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Chapter 26
Ifwelackthatboat,wehavebutthreeshillingsleftinthiswideworld;andwheretogo,andhowtodo,andwhatotherplacethereisforusexceptthechainsofagibbet—Igiveyoumynakedword,Ikenna!Shallwegowanting,lassie?Areyetolieinyourwarmbedandthinkuponus,whenthewindgowlsinthechimneyandtheraintirlsontheroof?Areyetoeatyourmeatbythecheeksofaredfire,andthinkuponthispoorsickladofmine,bitinghisfingerendsonablaemuirforcauldandhunger?Sickorsound,hemustayebemoving;withthedeathgrappleathisthroathemustayebetrailingintherainonthelangroads;andwhenhegantshislastonarickleofcauldstanes,therewillbenaefriendsnearhimbutonlymeandGod.”
Atthisappeal,Icouldseethelasswasingreattroubleofmind,beingtemptedtohelpus,andyetinsomefearshemightbehelpingmalefactors;andsonowIdeterminedtostepinmyselfandtoallayherscrupleswithaportionofthetruth.
“Dideveryouhear,”saidI,“ofMr.RankeilloroftheFerry?”
“Rankeillorthewriter?”saidshe.“Idaursaythat!”
“Well,”saidI,“it’stohisdoorthatIambound,soyoumayjudgebythatifIamanill-doer;andIwilltellyoumore,thatthoughIamindeed,byadreadfulerror,insomeperilofmylife,KingGeorgehasnotruerfriendinallScotlandthanmyself.”
Herfaceclearedupmightilyatthis,althoughAlan’sdarkened.
“That’smorethanIwouldask,”saidshe.“Mr.Rankeillorisakenntman.
