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Chapter 15
Hethenbegantoquestionmecunningly,whereIcamefrom,whetherIwasrich,whetherIcouldchangeafive-shillingpieceforhim(whichhedeclaredhehadthatmomentinhissporran),andallthetimehekeptedginguptomeandIavoidinghim.Wewerenowuponasortofgreencattle-trackwhichcrossedthehillstowardsTorosay,andwekeptchangingsidesuponthatlikedancersinareel.Ihadsoplainlytheupper-handthatmyspiritsrose,andindeedItookapleasureinthisgameofblindman’sbuff;butthecatechistgrewangrierandangrier,andatlastbegantoswearinGaelicandtostrikeformylegswithhisstaff.
ThenItoldhimthat,sureenough,Ihadapistolinmypocketaswellashe,andifhedidnotstrikeacrossthehillduesouthIwouldevenblowhisbrainsout.
Hebecameatonceverypolite,andaftertryingtosoftenmeforsometime,butquiteinvain,hecursedmeoncemoreinGaelicandtookhimselfoff.Iwatchedhimstridingalong,throughbogandbrier,tappingwithhisstick,untilheturnedtheendofahillanddisappearedinthenexthollow.ThenIstruckonagainforTorosay,muchbetterpleasedtobealonethantotravelwiththatmanoflearning.Thiswasanunluckyday;andthesetwo,ofwhomIhadjustridmyself,oneaftertheother,werethetwoworstmenImetwithintheHighlands.
