Part 14 (1/2)
”Well, indeed, and I have a good deal it will be telling you to hear,” said I
And I told hih when done He heardhere and there like a(above all there, in the dark, where neither one of us could see the other) was extraordinary friendly to my heart
”Ay, Davie, ye're a queer character,” says he, when I had done: ”a queer bitch after a', and I have nowith the like of ye As for your story, Prestongrange is a Whig like yoursel', so I'll say the less of him; and, dod! I believe he was the best friend ye had, if ye could only trust him But Simon Fraser and Jaive them the name that they deserve The muckle black deil was father to the Frasers, a'body kens that; and as for the Gregara, I never could abye the reek of them since I could stotter on two feet I bloodied the nose of one, I s that I cowped upon the top of him A proud man was my father that day, God rest him! and I think he had the cause I'll never can deny but what Robin was so of a piper,” he added; ”but as for Ja we have to consider,” said I ”Was Charles Stewart right or wrong? Is it only me they're after, or the pair of us?”
”And what's your ain opinion, you that's a man of so much experience?” said he
”It passes me,” said I
”And me too,” says Alan ”Do ye think this lass would keep her word to ye?” he asked
”I do that,” said I
”Well, there's nae telling,” said he ”And anyway, that's over and done: he'll be joined to the rest of the syne”
”How many would ye think there would be of them?” I asked
”That depends,” said Alan ”If it was only you, they would likely send two-three lively, brisk young birkies, and if they thought that I was to appear in the employ, I daresay ten or twelve,” said he
It was no use, I gave a little crack of laughter
”And I think your oo eyes will have seen me drive that number, or the double of it, nearer hand!” cries he
”It matters the less,” said I, ”because I am well rid of them for this time”
”Nae doubt that's your opinion,” said he; ”but I wouldnae be the least surprised if they were hunkering this wood Ye see, David man; they'll be Hieland folk There'll be soara; and I would never deny but what the both of theara in especial, were clever experienced persons A h of neat cattle (say) tenlowland country and the black soldiers reat part of my penetration And ye need nae tell me: it's better than hich is the next best, however, though generally rather a bauchle of a business Now the Gregara have had grand practice”
”No doubt that's a branch of education that was left out with me,” said I
”And I can see the marks of it upon ye constantly,” said Alan ”But that's the strange thing about you folk of the college learning: ye're ignorat, and ye cannae see 't Wae's me for my Greek and Hebrew; but, man, I ken that I dinnae ken them-there's the differ of it Now, here's you Ye lie on your wame a bittie in the bield of this wood, and ye tell ors Why? Because I couldnae see them, says you Ye blockhead, that's their livelihood”
”Take the worst of it,” said I, ”and what are we to do?”
”I aht twine It wouldnae be greatly to ainst it First, it's now unco dark, and it's just huive theether, weseparate, we make twae of theentry of yours And then, second, if they keep the track of us, it may come to a fecht for it yet, Davie; and then, I'll confess I would be blythe to have you atme at yours So, by one than just the inside of next minute, and hold away east for Gillane, where I'm to find my shi+p It'll be like old days while it lasts, Davie; and (co I'back where you were stopping?”
”Deil a fear!” said Alan ”They were good folks to ood deal disappointed if they saw o) I am nae just what ye could call a Walcome Guest Which makes me the keener for your company, Mr David Balfour of the Shaws, and set ye up! For, leave aside twa cracks here in the ith Charlie Stewart, I have scarce said black or white since the day we parted at Corstorphine”
With which he rose froh the wood
CHAPTER XII-ON THE MARCH AGAIN WITH ALAN
It was likely between one and two; thea heavy wrack of cloud, had set in suddenly froht as ever a fugitive or a uided us into the sleeping town of Broughton, thence through Picardy, and beside ibbet of the two thieves A little beyond we ht in an upperof Lochend Steering by this, but a good deal at rando and falling down upon the banks, we made our way across country, and won forth at last upon the linky, boggy ate Whins Here, under a bush of whin, we lay down the reht and slumbered
The day called us about five A beautiful , but the clouds all bloay to Europe Alan was already sitting up and sht of my friend since ere parted, and I looked upon hireat-coat on his back; but (as new) he had now a pair of knitted boot-hose drawn above the knee Doubtless these were intended for disguise; but, as the day proure