Let me gang back—let me gang back to the friends I + have, and that like me!" + </p> + <p> + "Na, na; na, na," he said, very earnestly. "I like you fine; we'll agree + fine yet; and for the honour of the house I couldnae let you leave the way + ye came. Bide here quiet, there's a good lad; just you bide here quiet a + bittie, and ye'll find that we agree." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said I, after I had thought the matter out in silence, "I'll + stay awhile. It's more just I should be helped by my own blood than + strangers; and if we don't agree, I'll do my best it shall be through no + fault of mine." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0046m.jpg" alt="0046m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0046.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + I RUN A GREAT DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF SHAWS + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9046m.jpg" alt="9046m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9046.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + or a day that was begun so ill, the day passed fairly well. We had the + porridge cold again at noon, and hot porridge at night; porridge and small + beer was my uncle's diet. He spoke but little, and that in the same way as + before, shooting a question at me after a long silence; and when I sought + to lead him to talk about my future, slipped out of it again. In a room + next door to the kitchen, where he suffered me to go, I found a great + number of books, both Latin and English, in which I took great pleasure + all the afternoon. Indeed, the time passed so lightly in this good + company, that I began to be almost reconciled to my residence at Shaws; + and nothing but the sight of my uncle, and his eyes playing hide and seek + with mine, revived the force of my distrust. + </p> + <p> + One thing I discovered, which put me in some doubt. 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, what puzzled me was this: That, as my father was of course + the younger brother, he must either have made some strange error, or he + must have written, before he was yet five, an excellent, clear manly hand + of writing. + </p> + <p> + I tried to get this out of my head; but though I took down many + interesting authors, old and new, history, poetry, and story-book, this + notion of my father's hand of writing stuck to me; and when at length I + went back into the kitchen, and sat down once more to porridge and small + beer, the first thing I said to Uncle Ebenezer was to ask him if my father + had not been very quick at his book. + </p> + <p> + "Alexander? No him!" was the reply. "I was far quicker mysel'; I was a + clever chappie when I was young. Why, I could read as soon as he could." + </p> + <p> + This puzzled me yet more; and a thought coming into my head, I asked if he + and my father had been twins. + </p> + <p> + He jumped upon his stool, and the horn spoon fell out of his hand upon the + floor. "What gars ye ask that?" he said, and he caught me by the breast of + the jacket, and looked this time straight into my eyes: his own were + little and light, and bright like a bird's, blinking and winking + strangely. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" I asked, very calmly, for I was far stronger than he, + and not easily frightened. "Take your hand from my jacket. This is no way + to behave." + </p> + <p> + My uncle seemed to make a great effort upon himself. "Dod man, David," he + said, "ye should-nae speak to me about your father. That's where the + mistake is." He sat awhile and shook, blinking in his plate: "He was all + the brother that ever I had," he added, but with no heart in his voice; + and then he caught up his spoon and fell to supper again, but still + shaking. + </p> + <p> + Now this last passage, this laying of hands upon my person and sudden + profession of love for my dead father, went so clean beyond my + comprehension that it put me into both fear and hope. On the one hand, I + began to think my uncle was perhaps insane and might be dangerous; on the + other, there came up into my mind (quite unbidden by me and even + discouraged) a story like some ballad I had heard folk singing, of a poor + lad that was a rightful heir and a wicked kinsman that tried to keep him + from his own. For why should my uncle play a part with a relative that + came, almost a beggar, to his door, unless in his heart he had some cause + to fear him? + </p> + <p> + With this notion, all unacknowledged, but nevertheless getting firmly + settled in my head, I now began to imitate his covert looks; so that we + sat at table like a cat and a mouse, each stealthily observing the other. + Not another word had he to say to me, black or white, but was busy turning + something secretly over in his mind; and the longer we sat and the more I + looked at him, the more certain I became that the something was unfriendly + to myself. + </p> + <p> + When he had cleared the platter, he got out a single pipeful of tobacco, + just as in the morning, turned round a stool into the chimney corner, and + sat awhile smoking, with his back to me. + </p> + <p> + "Davie," he said, at length, "I've been thinking;" then he paused, and + said it again. "There's a wee bit siller that I half promised ye before ye + were born," he continued; "promised it to your father. O, naething legal, + ye understand; just gentlemen daffing at their wine. Well, I keepit that + bit money separate—it was a great expense, 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; and the next moment added, almost with a scream, "Scots!" + </p> + <p> + The pound Scots being the same thing as an English shilling, the + difference made by this second thought was considerable; I could see, + besides, that the whole story was a lie, invented with some end which it + puzzled me to guess; and I made no attempt to conceal the tone of raillery + in which I answered— + </p> + <p> + "O, think again, sir! Pounds sterling, I believe!" + </p> + <p> + "That's what I said," returned my uncle: "pounds sterling! And if you'll + step out-by to the door a minute, just to see what kind of a night it is, + I'll get it out to ye and call ye in again." + </p> + <p> + I did his will, smiling to myself in my contempt that he should think I + was so easily to be deceived. It was a dark night, with a few stars low + down; and as I stood just outside the door, I heard a hollow moaning of + wind far off among the hills. I said to myself there was something + thundery and changeful in the weather, and little knew of what a vast + importance that should prove to me before the evening passed. + </p> + <p> + When I was called in again, my uncle counted out into my hand seven and + thirty golden guinea pieces; the rest was in his hand, in small gold and + silver; but his heart failed him there, and he crammed the change into his + pocket. + </p> + <p> + "There," said he, "that'll show you! I'm a queer man, and strange wi' + strangers; but my word is my bond, and there's the proof of it." + </p> + <p> + Now, my uncle seemed so miserly that I was struck dumb by this sudden + generosity, and could find no words in which to thank him. + </p> + <p> + "No a word!" said he. "Nae thanks; I want nae thanks. I do my duty. I'm no + saying that everybody would have done it; but for my part (though I'm a + careful body, too) it's a pleasure to me to do the right by my brother's + son; and it's a pleasure to me to think that now we'll agree as such near + friends should." + </p> + <p> + I spoke him in return as handsomely as I was able; but all the while I was + wondering what would come next, and why he had parted with his precious + guineas; for as to the reason he had given, a baby would have refused it. + </p> + <p> + Presently he looked towards me sideways. + </p> + <p> + "And see here," says he, "tit for tat." + </p> + <p> + I told him I was ready to prove my gratitude in any reasonable degree, and + then waited, looking for some monstrous demand. And yet, when at last he + plucked up courage to speak, it was only to tell me (very properly, as I + thought) that he was growing old and a little broken, and that he would + expect me to help him with the house and the bit garden. + </p> + <p> + I answered, and expressed my readiness to serve. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, "let's begin." He pulled out of his pocket a rusty key. + "There," says he, "there's the key of the stair-tower at the far end of + the house. Ye can only win into it from the outside, for that part of the + house is no finished. Gang ye in there, and up the stairs, and bring me + down the chest that's at the top. There's papers in't," he added. + </p> + <p> + "Can I have a light, sir?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Na," said he, very cunningly. "Nae lights in my house." + </p> + <p> + "Very well, sir," said I. "Are the stairs good?" + </p> + <p> + "They're grand," said he; and then, as I was going, "Keep to the wall," he + added; "there's nae bannisters. But the stairs are grand underfoot." + </p> + <p> + Out I went into the night. The wind was still moaning in the distance, + though never a breath of it came near the house of Shaws. It had fallen + blacker than ever; and I was glad to feel along the wall, till I came the + length of the stairtower door at the far end of the unfinished wing. I had + got the key into the keyhole and had just turned it, when all upon a + sudden, without sound of wind or thunder, the whole sky lighted up with + wild fire and went black again. I had to put my hand over my eyes to get + back to the colour of the darkness; and indeed I was already half blinded + when I stepped into the tower. + </p> + <p> + It was so dark inside, it seemed a body could scarce breathe; but I pushed + out with foot and hand, and presently struck the wall with the one, and + the lowermost round of the stair with the other. The wall, by the touch, + was of fine hewn stone; the steps too, though somewhat steep and narrow, + were of polished masonwork, and regular and solid underfoot. Minding my + uncle's word about the bannisters, I kept close to the tower side, and + felt my way in the pitch darkness with a beating heart. + </p> + <p> + The house of Shaws stood some five full storeys high, not counting lofts. + Well, as I advanced, it seemed to me the stair grew airier and a thought + more lightsome; and I was wondering what might be the cause of this + change, when a second blink of the summer lightning came and went. If I + did not cry out, it was because fear had me by the throat; and if I did + not fall, it was more by Heaven's mercy than my own strength. It was not + only that the flash shone in on every side through breaches in the wall, + so that I seemed to be clambering aloft upon an open scaffold, but the + same passing brightness showed me the steps were of unequal length, and + that one of my feet rested that moment within two inches of the well. + </p> + <p> + This was the grand stair! I thought; and with the thought, a gust of a + kind of angry courage came into my heart. My uncle had sent me here, + certainly to run great risks, perhaps to die. I swore I would settle that + "perhaps," if I should break my neck for it; got me down upon my hands and + knees; and as slowly as a snail, feeling before me every inch, and testing + the solidity of every stone, I continued to ascend the stair. The + darkness, by contrast with the flash, appeared to have redoubled; nor was + that all, for my ears were now troubled and my mind confounded by a great + stir of bats in the top part of the tower, and the foul beasts, flying + downwards, sometimes beat about my face and body. + </p> + <p> + The tower, I should have said, was square; and in every corner the step + was made of a great stone of a different shape to join the flights. Well, + I had come close to one of these turns, when, feeling forward as usual, my + hand slipped upon an edge and found nothing but emptiness beyond it. The + stair had been carried no higher; to set a stranger mounting it in the + darkness was to send him straight to his death; and (although, thanks to + the lightning and my own precautions, I was safe enough) the mere thought + of the peril in which I might have stood, and the dreadful height I might + have fallen from, brought out the sweat upon my body and relaxed my + joints. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0053m.jpg" alt="0053m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0053.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + But I knew what I wanted now, and turned and groped my way down again, + with a wonderful anger in my heart. About half-way down, the wind sprang + up in a clap and shook the tower, and died again; the rain followed; and + before I had reached the ground level it fell in buckets. I put out my + head into the storm, and looked along towards the kitchen. The door, which + I had shut behind me when I left, now stood open, and shed a little + glimmer of light; and I thought I could see a figure standing in the rain, + quite still, like a man hearkening. And then there came a blinding flash, + which showed me my uncle plainly, just where I had fancied him to stand; + and hard upon the heels of it, a great tow-row of thunder. + </p> + <p> + Now, whether my uncle thought the crash to be the sound of my fall, or + whether he heard in it God's voice denouncing murder, I will leave you to + guess. Certain it is, at least, that he was seized on by a kind of panic + fear, and that he ran into the house and left the door open behind him. I + followed as softly as I could, and, coming unheard into the kitchen, stood + and watched him. + </p> + <p> + He had found time to open the corner cupboard and bring out a great case + bottle of aqua vitae, and now sat with his back towards me at the table. + Ever and again he would be seized with a fit of deadly shuddering and + groan aloud, and carrying the bottle to his lips, drink down the raw + spirits by the mouthful. + </p> + <p> + I stepped forward, came close behind him where he sat, and suddenly + clapping my two hands down upon his shoulders—"Ah!" cried I. + </p> + <p> + My uncle gave a kind of broken cry like a sheep's bleat, flung up his + arms, and tumbled to the floor like a dead man. I was somewhat shocked at + this; but I had myself to look to first of all, and did not hesitate to + let him lie as he had fallen. The keys were hanging in the cupboard; 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. In the cupboard were a + few bottles, some apparently of medicine; a great many bills and other + papers, which I should willingly enough have rummaged, had I had the time; + and a few necessaries that were nothing to my purpose. Thence I turned to + the chests. The first was full of meal; the second of moneybags and papers + tied into sheaves; in the third, with many other things (and these for the + most part clothes) I found a rusty, ugly-looking Highland dirk without the + scabbard. This, then, I concealed inside my waistcoat, and turned to my + uncle. + </p> + <p> + He lay as he had fallen, all huddled, with one knee up and one arm + sprawling abroad; his face had a strange colour of blue, and he seemed to + have ceased breathing. Fear came on me that he was dead; then I got water + and dashed it in his face; and with that he seemed to come a little to + himself, working his mouth and fluttering his eyelids. At last he looked + up and saw me, and there came into his eyes a terror that was not of this + world. + </p> + <p> + "Come, come," said I; "sit up." + </p> + <p> + "Are ye alive?" he sobbed. "O man, are ye alive?" + </p> + <p> + "That am I," said I. "Small thanks to you!" + </p> + <p> + He had begun to seek for his breath with deep sighs. "The blue phial," + said he—"in the aumry—the blue phial." His breath came slower + still. + </p> + <p> + I ran to the cupboard, and, sure enough, found there a blue phial of + medicine, with the dose written on it on a paper, and this I administered + to him with what speed I might. + </p> + <p> + "It's the trouble," said he, reviving a little; "I have a trouble, Davie. + It's the heart." + </p> + <p> + I set him on a chair and looked at him. It is true I felt some pity for a + man that looked so sick, but I was full besides of righteous anger; and I + numbered over before him the points on which I wanted explanation: why he + lied to me at every word; why he feared that I should leave him; why he + disliked it to be hinted that he and my father were twins—"Is that + because it is true?" I asked; why he had given me money to which I was + convinced I had no claim; and, last of all, why he had tried to kill me. + He heard me all through in silence; and then, in a broken voice, begged me + to let him go to bed. + </p> + <p> + "I'll tell ye the morn," he said; "as sure as death I will." + </p> + <p> + And so weak was he that I could do nothing but consent. I locked him into + his room, however, and pocketed the key, and then returning to the + kitchen, made up such a blaze as had not shone there for many a long year, + and wrapping myself in my plaid, lay down upon the chests and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0057m.jpg" alt="0057m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0057.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + I GO TO THE QUEEN'S FERRY + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9057m.jpg" alt="9057m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9057.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + uch rain fell in the night; and the next morning there blew a bitter + wintry wind out of the north-west, driving scattered clouds. For all that, + and before the sun began to peep or the last of the stars had vanished, I + made my way to the side of the burn, and had a plunge in a deep whirling + pool. All aglow from my bath, I sat down once more beside the fire, which + I replenished, and began gravely to consider my position. + </p> + <p> + There was now no doubt about my uncle's enmity; there was no doubt I + carried my life in my hand, and he would leave no stone unturned that he + might compass my destruction. But I was young and spirited, and like most + lads that have been country-bred, I had a great opinion of my shrewdness. + I had come to his door no better than a beggar and little more than a + child; he had met me with treachery and violence; it would be a fine + consummation to take the upper hand, and drive him like a herd of sheep. + </p> + <p> + I sat there nursing my knee and smiling at the fire; and I saw myself in + fancy smell out his secrets one after another, and grow to be that man's + king and ruler. The warlock of Essendean, they say, had made a mirror in + which men could read the future; it must have been of other stuff than + burning coal; for in all the shapes and pictures that I sat and gazed at, + there was never a ship, never a seaman with a hairy cap, never a big + bludgeon for my silly head, or the least sign of all those tribulations + that were ripe to fall on me. + </p> + <p> + Presently, all swollen with conceit, I went up-stairs and gave my prisoner + his liberty. He gave me good-morning civilly; and I gave the same to him, + smiling down upon him, from the heights of my sufficiency. Soon we were + set to breakfast, as it might have been the day before. + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said I, with a jeering tone, "have you nothing more to say to + me?" And then, as he made no articulate reply, "It will be time, I think, + to understand each other," I continued. "You took me for a country Johnnie + Raw, with no more mother-wit or courage than a porridge-stick. I took you + for a good man, or no worse than others at the least. It seems we were + both wrong. What cause you have to fear me, to cheat me, and to attempt my + life—" + </p> + <p> + He murmured something about a jest, and that he liked a bit of fun; and + then, seeing me smile, changed his tone, and assured me he would make all + clear as soon as we had breakfasted. I saw by his face that he had no lie + ready for me, though he was hard at work preparing one; and I think I was + about to tell him so, when we were interrupted by a knocking at the door. + </p> + <p> + Bidding my uncle sit where he was, I went to open it, and found on the + doorstep a half-grown boy in sea-clothes. 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), snapping his fingers in the air and footing it + right cleverly. For all that, he was blue with the cold; and there was + something in his face, a look between tears and laughter, that was highly + pathetic and consisted ill with this gaiety of manner. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0059m.jpg" alt="0059m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0059.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "What cheer, mate?" says he, with a cracked voice. + </p> + <p> + I asked him soberly to name his pleasure. + </p> + <p> + "O, pleasure!" says he; and then began to sing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "For it's my delight, of a shiny night, + In the season of the year." +</pre> + <p> + "Well," said I, "if you have no business at all, I will even be so + unmannerly as to shut you out." + </p> + <p> + "Stay, brother!" he cried. "Have you no fun about you? or do you want to + get me thrashed? I've brought a letter from old Heasyoasy to Mr. + Belflower." He showed me a letter as he spoke. "And I say, mate," he + added, "I'm mortal hungry." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "come into the house, and you shall have a bite if I go + empty for it." + </p> + <p> + With that I brought him in and set him down to my own place, where he + fell-to greedily on the remains of breakfast, winking to me between + whiles, and making many faces, which I think the poor soul considered + manly. Meanwhile, my uncle had read the letter and sat thinking; then, + suddenly, he got to his feet with a great air of liveliness, and pulled me + apart into the farthest corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + "Read that," said he, and put the letter in my hand. + </p> + <p> + Here it is, lying before me as I write: + </p> + <p> + "The Hawes Inn, at the Queen's Ferry. + </p> + <p> + "Sir,—I lie here with my hawser up and down, and send my cabin-boy + to informe. If you have any further commands for over-seas, to-day will be + the last occasion, as the wind will serve us well out of the firth. I will + not seek to deny that I have had crosses with your doer,* Mr. Rankeillor; + of which, if not speedily redd up, you may looke to see some losses + follow. I have drawn a bill upon you, as per margin, and am, sir, your + most obedt., humble servant, "ELIAS HOSEASON."* Agent. + </p> + <p> + "You see, Davie," resumed my uncle, as soon as he saw that I had done, "I + have a venture with this man Hoseason, the captain of a trading brig, the + Covenant, of Dysart. Now, if you and me was to walk over with yon lad, I + could see the captain at the Hawes, or maybe on board the Covenant if + there was papers to be signed; and so far from a loss of time, we can jog + on to the lawyer, Mr. Rankeillor's. After a' that's come and gone, ye + would be swier* to believe me upon my naked word; but ye'll believe + Rankeillor. He's factor to half the gentry in these parts; an auld man, + forby: highly respeckit, and he kenned your father." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Unwilling. +</pre> + <p> + I stood awhile and thought. I was going to some place of 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. + </p> + <p> + "Very well," says I, "let us go to the Ferry." + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "What!" I cried, "do you take such savage usage at his hands? Why, you are + no slave, to be so handled!" + </p> + <p> + "No," said the poor moon-calf, changing his tune at once, "and so he'll + find. See'ere;" and he showed me a great case-knife, 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "Have you no friends?" said I. + </p> + <p> + He said he had a father in some English seaport, I forget which. + </p> + <p> + "He was a fine man, too," he said, "but he's dead." + </p> + <p> + "In Heaven's name," cried I, "can you find no reputable life on shore?" + </p> + <p> + "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!" + </p> + <p> + 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 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 good-sized 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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." + </p> + <p> + He seemed to waken from a dream. "Eh?" he said. "What's that?" + </p> + <p> + I told him over again. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0066m.jpg" alt="0066m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0066.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + WHAT BEFELL AT THE QUEEN'S FERRY + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9066m.jpg" alt="9066m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9066.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + s soon as we came to the inn, Ransome led us up the stair to a small + room, with a bed in it, and heated like an oven by a great fire of coal. + At a table hard by the chimney, a tall, dark, sober-looking man sat + writing. In spite of the heat of the room, he wore a thick sea-jacket, + buttoned to the neck, and a tall hairy cap drawn down over his ears; yet I + never saw any man, not even a judge upon the bench, look cooler, or more + studious and self-possessed, than this ship-captain. + </p> + <p> + He got to his feet at once, and coming forward, offered his large hand to + Ebenezer. "I am proud to see you, Mr. Balfour," said he, in a fine deep + voice, "and glad that ye are here in time. The wind's fair, and the tide + upon the turn; we'll see the old coal-bucket burning on the Isle of May + before to-night." + </p> + <p> + "Captain Hoseason," returned my uncle, "you keep your room unco hot." + </p> + <p> + "It's a habit I have, Mr. Balfour," said the skipper. "I'm a cold-rife man + by my nature; I have a cold blood, sir. There's neither fur, nor flannel—no, + sir, nor hot rum, will warm up what they call the temperature. Sir, it's + the same with most men that have been carbonadoed, as they call it, in the + tropic seas." + </p> + <p> + "Well, well, captain," replied my uncle, "we must all be the way we're + made." + </p> + <p> + But it chanced that this fancy of the captain's had a great share in my + misfortunes. For though I had promised myself not to let my kinsman out of + sight, I was both so impatient for a nearer look of the sea, and so + sickened by the closeness of the room, that when he told me to "run + down-stairs and play myself awhile," I was fool enough to take him at his + word. + </p> + <p> + Away I went, therefore, leaving the two men sitting down to a bottle and a + great mass of papers; and crossing the road in front of the inn, walked + down upon the beach. With the wind in that quarter, only little wavelets, + not much bigger than I had seen upon a lake, beat upon the shore. But the + weeds were new to me—some green, some brown and long, and some with + little bladders that crackled between my fingers. Even so far up the + firth, the smell of the sea-water was exceedingly salt and stirring; the + Covenant, besides, was beginning to shake out her sails, which hung upon + the yards in clusters; and the spirit of all that I beheld put me in + thoughts of far voyages and foreign places. + </p> + <p> + I looked, too, at the seamen with the skiff—big brown fellows, some + in shirts, some with jackets, some with coloured handkerchiefs about their + throats, one with a brace of pistols stuck into his pockets, two or three + with knotty bludgeons, and all with their case-knives. I passed the time + of day with one that looked less desperate than his fellows, and asked him + of the sailing of the brig. He said they would get under way as soon as + the ebb set, and expressed his gladness to be out of a port where there + were no taverns and fiddlers; but all with such horrifying oaths, that I + made haste to get away from him. + </p> + <p> + This threw me back on Ransome, who seemed the least wicked of that gang, + and who soon came out of the inn and ran to me, crying for a bowl of + punch. I told him I would give him no such thing, for neither he nor I was + of an age for such indulgences. "But a glass of ale you may have, and + welcome," said I. He mopped and mowed at me, and called me names; but he + was glad to get the ale, for all that; and presently we were set down at a + table in the front room of the inn, and both eating and drinking with a + good appetite. + </p> + <p> + Here it occurred to me that, as the landlord was a man of that county, I + might do well to make a friend of him. I offered him a share, as was much + the custom in those days; but he was far too great a man to sit with such + poor customers as Ransome and myself, and he was leaving the room, when I + called him back to ask if he knew Mr. Rankeillor. + </p> + <p> + "Hoot, ay," says he, "and a very honest man. And, O, by-the-by," says he, + "was it you that came in with Ebenezer?" And when I had told him yes, + "Ye'll be no friend of his?" he asked, meaning, in the Scottish way, that + I would be no relative. + </p> + <p> + I told him no, none. + </p> + <p> + "I thought not," said he, "and yet ye have a kind of gliff* of Mr. + Alexander." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Look. +</pre> + <p> + I said it seemed that Ebenezer was ill-seen in the country. + </p> + <p> + "Nae doubt," said the landlord. "He's a wicked auld man, and there's many + would like to see him girning in the tow*. Jennet Clouston and mony mair + that he has harried out of house and hame. And yet he was ance a fine + young fellow, too. But that was before the sough** gaed abroad about Mr. + Alexander, that was like the death of him." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Rope. + + ** Report. +</pre> + <p> + "And what was it?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Ou, just that he had killed him," said the landlord. "Did ye never hear + that?" + </p> + <p> + "And what would he kill him for?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "And what for, but just to get the place," said he. + </p> + <p> + "The place?" said I. "The Shaws?" + </p> + <p> + "Nae other place that I ken," said he. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, man?" said I. "Is that so? Was my—was Alexander the eldest + son?" + </p> + <p> + "'Deed was he," said the landlord. "What else would he have killed him + for?" + </p> + <p> + And with that he went away, as he had been impatient to do from the + beginning. + </p> + <p> + Of course, I had guessed it a long while ago; but it is one thing to + guess, another to know; and I sat stunned with my good fortune, and could + scarce grow to believe that the same poor lad who had trudged in the dust + from Ettrick Forest not two days ago, was now one of the rich of the + earth, and had a house and broad lands, and might mount his horse + tomorrow. All these pleasant things, and a thousand others, crowded into + my mind, as I sat staring before me out of the inn window, and paying no + heed to what I saw; only I remember that my eye lighted on Captain + Hoseason down on the pier among his seamen, and speaking with some + authority. And presently he came marching back towards the house, with no + mark of a sailor's clumsiness, but carrying his fine, tall figure with a + manly bearing, and still with the same sober, grave expression on his + face. I wondered if it was possible that Ransome's stories could be true, + and half disbelieved them; they fitted so ill with the man's looks. But + indeed, he was neither so good as I supposed him, nor quite so bad as + Ransome did; for, in fact, he was two men, and left the better one behind + as soon as he set foot on board his vessel. + </p> + <p> + The next thing, I heard my uncle calling me, and found the pair in the + road together. It was the captain who addressed me, and that with an air + (very flattering to a young lad) of grave equality. + </p> + <p> + "Sir," said he, "Mr. Balfour tells me great things of you; and for my own + part, I like your looks. I wish I was for longer here, that we might make + the better friends; but we'll make the most of what we have. Ye shall come + on board my brig for half an hour, till the ebb sets, and drink a bowl + with me." + </p> + <p> + Now, I longed to see the inside of a ship more than words can tell; but I + was not going to put myself in jeopardy, and I told him my uncle and I had + an appointment with a lawyer. + </p> + <p> + "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;* 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." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Fox. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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, 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. + </p> + <p> + "But where is my uncle?" said I suddenly. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said Hoseason, with a sudden grimness, "that's the point." + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0071m.jpg" alt="0071m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0071.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0074m.jpg" alt="0074m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0074.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <h3> + I GO TO SEA IN THE BRIG "COVENANT" OF DYSART + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9074m.jpg" alt="9074m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9074.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0077m.jpg" alt="0077m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0077.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0079m.jpg" alt="0079m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0079.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Well," said he, "how goes it?" + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "a sore dunt*. 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?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Stroke. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "Now, sir, you see for yourself," said the first: "a high fever, no + appetite, no light, no meat: you see for yourself what that means." + </p> + <p> + "I am no conjurer, Mr. Riach," said the captain. + </p> + <p> + "Give me leave, sir," said Riach; "you've a good head upon your shoulders, + and a good Scotch tongue to ask with; but I will leave you no manner of + excuse; I want that boy taken out of this hole and put in the forecastle." + </p> + <p> + "What ye may want, sir, is a matter of concern to nobody but yoursel'," + returned the captain; "but I can tell ye that which is to be. Here he is; + here he shall bide." + </p> + <p> + "Admitting that you have been paid in a proportion," said the other, "I + will crave leave humbly to say that I have not. Paid I am, and none too + much, to be the second officer of this old tub, and you ken very well if I + do my best to earn it. But I was paid for nothing more." + </p> + <p> + "If ye could hold back your hand from the tin-pan, Mr. Riach, I would have + no complaint to make of ye," returned the skipper; "and instead of asking + riddles, I make bold to say that ye would keep your breath to cool your + porridge. We'll be required on deck," he added, in a sharper note, and set + one foot upon the ladder. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Riach caught him by the sleeve. + </p> + <p> + "Admitting that you have been paid to do a murder——" he began. + </p> + <p> + Hoseason turned upon him with a flash. + </p> + <p> + "What's that?" he cried. "What kind of talk is that?" + </p> + <p> + "It seems it is the talk that you can understand," said Mr. Riach, looking + him steadily in the face. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Riach, I have sailed with ye three cruises," replied the captain. "In + all that time, sir, ye should have learned to know me: I'm a stiff man, + and a dour man; but for what ye say the now—fie, fie!—it comes + from a bad heart and a black conscience. If ye say the lad will die——" + </p> + <p> + "Ay, will he!" said Mr. Riach. + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir, is not that enough?" said Hoseason. "Flit him where ye + please!" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the captain ascended the ladder; and I, who had lain silent + throughout this strange conversation, beheld Mr. Riach turn after him and + bow as low as to his knees in what was plainly a spirit of derision. Even + in my then state of sickness, I perceived two things: that the mate was + touched with liquor, as the captain hinted, and that (drunk or sober) he + was like to prove a valuable friend. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes afterwards my bonds were cut, I was hoisted on a man's back, + carried up to the forecastle, and laid in a bunk on some sea-blankets; + where the first thing that I did was to lose my senses. + </p> + <p> + It was a blessed thing indeed to open my eyes again upon the daylight, and + to find myself in the society of men. The forecastle was a roomy place + enough, set all about with berths, in which the men of the watch below + were seated smoking, or lying down asleep. The day being calm and the wind + fair, the scuttle was open, and not only the good daylight, but from time + to time (as the ship rolled) a dusty beam of sunlight shone in, and + dazzled and delighted me. I had no sooner moved, moreover, than one of the + men brought me a drink of something healing which Mr. Riach had prepared, + and bade me lie still and I should soon be well again. There were no bones + broken, he explained: "A clour* on the head was naething. Man," said he, + "it was me that gave it ye!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Blow. +</pre> + <p> + Here I lay for the space of many days a close prisoner, and not only got + my health again, but came to know my companions. They were a rough lot + indeed, as sailors mostly are: being men rooted out of all the kindly + parts of life, and condemned to toss together on the rough seas, with + masters no less cruel. There were some among them that had sailed with the + pirates and seen things it would be a shame even to speak of; some were + men that had run from the king's ships, and went with a halter round their + necks, of which they made no secret; and all, as the saying goes, were "at + a word and a blow" with their best friends. Yet I had not been many days + shut up with them before I began to be ashamed of my first judgment, when + I had drawn away from them at the Ferry pier, as though they had been + unclean beasts. No class of man is altogether bad, but each has its own + faults and virtues; and these shipmates of mine were no exception to the + rule. Rough they were, sure enough; and bad, I suppose; but they had many + virtues. They were kind when it occurred to them, simple even beyond the + simplicity of a country lad like me, and had some glimmerings of honesty. + </p> + <p> + There was one man, of maybe forty, that would sit on my berthside for + hours and tell me of his wife and child. He was a fisher that had lost his + boat, and thus been driven to the deep-sea voyaging. Well, it is years ago + now: but I have never forgotten him. His wife (who was "young by him," as + he often told me) waited in vain to see her man return; he would never + again make the fire for her in the morning, nor yet keep the bairn when + she was sick. Indeed, many of these poor fellows (as the event proved) + were upon their last cruise; the deep seas and cannibal fish received + them; and it is a thankless business to speak ill of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Among other good deeds that they did, they returned my money, which had + been shared among them; and though it was about a third short, I was very + glad to get it, and hoped great good from it in the land I was going to. + The ship was bound for the Carolinas; and you must not suppose that I was + going to that place merely as an exile. The trade was even then much + depressed; since that, and with the rebellion of the colonies and the + formation of the United States, it has, of course, come to an end; but in + those days of my youth, white men were still sold into slavery on the + plantations, and that was the destiny to which my wicked uncle had + condemned me. + </p> + <p> + The cabin-boy Ransome (from whom I had first heard of these atrocities) + came in at times from the round-house, where he berthed and served, now + nursing a bruised limb in silent agony, now raving against the cruelty of + Mr. Shuan. It made my heart bleed; but the men had a great respect for the + chief mate, who was, as they said, "the only seaman of the whole + jing-bang, and none such a bad man when he was sober." Indeed, I found + there was a strange peculiarity about our two mates: that Mr. Riach was + sullen, unkind, and harsh when he was sober, and Mr. Shuan would not hurt + a fly except when he was drinking. I asked about the captain; but I was + told drink made no difference upon that man of iron. + </p> + <p> + I did my best in the small time allowed me to make some thing like a man, + or rather I should say something like a boy, of the poor creature, + Ransome. But his mind was scarce truly human. He could remember nothing of + the time before he came to sea; only that his father had made clocks, and + had a starling in the parlour, which could whistle "The North Countrie;" + all else had been blotted out in these years of hardship and cruelties. He + had a strange notion of the dry land, 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. In a town, he thought every second person a decoy, and every + third house a place in which seamen would be drugged and murdered. To be + sure, I would tell him how kindly I had myself been used upon that dry + land he was so much afraid of, and how well fed and carefully taught both + by my friends and my parents: and if he had been recently hurt, he would + weep bitterly and swear to run away; but if he was in his usual crackbrain + humour, or (still more) if he had had a glass of spirits in the + roundhouse, he would deride the notion. + </p> + <p> + It was Mr. Riach (Heaven forgive him!) who gave the boy drink; and it was, + doubtless, kindly meant; but besides that it was ruin to his health, it + was the pitifullest thing in life to see this unhappy, unfriended creature + staggering, and dancing, and talking he knew not what. Some of the men + laughed, but not all; others would grow as black as thunder (thinking, + perhaps, of their own childhood or their own children) and bid him stop + that nonsense, and think what he was doing. As for me, I felt ashamed to + look at him, and the poor child still comes about me in my dreams. + </p> + <p> + All this time, you should know, the Covenant was meeting continual + head-winds and tumbling up and down against head-seas, so that the scuttle + was almost constantly shut, and the forecastle lighted only by a swinging + lantern on a beam. There was constant labour for all hands; the sails had + to be made and shortened every hour; the strain told on the men's temper; + there was a growl of quarrelling all day long from berth to berth; and as + I was never allowed to set my foot on deck, you can picture to yourselves + how weary of my life I grew to be, and how impatient for a change. + </p> + <p> + And a change I was to get, as you shall hear; but I must first tell of a + conversation I had with Mr. Riach, which put a little heart in me to bear + my troubles. Getting him in a favourable stage of drink (for indeed he + never looked near me when he was sober), I pledged him to secrecy, and + told him my whole story. + </p> + <p> + He declared it was like a ballad; that he would do his best to help me; + that I should have paper, pen, and ink, and write one line to Mr. Campbell + and another to Mr. Rankeillor; and that if I had told the truth, ten to + one he would be able (with their help) to pull me through and set me in my + rights. + </p> + <p> + "And in the meantime," says he, "keep your heart up. You're not the only + one, I'll tell you that. There's many a man hoeing tobacco over-seas that + should be mounting his horse at his own door at home; many and many! And + life is all a variorum, at the best. Look at me: I'm a laird's son and + more than half a doctor, and here I am, man-Jack to Hoseason!" + </p> + <p> + I thought it would be civil to ask him for his story. + </p> + <p> + He whistled loud. + </p> + <p> + "Never had one," said he. "I like fun, that's all." And he skipped out of + the forecastle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0086m.jpg" alt="0086m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0086.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE ROUND-HOUSE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9086m.jpg" alt="9086m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9086.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ne night, about eleven o'clock, a man of Mr. Riach's watch (which was on + deck) came below for his jacket; and instantly there began to go a whisper + about the forecastle that "Shuan had done for him at last." There was no + need of a name; we all knew who was meant; but we had scarce time to get + the idea rightly in our heads, far less to speak of it, when the scuttle + was again flung open, and Captain Hoseason came down the ladder. He looked + sharply round the bunks in the tossing light of the lantern; and then, + walking straight up to me, he addressed me, to my surprise, in tones of + kindness. + </p> + <p> + "My man," said he, "we want ye to serve in the round-house. You and + Ransome are to change berths. Run away aft with ye." + </p> + <p> + Even as he spoke, two seamen appeared in the scuttle, carrying Ransome in + their arms; and the ship at that moment giving a great sheer into the sea, + and the lantern swinging, the light fell direct on the boy's face. It was + as white as wax, and had a look upon it like a dreadful smile. The blood + in me ran cold, and I drew in my breath as if I had been struck. + </p> + <p> + "Run away aft; run away aft with ye!" cried Hoseason. + </p> + <p> + And at that I brushed by the sailors and the boy (who neither spoke nor + moved), and ran up the ladder on deck. + </p> + <p> + The brig was sheering swiftly and giddily through a long, cresting swell. + She was on the starboard tack, and on the left hand, under the arched foot + of the foresail, I could see the sunset still quite bright. This, at such + an hour of the night, surprised me greatly; but I was too ignorant to draw + the true conclusion—that we were going north-about round Scotland, + and were now on the high sea between the Orkney and Shetland Islands, + having avoided the dangerous currents of the Pentland Firth. For my part, + who had been so long shut in the dark and knew nothing of head-winds, I + thought we might be half-way or more across the Atlantic. And indeed + (beyond that I wondered a little at the lateness of the sunset light) I + gave no heed to it, and pushed on across the decks, running between the + seas, catching at ropes, and only saved from going overboard by one of the + hands on deck, who had been always kind to me. + </p> + <p> + The round-house, for which I was bound, and where I was now to sleep and + serve, stood some six feet above the decks, and considering the size of + the brig, was of good dimensions. Inside were a fixed table and bench, and + two berths, one for the captain and the other for the two mates, turn and + turn about. It was all fitted with lockers from top to bottom, so as to + stow away the officers' belongings and a part of the ship's stores; there + was a second store-room underneath, which you entered by a hatchway in the + middle of the deck; indeed, all the best of the meat and drink and the + whole of the powder were collected in this place; and all the firearms, + except the two pieces of brass ordnance, were set in a rack in the + aftermost wall of the round-house. The most of the cutlasses were in + another place. + </p> + <p> + A small window with a shutter on each side, and a skylight in the roof, + gave it light by day; and after dark there was a lamp always burning. It + was burning when I entered, not brightly, but enough to show Mr. Shuan + sitting at the table, with the brandy bottle and a tin pannikin in front + of him. He was a tall man, strongly made and very black; and he stared + before him on the table like one stupid. + </p> + <p> + He took no notice of my coming in; nor did he move when the captain + followed and leant on the berth beside me, looking darkly at the mate. I + stood in great fear of Hoseason, and had my reasons for it; but something + told me I need not be afraid of him just then; 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, and his face was very stern. + </p> + <p> + Presently Mr. Riach came in. He gave the captain a glance that meant the + boy was dead as plain as speaking, and took his place like the rest of us; + so that we all three stood without a word, staring down at Mr. Shuan, and + Mr. Shuan (on his side) sat without a word, looking hard upon the table. + </p> + <p> + All of a sudden he put out his hand to take the bottle; and at that Mr. + Riach started forward and caught it away from him, rather by surprise than + violence, crying out, with an oath, that there had been too much of this + work altogether, and that a judgment would fall upon the ship. And as he + spoke (the weather sliding-doors standing open) he tossed the bottle into + the sea. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Shuan was on his feet in a trice; he still looked dazed, but he meant + murder, ay, and would have done it, for the second time that night, had + not the captain stepped in between him and his victim. + </p> + <p> + "Sit down!" roars the captain. "Ye sot and swine, do ye know what ye've + done? Ye've murdered the boy!" + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0089m.jpg" alt="0089m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0089.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr. Shuan seemed to understand; for he sat down again, and put up his hand + to his brow. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, "he brought me a dirty pannikin!" + </p> + <p> + At that word, the captain and I and Mr. Riach all looked at each other for + a second with a kind of frightened look; and then Hoseason walked up to + his chief officer, took him by the shoulder, led him across to his bunk, + and bade him lie down and go to sleep, as you might speak to a bad child. + The murderer cried a little, but he took off his sea-boots and obeyed. + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" cried Mr. Riach, with a dreadful voice, "ye should have interfered + long syne. It's too late now." + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Riach," said the captain, "this night's work must never be kennt in + Dysart. The boy went overboard, sir; that's what the story is; and I would + give five pounds out of my pocket it was true!" He turned to the table. + "What made ye throw the good bottle away?" he added. "There was nae sense + in that, sir. Here, David, draw me another. They're in the bottom locker;" + and he tossed me a key. "Ye'll need a glass yourself, sir," he added to + Riach. "Yon was an ugly thing to see." + </p> + <p> + So the pair sat down and hob-a-nobbed; and while they did so, the + murderer, who had been lying and whimpering in his berth, raised himself + upon his elbow and looked at them and at me. + </p> + <p> + That was the first night of my new duties; and in the course of the next + day I had got well into the run of them. I had to serve at the meals, + which the captain took at regular hours, sitting down with the officer who + was off duty; all the day through I would be running with a dram to one or + other of my three masters; and at night I slept on a blanket thrown on the + deck boards at the aftermost end of the round-house, and right in the + draught of the two doors. It was a hard and a cold bed; nor was I suffered + to sleep without interruption; for some one would be always coming in from + deck to get a dram, and when a fresh watch was to be set, two and + sometimes all three would sit down and brew a bowl together. How they kept + their health, I know not, any more than how I kept my own. + </p> + <p> + And yet in other ways it was an easy service. There was no cloth to lay; + the meals were either of oatmeal porridge or salt junk, except twice a + week, 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, both Mr. + Riach and the captain were singularly patient. I could not but fancy they + were making up lee-way with their consciences, and that they would scarce + have been so good with me if they had not been worse with Ransome. + </p> + <p> + As for Mr. Shuan, the drink or his crime, or the two together, had + certainly troubled his mind. I cannot say I ever saw him in his proper + wits. He never grew used to my being there, stared at me continually + (sometimes, I could have thought, with terror), and more than once drew + back from my hand when I was serving him. I was pretty sure from the first + that he had no clear mind of what he had done, and on my second day in the + round-house I had the proof of it. We were alone, and he had been staring + at me a long time, when all at once, up he got, as pale as death, and came + close up to me, to my great terror. But I had no cause to be afraid of + him. + </p> + <p> + "You were not here before?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," said I." + </p> + <p> + "There was another boy?" he asked again; and when I had answered him, + "Ah!" says he, "I thought that," and went and sat down, without another + word, except to call for brandy. + </p> + <p> + You may think it strange, but for all the horror I had, I was still sorry + for him. He was a married man, with a wife in Leith; but whether or no he + had a family, I have now forgotten; I hope not. + </p> + <p> + Altogether it was no very hard life for the time it lasted, which (as you + are to hear) was not long. I was as well fed as the best of them; even + their pickles, which were the great dainty, I was allowed my share of; and + had I liked I might have been drunk from morning to night, like Mr. Shuan. + I had company, too, and good company of its sort. Mr. Riach, who had been + to the college, spoke to me like a friend when he was not sulking, and + told me many curious things, and some that were informing; and even the + captain, though he kept me at the stick's end the most part of the time, + would sometimes unbuckle a bit, and tell me of the fine countries he had + visited. + </p> + <p> + The shadow of poor Ransome, to be sure, lay on all four of us, and on me + and Mr. Shuan in particular, most heavily. And then I had another trouble + of my own. Here I was, doing dirty work for three men that I looked down + upon, and one of whom, at least, should have hung upon a gallows; that was + for the present; and as for the future, I could only see myself slaving + alongside of negroes in the tobacco fields. Mr. Riach, perhaps from + caution, would never suffer me to say another word about my story; the + captain, whom I tried to approach, rebuffed me like a dog and would not + hear a word; and as the days came and went, my heart sank lower and lower, + till I was even glad of the work which kept me from thinking. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0094m.jpg" alt="0094m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0094.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <h3> + THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GOLD + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9094m.jpg" alt="9094m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9094.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ore than a week went by, in which the ill-luck that had hitherto pursued + the Covenant upon this voyage grew yet more strongly marked. Some days she + made a little way; others, she was driven actually back. 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, rocky coast on + either hand of it. There followed on that a council of the officers, and + some decision which I did not rightly understand, seeing only the result: + that we had made a fair wind of a foul one and were running south. + </p> + <p> + The tenth afternoon there was a falling swell and a thick, wet, white fog + that hid one end of the brig from the other. All afternoon, when I went on + deck, I saw men and officers listening hard over the bulwarks—"for + breakers," they said; and though I did not so much as understand the word, + I felt danger in the air, and was excited. + </p> + <p> + Maybe about ten at night, I was serving Mr. Riach and the captain at their + supper, when the ship struck something with a great sound, and we heard + voices singing out. My two masters leaped to their feet. + </p> + <p> + "She's struck!" said Mr. Riach. + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," said the captain. "We've only run a boat down." + </p> + <p> + And they hurried out. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0097m.jpg" alt="0097m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0097.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The captain was in the right of it. We had run down a boat in the fog, and + she had parted in the midst and gone to the bottom with all her crew but + one. This man (as I heard afterwards) had been sitting in the stern as a + passenger, while the rest were on the benches rowing. At the moment of the + blow, the stern had been thrown into the air, and the man (having his + hands free, 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. It + showed he had luck and much agility and unusual strength, that he should + have thus saved himself from such a pass. And yet, when the captain + brought him into the round-house, and I set eyes on him for the first + time, he looked as cool as I did. + </p> + <p> + He was smallish in stature, but well set and as nimble as a goat; his face + was of a good open expression, but sunburnt very dark, and heavily + freckled and pitted with the small-pox; his eyes were unusually light and + had a kind of dancing madness in them, that was both engaging and + alarming; and when he took off his great-coat, he laid a pair of fine + silver-mounted pistols on the table, and I saw that he was belted with a + great sword. His manners, besides, were elegant, and he pledged the + captain handsomely. Altogether I thought of him, at the first sight, that + here was a man I would rather call my friend than my enemy. + </p> + <p> + The captain, too, was taking his observations, but rather of the man's + clothes than his person. And to be sure, as soon as he had taken off the + great-coat, he showed forth mighty fine for the round-house of a merchant + brig: having a hat with feathers, a red waistcoat, breeches of black + plush, and a blue coat with silver buttons and handsome silver lace; + costly clothes, though somewhat spoiled with the fog and being slept in. + </p> + <p> + "I'm vexed, sir, about the boat," says the captain. + </p> + <p> + "There are some pretty men gone to the bottom," said the stranger, "that I + would rather see on the dry land again than half a score of boats." + </p> + <p> + "Friends of yours?" said Hoseason. + </p> + <p> + "You have none such friends in your country," was the reply. "They would + have died for me like dogs." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said the captain, still watching him, "there are more men in + the world than boats to put them in." + </p> + <p> + "And that's true, too," cried the other, "and ye seem to be a gentleman of + great penetration." + </p> + <p> + "I have been in France, sir," says the captain, so that it was plain he + meant more by the words than showed upon the face of them. + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," says the other, "and so has many a pretty man, for the matter + of that." + </p> + <p> + "No doubt, sir," says the captain, "and fine coats." + </p> + <p> + "Oho!" says the stranger, "is that how the wind sets?" And he laid his + hand quickly on his pistols. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be hasty," said the captain. "Don't do a mischief before ye see the + need of it. Ye've a French soldier's coat upon your back and a Scotch + tongue in your head, to be sure; but so has many an honest fellow in these + days, and I dare say none the worse of it." + </p> + <p> + "So?" said the gentleman in the fine coat: "are ye of the honest party?" + (meaning, Was he a Jacobite? for each side, in these sort of civil broils, + takes the name of honesty for its own). + </p> + <p> + "Why, sir," replied the captain, "I am a true-blue Protestant, and I thank + God for it." (It was the first word of any religion I had ever heard from + him, but I learnt afterwards he was a great church-goer while on shore.) + "But, for all that," says he, "I can be sorry to see another man with his + back to the wall." + </p> + <p> + "Can ye so, indeed?" asked the Jacobite. "Well, sir, to be quite plain + with ye, I am one of those honest gentlemen that were in trouble about the + years forty-five and six; and (to be still quite plain with ye) if I got + into the hands of any of the red-coated gentry, it's like it would go hard + with me. Now, sir, I was for France; and there was a French ship cruising + here to pick me up; 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, I have that upon me will + reward you highly for your trouble." + </p> + <p> + "In France?" says the captain. "No, sir; that I cannot do. But where ye + come from—we might talk of that." + </p> + <p> + And then, unhappily, he observed me standing in my corner, and packed me + off to the galley to get supper for the gentleman. I lost no time, I + promise you; and when I came back into the round-house, I found the + gentleman had taken a money-belt from about his waist, and poured out a + guinea or two upon the table. The captain was looking at the guineas, and + then at the belt, and then at the gentleman's face; and I thought he + seemed excited. + </p> + <p> + "Half of it," he cried, "and I'm your man!" + </p> + <p> + The other swept back the guineas into the belt, and put it on again under + his waistcoat. "I have told ye sir," said he, "that not one doit of it + belongs to me. It belongs to my chieftain," and here he touched his hat, + "and while I would be but a silly messenger to grudge some of it that the + rest might come safe, I should show myself a hound indeed if I bought my + own carcase any too dear. Thirty guineas on the sea-side, or sixty if ye + set me on the Linnhe Loch. Take it, if ye will; if not, ye can do your + worst." + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said Hoseason. "And if I give ye over to the soldiers?" + </p> + <p> + "Ye would make a fool's bargain," said the other. "My chief, let me tell + you, sir, is forfeited, like every honest man in Scotland. His estate is + in the hands of the man they call King George; and it is his officers that + collect the rents, or try to collect them. But for the honour of Scotland, + the poor tenant bodies take a thought upon their chief lying in exile; and + this money is a part of that very rent for which King George is looking. + Now, sir, ye seem to me to be a man that understands things: bring this + money within the reach of Government, and how much of it'll come to you?" + </p> + <p> + "Little enough, to be sure," said Hoseason; and then, "if they knew," he + added, drily. "But I think, if I was to try, that I could hold my tongue + about it." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, but I'll begowk* ye there!" cried the gentleman. "Play me false, and + I'll play you cunning. If a hand is laid upon me, they shall ken what + money it is." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Befool. +</pre> + <p> + "Well," returned the captain, "what must be must. Sixty guineas, and done. + Here's my hand upon it." + </p> + <p> + "And here's mine," said the other. + </p> + <p> + And thereupon the captain went out (rather hurriedly, I thought), and left + me alone in the round-house with the stranger. + </p> + <p> + At that period (so soon after the forty-five) there were many exiled + gentlemen coming back at the peril of their lives, either to see their + friends or to collect a little money; and as for the Highland chiefs that + had been forfeited, it was a common matter of talk how their tenants would + stint themselves to send them money, and their clansmen outface the + soldiery to get it in, and run the gauntlet of our great navy to carry it + across. All this I had, of course, heard tell of; and now I had a man + under my eyes whose life was forfeit on all these counts and upon one + more, for he was not only a rebel and a smuggler of rents, but had taken + service with King Louis of France. And as if all this were not enough, he + had a belt full of golden guineas round his loins. Whatever my opinions, I + could not look on such a man without a lively interest. + </p> + <p> + "And so you're a Jacobite?" said I, as I set meat before him. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, beginning to eat. "And you, by your long face, should be a + Whig?"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Whig or Whigamore was the cant name for those who were + loyal to King George. +</pre> + <p> + "Betwixt and between," said I, not to annoy him; for indeed I was as good + a Whig as Mr. Campbell could make me. + </p> + <p> + "And that's naething," said he. "But I'm saying, Mr. Betwixt-and-Between," + he added, "this bottle of yours is dry; and it's hard if I'm to pay sixty + guineas and be grudged a dram upon the back of it." + </p> + <p> + "I'll go and ask for the key," said I, and stepped on deck. + </p> + <p> + The fog was as close as ever, but the swell almost down. They had laid the + brig to, not knowing precisely where they were, and the wind (what little + there was of it) not serving well for their true course. Some of the hands + were still hearkening for breakers; but the captain and the two officers + were in the waist with their heads together. It struck me (I don't know + why) that they were after no good; and the first word I heard, as I drew + softly near, more than confirmed me. + </p> + <p> + It was Mr. Riach, crying out as if upon a sudden thought: "Couldn't we + wile him out of the round-house?" + </p> + <p> + "He's better where he is," returned Hoseason; "he hasn't room to use his + sword." + </p> + <p> + "Well, that's true," said Riach; "but he's hard to come at." + </p> + <p> + "Hut!" said Hoseason. "We can get the man in talk, one upon each side, and + pin him by the two arms; or if that'll not hold, sir, we can make a run by + both the doors and get him under hand before he has the time to draw." + </p> + <p> + At this hearing, I was seized with both fear and anger at these + treacherous, greedy, bloody men that I sailed with. My first mind was to + run away; my second was bolder. + </p> + <p> + "Captain," said I, "the gentleman is seeking a dram, and the bottle's out. + Will you give me the key?" + </p> + <p> + They all started and turned about. + </p> + <p> + "Why, here's our chance to get the firearms!" + </p> + <p> + Riach cried; and then to me: "Hark ye, David," he said, "do ye ken where + the pistols are?" + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ay," put in Hoseason. "David kens; David's a good lad. Ye see, David + my man, yon wild Hielandman is a danger to the ship, besides being a rank + foe to King George, God bless him!" + </p> + <p> + I had never been so be-Davided since I came on board: but I said Yes, as + if all I heard were quite natural. + </p> + <p> + "The trouble is," resumed the captain, "that all our firelocks, great and + little, are in the round-house under this man's nose; likewise the powder. + Now, if I, or one of the officers, was to go in and take them, he would + fall to thinking. But a lad like you, David, might snap up a horn and a + pistol or two without remark. And if ye can do it cleverly, I'll bear it + in mind when it'll be good for you to have friends; and that's when we + come to Carolina." + </p> + <p> + Here Mr. Riach whispered him a little. + </p> + <p> + "Very right, sir," said the captain; and then to myself: "And see here, + David, yon man has a beltful of gold, and I give you my word that you + shall have your fingers in it." + </p> + <p> + I told him I would do as he wished, though indeed I had scarce breath to + speak with; and upon that he gave me the key of the spirit locker, and I + began to go slowly back to the round-house. What was I to do? They were + dogs and thieves; they had stolen me from my own country; they had killed + poor Ransome; and was I to hold the candle to another murder? But then, + upon the other hand, there was the fear of death very plain before me; for + what could a boy and a man, if they were as brave as lions, against a + whole ship's company? + </p> + <p> + I was still arguing it back and forth, and getting no great clearness, + when I came into the round-house and saw the Jacobite eating his supper + under the lamp; and at that my mind was made up all in a moment. I have no + credit by it; it was by no choice of mine, but as if by compulsion, that I + walked right up to the table and put my hand on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Do ye want to be killed?" said I. He sprang to his feet, and looked a + question at me as clear as if he had spoken. + </p> + <p> + "O!" cried I, "they're all murderers here; it's a ship full of them! + They've murdered a boy already. Now it's you." + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ay," said he; "but they have n't got me yet." And then looking at me + curiously, "Will ye stand with me?" + </p> + <p> + "That will I!" said I. "I am no thief, nor yet murderer. I'll stand by + you." + </p> + <p> + "Why, then," said he, "what's your name?" + </p> + <p> + "David Balfour," said I; and then, thinking that a man with so fine a coat + must like fine people, I added for the first time, "of Shaws." + </p> + <p> + It never occurred to him to doubt me, for a Highlander is used to see + great gentlefolk in great poverty; but as he had no estate of his own, my + words nettled a very childish vanity he had. + </p> + <p> + "My name is Stewart," he said, drawing himself up. "Alan Breck, they call + me. A king's name is good enough for me, though I bear it plain and have + the name of no farm-midden to clap to the hind-end of it." + </p> + <p> + And having administered this rebuke, as though it were something of a + chief importance, he turned to examine our defences. + </p> + <p> + The round-house was built very strong, to support the breaching of the + seas. Of its five apertures, only the skylight and the two doors were + large enough for the passage of a man. The doors, besides, could be drawn + close: they were of stout oak, and ran in grooves, and were fitted with + hooks to keep them either shut or open, as the need arose. The one that + was already shut I secured in this fashion; but when I was proceeding to + slide to the other, Alan stopped me. + </p> + <p> + "David," said he—"for I cannae bring to mind the name of your landed + estate, and so will make so bold as to call you David—that door, + being open, is the best part of my defences." + </p> + <p> + "It would be yet better shut," says I. + </p> + <p> + "Not so, David," says he. "Ye see, I have but one face; but so long as + that door is open and my face to it, the best part of my enemies will be + in front of me, where I would aye wish to find them." + </p> + <p> + Then he gave me from the rack a cutlass (of which there were a few besides + the firearms), choosing it with great care, shaking his head and saying he + had never in all his life seen poorer weapons; and next he set me down to + the table with a powder-horn, a bag of bullets and all the pistols, which + he bade me charge. + </p> + <p> + "And that will be better work, let me tell you," said he, "for a gentleman + of decent birth, than scraping plates and raxing* drams to a wheen tarry + sailors." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Reaching. +</pre> + <p> + Thereupon he stood up in the midst with his face to the door, and drawing + his great sword, made trial of the room he had to wield it in. + </p> + <p> + "I must stick to the point," he said, shaking his head; "and that's a + pity, too. It doesn't set my genius, which is all for the upper guard. + And, now," said he, "do you keep on charging the pistols, and give heed to + me." + </p> + <p> + I told him I would listen closely. My chest was tight, my mouth dry, the + light dark to my eyes; the thought of the numbers that were soon to leap + in upon us kept my heart in a flutter: and the sea, which I heard washing + round the brig, and where I thought my dead body would be cast ere + morning, ran in my mind strangely. + </p> + <p> + "First of all," said he, "how many are against us?" + </p> + <p> + I reckoned them up; and such was the hurry of my mind, I had to cast the + numbers twice. "Fifteen," said I. + </p> + <p> + Alan whistled. "Well," said he, "that can't be cured. And now follow me. + It is my part to keep this door, where I look for the main battle. In + that, ye have no hand. And mind and dinnae fire to this side unless they + get me down; for I would rather have ten foes in front of me than one + friend like you cracking pistols at my back." + </p> + <p> + I told him, indeed I was no great shot. + </p> + <p> + "And that's very bravely said," he cried, in a great admiration of my + candour. "There's many a pretty gentleman that wouldnae dare to say it." + </p> + <p> + "But then, sir," said I, "there is the door behind you, which they may + perhaps break in." + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "and that is a part of your work. No sooner the pistols + charged, than ye must climb up into yon bed where ye're handy at the + window; and if they lift hand against the door, ye're to shoot. But that's + not all. Let's make a bit of a soldier of ye, David. What else have ye to + guard?" + </p> + <p> + "There's the skylight," said I. "But indeed, Mr. Stewart, I would need to + have eyes upon both sides to keep the two of them; for when my face is at + the one, my back is to the other." + </p> + <p> + "And that's very true," said Alan. "But have ye no ears to your head?" + </p> + <p> + "To be sure!" cried I. "I must hear the bursting of the glass!" + </p> + <p> + "Ye have some rudiments of sense," said Alan, grimly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0106m.jpg" alt="0106m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0106.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <h3> + THE SIEGE OF THE ROUND-HOUSE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9106m.jpg" alt="9106m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9106.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ut now our time of truce was come to an end. Those on deck had waited for + my coming till they grew impatient; and scarce had Alan spoken, when the + captain showed face in the open door. + </p> + <p> + "Stand!" cried Alan, and pointed his sword at him. The captain stood, + indeed; but he neither winced nor drew back a foot. + </p> + <p> + "A naked sword?" says he. "This is a strange return for hospitality." + </p> + <p> + "Do ye see me?" said Alan. "I am come of kings; I bear a king's name. My + badge is the oak. Do ye see my sword? It has slashed the heads off mair + Whigamores than you have toes upon your feet. Call up your vermin to your + back, sir, and fall on! The sooner the clash begins, the sooner ye'll + taste this steel throughout your vitals." + </p> + <p> + The captain said nothing to Alan, but he looked over at me with an ugly + look. "David," said he, "I'll mind this;" and the sound of his voice went + through me with a jar. + </p> + <p> + Next moment he was gone. + </p> + <p> + "And now," said Alan, "let your hand keep your head, for the grip is + coming." + </p> + <p> + Alan drew a dirk, which he held in his left hand in case they should run + in under his sword. I, on my part, clambered up into the berth with an + armful of pistols and something of a heavy heart, and set open the window + where I was to watch. It was a small part of the deck that I could + overlook, but enough for our purpose. The sea had gone down, and the wind + was steady and kept the sails quiet; so that there was a great stillness + in the ship, in which I made sure I heard the sound of muttering voices. A + little after, and there came a clash of steel upon the deck, by which I + knew they were dealing out the cutlasses and one had been let fall; and + after that, silence again. + </p> + <p> + I do not know if I was what you call afraid; but my heart beat like a + bird's, both quick and little; and there was a dimness came before my eyes + which I continually rubbed away, and which continually returned. As for + hope, I had none; 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. I tried to pray, I remember, but that same hurry of my mind, like a + man running, would not suffer me to think upon the words; and my chief + wish was to have the thing begin and be done with it. + </p> + <p> + It came all of a sudden when it did, with a rush of feet and a roar, and + then a shout from Alan, and a sound of blows and some one crying out as if + hurt. I looked back over my shoulder, and saw Mr. Shuan in the doorway, + crossing blades with Alan. + </p> + <p> + "That's him that killed the boy!" I cried. + </p> + <p> + "Look to your window!" said Alan; and as I turned back to my place, I saw + him pass his sword through the mate's body. + </p> + <p> + It was none too soon for me to look to my own part; for my head was scarce + back at the window, before five men, carrying a spare yard for a + battering-ram, ran past me and took post to drive the door in. I had never + fired with a pistol in my life, and not often with a gun; far less against + a fellow-creature. But it was now or never; and just as they swang the + yard, I cried out: "Take that!" and shot into their midst. + </p> + <p> + I must have hit one of them, for he sang out and gave back a step, and the + rest stopped as if a little disconcerted. Before they had time to recover, + I sent another ball over their heads; and at my third shot (which went as + wide as the second) the whole party threw down the yard and ran for it. + </p> + <p> + Then I looked round again into the deck-house. The whole place was full of + the smoke of my own firing, just as my ears seemed to be burst with the + noise of the shots. But there was Alan, standing as before; only now his + sword was running blood to the hilt, and himself so swelled with triumph + and fallen into so fine an attitude, that he looked to be invincible. + Right before him on the floor was Mr. Shuan, on his hands and knees; the + blood was pouring from his mouth, and he was sinking slowly lower, with a + terrible, white face; and just as I looked, some of those from behind + caught hold of him by the heels and dragged him bodily out of the + round-house. I believe he died as they were doing it. + </p> + <p> + "There's one of your Whigs for ye!" cried Alan; and then turning to me, he + asked if I had done much execution. + </p> + <p> + I told him I had winged one, and thought it was the captain. + </p> + <p> + "And I've settled two," says he. "No, there's not enough blood let; + they'll be back again. To your watch, David. This was but a dram before + meat." + </p> + <p> + I settled back to my place, re-charging the three pistols I had fired, and + keeping watch with both eye and ear. + </p> + <p> + Our enemies were disputing not far off upon the deck, and that so loudly + that I could hear a word or two above the washing of the seas. + </p> + <p> + "It was Shuan bauchled* it," I heard one say. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bungled. +</pre> + <p> + And another answered him with a "Wheesht, man! He's paid the piper." + </p> + <p> + After that the voices fell again into the same muttering as before. Only + now, one person spoke most of the time, as though laying down a plan, and + first one and then another answered him briefly, like men taking orders. + By this, I made sure they were coming on again, and told Alan. + </p> + <p> + "It's what we have to pray for," said he. "Unless we can give them a good + distaste of us, and done with it, there'll be nae sleep for either you or + me. But this time, mind, they'll be in earnest." + </p> + <p> + By this, my pistols were ready, and there was nothing to do but listen and + wait. While the brush lasted, I had not the time to think if I was + frighted; but now, when all was still again, my mind ran upon nothing + else. The thought of the sharp swords and the cold steel was strong in me; + and presently, when I began to hear stealthy steps and a brushing of men's + clothes against the round-house wall, and knew they were taking their + places in the dark, I could have found it in my mind to cry out aloud. + </p> + <p> + All this was upon Alan's side; and I had begun to think my share of the + fight was at an end, when I heard some one drop softly on the roof above + me. + </p> + <p> + Then there came a single call on the sea-pipe, and that was the signal. A + knot of them made one rush of it, cutlass in hand, against the door; and + at the same moment, the glass of the skylight was dashed in a thousand + pieces, and a man leaped through and landed on the floor. Before he got + his feet, I had clapped a pistol to his back, and might have shot him, + too; only at the touch of him (and him alive) my whole flesh misgave me, + and I could no more pull the trigger than I could have flown. + </p> + <p> + He had dropped his cutlass as he jumped, and when he felt the pistol, + whipped straight round and laid hold of me, roaring out an oath; and at + that either my courage came again, or I grew so much afraid as came to the + same thing; for I gave a shriek and shot him in the midst of the body. He + gave the most horrible, ugly groan and fell to the floor. The foot of a + second fellow, whose legs were dangling through the skylight, struck me at + the same time upon the head; and at that I snatched another pistol and + shot this one through the thigh, so that he slipped through and tumbled in + a lump on his companion's body. There was no talk of missing, any more + than there was time to aim; I clapped the muzzle to the very place and + fired. + </p> + <p> + I might have stood and stared at them for long, but I heard Alan shout as + if for help, and that brought me to my senses. + </p> + <p> + He had kept the door so long; but one of the seamen, while he was engaged + with others, had run in under his guard and caught him about the body. + Alan was dirking him with his left hand, but the fellow clung like a + leech. Another had broken in and had his cutlass raised. The door was + thronged with their faces. I thought we were lost, and catching up my + cutlass, fell on them in flank. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0111m.jpg" alt="0111m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0111.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + But I had not time to be of help. The wrestler dropped at last; and Alan, + leaping back to get his distance, ran upon the others like a bull, roaring + as he went. They broke before him like water, turning, and running, and + falling one against another in their haste. The sword in his hands flashed + like quicksilver into the huddle of our fleeing enemies; and at every + flash there came the scream of a man hurt. I was still thinking we were + lost, when lo! they were all gone, and Alan was driving them along the + deck as a sheep-dog chases sheep. + </p> + <p> + Yet he was no sooner out than he was back again, being as cautious as he + was brave; and meanwhile the seamen continued running and crying out as if + he was still behind them; and we heard them tumble one upon another into + the forecastle, and clap-to the hatch upon the top. + </p> + <p> + The round-house was like a shambles; three were dead inside, another lay + in his death agony across the threshold; and there were Alan and I + victorious and unhurt. + </p> + <p> + He came up to me with open arms. "Come to my arms!" he cried, and embraced + and kissed me hard upon both cheeks. "David," said he, "I love you like a + brother. And O, man," he cried in a kind of ecstasy, "am I no a bonny + fighter?" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he turned to the four enemies, passed his sword clean through + each of them, and tumbled them out of doors one after the other. As he did + so, he kept humming and singing and whistling to himself, like a man + trying to recall an air; only what HE was trying was to make one. All the + while, the flush was in his face, and his eyes were as bright as a + five-year-old child's with a new toy. And presently he sat down upon the + table, sword in hand; the air that he was making all the time began to run + a little clearer, and then clearer still; and then out he burst with a + great voice into a Gaelic song. + </p> + <p> + I have translated it here, not in verse (of which I have no skill) but at + least in the king's English. + </p> + <p> + He sang it often afterwards, and the thing became popular; so that I have + heard it and had it explained to me, many's the time. + </p> + <p> + "This is the song of the sword of Alan; The smith made it, The fire set + it; Now it shines in the hand of Alan Breck. + </p> + <p> + "Their eyes were many and bright, Swift were they to behold, Many the + hands they guided: The sword was alone. + </p> + <p> + "The dun deer troop over the hill, They are many, the hill is one; The dun + deer vanish, The hill remains. + </p> + <p> + "Come to me from the hills of heather, Come from the isles of the sea. O + far-beholding eagles, Here is your meat." + </p> + <p> + Now this song which he made (both words and music) in the hour of our + victory, is something less than just to me, who stood beside him in the + tussle. Mr. Shuan and five more were either killed outright or thoroughly + disabled; but of these, two fell by my hand, the two that came by the + skylight. Four more were hurt, and of that number, one (and he not the + least important) got his hurt from me. So that, altogether, I did my fair + share both of the killing and the wounding, and might have claimed a place + in Alan's verses. But poets have to think upon their rhymes; and in good + prose talk, Alan always did me more than justice. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, I was innocent of any wrong being done me. For not only + I knew no word of the Gaelic; but what with the long suspense of the + waiting, and the scurry and strain of our two spirts of fighting, and more + than all, the horror I had of some of my own share in it, the thing was no + sooner over than I was glad to stagger to a seat. There was that tightness + on my chest that I could hardly breathe; the thought of the two men I had + shot sat upon me like a nightmare; and all upon a sudden, and before I had + a guess of what was coming, I began to sob and cry like any child. + </p> + <p> + Alan clapped my shoulder, and said I was a brave lad and wanted nothing + but a sleep. + </p> + <p> + "I'll take the first watch," said he. "Ye've done well by me, David, first + and last; and I wouldn't lose you for all Appin—no, nor for + Breadalbane." + </p> + <p> + So I made up my bed on the floor; and he took the first spell, pistol in + hand and sword on knee, three hours by the captain's watch upon the wall. + Then he roused me up, and I took my turn of three hours; before the end of + which it was broad day, and a very quiet morning, with a smooth, rolling + sea that tossed the ship and made the blood run to and fro on the + round-house floor, and a heavy rain that drummed upon the roof. All my + watch there was nothing stirring; and by the banging of the helm, I knew + they had even no one at the tiller. Indeed (as I learned afterwards) there + were so many of them hurt or dead, and the rest in so ill a temper, that + Mr. Riach and the captain had to take turn and turn like Alan and me, or + the brig might have gone ashore and nobody the wiser. It was a mercy the + night had fallen so still, for the wind had gone down as soon as the rain + began. Even as it was, I judged by the wailing of a great number of gulls + that went crying and fishing round the ship, that she must have drifted + pretty near the coast or one of the islands of the Hebrides; and at last, + looking out of the door of the round-house, I saw the great stone hills of + Skye on the right hand, and, a little more astern, the strange isle of + Rum. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0116m.jpg" alt="0116m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0116.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <h3> + THE CAPTAIN KNUCKLES UNDER + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9116m.jpg" alt="9116m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9116.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + lan and I sat down to breakfast about six of the clock. The floor was + covered with broken glass and in a horrid mess of blood, which took away + my hunger. In all other ways we were in a situation not only agreeable but + merry; having ousted the officers from their own cabin, and having at + command all the drink in the ship—both wine and spirits—and + all the dainty part of what was eatable, such as the pickles and the fine + sort of bread. This, of itself, was enough to set us in good humour, but + the richest part of it was this, that the two thirstiest men that ever + came out of Scotland (Mr. Shuan being dead) were now shut in the fore-part + of the ship and condemned to what they hated most—cold water. + </p> + <p> + "And depend upon it," Alan said, "we shall hear more of them ere long. Ye + may keep a man from the fighting, but never from his bottle." + </p> + <p> + We made good company for each other. Alan, indeed, expressed himself most + lovingly; and taking a knife from the table, cut me off one of the silver + buttons from his coat. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0117m.jpg" alt="0117m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0117.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "I had them," says he, "from my father, Duncan Stewart; and now give ye + one of them to be a keepsake for last night's work. And wherever ye go and + show that button, the friends of Alan Breck will come around you." + </p> + <p> + He said this as if he had been Charlemagne, and commanded armies; and + indeed, much as I admired his courage, I was always in danger of smiling + at his vanity: in danger, I say, for had I not kept my countenance, I + would be afraid to think what a quarrel might have followed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as we were through with our meal he rummaged in the captain's + locker till he found a clothes-brush; and then taking off his coat, began + to visit his suit and brush away the stains, with such care and labour as + I supposed to have been only usual with women. To be sure, he had no + other; and, besides (as he said), it belonged to a king and so behoved to + be royally looked after. + </p> + <p> + For all that, 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. + </p> + <p> + He was still so engaged when we were hailed by Mr. Riach from the deck, + asking for a parley; and I, climbing through the skylight and sitting on + the edge of it, pistol in hand and with a bold front, though inwardly in + fear of broken glass, hailed him back again and bade him speak out. He + came to the edge of the round-house, and stood on a coil of rope, so that + his chin was on a level with the roof; and we looked at each other awhile + in silence. Mr. Riach, as I do not think he had been very forward in the + battle, so he had got off with nothing worse than a blow upon the cheek: + but he looked out of heart and very weary, having been all night afoot, + either standing watch or doctoring the wounded. + </p> + <p> + "This is a bad job," said he at last, shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + "It was none of our choosing," said I. + </p> + <p> + "The captain," says he, "would like to speak with your friend. They might + speak at the window." + </p> + <p> + "And how do we know what treachery he means?" cried I. + </p> + <p> + "He means none, David," returned Mr. Riach, "and if he did, I'll tell ye + the honest truth, we couldnae get the men to follow." + </p> + <p> + "Is that so?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "I'll tell ye more than that," said he. "It's not only the men; it's me. + I'm frich'ened, Davie." And he smiled across at me. "No," he continued, + "what we want is to be shut of him." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon I consulted with Alan, and the parley was agreed to and parole + given upon either side; but this was not the whole of Mr. Riach's + business, and he now begged me for a dram with such instancy and such + reminders of his former kindness, that at last I handed him a pannikin + with about a gill of brandy. He drank a part, and then carried the rest + down upon the deck, to share it (I suppose) with his superior. + </p> + <p> + A little after, the captain came (as was agreed) to one of the windows, + and stood there in the rain, with his arm in a sling, and looking stern + and pale, and so old that my heart smote me for having fired upon him. + </p> + <p> + Alan at once held a pistol in his face. + </p> + <p> + "Put that thing up!" said the captain. "Have I not passed my word, sir? or + do ye seek to affront me?" + </p> + <p> + "Captain," says Alan, "I doubt your word is a breakable. Last night ye + haggled and argle-bargled like an apple-wife; and then passed me your + word, and gave me your hand to back it; and ye ken very well what was the + upshot. Be damned to your word!" says he. + </p> + <p> + "Well, well, sir," said the captain, "ye'll get little good by swearing." + (And truly that was a fault of which the captain was quite free.) "But we + have other things to speak," he continued, bitterly. "Ye've made a sore + hash of my brig; I haven't hands enough left to work her; and my first + officer (whom I could ill spare) has got your sword throughout his vitals, + and passed without speech. There is nothing left me, sir, 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." + </p> + <p> + "Ay?" said Alan; "and faith, I'll have a talk with them mysel'! Unless + there's naebody speaks English in that town, I have a bonny tale for them. + Fifteen tarry sailors upon the one side, and a man and a halfling boy upon + the other! O, man, it's peetiful!" + </p> + <p> + Hoseason flushed red. + </p> + <p> + "No," continued Alan, "that'll no do. Ye'll just have to set me ashore as + we agreed." + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said Hoseason, "but my first officer is dead—ye ken best how. + There's none of the rest of us acquaint with this coast, sir; and it's one + very dangerous to ships." + </p> + <p> + "I give ye your choice," says Alan. "Set me on dry ground in Appin, or + Ardgour, or in Morven, or Arisaig, or Morar; or, in brief, where ye + please, within thirty miles of my own country; except in a country of the + Campbells. That's a broad target. If ye miss that, ye must be as feckless + at the sailoring as I have found ye at the fighting. Why, my poor country + people in their bit cobles* pass from island to island in all weathers, + ay, and by night too, for the matter of that." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Coble: a small boat used in fishing. +</pre> + <p> + "A coble's not a ship, sir," said the captain. "It has nae draught of + water." + </p> + <p> + "Well, then, to Glasgow if ye list!" says Alan. "We'll have the laugh of + ye at the least." + </p> + <p> + "My mind runs little upon laughing," said the captain. "But all this will + cost money, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," says Alan, "I am nae weathercock. Thirty guineas, if ye land + me on the sea-side; and sixty, if ye put me in the Linnhe Loch." + </p> + <p> + "But see, sir, where we lie, we are but a few hours' sail from + Ardnamurchan," said Hoseason. "Give me sixty, and I'll set ye there." + </p> + <p> + "And I'm to wear my brogues and run jeopardy of the red-coats to please + you?" cries Alan. "No, sir; if ye want sixty guineas earn them, and set me + in my own country." + </p> + <p> + "It's to risk the brig, sir," said the captain, "and your own lives along + with her." + </p> + <p> + "Take it or want it," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Could ye pilot us at all?" asked the captain, who was frowning to + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Well, it's doubtful," said Alan. "I'm more of a fighting man (as ye have + seen for yoursel') than a sailor-man. But I have been often enough picked + up and set down upon this coast, and should ken something of the lie of + it." + </p> + <p> + The captain shook his head, still frowning. + </p> + <p> + "If I had lost less money on this unchancy cruise," says he, "I would see + you in a rope's end before I risked my brig, sir. But be it as ye will. As + soon as I get a slant of wind (and there's some coming, or I'm the more + mistaken) I'll put it in hand. But there's one thing more. We may meet in + with a king's ship and she may lay us aboard, sir, with no blame of mine: + they keep the cruisers thick upon this coast, ye ken who for. Now, sir, if + that was to befall, ye might leave the money." + </p> + <p> + "Captain," says Alan, "if ye see a pennant, it shall be your part to run + away. And now, as I hear you're a little short of brandy in the fore-part, + I'll offer ye a change: a bottle of brandy against two buckets of water." + </p> + <p> + That was the last clause of the treaty, and was duly executed on both + sides; 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, and the captain and Mr. + Riach could be happy again in their own way, the name of which was drink. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0123m.jpg" alt="0123m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0123.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <h3> + I HEAR OF THE "RED FOX" + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9123m.jpg" alt="9123m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9123.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + efore we had done cleaning out the round-house, a breeze sprang up from a + little to the east of north. This blew off the rain and brought out the + sun. + </p> + <p> + And here I must explain; and the reader would do well to look at a map. On + the day when the fog fell and we ran down Alan's boat, we had been running + through the Little Minch. At dawn after the battle, we lay becalmed to the + east of the Isle of Canna or between that and Isle Eriska in the chain of + the Long Island. Now to get from there to the Linnhe Loch, the straight + course was through the narrows of the Sound of Mull. But the captain had + no chart; he was afraid to trust his brig so deep among the islands; and + the wind serving well, he preferred to go by west of Tiree and come up + under the southern coast of the great Isle of Mull. + </p> + <p> + All day the breeze held in the same point, and rather freshened than died + down; and towards afternoon, a swell began to set in from round the outer + Hebrides. Our course, to go round about the inner isles, was to the west + of south, so that at first we had this swell upon our beam, and were much + rolled about. But after nightfall, when we had turned the end of Tiree and + began to head more to the east, the sea came right astern. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0125m.jpg" alt="0125m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0125.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Meanwhile, the early part of the day, before the swell came up, was very + pleasant; sailing, as we were, in a bright sunshine and with many + mountainous islands upon different sides. Alan and I sat in the + round-house with the doors open on each side (the wind being straight + astern), and smoked a pipe or two of the captain's fine tobacco. It was at + this time we heard each other's stories, which was the more important to + me, as I gained some knowledge of that wild Highland country on which I + was so soon to land. In those days, so close on the back of the great + rebellion, it was needful a man should know what he was doing when he went + upon the heather. + </p> + <p> + It was I that showed the example, telling him all my misfortune; which he + heard with great good-nature. Only, when I came to mention that good + friend of mine, Mr. Campbell the minister, Alan fired up and cried out + that he hated all that were of that name. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said I, "he is a man you should be proud to give your hand to." + </p> + <p> + "I know nothing I would help a Campbell to," says he, "unless it was a + leaden bullet. I would hunt all of that name like blackcocks. If I lay + dying, I would crawl upon my knees to my chamber window for a shot at + one." + </p> + <p> + "Why, Alan," I cried, "what ails ye at the Campbells?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," says he, "ye ken very well that I am an Appin Stewart, and the + Campbells have long harried and wasted those of my name; ay, and got lands + of us by treachery—but never with the sword," he cried loudly, and + with the word brought down his fist upon the table. But I paid the less + attention to this, for I knew it was usually said by those who have the + underhand. "There's more than that," he continued, "and all in the same + story: lying words, lying papers, tricks fit for a peddler, and the show + of what's legal over all, to make a man the more angry." + </p> + <p> + "You that are so wasteful of your buttons," said I, "I can hardly think + you would be a good judge of business." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" says he, falling again to smiling, "I got my wastefulness from the + same man I got the buttons from; and that was my poor father, Duncan + Stewart, grace be to him! He was the prettiest man of his kindred; and the + best swordsman in the Hielands, David, and that is the same as to say, in + all the world, I should ken, for it was him that taught me. He was in the + Black Watch, when first it was mustered; and, like other gentlemen + privates, had a gillie at his back to carry his firelock for him on the + march. Well, the King, it appears, was wishful to see Hieland + swordsmanship; and my father and three more were chosen out and sent to + London town, to let him see it at the best. So they were had into the + palace and showed the whole art of the sword for two hours at a stretch, + before King George and Queen Carline, and the Butcher Cumberland, and many + more of whom I havenae mind. And when they were through, the King (for all + he was a rank usurper) spoke them fair and gave each man three guineas in + his hand. Now, as they were going out of the palace, they had a porter's + lodge to go by; and it came in on my father, as he was perhaps the first + private Hieland gentleman that had ever gone by that door, it was right he + should give the poor porter a proper notion of their quality. So he gives + the King's three guineas into the man's hand, as if it was his common + custom; the three others that came behind him did the same; and there they + were on the street, never a penny the better for their pains. Some say it + was one, that was the first to fee the King's porter; and some say it was + another; but the truth of it is, that it was Duncan Stewart, as I am + willing to prove with either sword or pistol. And that was the father that + I had, God rest him!" + </p> + <p> + "I think he was not the man to leave you rich," said I. + </p> + <p> + "And that's true," said Alan. "He left me my breeks to cover me, and + little besides. And that was how I came to enlist, which was a black spot + upon my character at the best of times, and would still be a sore job for + me if I fell among the red-coats." + </p> + <p> + "What," cried I, "were you in the English army?" + </p> + <p> + "That was I," said Alan. "But I deserted to the right side at Preston Pans—and + that's some comfort." + </p> + <p> + I could scarcely share this view: holding desertion under arms for an + unpardonable fault in honour. But for all I was so young, I was wiser than + say my thought. "Dear, dear," says I, "the punishment is death." + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said he, "if they got hands on me, it would be a short shrift and a + lang tow for Alan! But I have the King of France's commission in my + pocket, which would aye be some protection." + </p> + <p> + "I misdoubt it much," said I. + </p> + <p> + "I have doubts mysel'," said Alan drily. + </p> + <p> + "And, good heaven, man," cried I, "you that are a condemned rebel, and a + deserter, and a man of the French King's—what tempts ye back into + this country? It's a braving of Providence." + </p> + <p> + "Tut!" says Alan, "I have been back every year since forty-six!" + </p> + <p> + "And what brings ye, man?" cried I. + </p> + <p> + "Well, ye see, I weary for my friends and country," said he. "France is a + braw place, nae doubt; but I weary for the heather and the deer. And then + I have bit things that I attend to. Whiles I pick up a few lads to serve + the King of France: recruits, ye see; and that's aye a little money. But + the heart of the matter is the business of my chief, Ardshiel." + </p> + <p> + "I thought they called your chief Appin," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, but Ardshiel is the captain of the clan," said he, which scarcely + cleared my mind. "Ye see, David, he that was all his life so great a man, + and come of the blood and bearing the name of kings, is now brought down + to live in a French town like a poor and private person. He that had four + hundred swords at his whistle, I have seen, with these eyes of mine, + buying butter in the market-place, and taking it home in a kale-leaf. This + is not only a pain but a disgrace to us of his family and clan. There are + the bairns forby, the children and the hope of Appin, that must be learned + their letters and how to hold a sword, in that far country. Now, the + tenants of Appin have to pay a rent to King George; but their hearts are + staunch, they are true to their chief; and what with love and a bit of + pressure, and maybe a threat or two, the poor folk scrape up a second rent + for Ardshiel. Well, David, I'm the hand that carries it." And he struck + the belt about his body, so that the guineas rang. + </p> + <p> + "Do they pay both?" cried I. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, David, both," says he. + </p> + <p> + "What! two rents?" I repeated. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, David," said he. "I told a different tale to yon captain man; but + this is the truth of it. And it's wonderful to me how little pressure is + needed. But that's the handiwork of my good kinsman and my father's + friend, James of the Glens: James Stewart, that is: Ardshiel's + half-brother. He it is that gets the money in, and does the management." + </p> + <p> + This was the first time I heard the name of that James Stewart, who was + afterwards so famous at the time of his hanging. But I took little heed at + the moment, for all my mind was occupied with the generosity of these poor + Highlanders. + </p> + <p> + "I call it noble," I cried. "I'm a Whig, or little better; but I call it + noble." + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said he, "ye're a Whig, but ye're a gentleman; and that's what does + it. Now, if ye were one of the cursed race of Campbell, ye would gnash + your teeth to hear tell of it. If ye were the Red Fox..." And at that + name, his teeth shut together, and he ceased speaking. I have seen many a + grim face, but never a grimmer than Alan's when he had named the Red Fox. + </p> + <p> + "And who is the Red Fox?" I asked, daunted, but still curious. + </p> + <p> + "Who is he?" cried Alan. "Well, and I'll tell you that. When the men of + the clans were broken at Culloden, and the good cause went down, and the + horses rode over the fetlocks in the best blood of the north, Ardshiel had + to flee like a poor deer upon the mountains—he and his lady and his + bairns. A sair job we had of it before we got him shipped; and while he + still lay in the heather, the English rogues, that couldnae come at his + life, were striking at his rights. They stripped him of his powers; they + stripped him of his lands; they plucked the weapons from the hands of his + clansmen, that had borne arms for thirty centuries; ay, and the very + clothes off their backs—so that it's now a sin to wear a tartan + plaid, and a man may be cast into a gaol if he has but a kilt about his + legs. One thing they couldnae kill. That was the love the clansmen bore + their chief. These guineas are the proof of it. And now, in there steps a + man, a Campbell, red-headed Colin of Glenure——" + </p> + <p> + "Is that him you call the Red Fox?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Will ye bring me his brush?" cries Alan, fiercely. "Ay, that's the man. + In he steps, and gets papers from King George, to be so-called King's + factor on the lands of Appin. And at first he sings small, and is + hail-fellow-well-met with Sheamus—that's James of the Glens, my + chieftain's agent. But by-and-by, that came to his ears that I have just + told you; how the poor commons of Appin, the farmers and the crofters and + the boumen, were wringing their very plaids to get a second rent, and send + it over-seas for Ardshiel and his poor bairns. What was it ye called it, + when I told ye?" + </p> + <p> + "I called it noble, Alan," said I. + </p> + <p> + "And you little better than a common Whig!" cries Alan. "But when it came + to Colin Roy, the black Campbell blood in him ran wild. He sat gnashing + his teeth at the wine table. What! should a Stewart get a bite of bread, + and him not be able to prevent it? Ah! Red Fox, if ever I hold you at a + gun's end, the Lord have pity upon ye!" (Alan stopped to swallow down his + anger.) "Well, David, what does he do? He declares all the farms to let. + And, thinks he, in his black heart, 'I'll soon get other tenants that'll + overbid these Stewarts, and Maccolls, and Macrobs' (for these are all + names in my clan, David); 'and then,' thinks he, 'Ardshiel will have to + hold his bonnet on a French roadside.'" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "what followed?" + </p> + <p> + Alan laid down his pipe, which he had long since suffered to go out, and + set his two hands upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "ye'll never guess that! For these same Stewarts, and + Maccolls, and Macrobs (that had two rents to pay, one to King George by + stark force, and one to Ardshiel by natural kindness) offered him a better + price than any Campbell in all broad Scotland; and far he sent seeking + them—as far as to the sides of Clyde and the cross of Edinburgh—seeking, + and fleeching, and begging them to come, where there was a Stewart to be + starved and a red-headed hound of a Campbell to be pleasured!" + </p> + <p> + "Well, Alan," said I, "that is a strange story, and a fine one, too. And + Whig as I may be, I am glad the man was beaten." + </p> + <p> + "Him beaten?" echoed Alan. "It's little ye ken of Campbells, and less of + the Red Fox. Him beaten? No: nor will be, till his blood's on the + hillside! But if the day comes, David man, that I can find time and + leisure for a bit of hunting, there grows not enough heather in all + Scotland to hide him from my vengeance!" + </p> + <p> + "Man Alan," said I, "ye are neither very wise nor very Christian to blow + off so many words of anger. They will do the man ye call the Fox no harm, + and yourself no good. Tell me your tale plainly out. What did he next?" + </p> + <p> + "And that's a good observe, David," said Alan. "Troth and indeed, they + will do him no harm; the more's the pity! And barring that about + Christianity (of which my opinion is quite otherwise, or I would be nae + Christian), I am much of your mind." + </p> + <p> + "Opinion here or opinion there," said I, "it's a kent thing that + Christianity forbids revenge." + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said he, "it's well seen it was a Campbell taught ye! It would be a + convenient world for them and their sort, if there was no such a thing as + a lad and a gun behind a heather bush! But that's nothing to the point. + This is what he did." + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said I, "come to that." + </p> + <p> + "Well, David," said he, "since he couldnae be rid of the loyal commons by + fair means, he swore he would be rid of them by foul. 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!" + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "Ye're a good lad in a fight," said Alan; "but, man! ye have Whig blood in + ye!" + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "It's easier than ye would think," said Alan. "A bare hillside (ye see) 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 covered with troops, it's but a kind of a byword at the + best. A soldier covers nae mair of it than his boot-soles. I have fished a + water with a sentry on the other side of the brae, and killed a fine + trout; and I have sat in a heather bush within six feet of another, and + learned a real bonny tune from his whistling. This was it," said he, and + whistled me the air. + </p> + <p> + "And then, besides," he continued, "it's no sae bad now as it was in + forty-six. The Hielands are what they call pacified. Small wonder, with + never a gun or a sword left from Cantyre to Cape Wrath, but what tenty* + folk have hidden in their thatch! But what I would like to ken, David, is + just how long? Not long, ye would think, with men like Ardshiel in exile + and men like the Red Fox sitting birling the wine and oppressing the poor + at home. But it's a kittle thing to decide what folk'll bear, and what + they will not. Or why would Red Colin be riding his horse all over my poor + country of Appin, and never a pretty lad to put a bullet in him?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Careful. +</pre> + <p> + And with this Alan fell into a muse, and for a long time sate very sad and + silent. + </p> + <p> + I will add the rest of what I have to say about my friend, that he was + skilled in all kinds of music, but principally pipe-music; was a + well-considered poet in his own tongue; had read several books both in + French and English; was a dead shot, a good angler, and an excellent + fencer with the small sword as well as with his own particular weapon. For + his faults, they were on his face, and I now knew them all. But the worst + of them, his childish propensity to take offence and to pick quarrels, he + greatly laid aside in my case, out of regard for the battle of the + round-house. But whether it was because I had done well myself, or because + I had been a witness of his own much greater prowess, is more than I can + tell. For though he had a great taste for courage in other men, yet he + admired it most in Alan Breck. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0135m.jpg" alt="0135m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0135.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE LOSS OF THE BRIG + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9135m.jpg" alt="9135m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9135.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + t was already late at night, and as dark as it ever would be at that + season of the year (and that is to say, it was still pretty bright), when + Hoseason clapped his head into the round-house door. + </p> + <p> + "Here," said he, "come out and see if ye can pilot." + </p> + <p> + "Is this one of your tricks?" asked Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Do I look like tricks?" cries the captain. "I have other things to think + of—my brig's in danger!" + </p> + <p> + By the concerned look of his face, and, above all, by the sharp tones in + which he spoke of his brig, it was plain to both of us he was in deadly + earnest; and so Alan and I, with no great fear of treachery, stepped on + deck. + </p> + <p> + The sky was clear; it blew hard, and was bitter cold; a great deal of + daylight lingered; and the moon, which was nearly full, shone brightly. + The brig was close hauled, so as to round the southwest corner of the + Island of Mull, the hills of which (and Ben More above them all, with a + wisp of mist upon the top of it) lay full upon the lar-board bow. Though + it was no good point of sailing for the Covenant, she tore through the + seas at a great rate, pitching and straining, and pursued by the westerly + swell. + </p> + <p> + Altogether it was no such ill night to keep the seas in; and I had begun + to wonder what it was that sat so heavily upon the captain, when the brig + rising suddenly on the top of a high swell, he pointed and cried to us to + look. Away on the lee bow, a thing like a fountain rose out of the moonlit + sea, and immediately after we heard a low sound of roaring. + </p> + <p> + "What do ye call that?" asked the captain, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + "The sea breaking on a reef," said Alan. "And now ye ken where it is; and + what better would ye have?" + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said Hoseason, "if it was the only one." + </p> + <p> + And sure enough, just as he spoke there came a second fountain farther to + the south. + </p> + <p> + "There!" said Hoseason. "Ye see for yourself. If I had kent of these + reefs, if I had had a chart, or if Shuan had been spared, it's not sixty + guineas, no, nor six hundred, would have made me risk my brig in sic a + stoneyard! But you, sir, that was to pilot us, have ye never a word?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm thinking," said Alan, "these'll be what they call the Torran Rocks." + </p> + <p> + "Are there many of them?" says the captain. + </p> + <p> + "Truly, sir, I am nae pilot," said Alan; "but it sticks in my mind there + are ten miles of them." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Riach and the captain looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + "There's a way through them, I suppose?" said the captain. + </p> + <p> + "Doubtless," said Alan, "but where? But it somehow runs in my mind once + more that it is clearer under the land." + </p> + <p> + "So?" said Hoseason. "We'll have to haul our wind then, Mr. Riach; we'll + have to come as near in about the end of Mull as we can take her, sir; and + even then we'll have the land to kep the wind off us, and that stoneyard + on our lee. Well, we're in for it now, and may as well crack on." + </p> + <p> + With that he gave an order to the steersman, and sent Riach to the + foretop. There were only five men on deck, counting the officers; these + being all that were fit (or, at least, both fit and willing) for their + work. So, as I say, it fell to Mr. Riach to go aloft, and he sat there + looking out and hailing the deck with news of all he saw. + </p> + <p> + "The sea to the south is thick," he cried; and then, after a while, "it + does seem clearer in by the land." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said Hoseason to Alan, "we'll try your way of it. But I think + I might as well trust to a blind fiddler. Pray God you're right." + </p> + <p> + "Pray God I am!" says Alan to me. "But where did I hear it? Well, well, it + will be as it must." + </p> + <p> + As we got nearer to the turn of the land the reefs began to be sown here + and there on our very path; and Mr. Riach sometimes cried down to us to + change the course. Sometimes, indeed, none too soon; 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. + </p> + <p> + The brightness of the night showed us these perils as clearly as by day, + which was, perhaps, the more alarming. It showed me, too, the face of the + captain as he stood by the steersman, now on one foot, now on the other, + and sometimes blowing in his hands, but still listening and looking and as + steady as steel. Neither he nor Mr. Riach had shown well in the fighting; + but I saw they were brave in their own trade, and admired them all the + more because I found Alan very white. + </p> + <p> + "Ochone, David," says he, "this is no the kind of death I fancy!" + </p> + <p> + "What, Alan!" I cried, "you're not afraid?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said he, wetting his lips, "but you'll allow, yourself, it's a cold + ending." + </p> + <p> + By this time, now and then sheering to one side or the other to avoid a + reef, but still hugging the wind and the land, we had got round Iona and + begun to come alongside Mull. The tide at the tail of the land ran very + strong, and threw the brig about. Two hands were put to the helm, and + Hoseason himself would sometimes lend a help; and it was strange to see + three strong men throw their weight upon the tiller, and it (like a living + thing) struggle against and drive them back. This would have been the + greater danger had not the sea been for some while free of obstacles. Mr. + Riach, besides, announced from the top that he saw clear water ahead. + </p> + <p> + "Ye were right," said Hoseason to Alan. "Ye have saved the brig, sir. I'll + mind that when we come to clear accounts." And I believe he not only meant + what he said, but would have done it; so high a place did the Covenant + hold in his affections. + </p> + <p> + But this is matter only for conjecture, things having gone otherwise than + he forecast. + </p> + <p> + "Keep her away a point," sings out Mr. Riach. "Reef to windward!" + </p> + <p> + And just at the same time the tide caught the brig, and threw the wind out + of her sails. She came round into the wind like a top, and the next moment + struck the reef with such a dunch as threw us all flat upon the deck, and + came near to shake Mr. Riach from his place upon the mast. + </p> + <p> + I was on my feet in a minute. The reef on which we had struck was close in + under the southwest end of Mull, off a little isle they call Earraid, + which lay low and black upon the larboard. Sometimes the swell broke clean + over us; sometimes it only ground the poor brig upon the reef, so that we + could hear her beat herself to pieces; and what with the great noise of + the sails, and the singing of the wind, and the flying of the spray in the + moonlight, and the sense of danger, I think my head must have been partly + turned, for I could scarcely understand the things I saw. + </p> + <p> + Presently I observed Mr. Riach and the seamen busy round the skiff, and, + still in the same blank, ran over to assist them; and as soon as I set my + hand to work, my mind came clear again. It was no very easy task, for the + skiff lay amidships and was full of hamper, and the breaking of the + heavier seas continually forced us to give over and hold on; but we all + wrought like horses while we could. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile such of the wounded as could move came clambering out of the + fore-scuttle and began to help; while the rest that lay helpless in their + bunks harrowed me with screaming and begging to be saved. + </p> + <p> + The captain took no part. It seemed he was struck stupid. He stood holding + by the shrouds, talking to himself and groaning out aloud whenever the + ship hammered on the rock. His brig was like wife and child to him; he had + looked on, day by day, at the mishandling of poor Ransome; but when it + came to the brig, he seemed to suffer along with her. + </p> + <p> + All the time of our working at the boat, I remember only one other thing: + that I asked Alan, looking across at the shore, what country it was; and + he answered, it was the worst possible for him, for it was a land of the + Campbells. + </p> + <p> + We had one of the wounded men told off to keep a watch upon the seas and + cry us warning. Well, we had the boat about ready to be launched, when + this man sang out pretty shrill: "For God's sake, hold on!" We knew by his + tone that it was something more than ordinary; and sure enough, there + followed a sea so huge that it lifted the brig right up and canted her + over on her beam. Whether the cry came too late, or my hold was too weak, + I know not; but at the sudden tilting of the ship I was cast clean over + the bulwarks into the sea. + </p> + <p> + I went down, and drank my fill, and then came up, and got a blink of the + moon, and then down again. They say a man sinks a third time for good. I + cannot be made like other folk, then; for I would not like to write how + often I went down, or how often I came up again. All the while, I was + being hurled along, and beaten upon and choked, and then swallowed whole; + and the thing was so distracting to my wits, that I was neither sorry nor + afraid. + </p> + <p> + Presently, I found I was holding to a spar, which helped me somewhat. And + then all of a sudden I was in quiet water, and began to come to myself. + </p> + <p> + It was the spare yard I had got hold of, and I was amazed to see how far I + had travelled from the brig. I hailed her, indeed; but it was plain she + was already out of cry. She was still holding together; but whether or not + they had yet launched the boat, I was too far off and too low down to see. + </p> + <p> + While I was hailing the brig, I spied a tract of water lying between us + where no great waves came, but which yet boiled white all over and + bristled in the moon with rings and bubbles. Sometimes the whole tract + swung to one side, like the tail of a live serpent; sometimes, for a + glimpse, it would all disappear and then boil up again. What it was I had + no guess, which for the time increased my fear of it; but I now know it + must have been the roost or tide race, which had carried me away so fast + and tumbled me about so cruelly, and at last, as if tired of that play, + had flung out me and the spare yard upon its landward margin. + </p> + <p> + I now lay quite becalmed, and began to feel that a man can die of cold as + well as of drowning. The shores of Earraid were close in; I could see in + the moonlight the dots of heather and the sparkling of the mica in the + rocks. + </p> + <p> + "Well," thought I to myself, "if I cannot get as far as that, it's + strange!" + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0141m.jpg" alt="0141m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0141.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0143m.jpg" alt="0143m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0143.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + I had no skill of swimming, Essen Water being small in our neighbourhood; + but when I laid hold upon the yard with both arms, and kicked out with + both feet, I soon begun to find that I was moving. Hard work it was, and + mortally slow; but in about an hour of kicking and splashing, I had got + well in between the points of a sandy bay surrounded by low hills. + </p> + <p> + The sea was here quite quiet; there was no sound of any surf; the moon + shone clear; and I thought in my heart I had never seen a place so desert + and desolate. But it was dry land; and when at last it grew so shallow + that I could leave the yard and wade ashore upon my feet, I cannot tell if + I was more tired or more grateful. Both, at least, I was: tired as I never + was before that night; and grateful to God as I trust I have been often, + though never with more cause. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0146m.jpg" alt="0146m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0146.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <h3> + THE ISLET + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9146m.jpg" alt="9146m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9146.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ith my stepping ashore I began the most unhappy part of my adventures. It + was half-past twelve in the morning, and though the wind was broken by the + land, it was a cold night. I dared not sit down (for I thought I should + have frozen), but took off my shoes and walked to and fro upon the sand, + bare-foot, and beating my breast with infinite weariness. There was no + sound of man or cattle; not a cock crew, though it was about the hour of + their first waking; only the surf broke outside in the distance, which put + me in mind of my perils and those of my friend. To walk by the sea at that + hour of the morning, and in a place so desert-like and lonesome, struck me + with a kind of fear. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the day began to break I put on my shoes and climbed a hill—the + ruggedest scramble I ever undertook—falling, the whole way, between + big blocks of granite, or leaping from one to another. When I got to the + top the dawn was come. There was no sign of the brig, which must have + lifted from the reef and sunk. The boat, too, was nowhere to be seen. + There was never a sail upon the ocean; and in what I could see of the land + was neither house nor man. + </p> + <p> + I was afraid to think what had befallen my shipmates, and afraid to look + longer at so empty a scene. What with my wet clothes and weariness, and my + belly that now began to ache with hunger, I had enough to trouble me + without that. So I set off eastward along the south coast, hoping to find + a house where I might warm myself, and perhaps get news of those I had + lost. And at the worst, I considered the sun would soon rise and dry my + clothes. + </p> + <p> + After a little, my way was stopped by a creek or inlet of the sea, which + seemed to run pretty deep into the land; and as I had no means to get + across, I must needs change my direction to go about the end of it. It was + still the roughest kind of walking; indeed the whole, not only of Earraid, + but of the neighbouring part of Mull (which they call the Ross) is nothing + but a jumble of granite rocks with heather in among. At first the creek + kept narrowing as I had looked to see; but presently to my surprise it + began to widen out again. At this I scratched my head, but had still no + notion of the truth: until at last I came to a rising ground, and it burst + upon me all in a moment that I was cast upon a little barren isle, and cut + off on every side by the salt seas. + </p> + <p> + Instead of the sun rising to dry me, it came on to rain, with a thick + mist; so that my case was lamentable. + </p> + <p> + I stood in the rain, and shivered, and wondered what to do, till it + occurred to me that perhaps the creek was fordable. Back I went to the + narrowest point and waded in. But not three yards from shore, I plumped in + head over ears; and if ever I was heard of more, it was rather by God's + grace than my own prudence. I was no wetter (for that could hardly be), + but I was all the colder for this mishap; and having lost another hope was + the more unhappy. + </p> + <p> + And now, all at once, the yard came in my head. What had carried me + through the roost would surely serve me to cross this little quiet creek + in safety. With that I set off, undaunted, across the top of the isle, to + fetch and carry it back. It was a weary tramp in all ways, and if hope had + not buoyed me up, I must have cast myself down and given up. Whether with + the sea salt, or because I was growing fevered, I was distressed with + thirst, and had to stop, as I went, and drink the peaty water out of the + hags. + </p> + <p> + I came to the bay at last, more dead than alive; and at the first glance, + I thought the yard was something farther out than when I left it. In I + went, for the third time, into the sea. The sand was smooth and firm, and + shelved gradually down, so that I could wade out till the water was almost + to my neck and the little waves splashed into my face. But at that depth + my feet began to leave me, and I durst venture in no farther. As for the + yard, I saw it bobbing very quietly some twenty feet beyond. + </p> + <p> + I had borne up well until this last disappointment; but at that I came + ashore, and flung myself down upon the sands and wept. + </p> + <p> + The time I spent upon the island is still so horrible a thought to me, + that I must pass it lightly over. In all the books I have read of people + cast away, they had either their pockets full of tools, or a chest of + things would be thrown upon the beach along with them, as if on purpose. + My case was very different. I had nothing in my pockets but money and + Alan's silver button; and being inland bred, I was as much short of + knowledge as of means. + </p> + <p> + I knew indeed that shell-fish were counted good to eat; and among the + rocks of the isle I found a great plenty of limpets, which at first I + could scarcely strike from their places, not knowing quickness to be + needful. There were, besides, some of the little shells that we call + buckies; I think periwinkle is the English name. Of these two I made my + whole diet, devouring them cold and raw as I found them; and so hungry was + I, that at first they seemed to me delicious. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps they were out of season, or perhaps there was something wrong in + the sea about my island. 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. A second trial of the same food (indeed I had no other) + did better with me, and revived my strength. But as long as I was on the + island, I never knew what to expect when I had eaten; sometimes all was + well, and sometimes I was thrown into a miserable sickness; nor could I + ever distinguish what particular fish it was that hurt me. + </p> + <p> + All day it streamed rain; the island ran like a sop, there was no dry spot + to be found; and when I lay down that night, between two boulders that + made a kind of roof, my feet were in a bog. + </p> + <p> + The second day I crossed the island to all sides. There was no one part of + it better than another; it was all desolate and rocky; nothing living on + it but game birds which I lacked the means to kill, and the gulls which + haunted the outlying rocks in a prodigious number. But the creek, or + strait, that cut off the isle from the main-land of the Ross, opened out + on the north into a bay, and the bay again opened into the Sound of Iona; + and it was the neighbourhood of this place that I chose to be my home; + though if I had thought upon the very name of home in such a spot, I must + have burst out weeping. + </p> + <p> + I had good reasons for my choice. There was in this part of the isle a + little hut of a house like a pig's hut, where fishers used to sleep when + they came there upon their business; but the turf roof of it had fallen + entirely in; so that the hut was of no use to me, and gave me less shelter + than my rocks. What was more important, the shell-fish on which I lived + grew there in great plenty; when the tide was out I could gather a peck at + a time: and this was doubtless a convenience. But the other reason went + deeper. 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), + between fear and hope that I might see some human creature coming. Now, + from a little up the hillside over the bay, I could catch a sight of the + great, ancient church and the roofs of the people's houses in Iona. And on + the other hand, over the low country of the Ross, I saw smoke go up, + morning and evening, as if from a homestead in a hollow of the land. + </p> + <p> + I used to watch this smoke, when I was wet and cold, and had my head half + turned with loneliness; and think of the fireside and the company, till my + heart burned. It was the same with the roofs of Iona. Altogether, this + sight I had of men's homes and comfortable lives, although it put a point + on my own sufferings, yet it kept hope alive, and helped me to eat my raw + shell-fish (which had soon grown to be a disgust), and saved me from the + sense of horror I had whenever I was quite alone with dead rocks, and + fowls, and the rain, and the cold sea. + </p> + <p> + I say it kept hope alive; and indeed it seemed impossible that I should be + left to die on the shores of my own country, and within view of a + church-tower and the smoke of men's houses. But the second day passed; 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, no help came near me. It still + rained, and I turned in to sleep, as wet as ever, and with a cruel sore + throat, but a little comforted, perhaps, by having said good-night to my + next neighbours, the people of Iona. + </p> + <p> + Charles the Second declared a man could stay outdoors more days in the + year in the climate of England than in any other. This was very like a + king, with a palace at his back and changes of dry clothes. But he must + have had better luck on his flight from Worcester than I had on that + miserable isle. It was the height of the summer; yet it rained for more + than twenty-four hours, and did not clear until the afternoon of the third + day. + </p> + <p> + This was the day of incidents. In the morning I saw a red deer, a buck + with a fine spread of antlers, standing in the rain on the top of the + island; but he had scarce seen me rise from under my rock, before he + trotted off upon the other side. I supposed he must have swum the strait; + though what should bring any creature to Earraid, was more than I could + fancy. + </p> + <p> + A little after, as I was jumping about after my limpets, I was startled by + a guinea-piece, which fell upon a rock in front of me and glanced off into + the sea. When the sailors gave me my money again, they kept back not only + about a third of the whole sum, but my father's leather purse; so that + from that day out, I carried my gold loose in a pocket with a button. I + now saw there must be a hole, and clapped my hand to the place in a great + hurry. But this was to lock the stable door after the steed was stolen. I + had left the shore at Queensferry with near on fifty pounds; now I found + no more than two guinea-pieces and a silver shilling. + </p> + <p> + It is true I picked up a third guinea a little after, where it lay shining + on a piece of turf. That made a fortune of three pounds and four + shillings, English money, for a lad, the rightful heir of an estate, and + now starving on an isle at the extreme end of the wild Highlands. + </p> + <p> + This state of my affairs dashed me still further; and, indeed my plight on + that third morning was truly pitiful. My clothes were beginning to rot; my + stockings in particular were quite worn through, so that my shanks went + naked; my hands had grown quite soft with the continual soaking; my throat + was very sore, my strength had much abated, and my heart so turned against + the horrid stuff I was condemned to eat, that the very sight of it came + near to sicken me. + </p> + <p> + And yet the worst was not yet come. + </p> + <p> + There is a pretty high rock on the northwest of Earraid, which (because it + had a flat top and overlooked the Sound) I was much in the habit of + frequenting; not that ever I stayed in one place, save when asleep, my + misery giving me no rest. Indeed, I wore myself down with continual and + aimless goings and comings in the rain. + </p> + <p> + As soon, however, as the sun came out, I lay down on the top of that rock + to dry myself. The comfort of the sunshine is a thing I cannot tell. It + set me thinking hopefully of my deliverance, of which I had begun to + despair; and I scanned the sea and the Ross with a fresh interest. On the + south of my rock, a part of the island jutted out and hid the open ocean, + so that a boat could thus come quite near me upon that side, and I be none + the wiser. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0153m.jpg" alt="0153m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0153.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Well, all of a sudden, a coble with a brown sail and a pair of fishers + aboard of it, came flying round that corner of the isle, bound for Iona. I + shouted out, and then fell on my knees on the rock and reached up my hands + and prayed to them. They were near enough to hear—I could even see + the colour of their hair; and there was no doubt but they observed me, for + they cried out in the Gaelic tongue, and laughed. But the boat never + turned aside, and flew on, right before my eyes, for Iona. + </p> + <p> + I could not believe such wickedness, and ran along the shore from rock to + rock, crying on them piteously even after they were out of reach of my + voice, I still cried and waved to them; and when they were quite gone, I + thought my heart would have burst. All the time of my troubles I wept only + twice. Once, when I could not reach the yard, and now, the second time, + when these fishers turned a deaf ear to my cries. But this time I wept and + roared like a wicked child, tearing up the turf with my nails, and + grinding my face in the earth. If a wish would kill men, those two fishers + would never have seen morning, and I should likely have died upon my + island. + </p> + <p> + When I was a little over my anger, I must eat again, but with such + loathing of the mess as I could now scarce control. Sure enough, I should + have done as well to fast, for my fishes poisoned me again. I had all my + first pains; my throat was so sore I could scarce swallow; I had a fit of + strong shuddering, which clucked my teeth together; and there came on me + that dreadful sense of illness, which we have no name for either in Scotch + or English. I thought I should have died, and made my peace with God, + forgiving all men, even my uncle and the fishers; and as soon as I had + thus made up my mind to the worst, clearness came upon me; I observed the + night was falling dry; my clothes were dried a good deal; truly, I was in + a better case than ever before, since I had landed on the isle; and so I + got to sleep at last, with a thought of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + The next day (which was the fourth of this horrible life of mine) I found + my bodily strength run very low. But the sun shone, the air was sweet, and + what I managed to eat of the shell-fish agreed well with me and revived my + courage. + </p> + <p> + 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, and with her + head, as I thought, in my direction. + </p> + <p> + I began at once to hope and fear exceedingly; for I thought these men + might have thought better of their cruelty and be coming back to my + assistance. But another disappointment, such as yesterday's, was more than + I could bear. I turned my back, accordingly, upon the sea, and did not + look again till I had counted many hundreds. The boat was still heading + for the island. The next time I counted the full thousand, as slowly as I + could, my heart beating so as to hurt me. And then it was out of all + question. She was coming straight to Earraid! + </p> + <p> + I could no longer hold myself back, but ran to the seaside and out, from + one rock to another, as far as I could go. It is a marvel I was not + drowned; for when I was brought to a stand at last, my legs shook under + me, and my mouth was so dry, I must wet it with the sea-water before I was + able to shout. + </p> + <p> + All this time the boat was coming on; and now I was able to perceive it + was the same boat and the same two men as yesterday. This I knew by their + hair, which the one had of a bright yellow and the other black. But now + there was a third man along with them, who looked to be of a better class. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were come within easy speech, they let down their sail and + lay quiet. In spite of my supplications, they drew no nearer in, and what + frightened me most of all, the new man tee-hee'd with laughter as he + talked and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + Then he stood up in the boat and addressed me a long while, speaking fast + and with many wavings of his hand. I told him I had no Gaelic; and at this + he became very angry, and I began to suspect he thought he was talking + English. Listening very close, I caught the word "whateffer" several + times; but all the rest was Gaelic and might have been Greek and Hebrew + for me. + </p> + <p> + "Whatever," said I, to show him I had caught a word. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes—yes, yes," says he, and then he looked at the other men, + as much as to say, "I told you I spoke English," and began again as hard + as ever in the Gaelic. + </p> + <p> + This time I picked out another word, "tide." Then I had a flash of hope. I + remembered he was always waving his hand towards the mainland of the Ross. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean when the tide is out—?" I cried, and could not finish. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes," said he. "Tide." + </p> + <p> + At that I turned tail upon their boat (where my adviser had once more + begun to tee-hee with laughter), leaped back the way I had come, from one + stone to another, and set off running across the isle as I had never run + before. In about half an hour I came out upon the shores of the creek; + and, sure enough, it was shrunk into a little trickle of water, through + which I dashed, not above my knees, and landed with a shout on the main + island. + </p> + <p> + A sea-bred boy would not have stayed a day on Earraid; which is only what + they call a tidal islet, and except in the bottom of the neaps, can be + entered and left twice in every twenty-four hours, either dry-shod, or at + the most by wading. Even I, who had the tide going out and in before me in + the bay, and even watched for the ebbs, the better to get my shellfish—even + I (I say) if I had sat down to think, instead of raging at my fate, must + have soon guessed the secret, and got free. It was no wonder the fishers + had not understood me. The wonder was rather that they had ever guessed my + pitiful illusion, and taken the trouble to come back. I had starved with + cold and hunger on that island for close upon one hundred hours. But for + the fishers, I might have left my bones there, in pure folly. And even as + it was, I had paid for it pretty dear, not only in past sufferings, but in + my present case; being clothed like a beggar-man, scarce able to walk, and + in great pain of my sore throat. + </p> + <p> + I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both; and I believe they + both get paid in the end; but the fools first. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0158m.jpg" alt="0158m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0158.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <h3> + THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: THROUGH THE ISLE OF MULL + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9158m.jpg" alt="9158m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9158.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + he Ross of Mull, which I had now got upon, was rugged and trackless, like + the isle I had just left; being all bog, and brier, and big stone. There + may be roads for them that know that country well; but for my part I had + no better guide than my own nose, and no other landmark than Ben More. + </p> + <p> + I aimed as well as I could for the smoke I had seen so often from the + island; 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. It was low and longish, roofed with turf and built of unmortared + stones; and on a mound in front of it, an old gentleman sat smoking his + pipe in the sun. + </p> + <p> + With what little English he had, he gave me to understand that my + shipmates had got safe ashore, and had broken bread in that very house on + the day after. + </p> + <p> + "Was there one," I asked, "dressed like a gentleman?" + </p> + <p> + He said they all wore rough great-coats; but to be sure, the first of + them, the one that came alone, wore breeches and stockings, while the rest + had sailors' trousers. + </p> + <p> + "Ah," said I, "and he would have a feathered hat?" + </p> + <p> + He told me, no, that he was bareheaded like myself. + </p> + <p> + At first I thought Alan might have lost his hat; and then the rain came in + my mind, and I judged it more likely he had it out of harm's way under his + great-coat. This set me smiling, partly because my friend was safe, partly + to think of his vanity in dress. + </p> + <p> + And then the old gentleman clapped his hand to his brow, and cried out + that I must be the lad with the silver button. + </p> + <p> + "Why, yes!" said I, in some wonder. + </p> + <p> + "Well, then," said the old gentleman, "I have a word for you, that you are + to follow your friend to his country, by Torosay." + </p> + <p> + He then asked me how I had fared, and I told him my tale. A south-country + man would certainly have laughed; but this old gentleman (I call him so + because of his manners, for his clothes were dropping off his back) heard + me all through with nothing but gravity and pity. When I had done, he took + me by the hand, led me into his hut (it was no better) and presented me + before his wife, as if she had been the Queen and I a duke. + </p> + <p> + The good woman set oat-bread before me and a cold grouse, patting my + shoulder and smiling to me all the time, for she had no English; and the + old gentleman (not to be behind) brewed me a strong punch out of their + country spirit. All the while I was eating, and after that when I was + drinking the punch, I could scarce come to believe in my good fortune; and + the house, though it was thick with the peat-smoke and as full of holes as + a colander, seemed like a palace. + </p> + <p> + The punch threw me in a strong sweat and a deep slumber; the good people + let me lie; and it was near noon of the next day before I took the road, + my throat already easier and my spirits quite restored by good fare and + good news. The old gentleman, although I pressed him hard, would take no + money, and gave me an old bonnet for my head; 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. + </p> + <p> + Thought I to myself: "If these are the wild Highlanders, I could wish my + own folk wilder." + </p> + <p> + I not only started late, but I must have wandered nearly half the time. + True, I met plenty of people, grubbing in little miserable fields that + would not keep a cat, or herding little kine about the bigness of asses. + The Highland dress being forbidden by law since the rebellion, and the + people condemned to the Lowland habit, which they much disliked, it was + strange to see the variety of their array. Some went bare, only for a + hanging cloak or great-coat, 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; + others, again, still wore the Highland philabeg, but by putting a few + stitches between the legs transformed it into a pair of trousers like a + Dutchman's. All those makeshifts were condemned and punished, for the law + was harshly applied, in hopes to break up the clan spirit; but in that + out-of-the-way, sea-bound isle, there were few to make remarks and fewer + to tell tales. + </p> + <p> + They seemed in great poverty; which was no doubt natural, now that rapine + was put down, and the chiefs kept no longer an open house; and the roads + (even such a wandering, country by-track as the one I followed) were + infested with beggars. And here again I marked a difference from my own + part of the country. For our Lowland beggars—even the gownsmen + themselves, who beg by patent—had a louting, flattering way with + them, and if you gave them a plaek and asked change, would very civilly + return you a boddle. But these Highland beggars stood on their dignity, + asked alms only to buy snuff (by their account) and would give no change. + </p> + <p> + To be sure, this was no concern of mine, except in so far as it + entertained me by the way. What was much more to the purpose, few had any + English, and these few (unless they were of the brotherhood of beggars) + not very anxious to place it at my service. I knew Torosay to be my + destination, and repeated the name to them and pointed; but instead of + simply pointing in reply, they would give me a screed of the Gaelic that + set me foolish; so it was small wonder if I went out of my road as often + as I stayed in it. + </p> + <p> + At last, about eight at night, and already very weary, I came to a lone + house, where I asked admittance, and was refused, until I bethought me of + the power of money in so poor a country, and held up one of my guineas in + my finger and thumb. Thereupon, the man of the house, who had hitherto + pretended to have no English, and driven me from his door by signals, + suddenly began to speak as clearly as was needful, and agreed for five + shillings to give me a night's lodging and guide me the next day to + Torosay. + </p> + <p> + I slept uneasily that night, fearing I should be robbed; but I might have + spared myself the pain; for my host was no robber, only miserably poor and + a great cheat. He was not alone in his poverty; for the next morning, we + must go five miles about to the house of what he called a rich man to have + one of my guineas changed. This was perhaps a rich man for Mull; he would + have scarce been thought so in the south; for it took all he had—the + whole house was turned upside down, and a neighbour brought under + contribution, before he could scrape together twenty shillings in silver. + The odd shilling he kept for himself, protesting he could ill afford to + have so great a sum of money lying "locked up." For all that he was very + courteous and well spoken, made us both sit down with his family to + dinner, and brewed punch in a fine china bowl, over which my rascal guide + grew so merry that he refused to start. + </p> + <p> + I was for getting angry, and appealed to the rich man (Hector Maclean was + his name), who had been a witness to our bargain and to my payment of the + five shillings. But Maclean had taken his share of the punch, and vowed + that no gentleman should leave his table after the bowl was brewed; so + there was nothing for it but to sit and hear Jacobite toasts and Gaelic + songs, till all were tipsy and staggered off to the bed or the barn for + their night's rest. + </p> + <p> + Next day (the fourth of my travels) we were up before five upon the clock; + but my rascal guide got to the bottle at once, and it was three hours + before I had him clear of the house, and then (as you shall hear) only for + a worse disappointment. + </p> + <p> + As long as we went down a heathery valley that lay before Mr. Maclean's + house, all went well; only my guide looked constantly over his shoulder, + and when I asked him the cause, only grinned at me. No sooner, however, + had we crossed the back of a hill, and got out of sight of the house + windows, than he told me Torosay lay right in front, and that a hill-top + (which he pointed out) was my best landmark. + </p> + <p> + "I care very little for that," said I, "since you are going with me." + </p> + <p> + The impudent cheat answered me in the Gaelic that he had no English. + </p> + <p> + "My fine fellow," I said, "I know very well your English comes and goes. + Tell me what will bring it back? Is it more money you wish?" + </p> + <p> + "Five shillings mair," said he, "and hersel' will bring ye there." + </p> + <p> + I reflected awhile and then offered him two, which he accepted greedily, + and insisted on having in his hands at once "for luck," as he said, but I + think it was rather for my misfortune. + </p> + <p> + The two shillings carried him not quite as many miles; at the end of which + distance, he sat down upon the wayside and took off his brogues from his + feet, like a man about to rest. + </p> + <p> + I was now red-hot. "Ha!" said I, "have you no more English?" + </p> + <p> + He said impudently, "No." + </p> + <p> + At that I boiled over, and lifted my hand to strike him; and he, drawing a + knife from his rags, squatted back and grinned at me like a wildcat. At + that, forgetting everything but my anger, I ran in upon him, put aside his + knife with my left, and struck him in the mouth with the right. I was a + strong lad and very angry, and he but a little man; and he went down + before me heavily. By good luck, his knife flew out of his hand as he + fell. + </p> + <p> + I picked up both that and his brogues, wished him a good morning, and set + off upon my way, leaving him barefoot and disarmed. I chuckled to myself + as I went, being sure I was done with that rogue, for a variety of + reasons. First, he knew he could have no more of my money; next, the + brogues were worth in that country only a few pence; and, lastly, the + knife, which was really a dagger, it was against the law for him to carry. + </p> + <p> + In about half an hour of walk, I overtook a great, ragged man, moving + pretty fast but feeling before him with a staff. He was quite blind, and + told me he was a catechist, which should have put me at my ease. But his + face went against me; it seemed dark and dangerous and secret; and + presently, as we began to go on alongside, I saw the steel butt of a + pistol sticking from under the flap of his coat-pocket. To carry such a + thing meant a fine of fifteen pounds sterling upon a first offence, and + transportation to the colonies upon a second. Nor could I quite see why a + religious teacher should go armed, or what a blind man could be doing with + a pistol. + </p> + <p> + I told him about my guide, for I was proud of what I had done, and my + vanity for once got the heels of my prudence. 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, and was glad he could not see my blushes. + </p> + <p> + "Was it too much?" I asked, a little faltering. + </p> + <p> + "Too much!" cries he. "Why, I will guide you to Torosay myself for a dram + of brandy. And give you the great pleasure of my company (me that is a man + of some learning) in the bargain." + </p> + <p> + I said I did not see how a blind man could be a guide; but at that he + laughed aloud, and said his stick was eyes enough for an eagle. + </p> + <p> + "In the Isle of Mull, at least," says he, "where I know every stone and + heather-bush by mark of head. See, now," he said, striking right and left, + as if to make sure, "down there a burn is running; and at the head of it + there stands a bit of a small hill with a stone cocked upon the top of + that; and it's hard at the foot of the hill, that the way runs by to + Torosay; and the way here, being for droves, is plainly trodden, and will + show grassy through the heather." + </p> + <p> + I had to own he was right in every feature, and told my wonder. + </p> + <p> + "Ha!" says he, "that's nothing. Would ye believe me now, that before the + Act came out, and when there were weepons in this country, I could shoot? + Ay, could I!" cries he, and then with a leer: "If ye had such a thing as a + pistol here to try with, I would show ye how it's done." + </p> + <p> + I told him I had nothing of the sort, and gave him a wider berth. If he + had known, his pistol stuck at that time quite plainly out of his pocket, + and I could see the sun twinkle on the steel of the butt. But by the + better luck for me, he knew nothing, thought all was covered, and lied on + in the dark. + </p> + <p> + He then began to question me cunningly, where I came from, whether I was + rich, whether I could change a five-shilling piece for him (which he + declared he had that moment in his sporran), and all the time he kept + edging up to me and I avoiding him. We were now upon a sort of green + cattle-track which crossed the hills towards Torosay, and we kept changing + sides upon that like dancers in a reel. I had so plainly the upper-hand + that my spirits rose, and indeed I took a pleasure in this game of + blindman's buff; but the catechist grew angrier and angrier, and at last + began to swear in Gaelic and to strike for my legs with his staff. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0165m.jpg" alt="0165m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0165.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Then I told him that, sure enough, I had a pistol in my pocket as well as + he, and if he did not strike across the hill due south I would even blow + his brains out. + </p> + <p> + He became at once very polite, and after trying to soften me for some + time, but quite in vain, he cursed me once more in Gaelic and took himself + off. I watched him striding along, through bog and brier, tapping with his + stick, until he turned the end of a hill and disappeared in the next + hollow. Then I struck on again for Torosay, much better pleased to be + alone than to travel with that man of learning. This was an unlucky day; + and these two, of whom I had just rid myself, one after the other, were + the two worst men I met with in the Highlands. + </p> + <p> + At Torosay, on the Sound of Mull and looking over to the mainland of + Morven, there was an inn with an innkeeper, who was a Maclean, it + appeared, of a very high family; for to keep an inn is thought even more + genteel in the Highlands than it is with us, perhaps as partaking of + hospitality, or perhaps because the trade is idle and drunken. He spoke + good English, and finding me to be something of a scholar, tried me first + in French, where he easily beat me, and then in the Latin, in which I + don't know which of us did best. This pleasant rivalry put us at once upon + friendly terms; and I sat up and drank punch with him (or to be more + correct, sat up and watched him drink it), until he was so tipsy that he + wept upon my shoulder. + </p> + <p> + I tried him, as if by accident, with a sight of Alan's button; but it was + plain he had never seen or heard of it. Indeed, he bore some grudge + against the family and friends of Ardshiel, and before he was drunk he + read me a lampoon, in very good Latin, but with a very ill meaning, which + he had made in elegiac verses upon a person of that house. + </p> + <p> + When I told him of my catechist, he shook his head, and said I was lucky + to have got clear off. "That is a very dangerous man," he said; "Duncan + Mackiegh is his name; he can shoot by the ear at several yards, and has + been often accused of highway robberies, and once of murder." + </p> + <p> + "The cream of it is," says I, "that he called himself a catechist." + </p> + <p> + "And why should he not?" says he, "when that is what he is. It was Maclean + of Duart gave it to him because he was blind. But perhaps it was a peety," + says my host, "for he is always on the road, going from one place to + another to hear the young folk say their religion; and, doubtless, that is + a great temptation to the poor man." + </p> + <p> + At last, when my landlord could drink no more, he showed me to a bed, and + I lay down in very good spirits; having travelled the greater part of that + big and crooked Island of Mull, from Earraid to Torosay, fifty miles as + the crow flies, and (with my wanderings) much nearer a hundred, 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. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0169m.jpg" alt="0169m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0169.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <h3> + THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON: ACROSS MORVEN + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9169m.jpg" alt="9169m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9169.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + here is a regular ferry from Torosay to Kinlochaline on the mainland. + Both shores of the Sound are in the country of the strong clan of the + Macleans, and the people that passed the ferry with me were almost all of + that clan. The skipper of the boat, on the other hand, was called Neil Roy + Macrob; and since Macrob was one of the names of Alan's clansmen, and Alan + himself had sent me to that ferry, I was eager to come to private speech + of Neil Roy. + </p> + <p> + In the crowded boat this was of course impossible, and the passage was a + very slow affair. There was no wind, and as the boat was wretchedly + equipped, we could pull but two oars on one side, and one on the other. + The men gave way, however, with a good will, the passengers taking spells + to help them, and the whole company giving the time in Gaelic boat-songs. + And what with the songs, and the sea-air, and the good-nature and spirit + of all concerned, and the bright weather, the passage was a pretty thing + to have seen. + </p> + <p> + But there was one melancholy part. In the mouth of Loch Aline we found a + great sea-going ship at anchor; and this I supposed at first to be one of + the King's cruisers which were kept along that coast, both summer and + winter, to prevent communication with the French. As we got a little + nearer, it became plain she was a ship of merchandise; and what still more + puzzled me, not only her decks, but the sea-beach also, were quite black + with people, and skiffs were continually plying to and fro between them. + Yet nearer, and there began to come to our ears a great sound of mourning, + the people on board and those on the shore crying and lamenting one to + another so as to pierce the heart. + </p> + <p> + Then I understood this was an emigrant ship bound for the American + colonies. + </p> + <p> + We put the ferry-boat alongside, and the exiles leaned over the bulwarks, + weeping and reaching out their hands to my fellow-passengers, among whom + they counted some near friends. How long this might have gone on I do not + know, for they seemed to have no sense of time: but at last the captain of + the ship, who seemed near beside himself (and no great wonder) in the + midst of this crying and confusion, came to the side and begged us to + depart. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Neil sheered off; and the chief singer in our boat struck into a + melancholy air, which was presently taken up both by the emigrants and + their friends upon the beach, so that it sounded from all sides like a + lament for the dying. I saw the tears run down the cheeks of the men and + women in the boat, even as they bent at the oars; and the circumstances + and the music of the song (which is one called "Lochaber no more") were + highly affecting even to myself. + </p> + <p> + At Kinlochaline I got Neil Roy upon one side on the beach, and said I made + sure he was one of Appin's men. + </p> + <p> + "And what for no?" said he. + </p> + <p> + "I am seeking somebody," said I; "and it comes in my mind that you will + have news of him. Alan Breck Stewart is his name." And very foolishly, + instead of showing him the button, I sought to pass a shilling in his + hand. + </p> + <p> + At this he drew back. "I am very much affronted," he said; "and this is + not the way that one shentleman should behave to another at all. The man + you ask for is in France; but if he was in my sporran," says he, "and your + belly full of shillings, I would not hurt a hair upon his body." + </p> + <p> + I saw I had gone the wrong way to work, and without wasting time upon + apologies, showed him the button lying in the hollow of my palm. + </p> + <p> + "Aweel, aweel," said Neil; "and I think ye might have begun with that end + of the stick, whatever! But if ye are the lad with the silver button, all + is well, and I have the word to see that ye come safe. But if ye will + pardon me to speak plainly," says he, "there is a name that you should + never take into your mouth, and that is the name of Alan Breck; and there + is a thing that ye would never do, and that is to offer your dirty money + to a Hieland shentleman." + </p> + <p> + It was not very easy to apologise; 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. Neil on his part had no wish to prolong his dealings + with me, only to fulfil his orders and be done with it; and he made haste + to give me my route. This was to lie the night in Kinlochaline in the + public inn; to cross Morven the next day to Ardgour, and lie the night in + the house of one John of the Claymore, who was warned that I might come; + the third day, to be set across one loch at Corran and another at + Balachulish, and then ask my way to the house of James of the Glens, at + Aucharn in Duror of Appin. There was a good deal of ferrying, as you hear; + the sea in all this part running deep into the mountains and winding about + their roots. It makes the country strong to hold and difficult to travel, + but full of prodigious wild and dreadful prospects. + </p> + <p> + I had some other advice from Neil: to speak with no one by the way, to + avoid Whigs, Campbells, and the "red-soldiers;" to leave the road and lie + in a bush if I saw any of the latter coming, "for it was never chancy to + meet in with them;" and in brief, to conduct myself like a robber or a + Jacobite agent, as perhaps Neil thought me. + </p> + <p> + The inn at Kinlochaline was the most beggarly vile place that ever pigs + were styed in, full of smoke, vermin, and silent Highlanders. I was not + only discontented with my lodging, but with myself for my mismanagement of + Neil, and thought I could hardly be worse off. But very wrongly, as I was + soon to see; for I had not been half an hour at the inn (standing in the + door most of the time, to ease my eyes from the peat smoke) when a + thunderstorm came close by, the springs broke in a little hill on which + the inn stood, and one end of the house became a running water. Places of + public entertainment were bad enough all over Scotland in those days; yet + it was a wonder to myself, when I had to go from the fireside to the bed + in which I slept, wading over the shoes. + </p> + <p> + Early in my next day's journey I overtook a little, stout, solemn man, + walking very slowly with his toes turned out, sometimes reading in a book + and sometimes marking the place with his finger, and dressed decently and + plainly in something of a clerical style. + </p> + <p> + This I found to be another catechist, 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, to evangelise the more savage + places of the Highlands. His name was Henderland; he spoke with the broad + south-country tongue, which I was beginning to weary for the sound of; and + besides common countryship, we soon found we had a more particular bond of + interest. For my good friend, the minister of Essendean, had translated + into the Gaelic in his by-time a number of hymns and pious books which + Henderland used in his work, and held in great esteem. Indeed, it was one + of these he was carrying and reading when we met. + </p> + <p> + We fell in company at once, our ways lying together as far as to + Kingairloch. As we went, he stopped and spoke with all the wayfarers and + workers that we met or passed; and though of course I could not tell what + they discoursed about, yet I judged Mr. Henderland must be well liked in + the countryside, for I observed many of them to bring out their mulls and + share a pinch of snuff with him. + </p> + <p> + I told him as far in my affairs as I judged wise; as far, that is, as they + were none of Alan's; and gave Balachulish as the place I was travelling + to, to meet a friend; for I thought Aucharn, or even Duror, would be too + particular, and might put him on the scent. + </p> + <p> + On his part, he told me much of his work and the people he worked among, + the hiding priests and Jacobites, the Disarming Act, the dress, and many + other curiosities of the time and place. He seemed moderate; blaming + Parliament in several points, and especially because they had framed the + Act more severely against those who wore the dress than against those who + carried weapons. + </p> + <p> + This moderation put it in my mind to question him of the Red Fox and the + Appin tenants; questions which, I thought, would seem natural enough in + the mouth of one travelling to that country. + </p> + <p> + He said it was a bad business. "It's wonderful," said he, "where the + tenants find the money, for their life is mere starvation. (Ye don't carry + such a thing as snuff, do ye, Mr. Balfour? No. Well, I'm better wanting + it.) But these tenants (as I was saying) are doubtless partly driven to + it. James Stewart in Duror (that's him they call James of the Glens) is + half-brother to Ardshiel, the captain of the clan; and he is a man much + looked up to, and drives very hard. And then there's one they call Alan + Breck—" + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" I cried, "what of him?" + </p> + <p> + "What of the wind that bloweth where it listeth?" said Henderland. "He's + here and awa; here to-day and gone to-morrow: a fair heather-cat. He might + be glowering at the two of us out of yon whin-bush, and I wouldnae wonder! + Ye'll no carry such a thing as snuff, will ye?" + </p> + <p> + I told him no, and that he had asked the same thing more than once. + </p> + <p> + "It's highly possible," said he, sighing. "But it seems strange ye + shouldnae carry it. However, as I was saying, this Alan Breck is a bold, + desperate customer, and well kent to be James's right hand. His life is + forfeit already; he would boggle at naething; and maybe, if a tenant-body + was to hang back he would get a dirk in his wame." + </p> + <p> + "You make a poor story of it all, Mr. Henderland," said I. "If it is all + fear upon both sides, I care to hear no more of it." + </p> + <p> + "Na," said Mr. Henderland, "but there's love too, and self-denial that + should put the like of you and me to shame. There's something fine about + it; no perhaps Christian, but humanly fine. Even Alan Breck, by all that I + hear, is a chield to be respected. There's many a lying sneck-draw sits + close in kirk in our own part of the country, and stands well in the + world's eye, and maybe is a far worse man, Mr. Balfour, than yon misguided + shedder of man's blood. Ay, ay, we might take a lesson by them.—Ye'll + perhaps think I've been too long in the Hielands?" he added, smiling to + me. + </p> + <p> + I told him not at all; that I had seen much to admire among the + Highlanders; and if he came to that, Mr. Campbell himself was a + Highlander. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "that's true. It's a fine blood." + </p> + <p> + "And what is the King's agent about?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Colin Campbell?" says Henderland. "Putting his head in a bees' byke!" + </p> + <p> + "He is to turn the tenants out by force, I hear?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," says he, "but the business has gone back and forth, as folk say. + First, James of the Glens rode to Edinburgh, and got some lawyer (a + Stewart, nae doubt—they all hing together like bats in a steeple) + and had the proceedings stayed. And then Colin Campbell cam' in again, and + had the upper-hand before the Barons of Exchequer. And now they tell me + the first of the tenants are to flit to-morrow. It's to begin at Duror + under James's very windows, which doesnae seem wise by my humble way of + it." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think they'll fight?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Well," says Henderland, "they're disarmed—or supposed to be—for + there's still a good deal of cold iron lying by in quiet places. And then + Colin Campbell has the sogers coming. But for all that, if I was his lady + wife, I wouldnae be well pleased till I got him home again. They're queer + customers, the Appin Stewarts." + </p> + <p> + I asked if they were worse than their neighbours. + </p> + <p> + "No they," said he. "And that's the worst part of it. For if Colin Roy can + get his business done in Appin, he has it all to begin again in the next + country, which they call Mamore, and which is one of the countries of the + Camerons. He's King's Factor upon both, and from both he has to drive out + the tenants; and indeed, Mr. Balfour (to be open with ye), it's my belief + that if he escapes the one lot, he'll get his death by the other." + </p> + <p> + So we continued talking and walking the great part of the day; until at + last, Mr. Henderland after expressing his delight in my company, and + satisfaction at meeting with a friend of Mr. Campbell's ("whom," says he, + "I will make bold to call that sweet singer of our covenanted Zion"), + proposed that I should make a short stage, and lie the night in his house + a little beyond Kingairloch. To say truth, I was overjoyed; for I had no + great desire for John of the Claymore, and since my double misadventure, + first with the guide and next with the gentleman skipper, I stood in some + fear of any Highland stranger. Accordingly we shook hands upon the + bargain, and came in the afternoon to a small house, standing alone by the + shore of the Linnhe Loch. The sun was already gone from the desert + mountains of Ardgour upon the hither side, but shone on those of Appin on + the farther; the loch lay as still as a lake, only the gulls were crying + round the sides of it; and the whole place seemed solemn and uncouth. + </p> + <p> + We had no sooner come to the door of Mr. Henderland's dwelling, than to my + great surprise (for I was now used to the politeness of Highlanders) he + burst rudely past me, dashed into the room, caught up a jar and a small + horn-spoon, and began ladling snuff into his nose in most excessive + quantities. Then he had a hearty fit of sneezing, and looked round upon me + with a rather silly smile. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0175m.jpg" alt="0175m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0175.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "It's a vow I took," says he. "I took a vow upon me that I wouldnae carry + it. Doubtless it's a great privation; but when I think upon the martyrs, + not only to the Scottish Covenant but to other points of Christianity, I + think shame to mind it." + </p> + <p> + 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. + Campbell, and that was to inquire into my state of mind towards God. I was + inclined to smile at him since the business of the snuff; but he had not + spoken long before he brought the tears into my eyes. There are two things + that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too + much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people; but Mr. + Henderland had their very speech upon his tongue. And though I was a good + deal puffed up with my adventures and with having come off, as the saying + is, with flying colours; yet he soon had me on my knees beside a simple, + poor old man, and both proud and glad to be there. + </p> + <p> + Before we went to bed he offered me sixpence to help me on my way, out of + a scanty store he kept in the turf wall of his house; at which excess of + goodness I knew not what to do. But at last he was so earnest with me that + I thought it the more mannerly part to let him have his way, and so left + him poorer than myself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0179m.jpg" alt="0179m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0179.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <h3> + THE DEATH OF THE RED FOX + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9179m.jpg" alt="9179m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9179.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + he next day Mr. Henderland found for me a man who had a boat of his own + and was to cross the Linnhe Loch that afternoon into Appin, fishing. Him + he prevailed on to take me, for he was one of his flock; and in this way I + saved a long day's travel and the price of the two public ferries I must + otherwise have passed. + </p> + <p> + It was near noon before we set out; a dark day with clouds, and the sun + shining upon little patches. The sea was here very deep and still, and had + scarce a wave upon it; so that I must put the water to my lips before I + could believe it to be truly salt. The mountains on either side were high, + rough and barren, very black and gloomy in the shadow of the clouds, but + all silver-laced with little watercourses where the sun shone upon them. + It seemed a hard country, this of Appin, for people to care as much about + as Alan did. + </p> + <p> + There was but one thing to mention. A little after we had started, the sun + shone upon a little moving clump of scarlet close in along the water-side + to the north. It was much of the same red as soldiers' coats; every now + and then, too, there came little sparks and lightnings, as though the sun + had struck upon bright steel. + </p> + <p> + I asked my boatman what it should be, and he answered he supposed it was + some of the red soldiers coming from Fort William into Appin, against the + poor tenantry of the country. Well, it was a sad sight to me; and whether + it was because of my thoughts of Alan, or from something prophetic in my + bosom, although this was but the second time I had seen King George's + troops, I had no good will to them. + </p> + <p> + 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. 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, I insisted, and was set on shore at last under the wood of + Lettermore (or Lettervore, for I have heard it both ways) in Alan's + country of Appin. + </p> + <p> + This was a wood of birches, growing on a steep, craggy side of a mountain + that overhung the loch. It had many openings and ferny howes; and a road + or bridle track ran north and south through the midst of it, by the edge + of which, where was a spring, I sat down to eat some oat-bread of Mr. + Henderland's and think upon my situation. + </p> + <p> + Here I was not only troubled by a cloud of stinging midges, but far more + by the doubts of my mind. What I ought to do, why I was going to join + myself with an outlaw and a would-be murderer like Alan, whether I should + not be acting more like a man of sense to tramp back to the south country + direct, by my own guidance and at my own charges, and what Mr. Campbell or + even Mr. 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. + </p> + <p> + As I was so sitting and thinking, a sound of men and horses came to me + through the wood; and presently after, at a turning of the road, I saw + four travellers come into view. The way was in this part so rough and + narrow that they came single and led their horses by the reins. The first + was a great, red-headed gentleman, of an imperious and flushed face, who + carried his hat in his hand and fanned himself, for he was in a breathing + heat. The second, by his decent black garb and white wig, I correctly took + to be a lawyer. The third was a servant, and wore some part of his clothes + in tartan, which showed that his master was of a Highland family, and + either an outlaw or else in singular good odour with the Government, since + the wearing of tartan was against the Act. If I had been better versed in + these things, I would have known the tartan to be of the Argyle (or + Campbell) colours. This servant had a good-sized portmanteau strapped on + his horse, and a net of lemons (to brew punch with) hanging at the + saddle-bow; as was often enough the custom with luxurious travellers in + that part of the country. + </p> + <p> + As for the fourth, who brought up the tail, I had seen his like before, + and knew him at once to be a sheriff's officer. + </p> + <p> + 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 when the + first came alongside of me, I rose up from the bracken and asked him the + way to Aucharn. + </p> + <p> + He stopped and looked at me, as I thought, a little oddly; and then, + turning to the lawyer, "Mungo," said he, "there's many a man would think + this more of a warning than two pyats. Here am I on my road to Duror on + the job ye ken; and here is a young lad starts up out of the bracken, and + speers if I am on the way to Aucharn." + </p> + <p> + "Glenure," said the other, "this is an ill subject for jesting." + </p> + <p> + These two had now drawn close up and were gazing at me, while the two + followers had halted about a stone-cast in the rear. + </p> + <p> + "And what seek ye in Aucharn?" said Colin Roy Campbell of Glenure, him + they called the Red Fox; for he it was that I had stopped. + </p> + <p> + "The man that lives there," said I. + </p> + <p> + "James of the Glens," says Glenure, musingly; and then to the lawyer: "Is + he gathering his people, think ye?" + </p> + <p> + "Anyway," says the lawyer, "we shall do better to bide where we are, and + let the soldiers rally us." + </p> + <p> + "If you are concerned for me," said I, "I am neither of his people nor + yours, but an honest subject of King George, owing no man and fearing no + man." + </p> + <p> + "Why, very well said," replies the Factor. "But if I may make so bold as + ask, what does this honest man so far from his country? and why does he + come seeking the brother of Ardshiel? I have power here, I must tell you. + I am King's Factor upon several of these estates, and have twelve files of + soldiers at my back." + </p> + <p> + "I have heard a waif word in the country," said I, a little nettled, "that + you were a hard man to drive." + </p> + <p> + He still kept looking at me, as if in doubt. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said he, at last, "your tongue is bold; but I am no unfriend to + plainness. If ye had asked me the way to the door of James Stewart on any + other day but this, I would have set ye right and bidden ye God speed. But + to-day—eh, Mungo?" And he turned again to look at the lawyer. + </p> + <p> + But just as he turned there came the shot of a firelock from higher up the + hill; and with the very sound of it Glenure fell upon the road. + </p> + <p> + "O, I am dead!" he cried, several times over. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer had caught him up and held him in his arms, the servant + standing over and clasping his hands. And now the wounded man looked from + one to another with scared eyes, and there was a change in his voice, that + went to the heart. + </p> + <p> + "Take care of yourselves," says he. "I am dead." + </p> + <p> + He tried to open his clothes as if to look for the wound, but his fingers + slipped on the buttons. With that he gave a great sigh, his head rolled on + his shoulder, and he passed away. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer said never a word, but his face was as sharp as a pen and as + white as the dead man's; the servant broke out into a great noise of + crying and weeping, like a child; and I, on my side, stood staring at them + in a kind of horror. The sheriff's officer had run back at the first sound + of the shot, to hasten the coming of the soldiers. + </p> + <p> + At last the lawyer laid down the dead man in his blood upon the road, and + got to his own feet with a kind of stagger. + </p> + <p> + I believe it was his movement that brought me to my senses; for he had no + sooner done so than I began to scramble up the hill, crying out, "The + murderer! the murderer!" + </p> + <p> + So little a time had elapsed, that when I got to the top of the first + steepness, and could see some part of the open mountain, the murderer was + still moving away at no great distance. He was a big man, in a black coat, + with metal buttons, and carried a long fowling-piece. + </p> + <p> + "Here!" I cried. "I see him!" + </p> + <p> + At that the murderer gave a little, quick look over his shoulder, and + began to run. The next moment he was lost in a fringe of birches; then he + came out again on the upper side, where I could see him climbing like a + jackanapes, for that part was again very steep; and then he dipped behind + a shoulder, and I saw him no more. + </p> + <p> + All this time I had been running on my side, and had got a good way up, + when a voice cried upon me to stand. + </p> + <p> + I was at the edge of the upper wood, and so now, when I halted and looked + back, I saw all the open part of the hill below me. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer and the sheriff's officer were standing just above the road, + crying and waving on me to come back; and on their left, the red-coats, + musket in hand, were beginning to struggle singly out of the lower wood. + </p> + <p> + "Why should I come back?" I cried. "Come you on!" + </p> + <p> + "Ten pounds if ye take that lad!" cried the lawyer. "He's an accomplice. + He was posted here to hold us in talk." + </p> + <p> + At that word (which I could hear quite plainly, 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. Indeed, it is one thing to stand the + danger of your life, and quite another to run the peril of both life and + character. The thing, besides, had come so suddenly, like thunder out of a + clear sky, that I was all amazed and helpless. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers began to spread, some of them to run, and others to put up + their pieces and cover me; and still I stood. + </p> + <p> + "Jouk* in here among the trees," said a voice close by. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Duck. +</pre> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0185m.jpg" alt="0185m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0185.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Indeed, I scarce knew what I was doing, but I obeyed; and as I did so, I + heard the firelocks bang and the balls whistle in the birches. + </p> + <p> + Just inside the shelter of the trees I found Alan Breck standing, with a + fishing-rod. He gave me no salutation; indeed it was no time for + civilities; only "Come!" says he, and set off running along the side of + the mountain towards Balachulish; and I, like a sheep, to follow him. + </p> + <p> + Now we ran among the birches; now stooping behind low humps upon the + mountain-side; now crawling on all fours among the heather. The pace was + deadly: my heart seemed bursting against my ribs; and I had neither time + to think nor breath to speak with. Only I remember seeing with wonder, + that Alan every now and then would straighten himself to his full height + and look back; and every time he did so, there came a great far-away + cheering and crying of the soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Quarter of an hour later, Alan stopped, clapped down flat in the heather, + and turned to me. + </p> + <p> + "Now," said he, "it's earnest. Do as I do, for your life." + </p> + <p> + And at the same speed, but now with infinitely more precaution, we traced + back again across the mountain-side by the same way that we had come, only + perhaps higher; till at last Alan threw himself down in the upper wood of + Lettermore, where I had found him at the first, and lay, with his face in + the bracken, panting like a dog. + </p> + <p> + My own sides so ached, my head so swam, my tongue so hung out of my mouth + with heat and dryness, that I lay beside him like one dead. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0188m.jpg" alt="0188m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0188.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + I TALK WITH ALAN IN THE WOOD OF LETTERMORE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9188m.jpg" alt="9188m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9188.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + lan was the first to come round. He rose, went to the border of the wood, + peered out a little, and then returned and sat down. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said he, "yon was a hot burst, David." + </p> + <p> + I said nothing, nor so much as lifted my face. I had seen murder done, and + a great, ruddy, jovial gentleman struck out of life in a moment; the pity + of that sight was still sore within me, and yet that was but a part of my + concern. Here was murder done upon the man Alan hated; here was Alan + skulking in the trees and running from the troops; and whether his was the + hand that fired or only the head that ordered, signified but little. By my + way of it, my only friend in that wild country was blood-guilty in the + first degree; I held him in horror; I could not look upon his face; I + would have rather lain alone in the rain on my cold isle, than in that + warm wood beside a murderer. + </p> + <p> + "Are ye still wearied?" he asked again. + </p> + <p> + "No," said I, still with my face in the bracken; "no, I am not wearied + now, and I can speak. You and me must twine,"* I said. "I liked you very + well, Alan, but your ways are not mine, and they're not God's: and the + short and the long of it is just that we must twine." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Part. +</pre> + <p> + "I will hardly twine from ye, David, without some kind of reason for the + same," said Alan, mighty gravely. "If ye ken anything against my + reputation, it's the least thing that ye should do, for old acquaintance' + sake, to let me hear the name of it; and if ye have only taken a distaste + to my society, it will be proper for me to judge if I'm insulted." + </p> + <p> + "Alan," said I, "what is the sense of this? Ye ken very well yon + Campbell-man lies in his blood upon the road." + </p> + <p> + He was silent for a little; then says he, "Did ever ye hear tell of the + story of the Man and the Good People?"—by which he meant the + fairies. + </p> + <p> + "No," said I, "nor do I want to hear it." + </p> + <p> + "With your permission, Mr. Balfour, I will tell it you, whatever," says + Alan. "The man, ye should ken, was cast upon a rock in the sea, where it + appears the Good People were in use to come and rest as they went through + to Ireland. The name of this rock is called the Skerryvore, and it's not + far from where we suffered ship-wreck. Well, it seems the man cried so + sore, if he could just see his little bairn before he died! that at last + the king of the Good People took peety upon him, and sent one flying that + brought back the bairn in a poke* and laid it down beside the man where he + lay sleeping. So when the man woke, there was a poke beside him and + something into the inside of it that moved. Well, it seems he was one of + these gentry that think aye the worst of things; and for greater security, + he stuck his dirk throughout that poke before he opened it, and there was + his bairn dead. I am thinking to myself, Mr. Balfour, that you and the man + are very much alike." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bag. +</pre> + <p> + "Do you mean you had no hand in it?" cried I, sitting up. + </p> + <p> + "I will tell you first of all, Mr. Balfour of Shaws, as one friend to + another," said Alan, "that if I were going to kill a gentleman, it would + not be in my own country, to bring trouble on my clan; and I would not go + wanting sword and gun, and with a long fishing-rod upon my back." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "that's true!" + </p> + <p> + "And now," continued Alan, taking out his dirk and laying his hand upon it + in a certain manner, "I swear upon the Holy Iron I had neither art nor + part, act nor thought in it." + </p> + <p> + "I thank God for that!" cried I, and offered him my hand. + </p> + <p> + He did not appear to see it. + </p> + <p> + "And here is a great deal of work about a Campbell!" said he. "They are + not so scarce, that I ken!" + </p> + <p> + "At least," said I, "you cannot justly blame me, for you know very well + what you told me in the brig. But the temptation and the act are + different, I thank God again for that. We may all be tempted; but to take + a life in cold blood, Alan!" And I could say no more for the moment. "And + do you know who did it?" I added. "Do you know that man in the black + coat?" + </p> + <p> + "I have nae clear mind about his coat," said Alan cunningly, "but it + sticks in my head that it was blue." + </p> + <p> + "Blue or black, did ye know him?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "I couldnae just conscientiously swear to him," says Alan. "He gaed very + close by me, to be sure, but it's a strange thing that I should just have + been tying my brogues." + </p> + <p> + "Can you swear that you don't know him, Alan?" I cried, half angered, half + in a mind to laugh at his evasions. + </p> + <p> + "Not yet," says he; "but I've a grand memory for forgetting, David." + </p> + <p> + "And yet there was one thing I saw clearly," said I; "and that was, that + you exposed yourself and me to draw the soldiers." + </p> + <p> + "It's very likely," said Alan; "and so would any gentleman. You and me + were innocent of that transaction." + </p> + <p> + "The better reason, since we were falsely suspected, that we should get + clear," I cried. "The innocent should surely come before the guilty." + </p> + <p> + "Why, David," said he, "the innocent have aye a chance to get assoiled in + court; but for the lad that shot the bullet, I think the best place for + him will be the heather. Them that havenae dipped their hands in any + little difficulty, should be very mindful of the case of them that have. + And that is the good Christianity. For if it was the other way round + about, and the lad whom I couldnae just clearly see had been in our shoes, + and we in his (as might very well have been), I think we would be a good + deal obliged to him oursel's if he would draw the soldiers." + </p> + <p> + When it came to this, I gave Alan up. But he looked so innocent all the + time, and was in such clear good faith in what he said, and so ready to + sacrifice himself for what he deemed his duty, that my mouth was closed. + Mr. Henderland's words came back to me: that we ourselves might take a + lesson by these wild Highlanders. Well, here I had taken mine. Alan's + morals were all tail-first; but he was ready to give his life for them, + such as they were. + </p> + <p> + "Alan," said I, "I'll not say it's the good Christianity as I understand + it, but it's good enough. And here I offer ye my hand for the second + time." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon he gave me both of his, saying surely I had cast a spell upon + him, for he could forgive me anything. Then he grew very grave, and said + we had not much time to throw away, but must both flee that country: he, + because he was a deserter, and the whole of Appin would now be searched + like a chamber, and every one obliged to give a good account of himself; + and I, because I was certainly involved in the murder. + </p> + <p> + "O!" says I, willing to give him a little lesson, "I have no fear of the + justice of my country." + </p> + <p> + "As if this was your country!" said he. "Or as if ye would be tried here, + in a country of Stewarts!" + </p> + <p> + "It's all Scotland," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Man, I whiles wonder at ye," said Alan. "This is a Campbell that's been + killed. Well, it'll be tried in Inverara, the Campbells' head place; with + fifteen Campbells in the jury-box and the biggest Campbell of all (and + that's the Duke) sitting cocking on the bench. Justice, David? The same + justice, by all the world, as Glenure found awhile ago at the roadside." + </p> + <p> + This frightened me a little, I confess, and would have frightened me more + if I had known how nearly exact were Alan's predictions; indeed it was but + in one point that he exaggerated, there being but eleven Campbells on the + jury; though as the other four were equally in the Duke's dependence, it + mattered less than might appear. Still, I cried out that he was unjust to + the Duke of Argyle, who (for all he was a Whig) was yet a wise and honest + nobleman. + </p> + <p> + "Hoot!" said Alan, "the man's a Whig, nae doubt; but I would never deny he + was a good chieftain to his clan. And what would the clan think if there + was a Campbell shot, and naebody hanged, and their own chief the Justice + General? But I have often observed," says Alan, "that you Low-country + bodies have no clear idea of what's right and wrong." + </p> + <p> + At this I did at last laugh out aloud, when to my surprise, Alan joined + in, and laughed as merrily as myself. + </p> + <p> + "Na, na," said he, "we're in the Hielands, David; and when I tell ye to + run, take my word and run. Nae doubt it's a hard thing to skulk and starve + in the Heather, but it's harder yet to lie shackled in a red-coat prison." + </p> + <p> + I asked him whither we should flee; and as he told me "to the Lowlands," I + was a little better inclined to go with him; for, indeed, I was growing + impatient to get back and have the upper-hand of my uncle. Besides, Alan + made so sure there would be no question of justice in the matter, that I + began to be afraid he might be right. Of all deaths, I would truly like + least to die by the gallows; 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 justice. + </p> + <p> + "I'll chance it, Alan," said I. "I'll go with you." + </p> + <p> + "But mind you," said Alan, "it's no small thing. Ye maun lie bare and + hard, and brook many an empty belly. Your bed shall be the moorcock's, and + your life shall be like the hunted deer's, and ye shall sleep with your + hand upon your weapons. Ay, man, ye shall taigle many a weary foot, or we + get clear! I tell ye this at the start, for it's a life that I ken well. + But if ye ask what other chance ye have, I answer: Nane. Either take to + the heather with me, or else hang." + </p> + <p> + "And that's a choice very easily made," said I; and we shook hands upon + it. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0193m.jpg" alt="0193m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0193.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "And now let's take another peek at the red-coats," says Alan, and he led + me to the north-eastern fringe of the wood. + </p> + <p> + Looking out between the trees, we could see a great side of mountain, + running down exceeding steep into the waters of the loch. It was a rough + part, all hanging stone, and heather, and big scrogs of birchwood; and + away at the far end towards Balachulish, little wee red soldiers were + dipping up and down over hill and howe, and growing smaller every minute. + There was no cheering now, for I think they had other uses for what breath + was left them; but they still stuck to the trail, and doubtless thought + that we were close in front of them. + </p> + <p> + Alan watched them, smiling to himself. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said he, "they'll be gey weary before they've got to the end of that + employ! And so you and me, David, can sit down and eat a bite, and breathe + a bit longer, and take a dram from my bottle. Then we'll strike for + Aucharn, the house of my kinsman, James of the Glens, where I must get my + clothes, and my arms, and money to carry us along; and then, David, we'll + cry, 'Forth, Fortune!' and take a cast among the heather." + </p> + <p> + So we sat again and ate and drank, in a place whence we could see the sun + going down into a field of great, wild, and houseless mountains, such as I + was now condemned to wander in with my companion. Partly as we so sat, and + partly afterwards, on the way to Aucharn, each of us narrated his + adventures; and I shall here set down so much of Alan's as seems either + curious or needful. + </p> + <p> + It appears he ran to the bulwarks as soon as the wave was passed; saw me, + and lost me, and saw me again, as I tumbled in the roost; and at last had + one glimpse of me clinging on the yard. It was this that put him in some + hope I would maybe get to land after all, and made him leave those clues + and messages which had brought me (for my sins) to that unlucky country of + Appin. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, those still on the brig had got the skiff launched, and + one or two were on board of her already, when there came a second wave + greater than the first, and heaved the brig out of her place, and would + certainly have sent her to the bottom, had she not struck and caught on + some projection of the reef. When she had struck first, it had been + bows-on, so that the stern had hitherto been lowest. But now her stern was + thrown in the air, and the bows plunged under the sea; and with that, the + water began to pour into the fore-scuttle like the pouring of a mill-dam. + </p> + <p> + It took the colour out of Alan's face, even to tell what followed. For + there were still two men lying impotent in their bunks; and these, seeing + the water pour in and thinking the ship had foundered, began to cry out + aloud, and that with such harrowing cries that all who were on deck + tumbled one after another into the skiff and fell to their oars. They were + not two hundred yards away, when there came a third great sea; and at that + the brig lifted clean over the reef; her canvas filled for a moment, and + she seemed to sail in chase of them, but settling all the while; and + presently she drew down and down, as if a hand was drawing her; and the + sea closed over the Covenant of Dysart. + </p> + <p> + Never a word they spoke as they pulled ashore, being stunned with the + horror of that screaming; but they had scarce set foot upon the beach when + Hoseason woke up, as if out of a muse, and bade them lay hands upon Alan. + They hung back indeed, having little taste for the employment; but + Hoseason was like a fiend, crying that Alan was alone, that he had a great + sum about him, that he had been the means of losing the brig and drowning + all their comrades, and that here was both revenge and wealth upon a + single cast. It was seven against one; in that part of the shore there was + no rock that Alan could set his back to; and the sailors began to spread + out and come behind him. + </p> + <p> + "And then," said Alan, "the little man with the red head—I havenae + mind of the name that he is called." + </p> + <p> + "Riach," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said Alan, "Riach! Well, it was him that took up the clubs for me, + asked the men if they werenae feared of a judgment, and, says he 'Dod, + I'll put my back to the Hielandman's mysel'.' That's none such an entirely + bad little man, yon little man with the red head," said Alan. "He has some + spunks of decency." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "he was kind to me in his way." + </p> + <p> + "And so he was to Alan," said he; "and by my troth, I found his way a very + good one! But ye see, David, the loss of the ship and the cries of these + poor lads sat very ill upon the man; and I'm thinking that would be the + cause of it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I would think so," says I; "for he was as keen as any of the rest + at the beginning. But how did Hoseason take it?" + </p> + <p> + "It sticks in my mind that he would take it very ill," says Alan. "But the + little man cried to me to run, and indeed I thought it was a good observe, + and ran. The last that I saw they were all in a knot upon the beach, like + folk that were not agreeing very well together." + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean by that?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Well, the fists were going," said Alan; "and I saw one man go down like a + pair of breeks. But I thought it would be better no to wait. Ye see + there's a strip of Campbells in that end of Mull, which is no good company + for a gentleman like me. If it hadnae been for that I would have waited + and looked for ye mysel', let alone giving a hand to the little man." (It + was droll how Alan dwelt on Mr. Riach's stature, for, to say the truth, + the one was not much smaller than the other.) "So," says he, continuing, + "I set my best foot forward, and whenever I met in with any one I cried + out there was a wreck ashore. Man, they didnae stop to fash with me! Ye + should have seen them linking for the beach! And when they got there they + found they had had the pleasure of a run, which is aye good for a + Campbell. I'm thinking it was a judgment on the clan that the brig went + down in the lump and didnae break. But it was a very unlucky thing for + you, that same; for if any wreck had come ashore they would have hunted + high and low, and would soon have found ye." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0199m.jpg" alt="0199m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0199.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <h3> + THE HOUSE OF FEAR + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9199m.jpg" alt="9199m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9199.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ight fell as we were walking, and the clouds, which had broken up in the + afternoon, settled in and thickened, so that it fell, for the season of + the year, extremely dark. The way we went was over rough mountainsides; + and though Alan pushed on with an assured manner, I could by no means see + how he directed himself. + </p> + <p> + At last, about half-past ten of the clock, we came to the top of a brae, + and saw lights below us. It seemed a house door stood open and let out a + beam of fire and candle-light; and all round the house and steading five + or six persons were moving hurriedly about, each carrying a lighted brand. + </p> + <p> + "James must have tint his wits," said Alan. "If this was the soldiers + instead of you and me, he would be in a bonny mess. But I dare say he'll + have a sentry on the road, and he would ken well enough no soldiers would + find the way that we came." + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0201m.jpg" alt="0201m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0201.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Hereupon he whistled three times, in a particular manner. It was strange + to see how, at the first sound of it, all the moving torches came to a + stand, as if the bearers were affrighted; and how, at the third, the + bustle began again as before. + </p> + <p> + Having thus set folks' minds at rest, we came down the brae, and were met + at the yard gate (for this place was like a well-doing farm) by a tall, + handsome man of more than fifty, who cried out to Alan in the Gaelic. + </p> + <p> + "James Stewart," said Alan, "I will ask ye to speak in Scotch, for here is + a young gentleman with me that has nane of the other. This is him," he + added, putting his arm through mine, "a young gentleman of the Lowlands, + and a laird in his country too, but I am thinking it will be the better + for his health if we give his name the go-by." + </p> + <p> + James of the Glens turned to me for a moment, and greeted me courteously + enough; the next he had turned to Alan. + </p> + <p> + "This has been a dreadful accident," he cried. "It will bring trouble on + the country." And he wrung his hands. + </p> + <p> + "Hoots!" said Alan, "ye must take the sour with the sweet, man. Colin Roy + is dead, and be thankful for that!" + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said James, "and by my troth, I wish he was alive again! It's all + very fine to blow and boast beforehand; but now it's done, Alan; and who's + to bear the wyte* of it? The accident fell out in Appin—mind ye + that, Alan; it's Appin that must pay; and I am a man that has a family." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Blame. +</pre> + <p> + While this was going on I looked about me at the servants. Some were on + ladders, digging in the thatch of the house or the farm buildings, from + which they brought out guns, swords, and different weapons of war; others + carried them away; and by the sound of mattock blows from somewhere + farther down the brae, I suppose they buried them. Though they were all so + busy, there prevailed no kind of order in their efforts; men struggled + together for the same gun and ran into each other with their burning + torches; and James was continually turning about from his talk with Alan, + to cry out orders which were apparently never understood. The faces in the + torchlight were like those of people overborne with hurry and panic; and + though none spoke above his breath, their speech sounded both anxious and + angry. + </p> + <p> + It was about this time that a lassie came out of the house carrying a pack + or bundle; and it has often made me smile to think how Alan's instinct + awoke at the mere sight of it. + </p> + <p> + "What's that the lassie has?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "We're just setting the house in order, Alan," said James, in his + frightened and somewhat fawning way. "They'll search Appin with candles, + and we must have all things straight. We're digging the bit guns and + swords into the moss, ye see; and these, I am thinking, will be your ain + French clothes. We'll be to bury them, I believe." + </p> + <p> + "Bury my French clothes!" cried Alan. "Troth, no!" And he laid hold upon + the packet and retired into the barn to shift himself, recommending me in + the meanwhile to his kinsman. + </p> + <p> + James carried me accordingly into the kitchen, and sat down with me at + table, smiling and talking at first in a very hospitable manner. But + presently the gloom returned upon him; he sat frowning and biting his + fingers; only remembered me from time to time; and then gave me but a word + or two and a poor smile, and back into his private terrors. His wife sat + by the fire and wept, with her face in her hands; his eldest son was + crouched upon the floor, running over a great mass of papers and now and + again setting one alight and burning it to the bitter end; all the while a + servant lass with a red face was rummaging about the room, in a blind + hurry of fear, and whimpering as she went; and every now and again one of + the men would thrust in his face from the yard, and cry for orders. + </p> + <p> + At last James could keep his seat no longer, and begged my permission to + be so unmannerly as walk about. "I am but poor company altogether, sir," + says he, "but I can think of nothing but this dreadful accident, and the + trouble it is like to bring upon quite innocent persons." + </p> + <p> + A little after he observed his son burning a paper which he thought should + have been kept; and at that his excitement burst out so that it was + painful to witness. He struck the lad repeatedly. + </p> + <p> + "Are you gone gyte?"* he cried. "Do you wish to hang your father?" and + forgetful of my presence, carried on at him a long time together in the + Gaelic, the young man answering nothing; only the wife, at the name of + hanging, throwing her apron over her face and sobbing out louder than + before. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mad. +</pre> + <p> + This was all wretched for a stranger like myself to hear and see; and I + was right glad when Alan returned, 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. I was then taken out in my turn by + another of the sons, and given that change of clothing of which I had + stood so long in need, and a pair of Highland brogues made of + deer-leather, rather strange at first, but after a little practice very + easy to the feet. + </p> + <p> + By the time I came back Alan must have told his story; for it seemed + understood that I was to fly with him, and they were all busy upon our + equipment. They gave us each a sword and pistols, though I professed my + inability to use the former; and with these, and some ammunition, a bag of + oatmeal, an iron pan, and a bottle of right French brandy, we were ready + for the heather. Money, indeed, was lacking. I had about two guineas left; + Alan's belt having been despatched by another hand, that trusty messenger + had no more than seventeen-pence to his whole fortune; and as for James, + it appears he had brought himself so low with journeys to Edinburgh and + legal expenses on behalf of the tenants, that he could only scrape + together three-and-five-pence-halfpenny, the most of it in coppers. + </p> + <p> + "This'll no do," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Ye must find a safe bit somewhere near by," said James, "and get word + sent to me. Ye see, ye'll have to get this business prettily off, Alan. + This is no time to be stayed for a guinea or two. They're sure to get wind + of ye, sure to seek ye, and by my way of it, sure to lay on ye the wyte of + this day's accident. If it falls on you, it falls on me that am your near + kinsman and harboured ye while ye were in the country. And if it comes on + me——" he paused, and bit his fingers, with a white face. "It + would be a painful thing for our friends if I was to hang," said he. + </p> + <p> + "It would be an ill day for Appin," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + "It's a day that sticks in my throat," said James. "O man, man, man—man + Alan! you and me have spoken like two fools!" he cried, striking his hand + upon the wall so that the house rang again. + </p> + <p> + "Well, and that's true, too," said Alan; "and my friend from the Lowlands + here" (nodding at me) "gave me a good word upon that head, if I would only + have listened to him." + </p> + <p> + "But see here," said James, returning to his former manner, "if they lay + me by the heels, Alan, it's then that you'll be needing the money. For + with all that I have said and that you have said, it will look very black + against the two of us; do ye mark that? Well, follow me out, and ye'll, + I'll see that I'll have to get a paper out against ye mysel'; have to + offer a reward for ye; ay, will I! It's a sore thing to do between such + near friends; but if I get the dirdum* of this dreadful accident, I'll + have to fend for myself, man. Do ye see that?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Blame. +</pre> + <p> + He spoke with a pleading earnestness, taking Alan by the breast of the + coat. + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said Alan, "I see that." + </p> + <p> + "And ye'll have to be clear of the country, Alan—ay, and clear of + Scotland—you and your friend from the Lowlands, too. For I'll have + to paper your friend from the Lowlands. Ye see that, Alan—say that + ye see that!" + </p> + <p> + I thought Alan flushed a bit. "This is unco hard on me that brought him + here, James," said he, throwing his head back. "It's like making me a + traitor!" + </p> + <p> + "Now, Alan, man!" cried James. "Look things in the face! He'll be papered + anyway; Mungo Campbell'll be sure to paper him; what matters if I paper + him too? And then, Alan, I am a man that has a family." And then, after a + little pause on both sides, "And, Alan, it'll be a jury of Campbells," + said he. + </p> + <p> + "There's one thing," said Alan, musingly, "that naebody kens his name." + </p> + <p> + "Nor yet they shallnae, Alan! There's my hand on that," cried James, for + all the world as if he had really known my name and was foregoing some + advantage. "But just the habit he was in, and what he looked like, and his + age, and the like? I couldnae well do less." + </p> + <p> + "I wonder at your father's son," cried Alan, sternly. "Would ye sell the + lad with a gift? Would ye change his clothes and then betray him?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no, Alan," said James. "No, no: the habit he took off—the habit + Mungo saw him in." But I thought he seemed crestfallen; indeed, he was + clutching at every straw, and all the time, I dare say, saw the faces of + his hereditary foes on the bench, and in the jury-box, and the gallows in + the background. + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," says Alan, turning to me, "what say ye to that? Ye are here + under the safeguard of my honour; and it's my part to see nothing done but + what shall please you." + </p> + <p> + "I have but one word to say," said I; "for to all this dispute I am a + perfect stranger. But the plain common-sense is to set the blame where it + belongs, and that is on the man who fired the shot. Paper him, as ye call + it, set the hunt on him; and let honest, innocent folk show their faces in + safety." But at this both Alan and James cried out in horror; bidding me + hold my tongue, for that was not to be thought of; and asking me what the + Camerons would think? (which confirmed me, 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, with such innocent + earnestness, that my hands dropped at my side and I despaired of argument. + </p> + <p> + "Very well, then," said I, "paper me, if you please, paper Alan, paper + King George! We're all three innocent, and that seems to be what's wanted. + But at least, sir," said I to James, recovering from my little fit of + annoyance, "I am Alan's friend, and if I can be helpful to friends of his, + I will not stumble at the risk." + </p> + <p> + I thought it best to put a fair face on my consent, for I saw Alan + troubled; and, besides (thinks I to myself), as soon as my back is turned, + they will paper me, as they call it, whether I consent or not. But in this + I saw I was wrong; for I had no sooner said the words, than Mrs. Stewart + leaped out of her chair, came running over to us, and wept first upon my + neck and then on Alan's, blessing God for our goodness to her family. + </p> + <p> + "As for you, Alan, it was no more than your bounden duty," she said. "But + for this lad that has come here and seen us at our worst, and seen the + goodman fleeching like a suitor, him that by rights should give his + commands like any king—as for you, my lad," she says, "my heart is + wae not to have your name, but I have your face; and as long as my heart + beats under my bosom, I will keep it, and think of it, and bless it." And + with that she kissed me, and burst once more into such sobbing, that I + stood abashed. + </p> + <p> + "Hoot, hoot," said Alan, looking mighty silly. "The day comes unco soon in + this month of July; and to-morrow there'll be a fine to-do in Appin, a + fine riding of dragoons, and crying of 'Cruachan!'* and running of + red-coats; and it behoves you and me to the sooner be gone." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The rallying-word of the Campbells. +</pre> + <p> + Thereupon we said farewell, and set out again, bending somewhat eastwards, + in a fine mild dark night, and over much the same broken country as + before. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0208m.jpg" alt="0208m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0208.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <h3> + THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE ROCKS + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9208m.jpg" alt="9208m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9208.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ometimes we walked, sometimes ran; and as it drew on to morning, walked + ever the less and ran the more. Though, upon its face, that country + appeared to be a desert, yet there were huts and houses of the people, of + which we must have passed more than twenty, hidden in quiet places of the + hills. When we came to one of these, Alan would leave me in the way, and + go himself and rap upon the side of the house and speak awhile at the + window with some sleeper awakened. This was to pass the news; which, in + that country, was so much of a duty that Alan must pause to attend to it + even while fleeing for his life; and so well attended to by others, that + in more than half of the houses where we called they had heard already of + the murder. In the others, as well as I could make out (standing back at a + distance and hearing a strange tongue), the news was received with more of + consternation than surprise. + </p> + <p> + For all our hurry, day began to come in while we were still far from any + shelter. It found us in a prodigious valley, strewn with rocks and where + ran a foaming river. Wild mountains stood around it; there grew there + neither grass nor trees; and I have sometimes thought since then, that it + may have been the valley called Glencoe, where the massacre was in the + time of King William. But for the details of our itinerary, I am all to + seek; our way lying now by short cuts, now by great detours; our pace + being so hurried, our time of journeying usually by night; and the names + of such places as I asked and heard being in the Gaelic tongue and the + more easily forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The first peep of morning, then, showed us this horrible place, and I + could see Alan knit his brow. + </p> + <p> + "This is no fit place for you and me," he said. "This is a place they're + bound to watch." + </p> + <p> + And with that he ran harder than ever down to the water-side, in a part + where the river was split in two among three rocks. It went through with a + horrid thundering that made my belly quake; and there hung over the lynn a + little mist of spray. Alan looked neither to the right nor to the left, + but jumped clean upon the middle rock and fell there on his hands and + knees to check himself, for that rock was small and he might have pitched + over on the far side. I had scarce time to measure the distance or to + understand the peril before I had followed him, and he had caught and + stopped me. + </p> + <p> + So there we stood, side by side upon a small rock slippery with spray, a + far broader leap in front of us, and the river dinning upon all sides. + When I saw where I was, there came on me a deadly sickness of fear, and I + put my hand over my eyes. Alan took me and shook me; I saw he was + speaking, but the roaring of the falls and the trouble of my mind + prevented me from hearing; only I saw his face was red with anger, and + that he stamped upon the rock. The same look showed me the water raging + by, and the mist hanging in the air: and with that I covered my eyes again + and shuddered. + </p> + <p> + The next minute Alan had set the brandy bottle to my lips, and forced me + to drink about a gill, which sent the blood into my head again. Then, + putting his hands to his mouth, and his mouth to my ear, he shouted, "Hang + or drown!" and turning his back upon me, leaped over the farther branch of + the stream, and landed safe. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0211m.jpg" alt="0211m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0211.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + I was now alone upon the rock, which gave me the more room; the brandy was + singing in my ears; I had this good example fresh before me, and just wit + enough to see that if I did not leap at once, I should never leap at all. + I bent low on my knees and flung myself forth, with that kind of anger of + despair that has sometimes stood me in stead of courage. Sure enough, it + was but my hands that reached the full length; these slipped, caught + again, slipped again; and I was sliddering back into the lynn, when Alan + seized me, first by the hair, then by the collar, and with a great strain + dragged me into safety. + </p> + <p> + Never a word he said, but set off running again for his life, and I must + stagger to my feet and run after him. I had been weary before, but now I + was sick and bruised, and partly drunken with the brandy; I kept stumbling + as I ran, I had a stitch that came near to overmaster me; and when at last + Alan paused under a great rock that stood there among a number of others, + it was none too soon for David Balfour. + </p> + <p> + A great rock I have said; but by rights it was two rocks leaning together + at the top, both some twenty feet high, and at the first sight + inaccessible. Even Alan (though you may say he had as good as four hands) + failed twice in an attempt to climb them; and it was only at the third + trial, and then by standing on my shoulders and leaping up with such force + as I thought must have broken my collar-bone, that he secured a lodgment. + Once there, he let down his leathern girdle; and with the aid of that and + a pair of shallow footholds in the rock, I scrambled up beside him. + </p> + <p> + Then I saw why we had come there; for the two rocks, being both somewhat + hollow on the top and sloping one to the other, made a kind of dish or + saucer, where as many as three or four men might have lain hidden. + </p> + <p> + All this while Alan had not said a word, and had run and climbed with such + a savage, silent frenzy of hurry, that I knew that he was in mortal fear + of some miscarriage. Even now we were on the rock he said nothing, nor so + much as relaxed the frowning look upon his face; but clapped flat down, + and keeping only one eye above the edge of our place of shelter scouted + all round the compass. The dawn had come quite clear; we could see the + stony sides of the valley, and its bottom, which was bestrewed with rocks, + and the river, which went from one side to another, and made white falls; + but nowhere the smoke of a house, nor any living creature but some eagles + screaming round a cliff. + </p> + <p> + Then at last Alan smiled. + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said he, "now we have a chance;" and then looking at me with some + amusement, "Ye're no very gleg* at the jumping," said he. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brisk. +</pre> + <p> + At this I suppose I coloured with mortification, for he added at once, + "Hoots! small blame to ye! To be feared of a thing and yet to do it, is + what makes the prettiest kind of a man. And then there was water there, + and water's a thing that dauntons even me. No, no," said Alan, "it's no + you that's to blame, it's me." + </p> + <p> + I asked him why. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said he, "I have proved myself a gomeral this night. For first of + all I take a wrong road, and that in my own country of Appin; so that the + day has caught us where we should never have been; and thanks to that, we + lie here in some danger and mair discomfort. 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, and here we lie for a long summer's day + with naething but neat spirit. Ye may think that a small matter; but + before it comes night, David, ye'll give me news of it." + </p> + <p> + I was anxious to redeem my character, and offered, if he would pour out + the brandy, to run down and fill the bottle at the river. + </p> + <p> + "I wouldnae waste the good spirit either," says he. "It's been a good + friend to you this night; or in my poor opinion, ye would still be cocking + on yon stone. And what's mair," says he, "ye may have observed (you that's + a man of so much penetration) that Alan Breck Stewart was perhaps walking + quicker than his ordinar'." + </p> + <p> + "You!" I cried, "you were running fit to burst." + </p> + <p> + "Was I so?" said he. "Well, then, ye may depend upon it, there was nae + time to be lost. And now here is enough said; gang you to your sleep, lad, + and I'll watch." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, I lay down to sleep; a little peaty earth had drifted in + between the top of the two rocks, and some bracken grew there, to be a bed + to me; the last thing I heard was still the crying of the eagles. + </p> + <p> + I dare say it would be nine in the morning when I was roughly awakened, + and found Alan's hand pressed upon my mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Wheesht!" he whispered. "Ye were snoring." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, surprised at his anxious and dark face, "and why not?" + </p> + <p> + He peered over the edge of the rock, and signed to me to do the like. + </p> + <p> + It was now high day, cloudless, and very hot. The valley was as clear as + in a picture. About half a mile up the water was a camp of red-coats; a + big fire blazed in their midst, at which some were cooking; and near by, + on the top of a rock about as high as ours, there stood a sentry, with the + sun sparkling on his arms. All the way down along the river-side were + posted other sentries; here near together, there widelier scattered; some + planted like the first, on places of command, some on the ground level and + marching and counter-marching, so as to meet half-way. Higher up the glen, + where the ground was more open, the chain of posts was continued by + horse-soldiers, whom we could see in the distance riding to and fro. Lower + down, the infantry continued; but as the stream was suddenly swelled by + the confluence of a considerable burn, they were more widely set, and only + watched the fords and stepping-stones. + </p> + <p> + I took but one look at them, and ducked again into my place. It was + strange indeed to see this valley, which had lain so solitary in the hour + of dawn, bristling with arms and dotted with the red coats and breeches. + </p> + <p> + "Ye see," said Alan, "this was what I was afraid of, Davie: that they + would watch the burn-side. They began to come in about two hours ago, and, + man! but ye're a grand hand at the sleeping! We're in a narrow place. If + they get up the sides of the hill, they could easy spy us with a glass; + but if they'll only keep in the foot of the valley, we'll do yet. The + posts are thinner down the water; and, come night, we'll try our hand at + getting by them." + </p> + <p> + "And what are we to do till night?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Lie here," says he, "and birstle." + </p> + <p> + That one good Scotch word, "birstle," was indeed the most of the story of + the day that we had now to pass. You are to remember that we lay on the + bare top of a rock, like scones upon a girdle; the sun beat upon us + cruelly; the rock grew so heated, a man could scarce endure the touch of + it; and the little patch of earth and fern, which kept cooler, was only + large enough for one at a time. We took turn about to lie on the naked + rock, which was indeed like the position of that saint that was martyred + on a gridiron; and it ran in my mind how strange it was, that in the same + climate and at only a few days' distance, I should have suffered so + cruelly, first from cold upon my island and now from heat upon this rock. + </p> + <p> + All the while we had no water, only raw brandy for a drink, which was + worse than nothing; but we kept the bottle as cool as we could, burying it + in the earth, and got some relief by bathing our breasts and temples. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers kept stirring all day in the bottom of the valley, now + changing guard, now in patrolling parties hunting among the rocks. These + lay round in so great a number, that to look for men among them was like + looking for a needle in a bottle of hay; and being so hopeless a task, it + was gone about with the less care. Yet we could see the soldiers pike + their bayonets among the heather, which sent a cold thrill into my vitals; + and they would sometimes hang about our rock, so that we scarce dared to + breathe. + </p> + <p> + It was in this way that I first heard the right English speech; 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. "I tell you it's + 'ot," says he; and I was amazed at the clipping tones and the odd + sing-song in which he spoke, and no less at that strange trick of dropping + out the letter "h." To be sure, I had heard Ransome; but he had taken his + ways from all sorts of people, and spoke so imperfectly at the best, that + I set down the most of it to childishness. My surprise was all the greater + to hear that manner of speaking in the mouth of a grown man; and indeed I + have never grown used to it; nor yet altogether with the English grammar, + as perhaps a very critical eye might here and there spy out even in these + memoirs. + </p> + <p> + The tediousness and pain of these hours upon the rock grew only the + greater as the day went on; the rock getting still the hotter and the sun + fiercer. There were giddiness, and sickness, and sharp pangs like + rheumatism, to be supported. I minded then, and have often minded since, + on the lines in our Scotch psalm:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The moon by night thee shall not smite, + Nor yet the sun by day;" +</pre> + <p> + and indeed it was only by God's blessing that we were neither of us + sun-smitten. + </p> + <p> + At last, about two, it was beyond men's bearing, and there was now + temptation to resist, as well as pain to thole. For the sun being now got + a little into the west, there came a patch of shade on the east side of + our rock, which was the side sheltered from the soldiers. + </p> + <p> + "As well one death as another," said Alan, and slipped over the edge and + dropped on the ground on the shadowy side. + </p> + <p> + I followed him at once, and instantly fell all my length, so weak was I + and so giddy with that long exposure. Here, then, we lay for an hour or + two, aching from head to foot, as weak as water, and lying quite naked to + the eye of any soldier who should have strolled that way. None came, + however, all passing by on the other side; so that our rock continued to + be our shield even in this new position. + </p> + <p> + Presently we began again to get a little strength; and as the soldiers + were now lying closer along the river-side, Alan proposed that we should + try a start. I was by this time afraid of but one thing in the world; and + that was to be set back upon the rock; anything else was welcome to me; so + we got ourselves at once in marching order, and began to slip from rock to + rock one after the other, now crawling flat on our bellies in the shade, + now making a run for it, heart in mouth. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers, having searched this side of the valley after a fashion, and + being perhaps somewhat sleepy with the sultriness of the afternoon, had + now laid by much of their vigilance, and stood dozing at their posts or + only kept a look-out along the banks of the river; so that in this way, + keeping down the valley and at the same time towards the mountains, we + drew steadily away from their neighbourhood. But the business was the most + wearing I had ever taken part in. A man had need of a hundred eyes in + every part of him, to keep concealed in that uneven country and within cry + of so many and scattered sentries. When we must pass an open place, + quickness was not all, but a swift judgment not only of the lie of the + whole country, but of the solidity of every stone on which we must set + foot; for the afternoon was now fallen so breathless that the rolling of a + pebble sounded abroad like a pistol shot, and would start the echo calling + among the hills and cliffs. + </p> + <p> + By sundown we had made some distance, even by our slow rate of progress, + though to be sure the sentry on the rock was still plainly in our view. + But now we came on something that put all fears out of season; and that + was a deep rushing burn, that tore down, in that part, to join the glen + river. At the sight of this we cast ourselves on the ground and plunged + head and shoulders in the water; and I cannot tell which was the more + pleasant, the great shock as the cool stream went over us, or the greed + with which we drank of it. + </p> + <p> + We lay there (for the banks hid us), drank again and again, bathed our + chests, let our wrists trail in the running water till they ached with the + chill; and at last, being wonderfully renewed, we got out the meal-bag and + made drammach in the iron pan. This, though it is but cold water mingled + with oatmeal, yet makes a good enough dish for a hungry man; and where + there are no means of making fire, or (as in our case) good reason for not + making one, it is the chief stand-by of those who have taken to the + heather. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the shadow of the night had fallen, we set forth again, at + first with the same caution, but presently with more boldness, standing + our full height and stepping out at a good pace of walking. The way was + very intricate, lying up the steep sides of mountains and along the brows + of cliffs; clouds had come in with the sunset, and the night was dark and + cool; so that I walked without much fatigue, but in continual fear of + falling and rolling down the mountains, and with no guess at our + direction. + </p> + <p> + The moon rose at last and found us still on the road; it was in its last + quarter, and was long beset with clouds; but after awhile shone out and + showed me many dark heads of mountains, and was reflected far underneath + us on the narrow arm of a sea-loch. + </p> + <p> + At this sight we both paused: I struck with wonder to find myself so high + and walking (as it seemed to me) upon clouds; Alan to make sure of his + direction. + </p> + <p> + Seemingly he was well pleased, and he must certainly have judged us out of + ear-shot of all our enemies; for throughout the rest of our night-march he + beguiled the way with whistling of many tunes, warlike, merry, plaintive; + reel tunes that made the foot go faster; tunes of my own south country + that made me fain to be home from my adventures; and all these, on the + great, dark, desert mountains, making company upon the way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0220m.jpg" alt="0220m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0220.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <h3> + THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE HEUGH OF CORRYNAKIEGH + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9220m.jpg" alt="9220m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9220.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + arly as day comes in the beginning of July, it was still dark when we + reached our destination, a cleft in the head of a great mountain, with a + water running through the midst, and upon the one hand a shallow cave in a + rock. Birches grew there in a thin, pretty wood, which a little farther on + was changed into a wood of pines. The burn was full of trout; the wood of + cushat-doves; on the open side of the mountain beyond, whaups would be + always whistling, and cuckoos were plentiful. From the mouth of the cleft + we looked down upon a part of Mamore, and on the sea-loch that divides + that country from Appin; and this from so great a height as made it my + continual wonder and pleasure to sit and behold them. + </p> + <p> + The name of the cleft was the Heugh of Corrynakiegh; and although from its + height and being so near upon the sea, it was often beset with clouds, yet + it was on the whole a pleasant place, and the five days we lived in it + went happily. + </p> + <p> + We slept in the cave, making our bed of heather bushes which we cut for + that purpose, and covering ourselves with Alan's great-coat. There was a + low concealed place, in a turning of the glen, where we were so bold as to + make fire: so that we could warm ourselves when the clouds set in, and + cook hot porridge, and grill the little trouts that we caught with our + hands under the stones and overhanging banks of the burn. This was indeed + our chief pleasure and business; and not only to save our meal against + worse times, but with a rivalry that much amused us, we spent a great part + of our days at the water-side, stripped to the waist and groping about or + (as they say) guddling for these fish. The largest we got might have been + a quarter of a pound; but they were of good flesh and flavour, and when + broiled upon the coals, lacked only a little salt to be delicious. + </p> + <p> + In any by-time Alan must teach me to use my sword, for my ignorance had + much distressed him; and I think besides, as I had sometimes the + upper-hand of him in the fishing, he was not sorry to turn to an exercise + where he had so much the upper-hand of me. He made it somewhat more of a + pain than need have been, for he stormed at me all through the lessons in + a very violent manner of scolding, and would push me so close that I made + sure he must run me through the body. I was often tempted to turn tail, + but held my ground for all that, and got some profit of my lessons; if it + was but to stand on guard with an assured countenance, which is often all + that is required. So, though I could never in the least please my master, + I was not altogether displeased with myself. + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, you are not to suppose that we neglected our chief + business, which was to get away. + </p> + <p> + "It will be many a long day," Alan said to me on our first morning, + "before the red-coats think upon seeking Corrynakiegh; so now we must get + word sent to James, and he must find the siller for us." + </p> + <p> + "And how shall we send that word?" says I. "We are here in a desert place, + which yet we dare not leave; and unless ye get the fowls of the air to be + your messengers, I see not what we shall be able to do." + </p> + <p> + "Ay?" said Alan. "Ye're a man of small contrivance, David." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he fell in a muse, looking in the embers of the fire; and + presently, getting a piece of wood, he fashioned it in a cross, the four + ends of which he blackened on the coals. Then he looked at me a little + shyly. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0223m.jpg" alt="0223m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0223.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Could ye lend me my button?" says he. "It seems a strange thing to ask a + gift again, but I own I am laith to cut another." + </p> + <p> + I gave him the button; whereupon he strung it on a strip of his great-coat + which he had used to bind the cross; and tying in a little sprig of birch + and another of fir, he looked upon his work with satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "Now," said he, "there is a little clachan" (what is called a hamlet in + the English) "not very far from Corrynakiegh, and it has the name of + Koalisnacoan. There there are living many friends of mine whom I could + trust with my life, and some that I am no just so sure of. Ye see, David, + there will be money set upon our heads; James himsel' is to set money on + them; and as for the Campbells, they would never spare siller where there + was a Stewart to be hurt. If it was otherwise, I would go down to + Koalisnacoan whatever, and trust my life into these people's hands as + lightly as I would trust another with my glove." + </p> + <p> + "But being so?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Being so," said he, "I would as lief they didnae see me. There's bad folk + everywhere, and what's far worse, weak ones. So when it comes dark again, + I will steal down into that clachan, and set this that I have been making + in the window of a good friend of mine, John Breck Maccoll, a bouman* of + Appin's." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *A bouman is a tenant who takes stock from the landlord and + shares with him the increase. +</pre> + <p> + "With all my heart," says I; "and if he finds it, what is he to think?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," says Alan, "I wish he was a man of more penetration, for by my + troth I am afraid he will make little enough of it! But this is what I + have in my mind. This cross is something in the nature of the crosstarrie, + or fiery cross, which is the signal of gathering in our clans; yet he will + know well enough the clan is not to rise, for there it is standing in his + window, and no word with it. So he will say to himsel', THE CLAN IS NOT TO + RISE, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING. Then he will see my button, and that was + Duncan Stewart's. And then he will say to himsel', THE SON OF DUNCAN IS IN + THE HEATHER, AND HAS NEED OF ME." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "it may be. But even supposing so, there is a good deal of + heather between here and the Forth." + </p> + <p> + "And that is a very true word," says Alan. "But then John Breck will see + the sprig of birch and the sprig of pine; and he will say to himsel' (if + he is a man of any penetration at all, which I misdoubt), ALAN WILL BE + LYING IN A WOOD WHICH IS BOTH OF PINES AND BIRCHES. Then he will think to + himsel', THAT IS NOT SO VERY RIFE HEREABOUT; and then he will come and + give us a look up in Corrynakiegh. And if he does not, David, the devil + may fly away with him, for what I care; for he will no be worth the salt + to his porridge." + </p> + <p> + "Eh, man," said I, drolling with him a little, "you're very ingenious! But + would it not be simpler for you to write him a few words in black and + white?" + </p> + <p> + "And that is an excellent observe, Mr. Balfour of Shaws," says Alan, + drolling with me; "and it would certainly be much simpler for me to write + to him, but it would be a sore job for John Breck to read it. He would + have to go to the school for two-three years; and it's possible we might + be wearied waiting on him." + </p> + <p> + So that night Alan carried down his fiery cross and set it in the bouman's + window. He was troubled when he came back; for the dogs had barked and the + folk run out from their houses; and he thought he had heard a clatter of + arms and seen a red-coat come to one of the doors. 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, and if it + was the red-coats we should have time to get away. + </p> + <p> + About noon a man was to be spied, straggling up the open side of the + mountain in the sun, and looking round him as he came, from under his + hand. No sooner had Alan seen him than he whistled; the man turned and + came a little towards us: then Alan would give another "peep!" and the man + would come still nearer; and so by the sound of whistling, he was guided + to the spot where we lay. + </p> + <p> + He was a ragged, wild, bearded man, about forty, grossly disfigured with + the small pox, and looked both dull and savage. Although his English was + very bad and broken, yet Alan (according to his very handsome use, + whenever I was by) would suffer him to speak no Gaelic. Perhaps the + strange language made him appear more backward than he really was; but I + thought he had little good-will to serve us, and what he had was the child + of terror. + </p> + <p> + Alan would have had him carry a message to James; but the bouman would + hear of no message. "She was forget it," he said in his screaming voice; + and would either have a letter or wash his hands of us. + </p> + <p> + I thought Alan would be gravelled at that, for we lacked the means of + writing in that desert. + </p> + <p> + But he was a man of more resources than I knew; searched the wood until he + found the quill of a cushat-dove, which he shaped into a pen; made himself + a kind of ink with gunpowder from his horn and water from the running + stream; and tearing a corner from his French military commission (which he + carried in his pocket, like a talisman to keep him from the gallows), he + sat down and wrote as follows: + </p> + <p> + "DEAR KINSMAN,—Please send the money by the bearer to the place he + kens of. + </p> + <p> + "Your affectionate cousin, + </p> + <p> + "A. S." + </p> + <p> + This he intrusted to the bouman, who promised to make what manner of speed + he best could, and carried it off with him down the hill. + </p> + <p> + He was three full days gone, but about five in the evening of the third, + we heard a whistling in the wood, which Alan answered; and presently the + bouman came up the water-side, looking for us, right and left. He seemed + less sulky than before, and indeed he was no doubt well pleased to have + got to the end of such a dangerous commission. + </p> + <p> + He gave us the news of the country; that it was alive with red-coats; that + arms were being found, and poor folk brought in trouble daily; and that + James and some of his servants were already clapped in prison at Fort + William, under strong suspicion of complicity. It seemed it was noised on + all sides that Alan Breck had fired the shot; and there was a bill issued + for both him and me, with one hundred pounds reward. + </p> + <p> + This was all as bad as could be; and the little note the bouman had + carried us from Mrs. Stewart was of a miserable sadness. In it she + besought Alan not to let himself be captured, assuring him, if he fell in + the hands of the troops, both he and James were no better than dead men. + The money she had sent was all that she could beg or borrow, and she + prayed heaven we could be doing with it. Lastly, she said, she enclosed us + one of the bills in which we were described. + </p> + <p> + This we looked upon with great curiosity and not a little fear, partly as + a man may look in a mirror, partly as he might look into the barrel of an + enemy's gun to judge if it be truly aimed. Alan was advertised as "a + small, pock-marked, active man of thirty-five or thereby, dressed in a + feathered hat, a French side-coat of blue with silver buttons, and lace a + great deal tarnished, a red waistcoat and breeches of black, shag;" and I + as "a tall strong lad of about eighteen, wearing an old blue coat, very + ragged, an old Highland bonnet, a long homespun waistcoat, blue breeches; + his legs bare, low-country shoes, wanting the toes; speaks like a + Lowlander, and has no beard." + </p> + <p> + Alan was well enough pleased to see his finery so fully remembered and set + down; only when he came to the word tarnish, he looked upon his lace like + one a little mortified. As for myself, I thought I cut a miserable figure + in the bill; and yet was well enough pleased too, for since I had changed + these rags, the description had ceased to be a danger and become a source + of safety. + </p> + <p> + "Alan," said I, "you should change your clothes." + </p> + <p> + "Na, troth!" said Alan, "I have nae others. A fine sight I would be, if I + went back to France in a bonnet!" + </p> + <p> + 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, and might + go openly about my business. Nor was this all; for suppose I was arrested + when I was alone, there was little against me; but suppose I was taken in + company with the reputed murderer, my case would begin to be grave. For + generosity's sake I dare not speak my mind upon this head; but I thought + of it none the less. + </p> + <p> + I thought of it all the more, too, when the bouman brought out a green + purse with four guineas in gold, and the best part of another in small + change. True, it was more than I had. But then Alan, with less than five + guineas, had to get as far as France; I, with my less than two, not beyond + Queensferry; so that taking things in their proportion, Alan's society was + not only a peril to my life, but a burden on my purse. + </p> + <p> + But there was no thought of the sort in the honest head of my companion. + He believed he was serving, helping, and protecting me. And what could I + do but hold my peace, and chafe, and take my chance of it? + </p> + <p> + "It's little enough," said Alan, putting the purse in his pocket, "but + it'll do my business. And now, John Breck, if ye will hand me over my + button, this gentleman and me will be for taking the road." + </p> + <p> + But the bouman, after feeling about in a hairy purse that hung in front of + him in the Highland manner (though he wore otherwise the Lowland habit, + with sea-trousers), began to roll his eyes strangely, and at last said, + "Her nainsel will loss it," meaning he thought he had lost it. + </p> + <p> + "What!" cried Alan, "you will lose my button, that was my father's before + me? Now I will tell you what is in my mind, John Breck: it is in my mind + this is the worst day's work that ever ye did since ye was born." + </p> + <p> + And as Alan spoke, he set his hands on his knees and looked at the bouman + with a smiling mouth, and that dancing light in his eyes that meant + mischief to his enemies. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the bouman was honest enough; perhaps he had meant to cheat and + then, finding himself alone with two of us in a desert place, cast back to + honesty as being safer; at least, and all at once, he seemed to find that + button and handed it to Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Well, and it is a good thing for the honour of the Maccolls," said Alan, + and then to me, "Here is my button back again, and I thank you for parting + with it, which is of a piece with all your friendships to me." Then he + took the warmest parting of the bouman. "For," says he, "ye have done very + well by me, and set your neck at a venture, and I will always give you the + name of a good man." + </p> + <p> + Lastly, the bouman took himself off by one way; and Alan and I (getting + our chattels together) struck into another to resume our flight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0230m.jpg" alt="0230m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0230.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <h3> + THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE MOOR + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9230m.jpg" alt="9230m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9230.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + ome seven hours' incessant, hard travelling brought us early in the + morning to the end of a range of mountains. In front of us there lay a + piece of low, broken, desert land, which we must now cross. The sun was + not long up, and shone straight in our eyes; a little, thin mist went up + from the face of the moorland like a smoke; so that (as Alan said) there + might have been twenty squadron of dragoons there and we none the wiser. + </p> + <p> + We sat down, therefore, in a howe of the hill-side till the mist should + have risen, and made ourselves a dish of drammach, and held a council of + war. + </p> + <p> + "David," said Alan, "this is the kittle bit. Shall we lie here till it + comes night, or shall we risk it, and stave on ahead?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "I am tired indeed, but I could walk as far again, if that + was all." + </p> + <p> + "Ay, but it isnae," said Alan, "nor yet the half. This is how we stand: + Appin's fair death to us. To the south it's all Campbells, and no to be + thought of. To the north; well, there's no 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." + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + 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." + </p> + <p> + 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 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 wild bees, were + like possets to me; and every now and again I would give a jump and find I + had been dozing. + </p> + <p> + 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 horse-soldiers 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "What are we to do now?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "We'll have to play at being hares," said he. "Do ye see yon mountain?" + pointing to one on the north-eastern sky. + </p> + <p> + "Ay," said I. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "But, Alan," cried I, "that will take us across the very coming of the + soldiers!" + </p> + <p> + "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!" + </p> + <p> + With that he began to run forward on his hands and 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + At this I begged and besought that we might lie down and sleep. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "Very well, then," said Alan. "I'll carry ye." + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "Lead away!" said I. "I'll follow." + </p> + <p> + He gave me one look as much as to say, "Well done, David!" and off he set + again at his top speed. + </p> + <p> + It grew cooler and even a little darker (but not much) with the coming of + the night. The sky was cloudless; it was still early in July, and pretty + far north; in the darkest part of that night, you would have needed pretty + good eyes to read, but for all that, I have often seen it darker in a + winter mid-day. Heavy dew fell and drenched the moor like rain; and this + refreshed me for a while. When we stopped to breathe, and I had time to + see all about me, the clearness and sweetness of the night, the shapes of + the hills like things asleep, and the fire dwindling away behind us, like + a bright spot in the midst of the moor, anger would come upon me in a clap + that I must still drag myself in agony and eat the dust like a worm. + </p> + <p> + By what I have read in books, I think few that have held a pen were ever + really wearied, or they would write of it more strongly. I had no care of + my life, neither past nor future, and I scarce remembered there was such a + lad as David Balfour. I did not think of myself, but just of each fresh + step which I was sure would be my last, with despair—and of Alan, + who was the cause of it, with hatred. Alan was in the right trade as a + soldier; this is the officer's part to make men continue to do things, + they know not wherefore, and when, if the choice was offered, they would + lie down where they were and be killed. And I dare say I would have made a + good enough private; 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, and die obeying. + </p> + <p> + Day began to come in, after years, I thought; and by that time we were + past the greatest danger, and could walk upon our feet like men, instead + of crawling like brutes. But, dear heart have mercy! what a pair we must + have made, going double like old grandfathers, stumbling like babes, and + as white as dead folk. Never a word passed between us; each set his mouth + and kept his eyes in front of him, and lifted up his foot and set it down + again, like people lifting weights at a country play;* all the while, with + the moorfowl crying "peep!" in the heather, and the light coming slowly + clearer in the east. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Village fair. +</pre> + <p> + I say Alan did as I did. Not that ever I looked at him, for I had enough + ado to keep my feet; but because it is plain he must have been as stupid + with weariness as myself, and looked as little where we were going, or we + should not have walked into an ambush like blind men. + </p> + <p> + It fell in this way. We were going down a heathery brae, Alan leading and + I following a pace or two behind, like a fiddler and his wife; when upon a + sudden the heather gave a rustle, three or four ragged men leaped out, and + the next moment we were lying on our backs, each with a dirk at his + throat. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0237m.jpg" alt="0237m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0237.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + I don't think I cared; the pain of this rough handling was quite swallowed + up by the pains of which I was already full; and I was too glad to have + stopped walking to mind about a dirk. I lay looking up in the face of the + man that held me; and I mind his face was black with the sun, and his eyes + very light, but I was not afraid of him. I heard Alan and another + whispering in the Gaelic; and what they said was all one to me. + </p> + <p> + Then the dirks were put up, our weapons were taken away, and we were set + face to face, sitting in the heather. + </p> + <p> + "They are Cluny's men," said Alan. "We couldnae have fallen better. We're + just to bide here with these, which are his out-sentries, till they can + get word to the chief of my arrival." + </p> + <p> + Now Cluny Macpherson, the chief of the clan Vourich, had been one of the + leaders of the great rebellion six years before; there was a price on his + life; and I had supposed him long ago in France, with the rest of the + heads of that desperate party. Even tired as I was, the surprise of what I + heard half wakened me. + </p> + <p> + "What," I cried, "is Cluny still here?" + </p> + <p> + "Ay, is he so!" said Alan. "Still in his own country and kept by his own + clan. King George can do no more." + </p> + <p> + I think I would have asked farther, but Alan gave me the put-off. "I am + rather wearied," he said, "and I would like fine to get a sleep." And + without more words, he rolled on his face in a deep heather bush, and + seemed to sleep at once. + </p> + <p> + There was no such thing possible for me. You have heard grasshoppers + whirring in the grass in the summer time? Well, I had no sooner closed my + eyes, than my body, and above all my head, belly, and wrists, seemed to be + filled with whirring grasshoppers; and I must open my eyes again at once, + and tumble and toss, and sit up and lie down; and look at the sky which + dazzled me, or at Cluny's wild and dirty sentries, peering out over the + top of the brae and chattering to each other in the Gaelic. + </p> + <p> + That was all the rest I had, until the messenger returned; when, as it + appeared that Cluny would be glad to receive us, we must get once more + upon our feet and set forward. Alan was in excellent good spirits, much + refreshed by his sleep, very hungry, and looking pleasantly forward to a + dram and a dish of hot collops, of which, it seems, the messenger had + brought him word. For my part, it made me sick to hear of eating. I had + been dead-heavy before, and now I felt a kind of dreadful lightness, which + would not suffer me to walk. I drifted like a gossamer; the ground seemed + to me a cloud, the hills a feather-weight, the air to have a current, like + a running burn, which carried me to and fro. With all that, a sort of + horror of despair sat on my mind, so that I could have wept at my own + helplessness. + </p> + <p> + I saw Alan knitting his brows at me, and supposed it was in anger; and + that gave me a pang of light-headed fear, like what a child may have. I + remember, too, that I was smiling, and could not stop smiling, hard as I + tried; for I thought it was out of place at such a time. But my good + companion had nothing in his mind but kindness; and the next moment, two + of the gillies had me by the arms, and I began to be carried forward with + great swiftness (or so it appeared to me, although I dare say it was + slowly enough in truth), through a labyrinth of dreary glens and hollows + and into the heart of that dismal mountain of Ben Alder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0241m.jpg" alt="0241m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0241.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + CLUNY'S CAGE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9241m.jpg" alt="9241m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9241.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + e came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up + a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice. + </p> + <p> + "It's here," said one of the guides, and we struck up hill. + </p> + <p> + The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and + their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted. + </p> + <p> + Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above + the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as + "Cluny's Cage." The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the + intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade + levelled up with earth to make the floor. A tree, which grew out from the + hillside, was the living centre-beam of the roof. The walls were of wattle + and covered with moss. The whole house had something of an egg shape; and + it half hung, half stood in that steep, hillside thicket, like a wasp's + nest in a green hawthorn. + </p> + <p> + Within, it was large enough to shelter five or six persons with some + comfort. A projection of the cliff had been cunningly employed to be the + fireplace; and the smoke rising against the face of the rock, and being + not dissimilar in colour, readily escaped notice from below. + </p> + <p> + This was but one of Cluny's hiding-places; he had caves, besides, and + underground chambers in several parts of his country; and following the + reports of his scouts, he moved from one to another as the soldiers drew + near or moved away. By this manner of living, and thanks to the affection + of his clan, he had not only stayed all this time in safety, while so many + others had fled or been taken and slain: but stayed four or five years + longer, and only went to France at last by the express command of his + master. There he soon died; and it is strange to reflect that he may have + regretted his Cage upon Ben Alder. + </p> + <p> + When we came to the door he was seated by his rock chimney, watching a + gillie about some cookery. He was mighty plainly habited, with a knitted + nightcap drawn over his ears, and smoked a foul cutty pipe. For all that + he had the manners of a king, and it was quite a sight to see him rise out + of his place to welcome us. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Mr. Stewart, come awa', sir!" said he, "and bring in your friend + that as yet I dinna ken the name of." + </p> + <p> + "And how is yourself, Cluny?" said Alan. "I hope ye do brawly, sir. And I + am proud to see ye, and to present to ye my friend the Laird of Shaws, Mr. + David Balfour." + </p> + <p> + Alan never referred to my estate without a touch of a sneer, when we were + alone; but with strangers, he rang the words out like a herald. + </p> + <p> + "Step in by, the both of ye, gentlemen," says Cluny. "I make ye welcome to + my house, which is a queer, rude place for certain, but one where I have + entertained a royal personage, Mr. Stewart—ye doubtless ken the + personage I have in my eye. We'll take a dram for luck, and as soon as + this handless man of mine has the collops ready, we'll dine and take a + hand at the cartes as gentlemen should. My life is a bit driegh," says he, + pouring out the brandy; "I see little company, and sit and twirl my + thumbs, and mind upon a great day that is gone by, and weary for another + great day that we all hope will be upon the road. And so here's a toast to + ye: The Restoration!" + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0243m.jpg" alt="0243m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0243.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Thereupon we all touched glasses and drank. I am sure I wished no ill to + King George; and if he had been there himself in proper person, it's like + he would have done as I did. No sooner had I taken out the drain than I + felt hugely better, and could look on and listen, still a little mistily + perhaps, but no longer with the same groundless horror and distress of + mind. + </p> + <p> + It was certainly a strange place, and we had a strange host. In his long + hiding, Cluny had grown to have all manner of precise habits, like those + of an old maid. He had a particular place, where no one else must sit; the + Cage was arranged in a particular way, which none must disturb; cookery + was one of his chief fancies, and even while he was greeting us in, he + kept an eye to the collops. + </p> + <p> + It appears, he sometimes visited or received visits from his wife and one + or two of his nearest friends, under the cover of night; but for the more + part lived quite alone, and communicated only with his sentinels and the + gillies that waited on him in the Cage. The first thing in the morning, + one of them, who was a barber, came and shaved him, and gave him the news + of the country, of which he was immoderately greedy. There was no end to + his questions; he put them as earnestly as a child; and at some of the + answers, laughed out of all bounds of reason, and would break out again + laughing at the mere memory, hours after the barber was gone. + </p> + <p> + To be sure, there might have been a purpose in his questions; for though + he was thus sequestered, and like the other landed gentlemen of Scotland, + stripped by the late Act of Parliament of legal powers, he still exercised + a patriarchal justice in his clan. Disputes were brought to him in his + hiding-hole to be decided; and the men of his country, who would have + snapped their fingers at the Court of Session, laid aside revenge and paid + down money at the bare word of this forfeited and hunted outlaw. When he + was angered, which was often enough, he gave his commands and breathed + threats of punishment like any king; and his gillies trembled and crouched + away from him like children before a hasty father. With each of them, as + he entered, he ceremoniously shook hands, both parties touching their + bonnets at the same time in a military manner. Altogether, I had a fair + chance to see some of the inner workings of a Highland clan; and this with + a proscribed, fugitive chief; his country conquered; the troops riding + upon all sides in quest of him, sometimes within a mile of where he lay; + and when the least of the ragged fellows whom he rated and threatened, + could have made a fortune by betraying him. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "They," said he, meaning the collops, "are such as I gave his Royal + Highness in this very house; bating the lemon juice, for at that time we + were glad to get the meat and never fashed for kitchen.* Indeed, there + were mair dragoons than lemons in my country in the year forty-six." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Condiment. +</pre> + <p> + I do not know if the collops were truly very good, but my heart rose + against the sight of them, and I could eat but little. All the while Cluny + entertained us with stories of Prince Charlie's stay in the Cage, giving + us the very words of the speakers, and rising from his place to show us + where they stood. By these, I gathered the Prince was a gracious, spirited + boy, like the son of a race of polite kings, but not so wise as Solomon. I + gathered, too, that while he was in the Cage, he was often drunk; so the + fault that has since, by all accounts, made such a wreck of him, had even + then begun to show itself. + </p> + <p> + We were no sooner done eating than Cluny brought out an old, thumbed, + greasy pack of cards, such as you may find in a mean inn; and his eyes + brightened in his face as he proposed that we should fall to playing. + </p> + <p> + Now this was one of the things I had been brought up to eschew like + disgrace; 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, + on the cast of painted pasteboard. To be sure, I might have pleaded my + fatigue, which was excuse enough; but I thought it behoved that I should + bear a testimony. I must have got very red in the face, but I spoke + steadily, and told them I had no call to be a judge of others, but for my + own part, it was a matter in which I had no clearness. + </p> + <p> + Cluny stopped mingling the cards. "What in deil's name is this?" says he. + "What kind of Whiggish, canting talk is this, for the house of Cluny + Macpherson?" + </p> + <p> + "I will put my hand in the fire for Mr. Balfour," says Alan. "He is an + honest and a mettle gentleman, and I would have ye bear in mind who says + it. I bear a king's name," says he, cocking his hat; "and I and any that I + call friend are company for the best. But the gentleman is tired, and + should sleep; if he has no mind to the cartes, it will never hinder you + and me. And I'm fit and willing, sir, to play ye any game that ye can + name." + </p> + <p> + "Sir," says Cluny, "in this poor house of mine I would have you to ken + that any gentleman may follow his pleasure. If your friend would like to + stand on his head, he is welcome. And if either he, or you, or any other + man, is not preceesely satisfied, I will be proud to step outside with + him." + </p> + <p> + I had no will that these two friends should cut their throats for my sake. + </p> + <p> + "Sir," said I, "I am very wearied, as Alan says; and what's more, as you + are a man that likely has sons of your own, I may tell you it was a + promise to my father." + </p> + <p> + "Say nae mair, say nae mair," said Cluny, and pointed me to a bed of + heather in a corner of the Cage. For all that he was displeased enough, + looked at me askance, and grumbled when he looked. And indeed it must be + owned that both my scruples and the words in which I declared them, + smacked somewhat of the Covenanter, and were little in their place among + wild Highland Jacobites. + </p> + <p> + What with the brandy and the venison, a strange heaviness had come over + me; and I had scarce lain down upon the bed before I fell into a kind of + trance, in which I continued almost the whole time of our stay in the + Cage. Sometimes I was broad awake and understood what passed; sometimes I + only heard voices, or men snoring, like the voice of a silly river; and + the plaids upon the wall dwindled down and swelled out again, like + firelight shadows on the roof. I must sometimes have spoken or cried out, + for I remember I was now and then amazed at being answered; yet I was + conscious of no particular nightmare, only of a general, black, abiding + horror—a horror of the place I was in, and the bed I lay in, and the + plaids on the wall, and the voices, and the fire, and myself. + </p> + <p> + The barber-gillie, who was a doctor too, was called in to prescribe for + me; but as he spoke in the Gaelic, I understood not a word of his opinion, + and was too sick even to ask for a translation. I knew well enough I was + ill, and that was all I cared about. + </p> + <p> + I paid little heed while I lay in this poor pass. But Alan and Cluny were + most of the time at the cards, and I am clear that Alan must have begun by + winning; for I remember sitting up, and seeing them hard at it, and a + great glittering pile of as much as sixty or a hundred guineas on the + table. It 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + He asked me for a loan of my money. + </p> + <p> + "What for?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "O, just for a loan," said he. + </p> + <p> + "But why?" I repeated. "I don't see." + </p> + <p> + "Hut, David!" said Alan, "ye wouldnae grudge me a loan?" + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "I have no Gaelic, sir," said I. + </p> + <p> + 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?" + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + Alan took his under-lip into his mouth, and looked upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + "David," says he at last, "I've lost it; there's the naked truth." + </p> + <p> + "My money too?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Your money too," says Alan, with a groan. "Ye shouldnae have given it me. + I'm daft when I get to the cartes." + </p> + <p> + "Hoot-toot! hoot-toot!" said Cluny. "It was all daffing; it's 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. + </p> + <p> + Alan said nothing, only looked on the ground. + </p> + <p> + "Will you step to the door with me, sir?" said I. + </p> + <p> + Cluny said he would be very glad, and followed me readily enough, but he + looked flustered and put out. + </p> + <p> + "And now, sir," says I, "I must first acknowledge your generosity." + </p> + <p> + "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. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + "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!" + </p> + <p> + "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." + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + "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!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0252m.jpg" alt="0252m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0252.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER: THE QUARREL + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9252m.jpg" alt="9252m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9252.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + For long, we said nothing; marching alongside or one behind the other, + each with a set countenance: I, angry and proud, and drawing what strength + I had from these two violent and sinful feelings; Alan angry and ashamed, + ashamed that he had lost my money, angry that I should take it so ill. + </p> + <p> + The thought of a separation ran always the stronger in my mind; and the + more I approved of it, the more ashamed I grew of my approval. It would be + a fine, handsome, generous thing, indeed, for Alan to turn round and say + to me: "Go, I am in the most danger, and my company only increases yours." + But for me to turn to the friend who certainly loved me, and say to him: + "You are in great danger, I am in but little; your friendship is a burden; + go, take your risks and bear your hardships alone——" no, that + was impossible; and even to think of it privily to myself, made my cheeks + to burn. + </p> + <p> + And yet Alan had behaved like a child, and (what is worse) a treacherous + child. Wheedling my money from me while I lay half-conscious was scarce + better than theft; and yet here he was trudging by my side, without a + penny to his name, and by what I could see, quite blithe to sponge upon + the money he had driven me to beg. True, I was ready to share it with him; + but it made me rage to see him count upon my readiness. + </p> + <p> + These were the two things uppermost in my mind; and I could open my mouth + upon neither without black ungenerosity. So I did the next worst, and said + nothing, nor so much as looked once at my companion, save with the tail of + my eye. + </p> + <p> + At last, upon the other side of Loch Errocht, going over a smooth, rushy + place, where the walking was easy, he could bear it no longer, and came + close to me. + </p> + <p> + "David," says he, "this is no way for two friends to take a small + accident. I have to say that I'm sorry; and so that's said. And now if you + have anything, ye'd better say it." + </p> + <p> + "O," says I, "I have nothing." + </p> + <p> + He seemed disconcerted; at which I was meanly pleased. + </p> + <p> + "No," said he, with rather a trembling voice, "but when I say I was to + blame?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, of course, ye were to blame," said I, coolly; "and you will bear me + out that I have never reproached you." + </p> + <p> + "Never," says he; "but ye ken very well that ye've done worse. Are we to + part? Ye said so once before. Are ye to say it again? There's hills and + heather enough between here and the two seas, David; and I will own I'm no + very keen to stay where I'm no wanted." + </p> + <p> + This pierced me like a sword, and seemed to lay bare my private + disloyalty. + </p> + <p> + "Alan Breck!" I cried; 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. My whole conduct's + there to give the lie to it. It's true, I fell asleep upon the muir; but + that was from weariness, and you do wrong to cast it up to me——" + </p> + <p> + "Which is what I never did," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "But aside from that," I continued, "what have I done that you should even + me to dogs by such a supposition? I never yet failed a friend, and it's + not likely I'll begin with you. There are things between us that I can + never forget, even if you can." + </p> + <p> + "I will only say this to ye, David," said Alan, very quietly, "that I have + long been owing ye my life, and now I owe ye money. Ye should try to make + that burden light for me." + </p> + <p> + This ought to have touched me, and in a manner it did, but the wrong + manner. I felt I was behaving badly; and was now not only angry with Alan, + but angry with myself in the bargain; and it made me the more cruel. + </p> + <p> + "You asked me to speak," said I. "Well, then, I will. You own yourself + that you have done me a disservice; I have had to swallow an affront: I + have never reproached you, I never named the thing till you did. And now + you blame me," cried I, "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, Alan Breck. If ye + thought more of others, ye would perhaps speak less about yourself; and + when a friend that likes you very well has passed over an offence without + a word, you would be blithe to let it lie, instead of making it a stick to + break his back with. By your own way of it, it was you that was to blame; + then it shouldnae be you to seek the quarrel." + </p> + <p> + "Aweel," said Alan, "say nae mair." + </p> + <p> + And we fell back into our former silence; and came to our journey's end, + and supped, and lay down to sleep, without another word. + </p> + <p> + The gillie put us across Loch Rannoch in the dusk of the next day, and + gave us his opinion as to our best route. This was to get us up at once + into the tops of the mountains: to go round by a circuit, turning the + heads of Glen Lyon, Glen Lochay, and Glen Dochart, and come down upon the + lowlands by Kippen and the upper waters of the Forth. Alan was little + pleased with a route which led us through the country of his blood-foes, + the Glenorchy Campbells. He objected that by turning to the east, we + should come almost at once among the Athole Stewarts, a race of his own + name and lineage, although following a different chief, and come besides + by a far easier and swifter way to the place whither we were bound. But + the gillie, who was indeed the chief man of Cluny's scouts, had good + reasons to give him on all hands, naming the force of troops in every + district, and alleging finally (as well as I could understand) that we + should nowhere be so little troubled as in a country of the Campbells. + </p> + <p> + Alan gave way at last, but with only half a heart. "It's one of the + dowiest countries in Scotland," said he. "There's naething there that I + ken, but heath, and crows, and Campbells. But I see that ye're a man of + some penetration; and be it as ye please!" + </p> + <p> + We set forth accordingly by this itinerary; and for the best part of three + nights travelled on eerie mountains and among the well-heads of wild + rivers; often buried in mist, almost continually blown and rained upon, + and not once cheered by any glimpse of sunshine. By day, we lay and slept + in the drenching heather; by night, incessantly clambered upon break-neck + hills and among rude crags. We often wandered; we were often so involved + in fog, that we must lie quiet till it lightened. A fire was never to be + thought of. Our only food was drammach and a portion of cold meat that we + had carried from the Cage; and as for drink, Heaven knows we had no want + of water. + </p> + <p> + This was a dreadful time, rendered the more dreadful by the gloom of the + weather and the country. I was never warm; my teeth chattered in my head; + I was troubled with a very sore throat, such as I had on the isle; I had a + painful stitch in my side, which never left me; and when I slept in my wet + bed, with the rain beating above and the mud oozing below me, it was to + live over again in fancy the worst part of my adventures—to see the + tower of Shaws lit by lightning, Ransome carried below on the men's backs, + Shuan dying on the round-house floor, or Colin Campbell grasping at the + bosom of his coat. From such broken slumbers, I would be aroused in the + gloaming, to sit up in the same puddle where I had slept, and sup cold + drammach; the rain driving sharp in my face or running down my back in icy + trickles; the mist enfolding us like as in a gloomy chamber—or, + perhaps, if the wind blew, falling suddenly apart and showing us the gulf + of some dark valley where the streams were crying aloud. + </p> + <p> + The sound of an infinite number of rivers came up from all round. In this + steady rain the springs of the mountain were broken up; every glen gushed + water like a cistern; every stream was in high spate, and had filled and + overflowed its channel. During our night tramps, it was solemn to hear the + voice of them below in the valleys, now booming like thunder, now with an + angry cry. I could well understand the story of the Water Kelpie, that + demon of the streams, who is fabled to keep wailing and roaring at the + ford until the coming of the doomed traveller. Alan I saw believed it, or + half believed it; and when the cry of the river rose more than usually + sharp, I was little surprised (though, of course, I would still be + shocked) to see him cross himself in the manner of the Catholics. + </p> + <p> + During all these horrid wanderings we had no familiarity, scarcely even + that of speech. The truth is that I was sickening for my grave, which is + my best excuse. But besides that I was of an unforgiving disposition from + my birth, slow to take offence, slower to forget it, and now incensed both + against my companion and myself. For the best part of two days he was + unweariedly kind; silent, indeed, but always ready to help, and always + hoping (as I could very well see) that my displeasure would blow by. For + the same length of time I stayed in myself, nursing my anger, roughly + refusing his services, and passing him over with my eyes as if he had been + a bush or a stone. + </p> + <p> + The second night, or rather the peep of the third day, found us upon a + very open hill, so that we could not follow our usual plan and lie down + immediately to eat and sleep. Before we had reached a place of shelter, + the grey had come pretty clear, for though it still rained, the clouds ran + higher; and Alan, looking in my face, showed some marks of concern. + </p> + <p> + "Ye had better let me take your pack," said he, for perhaps the ninth time + since we had parted from the scout beside Loch Rannoch. + </p> + <p> + "I do very well, I thank you," said I, as cold as ice. + </p> + <p> + Alan flushed darkly. "I'll not offer it again," he said. "I'm not a + patient man, David." + </p> + <p> + "I never said you were," said I, which was exactly the rude, silly speech + of a boy of ten. + </p> + <p> + Alan made no answer at the time, but his conduct answered for him. + Henceforth, it is to be thought, he quite forgave himself for the affair + at Cluny's; cocked his hat again, walked jauntily, whistled airs, and + looked at me upon one side with a provoking smile. + </p> + <p> + The third night we were to pass through the western end of the country of + Balquhidder. It came clear and cold, with a touch in the air like frost, + and a northerly wind that blew the clouds away and made the stars bright. + The streams were full, of course, and still made a great noise among the + hills; but I observed that Alan thought no more upon the Kelpie, and was + in high good spirits. As for me, the change of weather came too late; I + had lain in the mire so long that (as the Bible has it) my very clothes + "abhorred me." I was dead weary, deadly sick and full of pains and + shiverings; the chill of the wind went through me, and the sound of it + confused my ears. In this poor state I had to bear from my companion + something in the nature of a persecution. He spoke a good deal, and never + without a taunt. "Whig" was the best name he had to give me. "Here," he + would say, "here's a dub for ye to jump, my Whiggie! I ken you're a fine + jumper!" And so on; all the time with a gibing voice and face. + </p> + <p> + I knew it was my own doing, and no one else's; but I was too miserable to + repent. I felt I could drag myself but little farther; pretty soon, I must + lie down and die on these wet mountains like a sheep or a fox, and my + bones must whiten there like the bones of a beast. My head was light + perhaps; but I began to love the prospect, I began to glory in the thought + of such a death, alone in the desert, with the wild eagles besieging my + last moments. Alan would repent then, I thought; he would remember, when I + was dead, how much he owed me, and the remembrance would be torture. So I + went like a sick, silly, and bad-hearted schoolboy, feeding my anger + against a fellow-man, when I would have been better on my knees, crying on + God for mercy. And at each of Alan's taunts, I hugged myself. "Ah!" thinks + I to myself, "I have a better taunt in readiness; when I lie down and die, + you will feel it like a buffet in your face; ah, what a revenge! ah, how + you will regret your ingratitude and cruelty!" + </p> + <p> + All the while, I was growing worse and worse. Once I had fallen, my leg + simply doubling under me, and this had struck Alan for the moment; but I + was afoot so briskly, and set off again with such a natural manner, that + he soon forgot the incident. Flushes of heat went over me, and then spasms + of shuddering. The stitch in my side was hardly bearable. At last I began + to feel that I could trail myself no farther: and with that, there came on + me all at once the wish to have it out with Alan, let my anger blaze, and + be done with my life in a more sudden manner. He had just called me + "Whig." I stopped. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Stewart," said I, in a voice that quivered like a fiddle-string, "you + are older than I am, and should know your manners. Do you think it either + very wise or very witty to cast my politics in my teeth? I thought, where + folk differed, it was the part of gentlemen to differ civilly; and if I + did not, I may tell you I could find a better taunt than some of yours." + </p> + <p> + Alan had stopped opposite to me, his hat cocked, his hands in his breeches + pockets, his head a little on one side. He listened, smiling evilly, as I + could see by the starlight; and when I had done he began to whistle a + Jacobite air. It was the air made in mockery of General Cope's defeat at + Preston Pans: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Hey, Johnnie Cope, are ye waukin' yet? + And are your drums a-beatin' yet?" +</pre> + <p> + And it came in my mind that Alan, on the day of that battle, had been + engaged upon the royal side. + </p> + <p> + "Why do ye take that air, Mr. Stewart?" said I. "Is that to remind me you + have been beaten on both sides?" + </p> + <p> + The air stopped on Alan's lips. "David!" said he. + </p> + <p> + "But it's time these manners ceased," I continued; "and I mean you shall + henceforth speak civilly of my King and my good friends the Campbells." + </p> + <p> + "I am a Stewart—" began Alan. + </p> + <p> + "O!" says I, "I ken ye bear a king's name. But you are to remember, since + I have been in the Highlands, I have seen a good many of those that bear + it; and the best I can say of them is this, that they would be none the + worse of washing." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know that you insult me?" said Alan, very low. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry for that," said I, "for I am not done; and if you distaste the + sermon, I doubt the pirliecue* will please you as little. You have been + chased in the field by the grown men of my party; it seems a poor kind of + pleasure to out-face a boy. Both the Campbells and the Whigs have beaten + you; you have run before them like a hare. It behoves you to speak of them + as of your betters." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A second sermon. +</pre> + <p> + Alan stood quite still, the tails of his great-coat clapping behind him in + the wind. + </p> + <p> + "This is a pity," he said at last. "There are things said that cannot be + passed over." + </p> + <p> + "I never asked you to," said I. "I am as ready as yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Ready?" said he. + </p> + <p> + "Ready," I repeated. "I am no blower and boaster like some that I could + name. Come on!" And drawing my sword, I fell on guard as Alan himself had + taught me. + </p> + <p> + "David!" he cried. "Are ye daft? I cannae draw upon ye, David. It's fair + murder." + </p> + <p> + "That was your look-out when you insulted me," said I. + </p> + <p> + "It's the truth!" cried Alan, and he stood for a moment, wringing his + mouth in his hand like a man in sore perplexity. "It's the bare truth," he + said, and drew his sword. But before I could touch his blade with mine, he + had thrown it from him and fallen to the ground. "Na, na," he kept saying, + "na, na—I cannae, I cannae." + </p> + <p> + At this the last of my anger oozed all out of me; and I found myself only + sick, and sorry, and blank, and wondering at myself. I would have given + the world to take back what I had said; but a word once spoken, who can + recapture it? I minded me of all Alan's kindness and courage in the past, + how he had helped and cheered and borne with me in our evil days; and then + recalled my own insults, and saw that I had lost for ever that doughty + friend. At the same time, the sickness that hung upon me seemed to + redouble, and the pang in my side was like a sword for sharpness. I + thought I must have swooned where I stood. + </p> + <p> + This it was that gave me a thought. No apology could blot out what I had + said; it was needless to think of one, none could cover the offence; but + where an apology was vain, a mere cry for help might bring Alan back to my + side. I put my pride away from me. "Alan!" I said; "if ye cannae help me, + I must just die here." + </p> + <p> + He started up sitting, and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + "It's true," said I. "I'm by with it. O, let me get into the bield of a + house—I'll can die there easier." I had no need to pretend; whether + I chose or not, I spoke in a weeping voice that would have melted a heart + of stone. + </p> + <p> + "Can ye walk?" asked Alan. + </p> + <p> + "No," said I, "not without help. This last hour my legs have been fainting + under me; I've a stitch in my side like a red-hot iron; I cannae breathe + right. If I die, ye'll can forgive me, Alan? In my heart, I liked ye fine—even + when I was the angriest." + </p> + <p> + "Wheesht, wheesht!" cried Alan. "Dinna say that! David man, ye ken—" + He shut his mouth upon a sob. "Let me get my arm about ye," he continued; + "that's the way! Now lean upon me hard. Gude kens where there's a house! + We're in Balwhidder, too; there should be no want of houses, no, nor + friends' houses here. Do ye gang easier so, Davie?" + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0261m.jpg" alt="0261m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0261.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0263m.jpg" alt="0263m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0263.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Ay," said I, "I can be doing this way;" and I pressed his arm with my + hand. + </p> + <p> + Again he came near sobbing. "Davie," said he, "I'm no a right man at all; + I have neither sense nor kindness; I could nae remember ye were just a + bairn, I couldnae see ye were dying on your feet; Davie, ye'll have to try + and forgive me." + </p> + <p> + "O man, let's say no more about it!" said I. "We're neither one of us to + mend the other—that's the truth! We must just bear and forbear, man + Alan. O, but my stitch is sore! Is there nae house?" + </p> + <p> + "I'll find a house to ye, David," he said, stoutly. "We'll follow down the + burn, where there's bound to be houses. My poor man, will ye no be better + on my back?" + </p> + <p> + "O, Alan," says I, "and me a good twelve inches taller?" + </p> + <p> + "Ye're no such a thing," cried Alan, with a start. "There may be a + trifling matter of an inch or two; I'm no saying I'm just exactly what ye + would call a tall man, whatever; and I dare say," he added, his voice + tailing off in a laughable manner, "now when I come to think of it, I dare + say ye'll be just about right. Ay, it'll be a foot, or near hand; or may + be even mair!" + </p> + <p> + It was sweet and laughable to hear Alan eat his words up in the fear of + some fresh quarrel. I could have laughed, had not my stitch caught me so + hard; but if I had laughed, I think I must have wept too. + </p> + <p> + "Alan," cried I, "what makes ye so good to me? What makes ye care for such + a thankless fellow?" + </p> + <p> + "'Deed, and I don't know" said Alan. "For just precisely what I thought I + liked about ye, was that ye never quarrelled:—and now I like ye + better!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0267m.jpg" alt="0267m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0267.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <h3> + IN BALQUHIDDER + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9267m.jpg" alt="9267m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9267.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + t the door of the first house we came to, Alan knocked, which was of no + very safe enterprise in such a part of the Highlands as the Braes of + Balquhidder. No great clan held rule there; it was filled and disputed by + small septs, and broken remnants, and what they call "chiefless folk," + driven into the wild country about the springs of Forth and Teith by the + advance of the Campbells. Here were Stewarts and Maclarens, which came to + the same thing, for the Maclarens followed Alan's chief in war, and made + but one clan with Appin. Here, too, were many of that old, proscribed, + nameless, red-handed clan of the Macgregors. They had always been + ill-considered, and now worse than ever, having credit with no side or + party in the whole country of Scotland. Their chief, Macgregor of + Macgregor, was in exile; the more immediate leader of that part of them + about Balquhidder, James More, Rob Roy's eldest son, lay waiting his trial + in Edinburgh Castle; they were in ill-blood with Highlander and Lowlander, + with the Grahames, the Maclarens, and the Stewarts; and Alan, who took up + the quarrel of any friend, however distant, was extremely wishful to avoid + them. + </p> + <p> + Chance served us very well; for it was a household of Maclarens that we + found, where Alan was not only welcome for his name's sake but known by + reputation. Here then I was got to bed without delay, and a doctor + fetched, who found me in a sorry plight. But whether because he was a very + good doctor, or I a very young, strong man, I lay bedridden for no more + than a week, and before a month I was able to take the road again with a + good heart. + </p> + <p> + All this time Alan would not leave me though I often pressed him, and + indeed his foolhardiness in staying was a common subject of outcry with + the two or three friends that were let into the secret. He hid by day in a + hole of the braes under a little wood; and at night, when the coast was + clear, would come into the house to visit me. I need not say if I was + pleased to see him; Mrs. Maclaren, our hostess, thought nothing good + enough for such a guest; and as Duncan Dhu (which was the name of our + host) had a pair of pipes in his house, and was much of a lover of music, + this time of my recovery was quite a festival, and we commonly turned + night into day. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers let us be; although once a party of two companies and some + dragoons went by in the bottom of the valley, where I could see them + through the window as I lay in bed. What was much more astonishing, no + magistrate came near me, and there was no question put of whence I came or + whither I was going; and in that time of excitement, I was as free of all + inquiry as though I had lain in a desert. Yet my presence was known before + I left to all the people in Balquhidder and the adjacent parts; many + coming about the house on visits and these (after the custom of the + country) spreading the news among their neighbours. The bills, too, had + now been printed. There was one pinned near the foot of my bed, where I + could read my own not very flattering portrait and, in larger characters, + the amount of the blood money that had been set upon my life. Duncan Dhu + and the rest that knew that I had come there in Alan's company, could have + entertained no doubt of who I was; and many others must have had their + guess. For though I had changed my clothes, I could not change my age or + person; and Lowland boys of eighteen were not so rife in these parts of + the world, and above all about that time, that they could fail to put one + thing with another, and connect me with the bill. So it was, at least. + Other folk keep a secret among two or three near friends, and somehow it + leaks out; but among these clansmen, it is told to a whole countryside, + and they will keep it for a century. + </p> + <p> + There was but one thing happened worth narrating; and that is the visit I + had of Robin Oig, one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy. He was sought + upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and + marrying her (as was alleged) by force; yet he stepped about Balquhidder + like a gentleman in his own walled policy. It was he who had shot James + Maclaren at the plough stilts, a quarrel never satisfied; yet he walked + into the house of his blood enemies as a rider* might into a public inn.* + Commercial traveller. </> + </p> + <p> + Duncan had time to pass me word of who it was; and we looked at one + another in concern. You should understand, it was then close upon the time + of Alan's coming; the two were little likely to agree; and yet if we sent + word or sought to make a signal, it was sure to arouse suspicion in a man + under so dark a cloud as the Macgregor. + </p> + <p> + He came in with a great show of civility, but like a man among inferiors; + took off his bonnet to Mrs. Maclaren, but clapped it on his head again to + speak to Duncan; and having thus set himself (as he would have thought) in + a proper light, came to my bedside and bowed. + </p> + <p> + "I am given to know, sir," says he, "that your name is Balfour." + </p> + <p> + "They call me David Balfour," said I, "at your service." + </p> + <p> + "I would give ye my name in return, sir," he replied, "but it's one + somewhat blown upon of late days; and it'll perhaps suffice if I tell ye + that I am own brother to James More Drummond or Macgregor, of whom ye will + scarce have failed to hear." + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," said I, a little alarmed; "nor yet of your father, + Macgregor-Campbell." And I sat up and bowed in bed; for I thought best to + compliment him, in case he was proud of having had an outlaw to his + father. + </p> + <p> + He bowed in return. "But what I am come to say, sir," he went on, "is + this. In the year '45, my brother raised a part of the 'Gregara' and + marched six companies to strike a stroke for the good side; and the + surgeon that marched with our clan and cured my brother's leg when it was + broken in the brush at Preston Pans, was a gentleman of the same name + precisely as yourself. He was brother to Balfour of Baith; and if you are + in any reasonable degree of nearness one of that gentleman's kin, I have + come to put myself and my people at your command." + </p> + <p> + You are to remember that I knew no more of my descent than any cadger's + dog; my uncle, to be sure, had prated of some of our high connections, but + nothing to the present purpose; and there was nothing left me but that + bitter disgrace of owning that I could not tell. + </p> + <p> + Robin told me shortly he was sorry he had put himself about, turned his + back upon me without a sign of salutation, and as he went towards the + door, I could hear him telling Duncan that I was "only some kinless loon + that didn't know his own father." Angry as I was at these words, and + ashamed of my own ignorance, 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. + </p> + <p> + Just in the door, he met Alan coming in; and the two drew back and looked + at each other like strange dogs. They were neither of them big men, but + they seemed fairly to swell out with pride. Each wore a sword, and by a + movement of his haunch, thrust clear the hilt of it, so that it might be + the more readily grasped and the blade drawn. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Stewart, I am thinking," says Robin. + </p> + <p> + "Troth, Mr. Macgregor, it's not a name to be ashamed of," answered Alan. + </p> + <p> + "I did not know ye were in my country, sir," says Robin. + </p> + <p> + "It sticks in my mind that I am in the country of my friends the + Maclarens," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + "That's a kittle point," returned the other. "There may be two words to + say to that. But I think I will have heard that you are a man of your + sword?" + </p> + <p> + "Unless ye were born deaf, Mr. Macgregor, ye will have heard a good deal + more than that," says Alan. "I am not the only man that can draw steel in + Appin; and when my kinsman and captain, Ardshiel, had a talk with a + gentleman of your name, not so many years back, I could never hear that + the Macgregor had the best of it." + </p> + <p> + "Do ye mean my father, sir?" says Robin. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I wouldnae wonder," said Alan. "The gentleman I have in my mind had + the ill-taste to clap Campbell to his name." + </p> + <p> + "My father was an old man," returned Robin. + </p> + <p> + "The match was unequal. You and me would make a better pair, sir." + </p> + <p> + "I was thinking that," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + I was half out of bed, and Duncan had been hanging at the elbow of these + fighting cocks, ready to intervene upon the least occasion. But when that + word was uttered, it was a case of now or never; and Duncan, with + something of a white face to be sure, thrust himself between. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said he, "I will have been thinking of a very different + matter, whateffer. Here are my pipes, and here are you two gentlemen who + are baith acclaimed pipers. It's an auld dispute which one of ye's the + best. Here will be a braw chance to settle it." + </p> + <p> + "Why, sir," said Alan, still addressing Robin, from whom indeed he had not + so much as shifted his eyes, nor yet Robin from him, "why, sir," says + Alan, "I think I will have heard some sough* of the sort. Have ye music, + as folk say? Are ye a bit of a piper?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Rumour. +</pre> + <p> + "I can pipe like a Macrimmon!" cries Robin. + </p> + <p> + "And that is a very bold word," quoth Alan. + </p> + <p> + "I have made bolder words good before now," returned Robin, "and that + against better adversaries." + </p> + <p> + "It is easy to try that," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + Duncan Dhu made haste to bring out the pair of pipes that was his + principal possession, and to set before his guests a mutton-ham and a + bottle of that drink which they call Athole brose, and which is made of + old whiskey, strained honey and sweet cream, slowly beaten together in the + right order and proportion. The two enemies were still on the very breach + of a quarrel; but down they sat, one upon each side of the peat fire, with + a mighty show of politeness. Maclaren pressed them to taste his mutton-ham + and "the wife's brose," reminding them the wife was out of Athole and had + a name far and wide for her skill in that confection. But Robin put aside + these hospitalities as bad for the breath. + </p> + <p> + "I would have ye to remark, sir," said Alan, "that I havenae broken bread + for near upon ten hours, which will be worse for the breath than any brose + in Scotland." + </p> + <p> + "I will take no advantages, Mr. Stewart," replied Robin. "Eat and drink; + I'll follow you." + </p> + <p> + Each ate a small portion of the ham and drank a glass of the brose to Mrs. + Maclaren; and then after a great number of civilities, Robin took the + pipes and played a little spring in a very ranting manner. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ye can blow" said Alan; and taking the instrument from his rival, he + first played the same spring in a manner identical with Robin's; and then + wandered into variations, which, as he went on, he decorated with a + perfect flight of grace-notes, such as pipers love, and call the + "warblers." + </p> + <p> + I had been pleased with Robin's playing, Alan's ravished me. + </p> + <p> + "That's no very bad, Mr. Stewart," said the rival, "but ye show a poor + device in your warblers." + </p> + <p> + "Me!" cried Alan, the blood starting to his face. "I give ye the lie." + </p> + <p> + "Do ye own yourself beaten at the pipes, then," said Robin, "that ye seek + to change them for the sword?" + </p> + <p> + "And that's very well said, Mr. Macgregor," returned Alan; "and in the + meantime" (laying a strong accent on the word) "I take back the lie. I + appeal to Duncan." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, ye need appeal to naebody," said Robin. "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. Hand me the pipes." Alan did as he + asked; and Robin proceeded to imitate and correct some part of Alan's + variations, which it seemed that he remembered perfectly. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ye have music," said Alan, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + "And now be the judge yourself, Mr. Stewart," said Robin; and taking up + the variations from the beginning, he worked them throughout to so new a + purpose, with such ingenuity and sentiment, and with so odd a fancy and so + quick a knack in the grace-notes, that I was amazed to hear him. + </p> + <p> + As for Alan, his face grew dark and hot, and he sat and gnawed his + fingers, like a man under some deep affront. "Enough!" he cried. "Ye can + blow the pipes—make the most of that." And he made as if to rise. + </p> + <p> + But Robin only held out his hand as if to ask for silence, and struck into + the slow measure of a pibroch. It was a fine piece of music in itself, and + nobly played; but it seems, besides, it was a piece peculiar to the Appin + Stewarts and a chief favourite with Alan. The first notes were scarce out, + before there came a change in his face; when the time quickened, he seemed + to grow restless in his seat; and long before that piece was at an end, + the last signs of his anger died from him, and he had no thought but for + the music. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0273m.jpg" alt="0273m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0273.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Robin Oig," he said, when it was done, "ye are a great piper. I am not + fit to blow in the same kingdom with ye. 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, 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!" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon that quarrel was made up; all night long the brose was going and + the pipes changing hands; and the day had come pretty bright, and the + three men were none the better for what they had been taking, before Robin + as much as thought upon the road. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0277m.jpg" alt="0277m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0277.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + END OF THE FLIGHT: WE PASS THE FORTH + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9277m.jpg" alt="9277m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9277.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + he month, as I have said, was not yet out, but it was already far through + August, and beautiful warm weather, with every sign of an early and great + harvest, when I was pronounced able for my journey. Our money was now run + to so low an ebb that we must think first of all on speed; for if we came + not soon to Mr. Rankeillor's, or if when we came there he should fail to + help me, we must surely starve. In Alan's view, besides, the hunt must + have now greatly slackened; and the line of the Forth and even Stirling + Bridge, which is the main pass over that river, would be watched with + little interest. + </p> + <p> + "It's a chief principle in military affairs," said he, "to go where ye are + least expected. Forth is our trouble; ye ken the saying, 'Forth bridles + the wild Hielandman.' Well, if we seek to creep round about the head of + that river and come down by Kippen or Balfron, it's just precisely there + that they'll be looking to lay hands on us. But if we stave on straight to + the auld Brig of Stirling, I'll lay my sword they let us pass + unchallenged." + </p> + <p> + The first night, accordingly, we pushed to the house of a Maclaren in + Strathire, a friend of Duncan's, where we slept the twenty-first of the + month, and whence we set forth again about the fall of night to make + another easy stage. The twenty-second we lay in a heather bush on the + hillside in Uam Var, within view of a herd of deer, the happiest ten hours + of sleep in a fine, breathing sunshine and on bone-dry ground, that I have + ever tasted. That night we struck Allan Water, and followed it down; and + coming to the edge of the hills saw the whole Carse of Stirling underfoot, + as flat as a pancake, with the town and castle on a hill in the midst of + it, and the moon shining on the Links of Forth. + </p> + <p> + "Now," said Alan, "I kenna if ye care, but ye're in your own land again. + We passed the Hieland Line in the first hour; and now if we could but pass + yon crooked water, we might cast our bonnets in the air." + </p> + <p> + In Allan Water, near by where it falls into the Forth, we found a little + sandy islet, overgrown with burdock, butterbur and the like low plants, + that would just cover us if we lay flat. Here it was we made our camp, + within plain view of Stirling Castle, whence we could hear the drums beat + as some part of the garrison paraded. Shearers worked all day in a field + on one side of the river, and we could hear the stones going on the hooks + and the voices and even the words of the men talking. It behoved to lie + close and keep silent. But the sand of the little isle was sun-warm, the + green plants gave us shelter for our heads, we had food and drink in + plenty; and to crown all, we were within sight of safety. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the shearers quit their work and the dusk began to fall, we + waded ashore and struck for the Bridge of Stirling, keeping to the fields + and under the field fences. + </p> + <p> + The bridge is close under the castle hill, an old, high, narrow bridge + with pinnacles along the parapet; and you may conceive with how much + interest I looked upon it, not only as a place famous in history, but as + the very doors of salvation to Alan and myself. The moon was not yet up + when we came there; a few lights shone along the front of the fortress, + and lower down a few lighted windows in the town; but it was all mighty + still, and there seemed to be no guard upon the passage. + </p> + <p> + I was for pushing straight across; but Alan was more wary. + </p> + <p> + "It looks unco' quiet," said he; "but for all that we'll lie down here + cannily behind a dyke, and make sure." + </p> + <p> + So we lay for about a quarter of an hour, whiles whispering, whiles lying + still and hearing nothing earthly but the washing of the water on the + piers. At last there came by an old, hobbling woman with a crutch stick; + who first stopped a little, close to where we lay, and bemoaned herself + and the long way she had travelled; and then set forth again up the steep + spring of the bridge. The woman was so little, and the night still so + dark, that we soon lost sight of her; only heard the sound of her steps, + and her stick, and a cough that she had by fits, draw slowly farther away. + </p> + <p> + "She's bound to be across now," I whispered. + </p> + <p> + "Na," said Alan, "her foot still sounds boss* upon the bridge." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hollow. +</pre> + <p> + And just then—"Who goes?" cried a voice, and we heard the butt of a + musket rattle on the stones. I must suppose the sentry had been sleeping, + so that had we tried, we might have passed unseen; but he was awake now, + and the chance forfeited. + </p> + <p> + "This'll never do," said Alan. "This'll never, never do for us, David." + </p> + <p> + And without another word, he began to crawl away through the fields; and a + little after, being well out of eye-shot, got to his feet again, and + struck along a road that led to the eastward. I could not conceive what he + was doing; and indeed I was so sharply cut by the disappointment, that I + was little likely to be pleased with anything. A moment back and I had + seen myself knocking at Mr. Rankeillor's door to claim my inheritance, + like a hero in a ballad; and here was I back again, a wandering, hunted + blackguard, on the wrong side of Forth. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Alan, "what would ye have? They're none such fools as I took + them for. We have still the Forth to pass, Davie—weary fall the + rains that fed and the hillsides that guided it!" + </p> + <p> + "And why go east?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "Ou, just upon the chance!" said he. "If we cannae pass the river, we'll + have to see what we can do for the firth." + </p> + <p> + "There are fords upon the river, and none upon the firth," said I. + </p> + <p> + "To be sure there are fords, and a bridge forbye," quoth Alan; "and of + what service, when they are watched?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "but a river can be swum." + </p> + <p> + "By them that have the skill of it," returned he; "but I have yet to hear + that either you or me is much of a hand at that exercise; and for my own + part, I swim like a stone." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not up to you in talking back, Alan," I said; "but I can see we're + making bad worse. If it's hard to pass a river, it stands to reason it + must be worse to pass a sea." + </p> + <p> + "But there's such a thing as a boat," says Alan, "or I'm the more + deceived." + </p> + <p> + "Ay, and such a thing as money," says I. "But for us that have neither one + nor other, they might just as well not have been invented." + </p> + <p> + "Ye think so?" said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "I do that," said I. + </p> + <p> + "David," says he, "ye're a man of small invention and less faith. But let + me set my wits upon the hone, and if I cannae beg, borrow, nor yet steal a + boat, I'll make one!" + </p> + <p> + "I think I see ye!" said I. "And what's more than all that: if ye pass a + bridge, it can tell no tales; but if we pass the firth, there's the boat + on the wrong side—somebody must have brought it—the + country-side will all be in a bizz—-" + </p> + <p> + "Man!" cried Alan, "if I make a boat, 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." + </p> + <p> + All night, then, we walked through the north side of the Carse under the + high line of the Ochil mountains; and by Alloa and Clackmannan and + Culross, all of which we avoided: and about ten in the morning, mighty + hungry and tired, came to the little clachan of Limekilns. This is a place + that sits near in by the water-side, and looks across the Hope to the town + of the Queensferry. Smoke went up from both of these, and from other + villages and farms upon all hands. The fields were being reaped; two ships + lay anchored, and boats were coming and going on the Hope. It was + altogether a right pleasant sight to me; and I could not take my fill of + gazing at these comfortable, green, cultivated hills and the busy people + both of the field and sea. + </p> + <p> + For all that, there was Mr. Rankeillor's house on the south shore, where I + had no doubt wealth awaited me; and here was I upon the north, clad in + poor enough attire of an outlandish fashion, with three silver shillings + left to me of all my fortune, a price set upon my head, and an outlawed + man for my sole company. + </p> + <p> + "O, Alan!" said I, "to think of it! Over there, there's all that heart + could want waiting me; and the birds go over, and the boats go over—all + that please can go, but just me only! O, man, but it's a heart-break!" + </p> + <p> + In Limekilns we entered a small change-house, which we only knew to be a + public by the wand over the door, and bought some bread and cheese from a + good-looking lass that was the servant. This we carried with us in a + bundle, meaning to sit and eat it in a bush of wood on the sea-shore, that + we saw some third part of a mile in front. As we went, I kept looking + across the water and sighing to myself; and though I took no heed of it, + Alan had fallen into a muse. At last he stopped in the way. + </p> + <p> + "Did ye take heed of the lass we bought this of?" says he, tapping on the + bread and cheese. + </p> + <p> + "To be sure," said I, "and a bonny lass she was." + </p> + <p> + "Ye thought that?" cries he. "Man, David, that's good news." + </p> + <p> + "In the name of all that's wonderful, why so?" says I. "What good can that + do?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Alan, with one of his droll looks, "I was rather in hopes it + would maybe get us that boat." + </p> + <p> + "If it were the other way about, it would be liker it," said I. + </p> + <p> + "That's all that you ken, ye see," said Alan. "I don't want the lass to + fall in love with ye, I want her to be sorry for ye, David; to which end + there is no manner of need that she should take you for a beauty. Let me + see" (looking me curiously over). "I wish ye were a wee thing paler; but + apart from that ye'll do fine for my purpose—ye have a fine, + hang-dog, rag-and-tatter, clappermaclaw kind of a look to ye, as if ye had + stolen the coat from a potato-bogle. Come; right about, and back to the + change-house for that boat of ours." + </p> + <p> + I followed him, laughing. + </p> + <p> + "David Balfour," said he, "ye're a very funny gentleman by your way of it, + and this is a very funny employ for ye, no doubt. For all that, 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. I am going to do a bit of + play-acting, the bottom ground of which is just exactly as serious as the + gallows for the pair of us. So bear it, if ye please, in mind, and conduct + yourself according." + </p> + <p> + "Well, well," said I, "have it as you will." + </p> + <p> + As we got near the clachan, he made me take his arm and hang upon it like + one almost helpless with weariness; and by the time he pushed open the + change-house door, he seemed to be half carrying me. The maid appeared + surprised (as well she might be) at our speedy return; but Alan had no + words to spare for her in explanation, helped me to a chair, called for a + tass of brandy with which he fed me in little sips, and then breaking up + the bread and cheese helped me to eat it like a nursery-lass; the whole + with that grave, concerned, affectionate countenance, that might have + imposed upon a judge. It was small wonder if the maid were taken with the + picture we presented, of a poor, sick, overwrought lad and his most tender + comrade. She drew quite near, and stood leaning with her back on the next + table. + </p> + <p> + "What's like wrong with him?" said she at last. + </p> + <p> + Alan turned upon her, to my great wonder, with a kind of fury. "Wrong?" + cries he. "He's walked more hundreds of miles than he has hairs upon his + chin, and slept oftener in wet heather than dry sheets. Wrong, quo' she! + Wrong enough, I would think! Wrong, indeed!" and he kept grumbling to + himself as he fed me, like a man ill-pleased. + </p> + <p> + "He's young for the like of that," said the maid. + </p> + <p> + "Ower young," said Alan, with his back to her. + </p> + <p> + "He would be better riding," says she. + </p> + <p> + "And where could I get a horse to him?" cried Alan, turning on her with + the same appearance of fury. "Would ye have me steal?" + </p> + <p> + I thought this roughness would have sent her off in dudgeon, as indeed it + closed her mouth for the time. But my companion knew very well what he was + doing; and for as simple as he was in some things of life, had a great + fund of roguishness in such affairs as these. + </p> + <p> + "Ye neednae tell me," she said at last—"ye're gentry." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Alan, softened a little (I believe against his will) by this + artless comment, "and suppose we were? Did ever you hear that gentrice put + money in folk's pockets?" + </p> + <p> + She sighed at this, as if she were herself some disinherited great lady. + "No," says she, "that's true indeed." + </p> + <p> + I was all this while chafing at the part I played, and sitting tongue-tied + between shame and merriment; but somehow at this I could hold in no + longer, and bade Alan let me be, for I was better already. My voice stuck + in my throat, for I ever hated to take part in lies; but my very + embarrassment helped on the plot, for the lass no doubt set down my husky + voice to sickness and fatigue. + </p> + <p> + "Has he nae friends?" said she, in a tearful voice. + </p> + <p> + "That has he so!" cried Alan, "if we could but win to them!—friends + and rich friends, beds to lie in, food to eat, doctors to see to him—and + here he must tramp in the dubs and sleep in the heather like a beggarman." + </p> + <p> + "And why that?" says the lass. + </p> + <p> + "My dear," said Alan, "I cannae very safely say; but I'll tell ye what + I'll do instead," says he, "I'll whistle ye a bit tune." And with that he + leaned pretty far over the table, and in a mere breath of a whistle, but + with a wonderful pretty sentiment, gave her a few bars of "Charlie is my + darling." + </p> + <p> + "Wheesht," says she, and looked over her shoulder to the door. + </p> + <p> + "That's it," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "And him so young!" cries the lass. + </p> + <p> + "He's old enough to——" and Alan struck his forefinger on the + back part of his neck, meaning that I was old enough to lose my head. + </p> + <p> + "It would be a black shame," she cried, flushing high. + </p> + <p> + "It's what will be, though," said Alan, "unless we manage the better." + </p> + <p> + At this the lass turned and ran out of that part of the house, leaving us + alone together. Alan in high good humour at the furthering of his schemes, + and I in bitter dudgeon at being called a Jacobite and treated like a + child. + </p> + <p> + "Alan," I cried, "I can stand no more of this." + </p> + <p> + "Ye'll have to sit it then, Davie," said he. "For if ye upset the pot now, + ye may scrape your own life out of the fire, but Alan Breck is a dead + man." + </p> + <p> + This was so true that I could only groan; and even my groan served Alan's + purpose, 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. + </p> + <p> + "Poor lamb!" says she, and had no sooner set the meat before us, than she + touched me on the shoulder with a little friendly touch, as much as to bid + me cheer up. Then she told us to fall to, and there would be no more to + pay; for the inn was her own, or at least her father's, and he was gone + for the day to Pittencrieff. We waited for no second bidding, for bread + and cheese is but cold comfort and the puddings smelt excellently well; + and while we sat and ate, she took up that same place by the next table, + looking on, and thinking, and frowning to herself, and drawing the string + of her apron through her hand. + </p> + <p> + "I'm thinking ye have rather a long tongue," she said at last to Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Ay" said Alan; "but ye see I ken the folk I speak to." + </p> + <p> + "I would never betray ye," said she, "if ye mean that." + </p> + <p> + "No," said he, "ye're not that kind. But I'll tell ye what ye would do, ye + would help." + </p> + <p> + "I couldnae," said she, shaking her head. "Na, I couldnae." + </p> + <p> + "No," said he, "but if ye could?" + </p> + <p> + She answered him nothing. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, my lass," said Alan, "there are boats in the Kingdom of Fife, + for I saw two (no less) upon the beach, as I came in by your town's end. + Now if we could have the use of a boat to pass under cloud of night into + Lothian, and some secret, decent kind of a man to bring that boat back + again and keep his counsel, there would be two souls saved—mine to + all likelihood—his to a dead surety. If we lack that boat, we have + but three shillings left in this wide world; and where to go, and how to + do, and what other place there is for us except the chains of a gibbet—I + give you my naked word, I kenna! Shall we go wanting, lassie? Are ye to + lie in your warm bed and think upon us, 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 think upon this poor sick lad of mine, biting his finger + ends on a blae muir for cauld and hunger? Sick or sound, he must aye be + moving; with the death grapple at his throat he must aye be trailing in + the rain on the lang roads; and when he gants his last on a rickle of + cauld stanes, there will be nae friends near him but only me and God." + </p> + <p> + At this appeal, I could see the lass was in great trouble of mind, being + tempted to help us, and yet in some fear she might be helping malefactors; + and so now I determined to step in myself and to allay her scruples with a + portion of the truth. + </p> + <p> + "Did ever you hear," said I, "of Mr. Rankeillor of the Ferry?" + </p> + <p> + "Rankeillor the writer?" said she. "I daur say that!" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "it's to his door that I am bound, so you may judge by + that if I am an ill-doer; and I will tell you more, that though I am + indeed, by a dreadful error, in some peril of my life, King George has no + truer friend in all Scotland than myself." + </p> + <p> + Her face cleared up mightily at this, although Alan's darkened. + </p> + <p> + "That's more than I would ask," said she. "Mr. Rankeillor is a kennt man." + And she bade us finish our meat, get clear of the clachan as soon as might + be, and lie close in the bit wood on the sea-beach. "And ye can trust me," + says she, "I'll find some means to put you over." + </p> + <p> + At this we waited for no more, but shook hands with her upon the bargain, + made short work of the puddings, and set forth again from Limekilns as far + as to the wood. It was a small piece of perhaps a score of elders and + hawthorns and a few young ashes, not thick enough to veil us from + passersby upon the road or beach. Here we must lie, however, making the + best of the brave warm weather and the good hopes we now had of a + deliverance, and planing more particularly what remained for us to do. + </p> + <p> + We had but one trouble all day; when a strolling piper came and sat in the + same wood with us; a red-nosed, bleareyed, drunken dog, with a great + bottle of whisky in his pocket, and a long story of wrongs that had been + done him by all sorts of persons, from the Lord President of the Court of + Session, who had denied him justice, down to the Bailies of Inverkeithing + who had given him more of it than he desired. 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. As long as he stayed there he + kept us in hot water with prying questions; and after he was gone, as he + was a man not very likely to hold his tongue, we were in the greater + impatience to be gone ourselves. + </p> + <p> + The day came to an end with the same brightness; the night fell quiet and + clear; lights came out in houses and hamlets and then, one after another, + began to be put out; but it was past eleven, and we were long since + strangely tortured with anxieties, before we heard the grinding of oars + upon the rowing-pins. At that, we looked out and saw the lass herself + coming rowing to us in a boat. She had trusted no one with our affairs, + not even her sweetheart, if she had one; but as soon as her father was + asleep, had left the house by a window, stolen a neighbour's boat, and + come to our assistance single-handed. + </p> + <p> + I was abashed how to find expression for my thanks; but she was no less + abashed at the thought of hearing them; begged us to lose no time and to + hold our peace, saying (very properly) that the heart of our matter was in + haste and silence; and so, what with one thing and another, she had set us + on the Lothian shore not far from Carriden, had shaken hands with us, and + was out again at sea and rowing for Limekilns, before there was one word + said either of her service or our gratitude. + </p> + <p> + Even after she was gone, we had nothing to say, as indeed nothing was + enough for such a kindness. Only Alan stood a great while upon the shore + shaking his head. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0287m.jpg" alt="0287m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0287.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "It is a very fine lass," he said at last. "David, it is a very fine + lass." And a matter of an hour later, as we were lying in a den on the + sea-shore and I had been already dozing, he broke out again in + commendations of her character. For my part, I could say nothing, she was + so simple a creature that my heart smote me both with remorse and fear: + remorse because we had traded upon her ignorance; and fear lest we should + have anyway involved her in the dangers of our situation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0291m.jpg" alt="0291m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0291.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + I COME TO MR. RANKEILLOR + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9291m.jpg" alt="9291m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9291.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + he next day it was agreed that Alan should fend for himself till sunset; + but as soon as it began to grow dark, he should lie in the fields by the + roadside near to Newhalls, and stir for naught until he heard me + whistling. At first I proposed I should give him for a signal the "Bonnie + House of Airlie," which was a favourite of mine; but he objected that as + the piece was very commonly known, any ploughman might whistle it by + accident; and taught me instead a little fragment of a Highland air, which + has run in my head from that day to this, and will likely run in my head + when I lie dying. Every time it comes to me, it takes me off to that last + day of my uncertainty, with Alan sitting up in the bottom of the den, + whistling and beating the measure with a finger, and the grey of the dawn + coming on his face. + </p> + <p> + I was in the long street of Queensferry before the sun was up. It was a + fairly built burgh, the houses of good stone, many slated; the town-hall + not so fine, I thought, as that of Peebles, nor yet the street so noble; + but take it altogether, it put me to shame for my foul tatters. + </p> + <p> + As the morning went on, and the fires began to be kindled, and the windows + to open, and the people to appear out of the houses, my concern and + despondency grew ever the blacker. I saw now that I had no grounds to + stand upon; and no clear proof of my rights, nor so much as of my own + identity. If it was all a bubble, I was indeed sorely cheated and left in + a sore pass. Even if things were as I conceived, it would in all + likelihood take time to establish my contentions; and what time had I to + spare with less than three shillings in my pocket, and a condemned, hunted + man upon my hands to ship out of the country? Truly, if my hope broke with + me, it might come to the gallows yet for both of us. And as I continued to + walk up and down, and saw people looking askance at me upon the street or + out of windows, and nudging or speaking one to another with smiles, I + began to take a fresh apprehension: that it might be no easy matter even + to come to speech of the lawyer, far less to convince him of my story. + </p> + <p> + 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; and if I had asked for the house of such a man + as Mr. Rankeillor, I suppose they would have burst out laughing in my + face. So I went up and down, and through the street, and down to the + harbour-side, like a dog that has lost its master, with a strange gnawing + in my inwards, and every now and then a movement of despair. It grew to be + high day at last, perhaps nine in the forenoon; and I was worn with these + wanderings, and chanced to have stopped in front of a very good house on + the landward side, a house with beautiful, clear glass windows, flowering + knots upon the sills, the walls new-harled* and a chase-dog sitting + yawning on the step like one that was at home. Well, I was even envying + this dumb brute, when the door fell open and there issued forth a shrewd, + ruddy, kindly, consequential man in a well-powdered wig and spectacles. I + was in such a plight that no one set eyes on me once, but he looked at me + again; and this gentleman, as it proved, was so much struck with my poor + appearance that he came straight up to me and asked me what I did. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Newly rough-cast. +</pre> + <p> + I told him I was come to the Queensferry on business, and taking heart of + grace, asked him to direct me to the house of Mr. Rankeillor. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said he, "that is his house that I have just come out of; and for a + rather singular chance, I am that very man." + </p> + <p> + "Then, sir," said I, "I have to beg the favour of an interview." + </p> + <p> + "I do not know your name," said he, "nor yet your face." + </p> + <p> + "My name is David Balfour," said I. + </p> + <p> + "David Balfour?" he repeated, in rather a high tone, like one surprised. + "And where have you come from, Mr. David Balfour?" he asked, looking me + pretty drily in the face. + </p> + <p> + "I have come from a great many strange places, sir," said I; "but I think + it would be as well to tell you where and how in a more private manner." + </p> + <p> + He seemed to muse awhile, holding his lip in his hand, and looking now at + me and now upon the causeway of the street. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," says he, "that will be the best, no doubt." And he led me back with + him into his house, cried out to some one whom I could not see that he + would be engaged all morning, and brought me into a little dusty chamber + full of books and documents. Here he sate down, and bade me be seated; + though I thought he looked a little ruefully from his clean chair to my + muddy rags. "And now," says he, "if you have any business, pray be brief + and come swiftly to the point. Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo—do + you understand that?" says he, with a keen look. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0293m.jpg" alt="0293m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0293.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "I will even do as Horace says, sir," I answered, smiling, "and carry you + in medias res." He nodded as if he was well pleased, and indeed his scrap + of Latin had been set to test me. For all that, and though I was somewhat + encouraged, the blood came in my face when I added: "I have reason to + believe myself some rights on the estate of Shaws." + </p> + <p> + He got a paper book out of a drawer and set it before him open. "Well?" + said he. + </p> + <p> + But I had shot my bolt and sat speechless. + </p> + <p> + "Come, come, Mr. Balfour," said he, "you must continue. Where were you + born?" + </p> + <p> + "In Essendean, sir," said I, "the year 1733, the 12th of March." + </p> + <p> + He seemed to follow this statement in his paper book; but what that meant + I knew not. "Your father and mother?" said he. + </p> + <p> + "My father was Alexander Balfour, schoolmaster of that place," said I, + "and my mother Grace Pitarrow; I think her people were from Angus." + </p> + <p> + "Have you any papers proving your identity?" asked Mr. Rankeillor. + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," said I, "but they are in the hands of Mr. Campbell, the + minister, and could be readily produced. Mr. Campbell, too, would give me + his word; and for that matter, I do not think my uncle would deny me." + </p> + <p> + "Meaning Mr. Ebenezer Balfour?" says he. + </p> + <p> + "The same," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Whom you have seen?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "By whom I was received into his own house," I answered. + </p> + <p> + "Did you ever meet a man of the name of Hoseason?" asked Mr. Rankeillor. + </p> + <p> + "I did so, sir, for my sins," said I; "for it was by his means and the + procurement of my uncle, that I was kidnapped within sight of this town, + carried to sea, suffered shipwreck and a hundred other hardships, and + stand before you to-day in this poor accoutrement." + </p> + <p> + "You say you were shipwrecked," said Rankeillor; "where was that?" + </p> + <p> + "Off the south end of the Isle of Mull," said I. "The name of the isle on + which I was cast up is the Island Earraid." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" says he, smiling, "you are deeper than me in the geography. But so + far, I may tell you, this agrees pretty exactly with other informations + that I hold. But you say you were kidnapped; in what sense?" + </p> + <p> + "In the plain meaning of the word, sir," said I. "I was on my way to your + house, when I was trepanned on board the brig, cruelly struck down, thrown + below, and knew no more of anything till we were far at sea. I was + destined for the plantations; a fate that, in God's providence, I have + escaped." + </p> + <p> + "The brig was lost on June the 27th," says he, looking in his book, "and + we are now at August the 24th. Here is a considerable hiatus, Mr. Balfour, + of near upon two months. It has already caused a vast amount of trouble to + your friends; and I own I shall not be very well contented until it is set + right." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, sir," said I, "these months are very easily filled up; but yet + before I told my story, I would be glad to know that I was talking to a + friend." + </p> + <p> + "This is to argue in a circle," said the lawyer. "I cannot be convinced + till I have heard you. I cannot be your friend till I am properly + informed. If you were more trustful, it would better befit your time of + life. And you know, Mr. Balfour, we have a proverb in the country that + evil-doers are aye evil-dreaders." + </p> + <p> + "You are not to forget, sir," said I, "that I have already suffered by my + trustfulness; and was shipped off to be a slave by the very man that (if I + rightly understand) is your employer?" + </p> + <p> + All this while I had been gaining ground with Mr. Rankeillor, and in + proportion as I gained ground, gaining confidence. But at this sally, + which I made with something of a smile myself, he fairly laughed aloud. + </p> + <p> + "No, no," said he, "it is not so bad as that. Fui, non sum. I was indeed + your uncle's man of business; but while you (imberbis juvenis custode + remoto) were gallivanting in the west, a good deal of water has run under + the bridges; and if your ears did not sing, it was not for lack of being + talked about. On the very day of your sea disaster, Mr. Campbell stalked + into my office, demanding you from all the winds. I had never heard of + your existence; but I had known your father; and from matters in my + competence (to be touched upon hereafter) I was disposed to fear the + worst. Mr. Ebenezer admitted having seen you; declared (what seemed + improbable) that he had given you considerable sums; and that you had + started for the continent of Europe, intending to fulfil your education, + which was probable and praiseworthy. Interrogated how you had come to send + no word to Mr. Campbell, he deponed that you had expressed a great desire + to break with your past life. Further interrogated where you now were, + protested ignorance, but believed you were in Leyden. That is a close sum + of his replies. I am not exactly sure that any one believed him," + continued Mr. Rankeillor with a smile; "and in particular he so much + disrelished me expressions of mine that (in a word) he showed me to the + door. We were then at a full stand; for whatever shrewd suspicions we + might entertain, we had no shadow of probation. In the very article, comes + Captain Hoseason with the story of your drowning; whereupon all fell + through; with no consequences but concern to Mr. Campbell, injury to my + pocket, and another blot upon your uncle's character, which could very ill + afford it. And now, Mr. Balfour," said he, "you understand the whole + process of these matters, and can judge for yourself to what extent I may + be trusted." + </p> + <p> + Indeed he was more pedantic than I can represent him, and placed more + scraps of Latin in his speech; but it was all uttered with a fine + geniality of eye and manner which went far to conquer my distrust. + Moreover, I could see he now treated me as if I was myself beyond a doubt; + so that first point of my identity seemed fully granted. + </p> + <p> + "Sir," said I, "if I tell you my story, I must commit a friend's life to + your discretion. Pass me your word it shall be sacred; and for what + touches myself, I will ask no better guarantee than just your face." + </p> + <p> + He passed me his word very seriously. "But," said he, "these are rather + alarming prolocutions; and if there are in your story any little jostles + to the law, I would beg you to bear in mind that I am a lawyer, and pass + lightly." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon I told him my story from the first, he listening with his + spectacles thrust up and his eyes closed, so that I sometimes feared he + was asleep. 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. Even strange outlandish Gaelic names, heard for that time only, he + remembered and would remind me of, years after. Yet when I called Alan + Breck in full, we had an odd scene. The name of Alan had of course rung + through Scotland, with the news of the Appin murder and the offer of the + reward; and it had no sooner escaped me than the lawyer moved in his seat + and opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I would name no unnecessary names, Mr. Balfour," said he; "above all of + Highlanders, many of whom are obnoxious to the law." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it might have been better not," said I, "but since I have let it + slip, I may as well continue." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," said Mr. Rankeillor. "I am somewhat dull of hearing, as you + may have remarked; and I am far from sure I caught the name exactly. We + will call your friend, if you please, Mr. Thomson—that there may be + no reflections. And in future, I would take some such way with any + Highlander that you may have to mention—dead or alive." + </p> + <p> + By this, I saw he must have heard the name all too clearly, and had + already guessed I might be coming to the murder. If he chose to play this + part of ignorance, it was no matter of mine; so I smiled, said it was no + very Highland-sounding name, and consented. Through all the rest of my + story Alan was Mr. Thomson; which amused me the more, as it was a piece of + policy after his own heart. James Stewart, in like manner, was mentioned + under the style of Mr. Thomson's kinsman; Colin Campbell passed as a Mr. + Glen; and to Cluny, when I came to that part of my tale, I gave the name + of "Mr. Jameson, a Highland chief." It was truly the most open farce, and + I wondered that the lawyer should care to keep it up; but, after all, it + was quite in the taste of that age, when there were two parties in the + state, and quiet persons, with no very high opinions of their own, sought + out every cranny to avoid offence to either. + </p> + <p> + "Well, well," said the lawyer, when I had quite done, "this is a great + epic, a great Odyssey of yours. You must tell it, sir, in a sound Latinity + when your scholarship is riper; or in English if you please, though for my + part I prefer the stronger tongue. You have rolled much; quae regio in + terris—what parish in Scotland (to make a homely translation) has + not been filled with your wanderings? You have shown, besides, a singular + aptitude for getting into false positions; and, yes, upon the whole, for + behaving well in them. This Mr. Thomson seems to me a gentleman of some + choice qualities, though perhaps a trifle bloody-minded. It would please + me none the worse, if (with all his merits) he were soused in the North + Sea, for the man, Mr. David, is a sore embarrassment. But you are + doubtless quite right to adhere to him; indubitably, he adhered to you. It + comes—we may say—he was your true companion; nor less paribus + curis vestigia figit, for I dare say you would both take an orra thought + upon the gallows. Well, well, these days are fortunately by; and I think + (speaking humanly) that you are near the end of your troubles." + </p> + <p> + As he thus moralised on my adventures, he looked upon me with so much + humour and benignity that I could scarce contain my satisfaction. I had + been so long wandering with lawless people, and making my bed upon the + hills and under the bare sky, that to sit once more in a clean, covered + house, and to talk amicably with a gentleman in broadcloth, seemed mighty + elevations. Even as I thought so, my eye fell on my unseemly tatters, and + I was once more plunged in confusion. But the lawyer saw and understood + me. He rose, called over the stair to lay another plate, for Mr. Balfour + would stay to dinner, and led me into a bedroom in the upper part of the + house. Here he set before me water and soap, and a comb; and laid out some + clothes that belonged to his son; and here, with another apposite tag, he + left me to my toilet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0302m.jpg" alt="0302m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0302.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + I GO IN QUEST OF MY INHERITANCE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9302m.jpg" alt="9302m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9302.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + made what change I could in my appearance; and blithe was I to look in + the glass and find the beggarman a thing of the past, and David Balfour + come to life again. And yet I was ashamed of the change too, and, above + all, of the borrowed clothes. When I had done, Mr. Rankeillor caught me on + the stair, made me his compliments, and had me again into the cabinet. + </p> + <p> + "Sit ye down, Mr. David," said he, "and now that you are looking a little + more like yourself, let me see if I can find you any news. You will be + wondering, no doubt, about your father and your uncle? To be sure it is a + singular tale; and the explanation is one that I blush to have to offer + you. For," says he, really with embarrassment, "the matter hinges on a + love affair." + </p> + <p> + "Truly," said I, "I cannot very well join that notion with my uncle." + </p> + <p> + "But your uncle, Mr. David, was not always old," replied the lawyer, "and + what may perhaps surprise you more, not always ugly. He had a fine, + gallant air; people stood in their doors to look after him, as he went by + upon a mettle horse. I have seen it with these eyes, and I ingenuously + confess, not altogether without envy; for I was a plain lad myself and a + plain man's son; and in those days it was a case of Odi te, qui bellus es, + Sabelle." + </p> + <p> + "It sounds like a dream," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ay," said the lawyer, "that is how it is with youth and age. Nor was + that all, but he had a spirit of his own that seemed to promise great + things in the future. In 1715, what must he do but run away to join the + rebels? It was your father that pursued him, found him in a ditch, and + brought him back multum gementem; to the mirth of the whole country. + However, majora canamus—the two lads fell in love, and that with the + same lady. Mr. Ebenezer, who was the admired and the beloved, and the + spoiled one, made, no doubt, mighty certain of the victory; and when he + found he had deceived himself, screamed like a peacock. The whole country + heard of it; now he lay sick at home, with his silly family standing round + the bed in tears; now he rode from public-house to public-house, and + shouted his sorrows into the lug of Tom, Dick, and Harry. Your father, Mr. + David, was a kind gentleman; but he was weak, dolefully weak; took all + this folly with a long countenance; and one day—by your leave!—resigned + the lady. She was no such fool, however; it's from her you must inherit + your excellent good sense; and she refused to be bandied from one to + another. Both got upon their knees to her; and the upshot of the matter + for that while was that she showed both of them the door. That was in + August; dear me! the same year I came from college. The scene must have + been highly farcical." + </p> + <p> + I thought myself it was a silly business, but I could not forget my father + had a hand in it. "Surely, sir, it had some note of tragedy," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Why, no, sir, not at all," returned the lawyer. "For tragedy implies some + ponderable matter in dispute, some dignus vindice nodus; and this piece of + work was all about the petulance of a young ass that had been spoiled, and + wanted nothing so much as to be tied up and soundly belted. However, that + was not your father's view; and the end of it was, that from concession to + concession on your father's part, and from one height to another of + squalling, sentimental selfishness upon your uncle's, they came at last to + drive a sort of bargain, from whose ill results you have recently been + smarting. The one man took the lady, the other the estate. Now, Mr. David, + they talk a great deal of charity and generosity; but in this disputable + state of life, I often think the happiest consequences seem to flow when a + gentleman consults his lawyer, and takes all the law allows him. Anyhow, + this piece of Quixotry on your father's part, as it was unjust in itself, + has brought forth a monstrous family of injustices. Your father and mother + lived and died poor folk; you were poorly reared; and in the meanwhile, + 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. + Ebenezer!" + </p> + <p> + "And yet that is certainly the strangest part of all," said I, "that a + man's nature should thus change." + </p> + <p> + "True," said Mr. Rankeillor. "And yet I imagine it was natural enough. He + could not think that he had played a handsome part. Those who knew the + story gave him the cold shoulder; those who knew it not, seeing one + brother disappear, and the other succeed in the estate, raised a cry of + murder; so that upon all sides he found himself evited. Money was all he + got by his bargain; well, he came to think the more of money. He was + selfish when he was young, he is selfish now that he is old; and the + latter end of all these pretty manners and fine feelings you have seen for + yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said I, "and in all this, what is my position?" + </p> + <p> + "The estate is yours beyond a doubt," replied the lawyer. "It matters + nothing what your father signed, you are the heir of entail. But your + uncle is a man to fight the indefensible; and it would be likely your + identity that he would call in question. A lawsuit is always expensive, + and a family lawsuit always scandalous; besides which, if any of your + doings with your friend Mr. Thomson were to come out, we might find that + we had burned our fingers. The kidnapping, to be sure, would be a court + card upon our side, if we could only prove it. But it may be difficult to + prove; and my advice (upon the whole) is to make a very easy bargain with + your uncle, perhaps even leaving him at Shaws where he has taken root for + a quarter of a century, and contenting yourself in the meanwhile with a + fair provision." + </p> + <p> + I told him I was very willing to be easy, and that to carry family + concerns before the public was a step from which I was naturally much + averse. In the meantime (thinking to myself) I began to see the outlines + of that scheme on which we afterwards acted. + </p> + <p> + "The great affair," I asked, "is to bring home to him the kidnapping?" + </p> + <p> + "Surely," said Mr. Rankeillor, "and if possible, out of court. For mark + you here, Mr. David: we could no doubt find some men of the Covenant who + would swear to your reclusion; but once they were in the box, we could no + longer check their testimony, and some word of your friend Mr. Thomson + must certainly crop out. Which (from what you have let fall) I cannot + think to be desirable." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir," said I, "here is my way of it." And I opened my plot to him. + </p> + <p> + "But this would seem to involve my meeting the man Thomson?" says he, when + I had done. + </p> + <p> + "I think so, indeed, sir," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Dear doctor!" cries he, rubbing his brow. "Dear doctor! No, Mr. David, I + am afraid your scheme is inadmissible. I say nothing against your friend, + Mr. Thomson: I know nothing against him; and if I did—mark this, Mr. + David!—it would be my duty to lay hands on him. Now I put it to you: + is it wise to meet? He may have matters to his charge. He may not have + told you all. His name may not be even Thomson!" cries the lawyer, + twinkling; "for some of these fellows will pick up names by the roadside + as another would gather haws." + </p> + <p> + "You must be the judge, sir," said I. + </p> + <p> + But it was clear my plan had taken hold upon his fancy, for he kept musing + to himself till we were called to dinner and the company of Mrs. + Rankeillor; and that lady had scarce left us again to ourselves and a + bottle of wine, ere he was back harping on my proposal. When and where was + I to meet my friend Mr. Thomson; was I sure of Mr. T.'s discretion; + supposing we could catch the old fox tripping, would I consent to such and + such a term of an agreement—these and the like questions he kept + asking at long intervals, while he thoughtfully rolled his wine upon his + tongue. When I had answered all of them, seemingly to his contentment, he + fell into a still deeper muse, even the claret being now forgotten. Then + he got a sheet of paper and a pencil, and set to work writing and weighing + every word; and at last touched a bell and had his clerk into the chamber. + </p> + <p> + "Torrance," said he, "I must have this written out fair against to-night; + and when it is done, you will be so kind as put on your hat and be ready + to come along with this gentleman and me, for you will probably be wanted + as a witness." + </p> + <p> + "What, sir," cried I, as soon as the clerk was gone, "are you to venture + it?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, so it would appear," says he, filling his glass. "But let us speak + no more of business. The very sight of Torrance brings in my head a little + droll matter of some years ago, when I had made a tryst with the poor oaf + at the cross of Edinburgh. Each had gone his proper errand; and when it + came four o'clock, Torrance had been taking a glass and did not know his + master, and I, who had forgot my spectacles, was so blind without them, + that I give you my word I did not know my own clerk." And thereupon he + laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + I said it was an odd chance, and smiled out of politeness; but what held + me all the afternoon in wonder, he kept returning and dwelling on this + story, and telling it again with fresh details and laughter; so that I + began at last to be quite put out of countenance and feel ashamed for my + friend's folly. + </p> + <p> + Towards the time I had appointed with Alan, we set out from the house, Mr. + Rankeillor and I arm in arm, and Torrance following behind with the deed + in his pocket and a covered basket in his hand. All through the town, the + lawyer was bowing right and left, and continually being button-holed by + gentlemen on matters of burgh or private business; and I could see he was + one greatly looked up to in the county. At last we were clear of the + houses, and began to go along the side of the haven and towards the Hawes + Inn and the Ferry pier, the scene of my misfortune. I could not look upon + the place without emotion, recalling how many that had been there with me + that day were now no more: Ransome taken, I could hope, from the evil to + come; Shuan passed where I dared not follow him; and the poor souls that + had gone down with the brig in her last plunge. All these, and the brig + herself, I had outlived; and come through these hardships and fearful + perils without scath. My only thought should have been of gratitude; and + yet I could not behold the place without sorrow for others and a chill of + recollected fear. + </p> + <p> + I was so thinking when, upon a sudden, Mr. Rankeillor cried out, clapped + his hand to his pockets, and began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Why," he cries, "if this be not a farcical adventure! After all that I + said, I have forgot my glasses!" + </p> + <p> + At that, of course, I understood the purpose of his anecdote, and knew + that if he had left his spectacles at home, it had been done on purpose, + so that he might have the benefit of Alan's help without the awkwardness + of recognising him. And indeed it was well thought upon; for now (suppose + things to go the very worst) how could Rankeillor swear to my friend's + identity, or how be made to bear damaging evidence against myself? For all + that, he had been a long while of finding out his want, and had spoken to + and recognised a good few persons as we came through the town; and I had + little doubt myself that he saw reasonably well. + </p> + <p> + As soon as we were past the Hawes (where I recognised the landlord smoking + his pipe in the door, and was amazed to see him look no older) Mr. + Rankeillor changed the order of march, walking behind with Torrance and + sending me forward in the manner of a scout. I went up the hill, whistling + from time to time my Gaelic air; and at length I had the pleasure to hear + it answered and to see Alan rise from behind a bush. He was somewhat + dashed in spirits, having passed a long day alone skulking in the county, + and made but a poor meal in an alehouse near Dundas. But at the mere sight + of my clothes, he began to brighten up; 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, he sprang into a new man. + </p> + <p> + "And that is a very good notion of yours," says he; "and I dare to say + that you could lay your hands upon no better man to put it through than + Alan Breck. It is not a thing (mark ye) that any one could do, but takes a + gentleman of penetration. But it sticks in my head your lawyer-man will be + somewhat wearying to see me," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly I cried and waved on Mr. Rankeillor, who came up alone and was + presented to my friend, Mr. Thomson. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Thomson, I am pleased to meet you," said he. "But I have forgotten my + glasses; and our friend, Mr. David here" (clapping me on the shoulder), + "will tell you that I am little better than blind, and that you must not + be surprised if I pass you by to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + This he said, thinking that Alan would be pleased; but the Highlandman's + vanity was ready to startle at a less matter than that. + </p> + <p> + "Why, sir," says he, stiffly, "I would say it mattered the less as we are + met here for a particular end, to see justice done to Mr. Balfour; and by + what I can see, not very likely to have much else in common. But I accept + your apology, which was a very proper one to make." + </p> + <p> + "And that is more than I could look for, Mr. Thomson," said Rankeillor, + heartily. "And now as you and I are the chief actors in this enterprise, I + think we should come into a nice agreement; to which end, I propose that + you should lend me your arm, for (what with the dusk and the want of my + glasses) I am not very clear as to the path; and as for you, Mr. David, + you will find Torrance a pleasant kind of body to speak with. Only let me + remind you, it's quite needless he should hear more of your adventures or + those of—ahem—Mr. Thomson." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly these two went on ahead in very close talk, and Torrance and I + brought up the rear. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0309m.jpg" alt="0309m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0309.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Night was quite come when we came in view of the house of Shaws. Ten had + been gone some time; it was dark and mild, with a pleasant, rustling wind + in the south-west that covered the sound of our approach; and as we drew + near we saw no glimmer of light in any portion of the building. It seemed + my uncle was already in bed, which was indeed the best thing for our + arrangements. We made our last whispered consultations some fifty yards + away; and then the lawyer and Torrance and I crept quietly up and crouched + down beside the corner of the house; and as soon as we were in our places, + Alan strode to the door without concealment and began to knock. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0312m.jpg" alt="0312m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0312.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <h3> + I COME INTO MY KINGDOM + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9312m.jpg" alt="9312m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9312.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + or some time Alan volleyed upon the door, and his knocking only roused + the echoes of the house and neighbourhood. At last, however, I could hear + the noise of a window gently thrust up, and knew that my uncle had come to + his observatory. By what light there was, he would see Alan standing, like + a dark shadow, on the steps; the three witnesses were hidden quite out of + his view; so that there was nothing to alarm an honest man in his own + house. For all that, he studied his visitor awhile in silence, and when he + spoke his voice had a quaver of misgiving. + </p> + <p> + "What's this?" says he. "This is nae kind of time of night for decent + folk; and I hae nae trokings* wi' night-hawks. What brings ye here? I have + a blunderbush." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Dealings. +</pre> + <p> + "Is that yoursel', Mr. Balfour?" returned Alan, stepping back and looking + up into the darkness. "Have a care of that blunderbuss; they're nasty + things to burst." + </p> + <p> + "What brings ye here? and whae are ye?" says my uncle, angrily. + </p> + <p> + "I have no manner of inclination to rowt out my name to the country-side," + said Alan; "but what brings me here is another story, being more of your + affair than mine; and if ye're sure it's what ye would like, I'll set it + to a tune and sing it to you." + </p> + <p> + "And what is't?" asked my uncle. + </p> + <p> + "David," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + "What was that?" cried my uncle, in a mighty changed voice. + </p> + <p> + "Shall I give ye the rest of the name, then?" said Alan. + </p> + <p> + There was a pause; and then, "I'm thinking I'll better let ye in," says my + uncle, doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + "I dare say that," said Alan; "but the point is, Would I go? Now I will + tell you what I am thinking. I am thinking that it is here upon this + doorstep that we must confer upon this business; and it shall be here or + nowhere at all whatever; for I would have you to understand that I am as + stiffnecked as yoursel', and a gentleman of better family." + </p> + <p> + This change of note disconcerted Ebenezer; he was a little while digesting + it, and then says he, "Weel, weel, what must be must," and shut the + window. But it took him a long time to get down-stairs, and a still longer + to undo the fastenings, repenting (I dare say) and taken with fresh claps + of fear at every second step and every bolt and bar. At last, however, we + heard the creak of the hinges, 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. + </p> + <p> + "And, now" says he, "mind I have my blunderbush, and if ye take a step + nearer ye're as good as deid." + </p> + <p> + "And a very civil speech," says Alan, "to be sure." + </p> + <p> + "Na," says my uncle, "but this is no a very chanty kind of a proceeding, + and I'm bound to be prepared. And now that we understand each other, ye'll + can name your business." + </p> + <p> + "Why," says Alan, "you that are a man of so much understanding, will + doubtless have perceived that I am a Hieland gentleman. My name has nae + business in my story; but the county of my friends is no very far from the + Isle of Mull, of which ye will have heard. It seems there was a ship lost + in those parts; and the next day a gentleman of my family was seeking + wreck-wood for his fire along the sands, when he came upon a lad that was + half drowned. Well, he brought him to; and he and some other gentleman + took and clapped him in an auld, ruined castle, where from that day to + this he has been a great expense to my friends. My friends are a wee + wild-like, and not so particular about the law as some that I could name; + and finding that the lad owned some decent folk, and was your born nephew, + Mr. Balfour, they asked me to give ye a bit call and confer upon the + matter. And I may tell ye at the off-go, unless we can agree upon some + terms, ye are little likely to set eyes upon him. For my friends," added + Alan, simply, "are no very well off." + </p> + <p> + My uncle cleared his throat. "I'm no very caring," says he. "He wasnae a + good lad at the best of it, and I've nae call to interfere." + </p> + <p> + "Ay, ay," said Alan, "I see what ye would be at: pretending ye don't care, + to make the ransom smaller." + </p> + <p> + "Na," said my uncle, "it's the mere truth. I take nae manner of interest + in the lad, and I'll pay nae ransome, and ye can make a kirk and a mill of + him for what I care." + </p> + <p> + "Hoot, sir," says Alan. "Blood's thicker than water, in the deil's name! + Ye cannae desert your brother's son for the fair shame of it; and if ye + did, and it came to be kennt, ye wouldnae be very popular in your + country-side, or I'm the more deceived." + </p> + <p> + "I'm no just very popular the way it is," returned Ebenezer; "and I dinnae + see how it would come to be kennt. No by me, onyway; nor yet by you or + your friends. So that's idle talk, my buckie," says he. + </p> + <p> + "Then it'll have to be David that tells it," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "How that?" says my uncle, sharply. + </p> + <p> + "Ou, just this way," says Alan. "My friends would doubtless keep your + nephew as long as there was any likelihood of siller to be made of it, but + if there was nane, I am clearly of opinion they would let him gang where + he pleased, and be damned to him!" + </p> + <p> + "Ay, but I'm no very caring about that either," said my uncle. "I wouldnae + be muckle made up with that." + </p> + <p> + "I was thinking that," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "And what for why?" asked Ebenezer. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Mr. Balfour," replied Alan, "by all that I could hear, there were + two ways of it: either ye liked David and would pay to get him back; or + else ye had very good reasons for not wanting him, and would pay for us to + keep him. It seems it's not the first; well then, it's the second; and + blythe am I to ken it, for it should be a pretty penny in my pocket and + the pockets of my friends." + </p> + <p> + "I dinnae follow ye there," said my uncle. + </p> + <p> + "No?" said Alan. "Well, see here: you dinnae want the lad back; well, what + do ye want done with him, and how much will ye pay?" + </p> + <p> + My uncle made no answer, but shifted uneasily on his seat. + </p> + <p> + "Come, sir," cried Alan. "I would have you to ken that I am a gentleman; I + bear a king's name; I am nae rider to kick my shanks at your hall door. + Either give me an answer in civility, and that out of hand; or by the top + of Glencoe, I will ram three feet of iron through your vitals." + </p> + <p> + "Eh, man," cried my uncle, scrambling to his feet, "give me a meenit! + What's like wrong with ye? I'm just a plain man and nae dancing master; + and I'm tryin to be as ceevil as it's morally possible. As for that wild + talk, it's fair disrepitable. Vitals, says you! And where would I be with + my blunderbush?" he snarled. + </p> + <p> + "Powder and your auld hands are but as the snail to the swallow against + the bright steel in the hands of Alan," said the other. "Before your + jottering finger could find the trigger, the hilt would dirl on your + breast-bane." + </p> + <p> + "Eh, man, whae's denying it?" said my uncle. "Pit it as ye please, hae't + your ain way; I'll do naething to cross ye. Just tell me what like ye'll + be wanting, and ye'll see that we'll can agree fine." + </p> + <p> + "Troth, sir," said Alan, "I ask for nothing but plain dealing. In two + words: do ye want the lad killed or kept?" + </p> + <p> + "O, sirs!" cried Ebenezer. "O, sirs, me! that's no kind of language!" + </p> + <p> + "Killed or kept!" repeated Alan. + </p> + <p> + "O, keepit, keepit!" wailed my uncle. "We'll have nae bloodshed, if you + please." + </p> + <p> + "Well," says Alan, "as ye please; that'll be the dearer." + </p> + <p> + "The dearer?" cries Ebenezer. "Would ye fyle your hands wi' crime?" + </p> + <p> + "Hoot!" said Alan, "they're baith crime, whatever! And the killing's + easier, and quicker, and surer. Keeping the lad'll be a fashious* job, a + fashious, kittle business." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Troublesome. +</pre> + <p> + "I'll have him keepit, though," returned my uncle. "I never had naething + to do with onything morally wrong; and I'm no gaun to begin to pleasure a + wild Hielandman." + </p> + <p> + "Ye're unco scrupulous," sneered Alan. + </p> + <p> + "I'm a man o' principle," said Ebenezer, simply; "and if I have to pay for + it, I'll have to pay for it. And besides," says he, "ye forget the lad's + my brother's son." + </p> + <p> + "Well, well," said Alan, "and now about the price. It's no very easy for + me to set a name upon it; I would first have to ken some small matters. I + would have to ken, for instance, what ye gave Hoseason at the first + off-go?" + </p> + <p> + "Hoseason!" cries my uncle, struck aback. "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "For kidnapping David," says Alan. + </p> + <p> + "It's a lee, it's a black lee!" cried my uncle. "He was never kidnapped. + He leed in his throat that tauld ye that. Kidnapped? He never was!" + </p> + <p> + "That's no fault of mine nor yet of yours," said Alan; "nor yet of + Hoseason's, if he's a man that can be trusted." + </p> + <p> + "What do ye mean?" cried Ebenezer. "Did Hoseason tell ye?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, ye donnered auld runt, how else would I ken?" cried Alan. "Hoseason + and me are partners; we gang shares; so ye can see for yoursel' what good + ye can do leeing. 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. But + that's past praying for; and ye must lie on your bed the way ye made it. + And the point in hand is just this: what did ye pay him?" + </p> + <p> + "Has he tauld ye himsel'?" asked my uncle. + </p> + <p> + "That's my concern," said Alan. + </p> + <p> + "Weel," said my uncle, "I dinnae care what he said, he leed, and the + solemn God's truth is this, that I gave him twenty pound. But I'll be + perfec'ly honest with ye: forby that, he was to have the selling of the + lad in Caroliny, whilk would be as muckle mair, but no from my pocket, ye + see." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, Mr. Thomson. That will do excellently well," said the lawyer, + stepping forward; and then mighty civilly, "Good-evening, Mr. Balfour," + said he. + </p> + <p> + And, "Good-evening, Uncle Ebenezer," said I. + </p> + <p> + And, "It's a braw nicht, Mr. Balfour," added Torrance. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0317m.jpg" alt="0317m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0317.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Never a word said my uncle, neither black nor white; but just sat where he + was on the top door-step and stared upon us like a man turned to stone. + Alan filched away his blunderbuss; and the lawyer, taking him by the arm, + plucked him up from the doorstep, led him into the kitchen, whither we all + followed, and set him down in a chair beside the hearth, where the fire + was out and only a rush-light burning. + </p> + <p> + There we all looked upon him for a while, exulting greatly in our success, + but yet with a sort of pity for the man's shame. + </p> + <p> + "Come, come, Mr. Ebenezer," said the lawyer, "you must not be + down-hearted, for I promise you we shall make easy terms. In the meanwhile + give us the cellar key, and Torrance shall draw us a bottle of your + father's wine in honour of the event." Then, turning to me and taking me + by the hand, "Mr. David," says he, "I wish you all joy in your good + fortune, which I believe to be deserved." And then to Alan, with a spice + of drollery, "Mr. Thomson, I pay you my compliment; it was most artfully + conducted; but in one point you somewhat outran my comprehension. Do I + understand your name to be James? or Charles? or is it George, perhaps?" + </p> + <p> + "And why should it be any of the three, sir?" quoth Alan, drawing himself + up, like one who smelt an offence. + </p> + <p> + "Only, sir, that you mentioned a king's name," replied Rankeillor; "and as + there has never yet been a King Thomson, or his fame at least has never + come my way, I judged you must refer to that you had in baptism." + </p> + <p> + This was just the stab that Alan would feel keenest, and I am free to + confess he took it very ill. Not a word would he answer, but stepped off + to the far end of the kitchen, and sat down and sulked; and it was not + till I stepped after him, and gave him my hand, and thanked him by title + as the chief spring of my success, that he began to smile a bit, and was + at last prevailed upon to join our party. + </p> + <p> + By that time we had the fire lighted, and a bottle of wine uncorked; a + good supper came out of the basket, to which Torrance and I and Alan set + ourselves down; while the lawyer and my uncle passed into the next chamber + to consult. They stayed there closeted about an hour; at the end of which + period they had come to a good understanding, and my uncle and I set our + hands to the agreement in a formal manner. By the terms of this, my uncle + bound himself to satisfy Rankeillor as to his intromissions, and to pay me + two clear thirds of the yearly income of Shaws. + </p> + <p> + So the beggar in the ballad had come home; and when I lay down that night + on the kitchen chests, I was a man of means and had a name in the country. + Alan and Torrance and Rankeillor slept and snored on their hard beds; but + for me who had lain out under heaven and upon dirt and stones, so many + days and nights, and often with an empty belly, and in fear of death, this + good change in my case unmanned me more than any of the former evil ones; + and I lay till dawn, looking at the fire on the roof and planning the + future. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0322m.jpg" alt="0322m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0322.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <h3> + GOOD-BYE + </h3> +<div class="figleft" style="width:15%;"> + <img src="images/9322m.jpg" alt="9322m " width="100%" /> + <a href="images/9322.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + o far as I was concerned myself, I had come to port; but I had still + Alan, to whom I was so much beholden, on my hands; and I felt besides a + heavy charge in the matter of the murder and James of the Glens. On both + these heads I unbosomed to Rankeillor the next morning, walking to and fro + about six of the clock before the house of Shaws, and with nothing in view + but the fields and woods that had been my ancestors' and were now mine. + Even as I spoke on these grave subjects, my eye would take a glad bit of a + run over the prospect, and my heart jump with pride. + </p> + <p> + About my clear duty to my friend, the lawyer had no doubt. I must help him + out of the county at whatever risk; but in the case of James, he was of a + different mind. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Thomson," says he, "is one thing, Mr. Thomson's kinsman quite + another. I know little of the facts, but I gather that a great noble (whom + we will call, if you like, the D. of A.)* has some concern and is even + supposed to feel some animosity in the matter. The D. of A. is doubtless + an excellent nobleman; but, Mr. David, timeo qui nocuere deos. If you + interfere to balk his vengeance, you should remember there is one way to + shut your testimony out; and that is to put you in the dock. There, you + would be in the same pickle as Mr. Thomson's kinsman. You will object that + you are innocent; well, but so is he. And to be tried for your life before + a Highland jury, on a Highland quarrel and with a Highland Judge upon the + bench, would be a brief transition to the gallows." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Duke of Argyle. +</pre> + <p> + Now I had made all these reasonings before and found no very good reply to + them; so I put on all the simplicity I could. "In that case, sir," said I, + "I would just have to be hanged—would I not?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear boy," cries he, "go in God's name, and do what you think is + right. It is a poor thought that at my time of life I should be advising + you to choose the safe and shameful; and I take it back with an apology. + Go and do your duty; and be hanged, if you must, like a gentleman. There + are worse things in the world than to be hanged." + </p> + <p> + "Not many, sir," said I, smiling. + </p> + <p> + "Why, yes, sir," he cried, "very many. And it would be ten times better + for your uncle (to go no farther afield) if he were dangling decently upon + a gibbet." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he turned into the house (still in a great fervour of mind, so + that I saw I had pleased him heartily) and there he wrote me two letters, + making his comments on them as he wrote. + </p> + <p> + "This," says he, "is to my bankers, the British Linen Company, placing a + credit to your name. Consult Mr. Thomson, he will know of ways; and you, + with this credit, can supply the means. I trust you will be a good husband + of your money; but in the affair of a friend like Mr. Thomson, I would be + even prodigal. Then for his kinsman, there is no better way than that you + should seek the Advocate, tell him your tale, and offer testimony; whether + he may take it or not, is quite another matter, and will turn on the D. of + A. Now, that you may reach the Lord Advocate well recommended, I give you + here a letter to a namesake of your own, the learned Mr. Balfour of + Pilrig, a man whom I esteem. It will look better that you should be + presented by one of your own name; and the laird of Pilrig is much looked + up to in the Faculty and stands well with Lord Advocate Grant. I would not + trouble him, if I were you, with any particulars; and (do you know?) I + think it would be needless to refer to Mr. Thomson. Form yourself upon the + laird, he is a good model; when you deal with the Advocate, be discreet; + and in all these matters, may the Lord guide you, Mr. David!" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he took his farewell, and set out with Torrance for the Ferry, + while Alan and I turned our faces for the city of Edinburgh. As we went by + the footpath and beside the gateposts and the unfinished lodge, we kept + looking back at the house of my fathers. It stood there, bare and great + and smokeless, like a place not lived in; only in one of the top windows, + there was the peak of a nightcap bobbing up and down and back and forward, + like the head of a rabbit from a burrow. I had little welcome when I came, + and less kindness while I stayed; but at least I was watched as I went + away. + </p> + <p> + Alan and I went slowly forward upon our way, having little heart either to + walk or speak. The same thought was uppermost in both, that we were near + the time of our parting; and remembrance of all the bygone days sate upon + us sorely. We talked indeed of what should be done; and it was resolved + that Alan should keep to the county, biding now here, now there, but + coming once in the day to a particular place where I might be able to + communicate with him, either in my own person or by messenger. In the + meanwhile, I was to seek out a lawyer, who was an Appin Stewart, and a man + therefore to be wholly trusted; and it should be his part to find a ship + and to arrange for Alan's safe embarkation. No sooner was this business + done, than the words seemed to leave us; and though I would seek to jest + with Alan under the name of Mr. Thomson, and he with me on my new clothes + and my estate, you could feel very well that we were nearer tears than + laughter. + </p> + <p> + We came the by-way over the hill of Corstorphine; and when we got near to + the place called Rest-and-be-Thankful, and looked down on Corstorphine + bogs and over to the city and the castle on the hill, we both stopped, for + we both knew without a word said that we had come to where our ways + parted. Here he repeated to me once again what had been agreed upon + between us: the address of the lawyer, the daily hour at which Alan might + be found, and the signals that were to be made by any that came seeking + him. Then I gave what money I had (a guinea or two of Rankeillor's) so + that he should not starve in the meanwhile; and then we stood a space, and + looked over at Edinburgh in silence. + </p> + <p> + "Well, good-bye," said Alan, and held out his left hand. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%;"> + <img src="images/0325m.jpg" alt="0325m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0325.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + "Good-bye," said I, and gave the hand a little grasp, and went off down + hill. + </p> + <p> + Neither one of us looked the other in the face, nor so long as he was in + my view did I take one back glance at the friend I was leaving. But as I + went on my way to the city, I felt so lost and lonesome, that I could have + found it in my heart to sit down by the dyke, and cry and weep like any + baby. + </p> + <p> + It was coming near noon when I passed in by the West Kirk and the + Grassmarket into the streets of the capital. The huge height of the + buildings, running up to ten and fifteen storeys, the narrow arched + entries that continually vomited passengers, the wares of the merchants in + their windows, the hubbub and endless stir, the foul smells and the fine + clothes, and a hundred other particulars too small to mention, struck me + into a kind of stupor of surprise, so that I let the crowd carry me to and + fro; and yet all the time what I was thinking of was Alan at + Rest-and-be-Thankful; 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. + </p> + <p> + The hand of Providence brought me in my drifting to the very doors of the + British Linen Company's bank. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KIDNAPPED *** + +***** This file should be named 421-h.htm or 421-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/421/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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