Catriona

swallowed, than I was forth on my adventurers. Alan, I could hope, was fended for; James was like to be a more difficult af

and hard trials, to be rich, to be recognised, to wear city clothes and a sword to my side, all to commit mere su

upon me strongly. At the same time I reflected that it was (or ought to be) the most indifferent matter to my father's son, whether James died in his bed or from a scaffold. He was Alan's cousin, to be sure; but so far as regarded Alan, the best thing woul

Nay, and he hit me with the other end of the stick; for he accused me of a kind of artful cowardice, going about at the expense of a little risk to purchase greater safety. No doubt, until I had declared and cleared myself, I might any day encounter Mungo Campbell or the sheriff's officer, and be recognised, and dragged into the Appin murder by the heels; and, no doubt, in case I could manage my declaration with success, I should breathe more free for ever after. But when I looked this argument full in the face I could see nothing to be ashamed of. As for the rest, "Here are the two roads," I thought, "and both go

chill of it sang in my blood, and gave me a feeling of the autumn, and the dead leaves, and dead folks' bodies in their graves. It seemed the devil was in it, if I was to die in that tide of my fortunes and for other folks' affairs. On the top of the Calton Hill, though it was not the custo

vers wrought for the Linen Company. Here I got a fresh direction for Pilrig, my destination; and a little beyond, on the wayside, came by a gibbet and two men hanged in chains. They were dipped in tar, as the manner is; the wind span them, the chains clattered, and the birds hung about the uncanny jumping-jacks and cried. Th

other?" I asked, and

she cried. "Twa joes [7] o'mine: jus

ey suffer fo

it would end. Twa shillin' Scots: no pickle mair; and there are twa bonny c

mmer, "and did they come to such a figure for

ny," says she, "and let m

enough the way I am. It's an un

man in a braw coat, and a big man in a pouthered wig, and there's the shadow of the wuddy, [10] joe,

e struck me hard; and I fled from the eldritch creature, casting her a baubee,

and mows of the old witch, and the thought of the dead men, hag-rode my spirits. To hang on a gallows, that seemed a hard case; and whether a man came to hang there for two shillings Scots, or (as Mr. Stewart had it) from the sense of duty, once he was tarred and shackled and hung up, the difference seemed small. There might

e laird's horse was standing saddled at the door as I came up, but himself was in the study, where he received me in the midst of learned works and musical instruments, for he

are cousins-what is this that I can do for you! A word to Prestong

the way it fell out, it's my opinion (and it was Rankeillor

ar this of you, k

le nature,' so much I must answer for, and I hope I have been taught where to look for help," I said; for I judged from the look of the man he would think the better of me if I knew my questions. [11] "But in the way of worldly honour I have no great stumble to

say of political complications, you do me no more than justice. It is my study to be beyond suspicion, and indeed outs

dship, that I am a young man of reasonable good family an

said Mr. Balfour, "and I count that

rd for so much) that I am a good churchman, loy

l do you any harm,

on a matter of great moment, connected with His Majesty'

yself to qualify its weight. 'Great moment' therefore falls, and 'moment'

h my thumb, "then I would be very desirous if you could

ase that somewhat dampens me. If the matter be so dangerou

ate in two words where t

would be the b

the Appin mu

his hands. "Sirs

on of his face and voice

plain. . .

keillor's, and perhaps a little for your own, I will do what I can to help you; but I will hear no more upon the facts. And i

aid I, "and I will direct your attention again to Rankeillor's letter, where

ith he took a pen and paper, sat a while in thought, and began to write with much consider

ir, he bade me to go forw

me again. "Now here, Mr. David," said he, "is a letter of introduction, which I will seal without closing, and give into your hands ope

August 26

ining, and his political principles are all that your lordship can desire. I am not in Mr. Balfour's confidence, but I understand him to have a matter to declare, touching His Majesty's service and the administration of just

self with the usual compliments. You observe I have said

ore than one," said I. "And your letter, which I take

m what I know of the matter you design to meddle in