Викрадений
Chapter 12
SohegivestheKing’sthreeguineasintotheman’shand,asifitwashiscommoncustom;thethreeothersthatcamebehindhimdidthesame;andtheretheywereonthestreet,neverapennythebetterfortheirpains.Somesayitwasone,thatwasthefirsttofeetheKing’sporter;andsomesayitwasanother;butthetruthofitis,thatitwasDuncanStewart,asIamwillingtoprovewitheitherswordorpistol.AndthatwasthefatherthatIhad,Godresthim!”
“Ithinkhewasnotthemantoleaveyourich,”saidI.
“Andthat’strue,”saidAlan.“Heleftmemybreekstocoverme,andlittlebesides.AndthatwashowIcametoenlist,whichwasablackspotuponmycharacteratthebestoftimes,andwouldstillbeasorejobformeifIfellamongthered-coats.”
“What,”criedI,“wereyouintheEnglisharmy?”
“ThatwasI,”saidAlan.“ButIdesertedtotherightsideatPrestonPans—andthat’ssomecomfort.”
Icouldscarcelysharethisview:holdingdesertionunderarmsforanunpardonablefaultinhonour.ButforallIwassoyoung,Iwaswiserthansaymythought.“Dear,dear,”saysI,“thepunishmentisdeath.”
“Ay”saidhe,“iftheygothandsonme,itwouldbeashortshriftandalangtowforAlan!ButIhavetheKingofFrance’scommissioninmypocket,whichwouldayebesomeprotection.”
“Imisdoubtitmuch,”saidI.
“Ihavedoubtsmysel’,”saidAlandrily.
