Похищенный
Chapter 9
”
“Andhere’smine,”saidtheother.
Andthereuponthecaptainwentout(ratherhurriedly,Ithought),andleftmealoneintheround-housewiththestranger.
Atthatperiod(sosoonaftertheforty-five)thereweremanyexiledgentlemencomingbackattheperiloftheirlives,eithertoseetheirfriendsortocollectalittlemoney;andasfortheHighlandchiefsthathadbeenforfeited,itwasacommonmatteroftalkhowtheirtenantswouldstintthemselvestosendthemmoney,andtheirclansmenoutfacethesoldierytogetitin,andrunthegauntletofourgreatnavytocarryitacross.AllthisIhad,ofcourse,heardtellof;andnowIhadamanundermyeyeswhoselifewasforfeitonallthesecountsandupononemore,forhewasnotonlyarebelandasmugglerofrents,buthadtakenservicewithKingLouisofFrance.Andasifallthiswerenotenough,hehadabeltfullofgoldenguineasroundhisloins.Whatevermyopinions,Icouldnotlookonsuchamanwithoutalivelyinterest.
“Andsoyou’reaJacobite?”saidI,asIsetmeatbeforehim.
“Ay,”saidhe,beginningtoeat.“Andyou,byyourlongface,shouldbeaWhig?”
“Betwixtandbetween,”saidI,nottoannoyhim;forindeedIwasasgoodaWhigasMr.Campbellcouldmakeme.
“Andthat’snaething,”saidhe.“ButI’msaying,Mr.Betwixt-and-Between,”headded,“thisbottleofyoursisdry;andit’shardifI’mtopaysixtyguineasandbegrudgedadramuponthebackofit.”
“I’llgoandaskforthekey,”saidI,andsteppedondeck.
