Викрадений
Chapter 15
Ipickedupboththatandhisbrogues,wishedhimagoodmorning,andsetoffuponmyway,leavinghimbarefootanddisarmed.IchuckledtomyselfasIwent,beingsureIwasdonewiththatrogue,foravarietyofreasons.First,heknewhecouldhavenomoreofmymoney;next,thebrogueswereworthinthatcountryonlyafewpence;and,lastly,theknife,whichwasreallyadagger,itwasagainstthelawforhimtocarry.
Inabouthalfanhourofwalk,Iovertookagreat,raggedman,movingprettyfastbutfeelingbeforehimwithastaff.Hewasquiteblind,andtoldmehewasacatechist,whichshouldhaveputmeatmyease.Buthisfacewentagainstme;itseemeddarkanddangerousandsecret;andpresently,aswebegantogoonalongside,Isawthesteelbuttofapistolstickingfromundertheflapofhiscoat-pocket.Tocarrysuchathingmeantafineoffifteenpoundssterlinguponafirstoffence,andtransportationtothecoloniesuponasecond.NorcouldIquiteseewhyareligiousteachershouldgoarmed,orwhatablindmancouldbedoingwithapistol.
Itoldhimaboutmyguide,forIwasproudofwhatIhaddone,andmyvanityforoncegottheheelsofmyprudence.AtthementionofthefiveshillingshecriedoutsoloudthatImadeupmymindIshouldsaynothingoftheothertwo,andwasgladhecouldnotseemyblushes.
“Wasittoomuch?”Iasked,alittlefaltering.
“Toomuch!”crieshe.“Why,IwillguideyoutoTorosaymyselfforadramofbrandy.
