August 20, 2025 • 23 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter twenty six. End of the flight we passed the fourth,
the 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
(00:20):
now run to so low an ebb that we must
think first of all on speed. For if we came
not too soon to mister Wrangeller's, or if when we
came there he should fail to help me, we must
surely starve in Allan's view. Besides, the hunt must now
have greatly slackened, and the line of the fourth and
even Sterling Bridge, which is the main pass over that river,
(00:44):
would be watched with little interest. It's a chief principle
in military affairs, said he to go where ye are
least expected. Forth is our trouble, Ye ken to saying
forth bridles the wild Highliament. Well, if we seek to
creep round about the head of that river and come
down by Kippen or Belfrum, is just precisely there that
(01:05):
they'll be looking to lay hands on us. But if
we stave on straight to the old brig of Sterling,
I lay my sword, they let us pass unchallenged the
first night. Accordingly, we pushed to the house of a
mac laren in Strathire, a friend of Duncan's, where we
slept the twenty first of the month, And once we
set forth again about the fall of night to make
(01:26):
another easy stage. The twenty second we lay in a
heather bush on the hill side, and um 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
(01:47):
the edge of the hills, saw the whole carse of
sterling underfoot, as flat as a pancake, with a town
and castle on a hill in the midst of it,
and the moon shining on the lynks of Forth. Now
said Allan, I Kenna, if you care, but you're on
your own land again. We passed the highland line in
that first hour, and now if we could but pass
(02:09):
Yon crooked Water, we might cast our bonnets in the air.
In Allyan water near by, where it falls into the Forth,
we found a little sandy islet overgrown with burdock butter
birr 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
(02:32):
could hear the drums beat as some part of the
garrison paraded, and we could hear the stones going on
the hooks, and the voices, and even the words of
the men talking. It behooved to lie close and keep silent.
But the sand of the little isle was sun warm.
The green plants gave a shelter for our heads. We
had food and drink in plenty, and to crown all
(02:54):
we were within sight of safety. As soon as the
shearers quit their work in the dust began to fall,
we waded ashore and struck for the bridge of Sterling,
keeping to the fields and under the field fences. The
bridge is close under the castle hill, an old, high,
narrow bridge with pinnacles along the parapet. And you may
(03:15):
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 allan and myself. The moon
was not yet up when we came there. A few
lights shone along the front of the fortress, and lowered
down a few lighted windows in the town, but it
was all mighty still, and there seemed to be no
(03:37):
guard upon the passage. I was for pushing straight across,
but Alan was more wary. It looks unco quiet, said he.
But for all that, we'll lie down here cannily behind
a dike and make sure. So we lay for about
a quarter of an hour, whilst whispering, whilst lying still,
(03:58):
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 traveled, and then set forth
again up the steep spring of the bridge. The woman
was so little, and the night still so dark, that
(04:21):
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. She's bound
to be across now, I whispered, Nah, said Alan. Her
foot still sounds boss upon the breach, And just then
(04:41):
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. This'll never do, said Alan, This'll
never never do for us, David, And without another word,
(05:03):
he began to crawl away through the fields, and a
little after being well out of eyeshot, 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
(05:25):
mister Wrangkawer's door to claim my inheritance, like a hero
in a ballad. And here was I back again, a wandering,
hunted blagguard on the wrong side of forth. Well said I, Well, said, Allan,
what would you have? They're none such fools as I
took em for. We have stilled the fourth to pass, Davy.
(05:48):
We refall the rains that fed and the hillsides that
guided it. And why go east? Said I? Oh? Just
upon the chance? Said he. If we cannot pass, sirrip
will have to see what we can do for the firth.
There are fords upon the river, and none upon the firth,
said I. To be sure there are fords and a
(06:10):
bridge for by quoth Alan, And of what service when
they are watched? Well? Said I. But a river can
be swum by them that have the skill of it,
returned he. But I've 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.
(06:32):
I'm not up to you and talking back, Allan, I said,
but I can see we're making bad worse. If it's
hard to pass the river, it stands to reason it
must be worse to pass a sea. But there's such
a thing as a boat, says Allan. Or I'm the
more deceived, aye, And such a thing as money, says I.
(06:53):
But for us that have neither one nor other, they
might just as well not have been invented. You think so,
said Allan. I do that, said I. David, says he.
You're a man of small invention and less faith. But
let me set my wits upon the horn. And if
I cannot beg borrow or yet steal a boat, I'll
(07:15):
make one I think I see, ye, said I. And
what's more than all of that? If you 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
buzz man, cried Allan. If I can make a boat,
(07:37):
I'll make a body to take it back again. So
deeve me with no more of your nonsense, but walk,
for that's what you've got to do. And let Alan
think for ye all night. Then we walked through the
north side of the cars, under the high line of
the Orkill Mountains, and by Alloa and Clachmannon and Coolras,
(07:58):
all of which we avoided. And about ten in the morning,
mighty hungry and tired, came to the little clockin of
Lime Kilns. This is a place that sits near Inn
by the water side, and looks across the Hope to
the town of the Queen's Ferry. 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,
(08:22):
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. For all that, there was mister Rankeller's
house on the south shore, where I had no doubt
wealth awaited me. And here was I upon the north glad,
(08:45):
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, an outlawed man for my
sole company. Oh Allen, said I to think of it.
Over there, there's all that hart could want waiting me.
And the birds go over, and the boats go over,
(09:07):
all dick leaves can go, but just me only, oh man,
But it's a heartbreak 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
(09:29):
sit and eat it in a bush of wood on
the seashore 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, do you take
heed of the last? We bought this of says he,
(09:51):
tapping on the bread and cheese to be sure, said I,
and a body lass she was your thoughts. Sah, you
thought that, cries he man. David. That's good news in
the name of all that's wonderful. Why so, says I?
What good can that do? Well, said Allan, with one
(10:13):
of his droll looks. I is rather in hopes it
would maybe get us that boat. If it were the
other way about, it would be like her, it, said I.
That's all you can, you see, said Allan. I don't
want the last to fall in love with ye. I
want her to be sorry for ye, David, which end
there is no manner of need that she should take
(10:34):
you for a beauty. Let me see, looking me curiously over,
I wish you were a wee thing paler. But apart
from that, you'll do fine for my purpose. Ye've a
fine hang dog rag and tatter clappermac claw kind of
a look to ye, as if he had stolen the
coat from a potato bogle. Come right about and back
(10:55):
to the change house for that boat of ours. I
followed him, laughing. David Balfour said he you're a very
funny gentleman by your way of it, and this is
a very funny employ for you, no doubt for all
that if you have any affection for my neck, to
say nothing of your own, you will perhaps be kind
enough to take this matter responsibly. I am going to
(11:18):
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 you please
in mind and conduct yourself according well well said, I
have it as you will. As we got near the Clachan,
he made me take his arm and hang upon it
(11:39):
like one almost helpless with weariness, and by the time
he pushed open the change house to her, 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. An explanation, helped
me to a chair, called for a tass of brandy,
with which he fed me in little SIPs, and then
(12:02):
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
(12:23):
stood leaning with her back on the next table. What's
like wrong with him? Said she? At last 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, quoth she, Wrong enough, I
(12:44):
would think wrong. Indeed, he kept grumbling to himself as
he fed me like a man ill pleased. He's young
for the like of that, said the maid. Oh we're young,
said Alan, with his back to her. He would be
better riding, said she. And where could I get a horse?
(13:05):
To him? Cried Allan, turning on her with the same
appearance of fury. Would you have me steal? 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.
(13:29):
You need na tell me, she said. At last, you're gentry, well,
said Allan, softened a little. I believe against his will
by this artless comment. And suppose we were, did ever
you hear the gentriest put money in folks pockets? She
sighed at this, as if she were herself some disinherited
(13:50):
great lady. No, says she, that's true. Indeed 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
(14:13):
part in lies, but my very embarrassment helped on the
plot for the last, no doubt set down my husky
voice to sickness and fatigue. Has he no friends, said she,
in a tearful voice. That has he so cried Alan,
if we could but win to them friends and rich friends,
(14:33):
beds to lie in, food to eat, doctors to see
to him, and hear he must tramp in the doves
and sleep in the heather like a beggar man. And
why that, says the Lass, my dear, said Allan. I
cannot very safely say, but I'd tell you what I'll
do instead, says he, I wiz ye a bit tune.
(14:55):
And with that he leaned pretty far over the table,
and in a mere breath of a whistle, with a wonderful,
pretty sentiment, gave her a few bars of Charlie, is
my darling, wished, says she, and looked over her shoulder
to the door. That's it, said Alan. And him so young,
(15:16):
cries the Lass. He's old enough to And Alan stuck
his forefinger on the back part of his neck, meaning
that I was old enough to lose my head. It
would be a black shame, she cried, flushing high. It's
what will be, though, said Allan, unless we manage the better.
(15:36):
At this, the last turned and ran out of that
part of the house, leaving us alone together. Alan in
high good humor at the furthering of his schemes. And
I am bitter dudgeon at being called a jacobite and
treated like a child, Allen, I cried, I can stand
no more of this. You have to sit it. Then,
Davy said he, for if you upset the pot, now
(15:59):
you may grape your own life out of the fire.
But Alan Brick is a dead man. This was so
true that I could only groan, And even my groan
served Allan'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. Poor Lamb
says she, and had no sooner set the meat before
(16:22):
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 too, 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 Pittancreef. We waited for no second bidding,
for bread and cheese is but cold comfort, and the
(16:43):
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. I'm thinking
you have a rather long tongue, she said at last
to Allan. Aye said Allan, But you see I can
(17:05):
the folk I speak too. I would never betray you,
said she. If you mean that, no, said he. You're
not that kind. But I'd tell yo what you would do.
You would help, I couldna, said she, shaking her head.
Nah I could na, no, said he. But if you could,
(17:28):
she answered him nothing. Look here, my lass, said Allan.
There are boats in the Kingdom of Fife. For I
saw too, 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,
(17:52):
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 the wide world.
And where to go, and how to do? And what
other place there is for us except the chains of
a GiB it. I give you my naked word. I
cannot shall we go wanting, Lassie, are ye to lie
(18:15):
in your warm bed and think upon us? When the
wind gallops in the chimney and the rain turtles on
the roof, are ye to each a meat by the
cheeks of a red fire. And think upon this poor
sick lad of mine, biting his finger ends on a
blameere for cold and hunger, sick or sound. He must
I be moving with the death grapple at his throat.
(18:37):
He must I be trailing in the rain on the
long roads. And when he gants his last on a
rickle of cold stones, there will be enough friends near him,
but only me and God. At this appeal, I could
see the lass was in a great trouble of mind,
being tempted to help us, and yet in some fear
she might be helping malefactors. And so now I determined
(18:59):
to step in myself and to allay her scruples with
a portion of the truth. Do you ever hear, said
I of mister Wrangkeyler of the fairy raincutner Rangkller, The
writer said, she I dar say that, well, said I.
It's to his door that I am bound. So you
(19:21):
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.
Her face cleared up mightily at this, although Allan's darkened.
That's more than I would ask, said she. Mister Wrangkeyler
(19:44):
is a kentman, And she bade us finish our meat
yet clear of the clockin as soon as might be,
and lie close in the bit wood on the sea beach,
and you can trust me, says she, I'll find some
means to put you over. 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
(20:07):
from lime kilns 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 passers by 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 planning more particularly what remained for
(20:29):
us to do. We had but one trouble all day,
when a strolling piper came and sat in the same
wood with us. A red nosed, bleary eyed, drunken dog,
with a great bottle of whiskey 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
(20:52):
to the Baileys of Inverkeithing, who had given him more
of it than he desired. It was impossible but that
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,
(21:12):
as he was a man not very likely to hold
his tongue, we were in the greater impatience to be
gone ourselves. 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,
(21:33):
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 neighbor's boat,
(21:56):
and come to our assistance single handed. 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
(22:17):
and another. She had set us on the Lothian shore,
not far from Carradin, had shaken hands with us, and
was out again at sea and rowing for lime kilns.
For there was one word said either of her service
or our gratitude. Even after she was gone, we had
nothing to say, as indeed nothing was enough for such
(22:37):
a kindness. Only Alan stood a great while upon the shore,
shaking his head. 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
(22:59):
of her care. 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
any way involved her in the dangers of our situation.
End of chapter
Chapter twenty six. End of the flight we passed the fourth,
the 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
(00:20):
now run to so low an ebb that we must
think first of all on speed. For if we came
not too soon to mister Wrangeller's, or if when we
came there he should fail to help me, we must
surely starve in Allan's view. Besides, the hunt must now
have greatly slackened, and the line of the fourth and
even Sterling Bridge, which is the main pass over that river,
(00:44):
would be watched with little interest. It's a chief principle
in military affairs, said he to go where ye are
least expected. Forth is our trouble, Ye ken to saying
forth bridles the wild Highliament. Well, if we seek to
creep round about the head of that river and come
down by Kippen or Belfrum, is just precisely there that
(01:05):
they'll be looking to lay hands on us. But if
we stave on straight to the old brig of Sterling,
I lay my sword, they let us pass unchallenged the
first night. Accordingly, we pushed to the house of a
mac laren in Strathire, a friend of Duncan's, where we
slept the twenty first of the month, And once we
set forth again about the fall of night to make
(01:26):
another easy stage. The twenty second we lay in a
heather bush on the hill side, and um 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
(01:47):
the edge of the hills, saw the whole carse of
sterling underfoot, as flat as a pancake, with a town
and castle on a hill in the midst of it,
and the moon shining on the lynks of Forth. Now
said Allan, I Kenna, if you care, but you're on
your own land again. We passed the highland line in
that first hour, and now if we could but pass
(02:09):
Yon crooked Water, we might cast our bonnets in the air.
In Allyan water near by, where it falls into the Forth,
we found a little sandy islet overgrown with burdock butter
birr 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
(02:32):
could hear the drums beat as some part of the
garrison paraded, and we could hear the stones going on
the hooks, and the voices, and even the words of
the men talking. It behooved to lie close and keep silent.
But the sand of the little isle was sun warm.
The green plants gave a shelter for our heads. We
had food and drink in plenty, and to crown all
(02:54):
we were within sight of safety. As soon as the
shearers quit their work in the dust began to fall,
we waded ashore and struck for the bridge of Sterling,
keeping to the fields and under the field fences. The
bridge is close under the castle hill, an old, high,
narrow bridge with pinnacles along the parapet. And you may
(03:15):
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 allan and myself. The moon
was not yet up when we came there. A few
lights shone along the front of the fortress, and lowered
down a few lighted windows in the town, but it
was all mighty still, and there seemed to be no
(03:37):
guard upon the passage. I was for pushing straight across,
but Alan was more wary. It looks unco quiet, said he.
But for all that, we'll lie down here cannily behind
a dike and make sure. So we lay for about
a quarter of an hour, whilst whispering, whilst lying still,
(03:58):
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 traveled, and then set forth
again up the steep spring of the bridge. The woman
was so little, and the night still so dark, that
(04:21):
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. She's bound
to be across now, I whispered, Nah, said Alan. Her
foot still sounds boss upon the breach, And just then
(04:41):
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. This'll never do, said Alan, This'll
never never do for us, David, And without another word,
(05:03):
he began to crawl away through the fields, and a
little after being well out of eyeshot, 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
(05:25):
mister Wrangkawer's door to claim my inheritance, like a hero
in a ballad. And here was I back again, a wandering,
hunted blagguard on the wrong side of forth. Well said I, Well, said, Allan,
what would you have? They're none such fools as I
took em for. We have stilled the fourth to pass, Davy.
(05:48):
We refall the rains that fed and the hillsides that
guided it. And why go east? Said I? Oh? Just
upon the chance? Said he. If we cannot pass, sirrip
will have to see what we can do for the firth.
There are fords upon the river, and none upon the firth,
said I. To be sure there are fords and a
(06:10):
bridge for by quoth Alan, And of what service when
they are watched? Well? Said I. But a river can
be swum by them that have the skill of it,
returned he. But I've 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.
(06:32):
I'm not up to you and talking back, Allan, I said,
but I can see we're making bad worse. If it's
hard to pass the river, it stands to reason it
must be worse to pass a sea. But there's such
a thing as a boat, says Allan. Or I'm the
more deceived, aye, And such a thing as money, says I.
(06:53):
But for us that have neither one nor other, they
might just as well not have been invented. You think so,
said Allan. I do that, said I. David, says he.
You're a man of small invention and less faith. But
let me set my wits upon the horn. And if
I cannot beg borrow or yet steal a boat, I'll
(07:15):
make one I think I see, ye, said I. And
what's more than all of that? If you 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
buzz man, cried Allan. If I can make a boat,
(07:37):
I'll make a body to take it back again. So
deeve me with no more of your nonsense, but walk,
for that's what you've got to do. And let Alan
think for ye all night. Then we walked through the
north side of the cars, under the high line of
the Orkill Mountains, and by Alloa and Clachmannon and Coolras,
(07:58):
all of which we avoided. And about ten in the morning,
mighty hungry and tired, came to the little clockin of
Lime Kilns. This is a place that sits near Inn
by the water side, and looks across the Hope to
the town of the Queen's Ferry. 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,
(08:22):
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. For all that, there was mister Rankeller's
house on the south shore, where I had no doubt
wealth awaited me. And here was I upon the north glad,
(08:45):
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, an outlawed man for my
sole company. Oh Allen, said I to think of it.
Over there, there's all that hart could want waiting me.
And the birds go over, and the boats go over,
(09:07):
all dick leaves can go, but just me only, oh man,
But it's a heartbreak 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
(09:29):
sit and eat it in a bush of wood on
the seashore 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, do you take
heed of the last? We bought this of says he,
(09:51):
tapping on the bread and cheese to be sure, said I,
and a body lass she was your thoughts. Sah, you
thought that, cries he man. David. That's good news in
the name of all that's wonderful. Why so, says I?
What good can that do? Well, said Allan, with one
(10:13):
of his droll looks. I is rather in hopes it
would maybe get us that boat. If it were the
other way about, it would be like her, it, said I.
That's all you can, you see, said Allan. I don't
want the last to fall in love with ye. I
want her to be sorry for ye, David, which end
there is no manner of need that she should take
(10:34):
you for a beauty. Let me see, looking me curiously over,
I wish you were a wee thing paler. But apart
from that, you'll do fine for my purpose. Ye've a
fine hang dog rag and tatter clappermac claw kind of
a look to ye, as if he had stolen the
coat from a potato bogle. Come right about and back
(10:55):
to the change house for that boat of ours. I
followed him, laughing. David Balfour said he you're a very
funny gentleman by your way of it, and this is
a very funny employ for you, no doubt for all
that if you have any affection for my neck, to
say nothing of your own, you will perhaps be kind
enough to take this matter responsibly. I am going to
(11:18):
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 you please
in mind and conduct yourself according well well said, I
have it as you will. As we got near the Clachan,
he made me take his arm and hang upon it
(11:39):
like one almost helpless with weariness, and by the time
he pushed open the change house to her, 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. An explanation, helped
me to a chair, called for a tass of brandy,
with which he fed me in little SIPs, and then
(12:02):
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
(12:23):
stood leaning with her back on the next table. What's
like wrong with him? Said she? At last 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, quoth she, Wrong enough, I
(12:44):
would think wrong. Indeed, he kept grumbling to himself as
he fed me like a man ill pleased. He's young
for the like of that, said the maid. Oh we're young,
said Alan, with his back to her. He would be
better riding, said she. And where could I get a horse?
(13:05):
To him? Cried Allan, turning on her with the same
appearance of fury. Would you have me steal? 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.
(13:29):
You need na tell me, she said. At last, you're gentry, well,
said Allan, softened a little. I believe against his will
by this artless comment. And suppose we were, did ever
you hear the gentriest put money in folks pockets? She
sighed at this, as if she were herself some disinherited
(13:50):
great lady. No, says she, that's true. Indeed 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
(14:13):
part in lies, but my very embarrassment helped on the
plot for the last, no doubt set down my husky
voice to sickness and fatigue. Has he no friends, said she,
in a tearful voice. That has he so cried Alan,
if we could but win to them friends and rich friends,
(14:33):
beds to lie in, food to eat, doctors to see
to him, and hear he must tramp in the doves
and sleep in the heather like a beggar man. And
why that, says the Lass, my dear, said Allan. I
cannot very safely say, but I'd tell you what I'll
do instead, says he, I wiz ye a bit tune.
(14:55):
And with that he leaned pretty far over the table,
and in a mere breath of a whistle, with a wonderful,
pretty sentiment, gave her a few bars of Charlie, is
my darling, wished, says she, and looked over her shoulder
to the door. That's it, said Alan. And him so young,
(15:16):
cries the Lass. He's old enough to And Alan stuck
his forefinger on the back part of his neck, meaning
that I was old enough to lose my head. It
would be a black shame, she cried, flushing high. It's
what will be, though, said Allan, unless we manage the better.
(15:36):
At this, the last turned and ran out of that
part of the house, leaving us alone together. Alan in
high good humor at the furthering of his schemes. And
I am bitter dudgeon at being called a jacobite and
treated like a child, Allen, I cried, I can stand
no more of this. You have to sit it. Then,
Davy said he, for if you upset the pot, now
(15:59):
you may grape your own life out of the fire.
But Alan Brick is a dead man. This was so
true that I could only groan, And even my groan
served Allan'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. Poor Lamb
says she, and had no sooner set the meat before
(16:22):
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 too, 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 Pittancreef. We waited for no second bidding,
for bread and cheese is but cold comfort, and the
(16:43):
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. I'm thinking
you have a rather long tongue, she said at last
to Allan. Aye said Allan, But you see I can
(17:05):
the folk I speak too. I would never betray you,
said she. If you mean that, no, said he. You're
not that kind. But I'd tell yo what you would do.
You would help, I couldna, said she, shaking her head.
Nah I could na, no, said he. But if you could,
(17:28):
she answered him nothing. Look here, my lass, said Allan.
There are boats in the Kingdom of Fife. For I
saw too, 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,
(17:52):
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 the wide world.
And where to go, and how to do? And what
other place there is for us except the chains of
a GiB it. I give you my naked word. I
cannot shall we go wanting, Lassie, are ye to lie
(18:15):
in your warm bed and think upon us? When the
wind gallops in the chimney and the rain turtles on
the roof, are ye to each a meat by the
cheeks of a red fire. And think upon this poor
sick lad of mine, biting his finger ends on a
blameere for cold and hunger, sick or sound. He must
I be moving with the death grapple at his throat.
(18:37):
He must I be trailing in the rain on the
long roads. And when he gants his last on a
rickle of cold stones, there will be enough friends near him,
but only me and God. At this appeal, I could
see the lass was in a great trouble of mind,
being tempted to help us, and yet in some fear
she might be helping malefactors. And so now I determined
(18:59):
to step in myself and to allay her scruples with
a portion of the truth. Do you ever hear, said
I of mister Wrangkeyler of the fairy raincutner Rangkller, The
writer said, she I dar say that, well, said I.
It's to his door that I am bound. So you
(19:21):
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.
Her face cleared up mightily at this, although Allan's darkened.
That's more than I would ask, said she. Mister Wrangkeyler
(19:44):
is a kentman, And she bade us finish our meat
yet clear of the clockin as soon as might be,
and lie close in the bit wood on the sea beach,
and you can trust me, says she, I'll find some
means to put you over. 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
(20:07):
from lime kilns 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 passers by 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 planning more particularly what remained for
(20:29):
us to do. We had but one trouble all day,
when a strolling piper came and sat in the same
wood with us. A red nosed, bleary eyed, drunken dog,
with a great bottle of whiskey 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
(20:52):
to the Baileys of Inverkeithing, who had given him more
of it than he desired. It was impossible but that
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,
(21:12):
as he was a man not very likely to hold
his tongue, we were in the greater impatience to be
gone ourselves. 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,
(21:33):
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 neighbor's boat,
(21:56):
and come to our assistance single handed. 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
(22:17):
and another. She had set us on the Lothian shore,
not far from Carradin, had shaken hands with us, and
was out again at sea and rowing for lime kilns.
For there was one word said either of her service
or our gratitude. Even after she was gone, we had
nothing to say, as indeed nothing was enough for such
(22:37):
a kindness. Only Alan stood a great while upon the shore,
shaking his head. 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
(22:59):
of her care. 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
any way involved her in the dangers of our situation.
End of chapter
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