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Chapter 16
Hemightbegloweringatthetwoofusoutofyonwhin-bush,andIwouldnaewonder!Ye’llnocarrysuchathingassnuff,willye?”
Itoldhimno,andthathehadaskedthesamethingmorethanonce.
“It’shighlypossible,”saidhe,sighing.“Butitseemsstrangeyeshouldnaecarryit.However,asIwassaying,thisAlanBreckisabold,desperatecustomer,andwellkenttobeJames’srighthand.Hislifeisforfeitalready;hewouldboggleatnaething;andmaybe,ifatenant-bodywastohangbackhewouldgetadirkinhiswame.”
“Youmakeapoorstoryofitall,Mr.Henderland,”saidI.“Ifitisallfearuponbothsides,Icaretohearnomoreofit.”
“Na,”saidMr.Henderland,“butthere’slovetoo,andself-denialthatshouldputthelikeofyouandmetoshame.There’ssomethingfineaboutit;noperhapsChristian,buthumanlyfine.EvenAlanBreck,byallthatIhear,isachieldtoberespected.There’smanyalyingsneck-drawsitscloseinkirkinourownpartofthecountry,andstandswellintheworld’seye,andmaybeisafarworseman,Mr.Balfour,thanyonmisguidedshedderofman’sblood.Ay,ay,wemighttakealessonbythem.—Ye’llperhapsthinkI’vebeentoolongintheHielands?”headded,smilingtome.
Itoldhimnotatall;thatIhadseenmuchtoadmireamongtheHighlanders;andifhecametothat,Mr.CampbellhimselfwasaHighlander.
“Ay,”saidhe,“that’strue.It’safineblood.”
“AndwhatistheKing’sagentabout?”Iasked.
“ColinCampbell?”saysHenderland.
