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Chapter 12
“Ay,”saidhe,“ye’llneverguessthat!ForthesesameStewarts,andMaccolls,andMacrobs(thathadtworentstopay,onetoKingGeorgebystarkforce,andonetoArdshielbynaturalkindness)offeredhimabetterpricethananyCampbellinallbroadScotland;andfarhesentseekingthem—asfarastothesidesofClydeandthecrossofEdinburgh—seeking,andfleeching,andbeggingthemtocome,wheretherewasaStewarttobestarvedandared-headedhoundofaCampbelltobepleasured!”
“Well,Alan,”saidI,“thatisastrangestory,andafineone,too.AndWhigasImaybe,Iamgladthemanwasbeaten.”
“Himbeaten?”echoedAlan.“It’slittleyekenofCampbells,andlessoftheRedFox.Himbeaten?No:norwillbe,tillhisblood’sonthehillside!Butifthedaycomes,Davidman,thatIcanfindtimeandleisureforabitofhunting,theregrowsnotenoughheatherinallScotlandtohidehimfrommyvengeance!”
“ManAlan,”saidI,“yeareneitherverywisenorveryChristiantoblowoffsomanywordsofanger.TheywilldothemanyecalltheFoxnoharm,andyourselfnogood.Tellmeyourtaleplainlyout.Whatdidhenext?”
“Andthat’sagoodobserve,David,”saidAlan.“Trothandindeed,theywilldohimnoharm;themore’sthepity!AndbarringthataboutChristianity(ofwhichmyopinionisquiteotherwise,orIwouldbenaeChristian),Iammuchofyourmind.”
“Opinionhereoropinionthere,”saidI,“it’sakentthingthatChristianityforbidsrevenge.
