Викрадений

           Yetnearer,andtherebegantocometoourearsagreatsoundofmourning,thepeopleonboardandthoseontheshorecryingandlamentingonetoanothersoastopiercetheheart.

           ThenIunderstoodthiswasanemigrantshipboundfortheAmericancolonies.

           Weputtheferry-boatalongside,andtheexilesleanedoverthebulwarks,weepingandreachingouttheirhandstomyfellow-passengers,amongwhomtheycountedsomenearfriends.HowlongthismighthavegoneonIdonotknow,fortheyseemedtohavenosenseoftime:butatlastthecaptainoftheship,whoseemednearbesidehimself(andnogreatwonder)inthemidstofthiscryingandconfusion,cametothesideandbeggedustodepart.

           ThereuponNeilsheeredoff;andthechiefsingerinourboatstruckintoamelancholyair,whichwaspresentlytakenupbothbytheemigrantsandtheirfriendsuponthebeach,sothatitsoundedfromallsideslikealamentforthedying.Isawthetearsrundownthecheeksofthemenandwomenintheboat,evenastheybentattheoars;andthecircumstancesandthemusicofthesong(whichisonecalled“Lochabernomore”)werehighlyaffectingeventomyself.

           AtKinlochalineIgotNeilRoyupononesideonthebeach,andsaidImadesurehewasoneofAppin’smen.

           “Andwhatforno?”saidhe.

           “Iamseekingsomebody,”saidI;“anditcomesinmymindthatyouwillhavenewsofhim.AlanBreckStewartishisname.”Andveryfoolishly,insteadofshowinghimthebutton,Isoughttopassashillinginhishand.

           Atthishedrewback.