Part 20 (1/2)
”Ay” said Jaain! 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 oing on I looked aboutin the thatch of the house or the faruns, 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 theh they were all so busy, there prevailed no kind of order in their efforts; un and ran into each other with their burning torches; and Ja 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
It was about this ti a pack or bundle; and it has often made ht of it
”What's that the lassie has?” he asked
”We're just setting the house in order, Alan,” said Ja way ”They'll search Appin with candles, and we uns and swords into the , will be your ain French clothes We'll be to bury them, I believe”
”Bury my French clothes!” cried Alan ”Troth, no!” And he laid hold upon the packet and retired into the barn to shi+ft hi me in the ly into the kitchen, and sat doithat first in a very hospitable looers; only reave 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 ht and burning it to the bitter end; all the while a servant lass with a red face was ru about the roo as she went; and every now and again one of the men would thrust in his face from the yard, and cry for orders
At last Jaed my permission to be so unether, 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”
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
”Are you gone gyte?” he cried ”Do you wish to hang your father?” and forgetful of ether in the Gaelic, the young , throwing her apron over her face and sobbing out louder than before
Mad
This was all wretched for a stranger like lad when Alan returned, looking like hih (to be sure) they were non almost too battered and withered to deserve the name of fine I was then taken out in e of clothing of which I had stood so long in need, and a pair of Highland brogues e at first, but after a little practice very easy to the feet
By the time I came back Alan must have told his story; for it seemed understood that I was to fly with hiave us each a sword and pistols, though I professed my inability to use the for of oatht French brandy, ere 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 er had no more than seventeen-pence to his whole fortune; and as for Jaht hial expenses on behalf of the tenants, that he could only scrape together three-and-five-pence-halfpenny, the most of it in coppers
”This'll no do,” said Alan
”Ye et word sent to et this business prettily off, Alan
This is no tiet 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 coers, with a white face
”It would be a painful thing for our friends if I was to hang,” said he
”It would be an ill day for Appin,” says Alan
”It's a day that sticks in my throat,” said James ”O man, man, man--man Alan! you andhis hand upon the wall so that the house rang again
”Well, and that's true, too,” said Alan; ”and ood word upon that head, if I would only have listened to hi to his former manner, ”if they laythe 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 et 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?”
Bla Alan by the breast of the coat
”Ay” said Alan, ”I see that”