第3章

Theonlyanswerwasahook-hitwhichIjustmanagedtoguard，followedbyamightydrivewithhisrightwhichIdodgedsothathebarkedhisknucklesonthewall。Iheardayellofrage，andobservedthatGressonseemedtohavekickedhisassailantontheshin。Ibegantolongforthepolice。

Thentherewasthatswayingofthecrowdwhichbetokenstheapproachoftheforcesoflawandorder。Buttheyweretoolatetopreventtrouble。Inself-defenceIhadtotakemyjockseriously，andgotinmyblowwhenhehadoverreachedhimselfandlosthisbalance。Ineverhitanyonesounwillinglyinmylife。Hewentoverlikeapoledox，andmeasuredhislengthonthecauseway。

Ifoundmyselfexplainingthingspolitelytotheconstables。\'Thesemenobjectedtothisgentleman\'sspeechatthemeeting，andIhadtointerferetoprotecthim。No，no！Idon\'twanttochargeanybody。

Itwasallamisunderstanding。\'Ihelpedthestrickenjocktoriseandofferedhimtenbobforconsolation。

Helookedatmesullenlyandspatontheground。\'Keepyourdirtymoney，\'hesaid。\'I\'llbeevenwithyeyet，myman-youandthatred-headedscab。I\'llmindthelooksofyethenexttimeI

seeye。\'

Gressonwaswipingthebloodfromhischeekwithasilkhandkerchief。\'IguessI\'minyourdebt，MrBrand，\'hesaid。\'YoumaybetIwon\'tforgetit。\'

IreturnedtoananxiousAmos。Heheardmystoryinsilenceandhisonlycommentwas-\'WelldonetheFusiliers！\'

\'Itmighthavebeenworse，I\'llnotdeny，\'hewenton。\'Ye\'veestablishedsomekindofaclaimuponGresson，whichmaycomeinhandy……SpeakingaboutGresson，I\'venewsforye。He\'ssailingonFridayaspurserinthe_Tobermory。The_Tobermory\'saboatthatwanderseverymonthuptheWestHighlandsasfarasStornoway。

I\'vearrangedforyetotakeatriponthatboat，MrBrand。\'

Inodded。\'Howdidyoufindoutthat？\'Iasked。

\'Ittookmesomefinding，\'hesaiddryly，\'butI\'vewaysandmeans。NowI\'llnottroubleyewithadvice，foryekenyourjobaswellasme。ButI\'mgoingnorthmyselfthemorntolookaftersomeoftheRoss-shirewuds，andI\'llbeinthewayofgettingtelegramsattheKyle。Ye\'llkeepthatinmind。Keepinmind，too，thatI\'magreatreaderofthe_Pilgrim\'s_ProgressandthatI\'veacousinofthenameofOchterlony。\'

CHAPTERFIVE

VariousDoingsintheWestThe_Tobermorywasnoshipforpassengers。Itsdeckswerelitteredwithahundredoddments，sothatamancouldbarelywalkastepwithouttacking，andmybunkwassimplyashelfinthefrowstylittlesaloon，wheretheodourofhamandeggshunglikeafog。I

joinedheratGreenockandtookaturnondeckwiththecaptainaftertea，whenhetoldmethenamesofthebigbluehillstothenorth。Hehadafineoldcopper-colouredfaceandside-whiskerslikeanarchbishop，and，havingspentallhisdaysbeatingupthewesternseas，hadasmanyyarnsinhisheadasPeterhimself。

\'Onthisboat，\'heannounced，\'wedon\'tkenwhatadaymaybringforth。ImayputintoColonsayfortwahoursandbidetherethreedays。IgetatelegramatObanandthenextthingI\'mawaayontBarra。Sheep\'sthedifficultbusiness。Theymaunbefetchedforthesales，andthey\'redoomsslowtolift。Soyeseeit\'snotwhatyecallapleasuretrip，MaisterBrand。\'

Indeeditwasn\'t，fortheconfoundedtubwallowedlikeafatsowassoonasweroundedaheadlandandgottheweightofthesouth-

westernwind。Whenaskedmypurpose，IexplainedthatIwasacolonialofScotsextraction，whowaspayinghisfirstvisittohisfatherlandandwantedtoexplorethebeautiesoftheWestHighlands。IlethimgatherthatIwasnotrichinthisworld\'sgoods。

\'Ye\'llhaveapassport？\'heasked。\'They\'llnoletyegonortho\'

FortWilliamwithoutone。\'

Amoshadsaidnothingaboutpassports，soIlookedblank。

\'Icouldkeepyeonboardforthewholevoyage，\'hewenton，\'butyewouldnabepermittedtoland。ifye\'reseekin\'enjoyment，itwouldbeapoorjobsittin\'onthisdeckandadmirin\'theworksO\'

Godandnoallowedtosteponthepier-head。YeshouldhaveappliedtothemilitarygentlemeninGlesca。Butye\'veplentyo\'

timetomakeupyourmindaforewegettoOban。We\'veaheapo\'callstomakeMullandIslayway。\'

Thepursercameuptoinquireaboutmyticket，andgreetedmewithagrin。

，Ye\'reacquaintwithMrGresson，then？\'saidthecaptain。\'Weel，we\'reacheeryweeship\'scompany，andthat\'sthegreatthingonthiskindo\'job。\'

Imadebutapoorsupper，forthewindhadrisentohalfagale，andIsawhoursofwretchednessapproaching。ThetroublewithmeisthatIcannotbehonestlysickandgetitover。Queasinessandheadachebesetmeandthereisnorefugebutbed。Iturnedintomybunk，leavingthecaptainandthematesmokingshagnotsixfeetfrommyhead，andfellintoarestlesssleep。WhenIwoketheplacewasempty，andsmeltvilelyofstaletobaccoandcheese。Mythrobbingbrowsmadesleepimpossible，andItriedtoeasethembystaggeringupondeck。Isawaclearwindysky，witheverystarasbrightasalivecoal，andaheavingwasteofdarkwatersrunningtoink-blackhills。Thenadoucheofspraycaughtmeandsentmedownthecompaniontomybunkagain，whereIlayforhourstryingtomakeaplanofcampaign。

IarguedthatifAmoshadwantedmetohaveapassporthewouldhaveprovidedone，soIneedn\'tbothermyheadaboutthat。

ButitwasmybusinesstokeepalongsideGresson，andiftheboatstayedaweekinsomeportandhewentoffashore，Imustfollowhim。HavingnopassportIwouldhavetobealwaysdodgingtrouble，whichwouldhandicapmymovementsandinalllikelihoodmakememoreconspicuousthanIwanted。IguessedthatAmoshaddeniedmethepassportfortheveryreasonthathewantedGressontothinkmeharmless。Theareaofdangerwould，therefore，bethepassportcountry，somewherenorthofFortWilliam。

ButtofollowGressonImustrunrisksandenterthatcountry。

Hissuspicions，ifhehadany，wouldbelulledifIlefttheboatatOban，butitwasuptometofollowoverlandtothenorthandhittheplacewherethe_Tobermorymadealongstay。Theconfoundedtubhadnoplans；shewanderedabouttheWestHighlandslookingforsheepandthings；andthecaptainhimselfcouldgivemenotime-tableofhervoyage。ItwasincrediblethatGressonshouldtakeallthistroubleifhedidnotknowthatatsomeplace-andtherightplace-hewouldhavetimetogetaspellashore。ButIcouldscarcelyaskGressonforthatinformation，thoughIdeterminedtocastawaryflyoverhim。Iknewroughlythe_Tobermory\'scourse-

throughtheSoundofIslaytoColonsay；thenuptheeastsideofMulltoOban；thenthroughtheSoundofMulltotheislandswithnameslikecocktails，RumandEiggandColl；thentoSkye；andthenfortheOuterHebrides。Ithoughtthelastwouldbetheplace，anditseemedmadnesstoleavetheboat，fortheLordknewhowIshouldgetacrosstheMinch。Thisconsiderationupsetallmyplansagain，andIfellintoatroubledsleepwithoutcomingtoanyconclusion。

MorningfoundusnosingbetweenJuraandIslay，andaboutmiddaywetouchedatalittleport，whereweunloadedsomecargoandtookonacoupleofshepherdswhoweregoingtoColonsay。

Themellowafternoonandthegoodsmellofsaltandheathergotridofthedregsofmyqueasiness，andIspentaprofitablehouronthepier-headwithaguide-bookcalled_Baddely\'s_Scotland，andoneofBartholomew\'smaps。IwasbeginningtothinkthatAmosmightbeabletotellmesomething，foratalkwiththecaptainhadsuggestedthatthe_TobermorywouldnotdallylongintheneighbourhoodofRumandEigg。Thebigdrovingseasonwasscarcelyonyet，andsheepfortheObanmarketwouldbeliftedonthereturnjourney。InthatcaseSkyewasthefirstplacetowatch，andifI

couldgetwindofanybigcargowaitingthereIwouldbeabletomakeaplan。AmoswassomewhereneartheKyle，andthatwasacrossthenarrowsfromSkye。Lookingatthemap，itseemedtomethat，inspiteofbeingpassportless，ImightbeablesomehowtomakemywayupthroughMorvernandArisaigtothelatitudeofSkye。Thedifficultywouldbetogetacrossthestripofsea，buttheremustbeboatstobeg，borroworsteal。

IwasporingoverBaddelywhenGressonsatdownbesideme。

Hewasinagoodtemper，anddisposedtotalk，andtomysurprisehistalkwasallaboutthebeautiesofthecountryside。Therewasakindofapple-greenlightovereverything；thesteepheatherhillscutintotheskylikepurpleamethysts，whilebeyondthestraitsthewesternoceanstretcheditspalemoltengoldtothesunset。Gressonwaxedlyricaloverthescene。\'Thisjustaboutputsmerightinside，MrBrand。I\'vegottogetawayfromthatlittleoldtownprettyfrequentorIbegintomoultlikeacanary。Amanfeelsamanwhenhegetstoaplacethatsmellsasgoodasthis。Whyinhelldoweevergetmessedupinthosestoneandlimecages？IreckonsomedayI\'llpullmyfreightforacleanlocationandsettledownthereandmakelittlepoems。Thisplacewouldaboutcontentme。Andthere\'saspotoutinCaliforniaintheCoastrangesthatI\'vebeenkeepingmyeyeon，\'TheoddthingwasthatIbelievehemeantit。

Hisuglyfacewaslitupwithaseriousdelight。

Hetoldmehehadtakenthisvoyagebefore，soIgotoutBaddelyandaskedforadvice。\'Ican\'tspendtoomuchtimeonholidaying，\'I

toldhim，\'andIwanttoseeallthebeautyspots。ButthebestofthemseemtobeintheareathatthisfoolBritishGovernmentwon\'tletyouintowithoutapassport。IsupposeIshallhavetoleaveyouatOban。\'

\'Toobad，\'hesaidsympathetically。\'Well，theytellmethere\'ssomeprettysightsroundOban。\'Andhethumbedtheguide-bookandbegantoreadaboutGlencoe。

Isaidthatwasnotmypurpose，andpitchedhimayarnaboutPrinceCharlieandhowmymother\'sgreat-grandfatherhadplayedsomekindofpartinthatshow。ItoldhimIwantedtoseetheplacewherethePrincelandedandwhereheleftforFrance。\'SofarasI

canmakeoutthatwon\'ttakemeintothepassportcountry，butI\'llhavetodoabitoffootslogging。Well，I\'musedtopaddingthehoof。ImustgetthecaptaintoputmeoffinMorvern，andthenI

canfootitroundthetopofLochielandgetbacktoObanthroughAppin。How\'sthatforaholidaytrek？\'

Hegavetheschemehisapproval。\'Butifitwasme，MrBrand，I

wouldhaveashotatpuzzlingyourgallantpolicemen。YouandI

don\'ttakemuchstockinGovernmentsandtheirtwo-centlaws，anditwouldbeagoodgametoseejusthowfaryoucouldgetintotheforbiddenland。Amanlikeyoucouldputupagoodbluffonthosehayseeds。Idon\'tmindhavingabet……\'

\'No，\'Isaid。\'I\'moutforarest，andnotforsport。IftherewasanythingtobegainedI\'dundertaketobluffmywaytotheOrkneyIslands。Butit\'sawearingjobandI\'vebetterthingstothinkabout。\'

\'So？Well，enjoyyourselfyourownway。I\'llbesorrywhenyouleaveus，forIoweyousomethingforthatrough-house，andbesidethere\'sdarnedlittlecompanyintheoldmoss-backcaptain。\'

ThateveningGressonandIswoppedyarnsaftersuppertotheaccompanimentofthe\'MaGoad！\'and\'Is\'tpossible？\'ofcaptainandmate。Iwenttobedafteraglassortwoofweakgrog，andmadeupforthelastnight\'svigilbyfallingsoundasleep。Ihadverylittlekitwithme，beyondwhatIstoodupinandcouldcarryinmywaterproofpockets，butonAmos\'sadviceIhadbroughtmylittlenickel-platedrevolver。Thislivedbydayinmyhippocket，butatnightIputitbehindmypillow。ButwhenIwokenextmorningtofinduscastinganchorinthebaybelowroughlowhills，whichI

knewtobetheislandofColonsay，Icouldfindnotraceoftherevolver。Isearchedeveryinchofthebunkandonlyshookoutfeathersfromthemouldyticking。IrememberedperfectlyputtingthethingbehindmyheadbeforeIwenttosleep，andnowithadvanishedutterly。OfcourseIcouldnotadvertisemyloss，andIdidn\'tgreatlymindit，forthiswasnotajobwhereIcoulddomuchshooting。ButitmademethinkagooddealaboutMrGresson。Hesimplycouldnotsuspectme；ifhehadbaggedmygun，asIwasprettycertainhehad，itmustbebecausehewanteditforhimselfandnotthathemightdisarmme。EverywayIargueditIreachedthesameconclusion。InGresson\'seyesImustseemasharmlessasachild。

WespentthebetterpartofadayatColonsay，andGresson，sofarashisdutiesallowed，stucktomelikealimpet。BeforeIwentashoreIwroteoutatelegramforAmos。Idevotedahectichourtothe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress，butIcouldnotcomposeanykindofintelligiblemessagewithreferencetoitstext。Wehadallthesameedition-theoneinthe_Golden_Treasuryseries-soIcouldhavemadeupasortofcipherbyreferringtolinesandpages，butthatwouldhavetakenupadozentelegraphformsandseemedtometooelaborateforthepurpose。SoIsentthismessage:

__Ochterlony，PostOffice，Kyle，Ihopetospendpartofholidaynearyouandtoseeyouifboat\'sprogrammepermits。Areanygoodcargoeswaitinginyourneighbourhood？ReplyPostOffice，_Oban。

ItwashighlyimportantthatGressonshouldnotseethis，butitwasthedeuceofabusinesstoshakehimoff。Iwentforawalkintheafternoonalongtheshoreandpassedthetelegraphoffice，buttheconfoundedfellowwaswithmeallthetime。Myonlychancewasjustbeforewesailed，whenhehadtogoonboardtochecksomecargo。Asthetelegraphofficestoodfullinviewoftheship\'sdeckIdidnotgonearit。ButinthebackendoftheclachanIfoundtheschoolmaster，andgothimtopromisetosendthewire。Ialsoboughtoffhimacoupleofwell-wornsevenpennynovels。

TheresultwasthatIdelayedourdeparturefortenminutesandwhenIcameonboardfacedawrathfulGresson。\'Wherethehellhaveyoubeen？\'heasked。\'Theweather\'sblowingupdirtyandtheoldman\'smadtogetoff。Didn\'tyougetyourlegsstretchedenoughthisafternoon？\'

IexplainedhumblythatIhadbeentotheschoolmastertogetsomethingtoread，andproducedmydingyredvolumes。Atthathisbrowcleared。Icouldseethathissuspicionsweresetatrest。

WeleftColonsayaboutsixintheeveningwiththeskybehindusbankingforastorm，andthehillsofJuratostarboardanangrypurple。Colonsaywastoolowanislandtobeanykindofbreakwateragainstawesterngale，sotheweatherwasbadfromthestart。Ourcoursewasnorthbyeast，andwhenwehadpassedthebutt-endoftheislandwenosedaboutinthetroughofbigseas，shippingtonsofwaterandrollinglikeabuffalo。IknowasmuchaboutboatsasaboutEgyptianhieroglyphics，butevenmylandsman\'seyescouldtellthatwewereinforaroughnight。Iwasdeterminednottogetqueasyagain，butwhenIwentbelowthesmelloftripeandonionspromisedtobemyundoing；soIdinedoffaslabofchocolateandacabinbiscuit，putonmywaterproof，andresolvedtostickitoutondeck。

Itookuppositionnearthebows，whereIwasoutofreachoftheoilysteamersmells。Itwasasfreshasthetopofamountain，butmightycoldandwet，foragustydrizzlehadsetin，andIgotthespindriftofthebigwaves。ThereIbalancedmyself，aswelurchedintothetwilight，hangingonwithonehandtoaropewhichdescendedfromthestumpymast。Inoticedthattherewasonlyanindifferentrailbetweenmeandtheedge，butthatinterestedmeandhelpedtokeepoffsickness。Iswungtothemovementofthevessel，andthoughIwasmortallycolditwasratherpleasantthanotherwise。Mynotionwastogetthenauseawhippedoutofmebytheweather，and，whenIwasproperlytired，togodownandturnin。

Istoodtheretillthedarkhadfallen。BythattimeIwasanautomaton，thewayamangetsonsentry-go，andIcouldhaveeasilyhungontillmorning。Mythoughtsrangedabouttheearth，beginningwiththebusinessIhadsetouton，andpresently-bywayofrecollectionsofBlenkironandPeter-reachingtheGermanforestwhere，intheChristmasof1915，IhadbeennearlydoneinbyfeverandoldStumm。Irememberedthebittercoldofthatwildrace，andthewaythesnowseemedtoburnlikefirewhenIstumbledandgotmyfaceintoit。Ireflectedthatsea-sicknesswaskitten\'splaytoagoodboutofmalaria。

Theweatherwasgrowingworse，andIwasgettingmorethanspindriftfromtheseas。Ihookedmyarmroundtherope，formyfingerswerenumbing。ThenIfelltodreamingagain，principallyaboutFosseManorandMaryLamington。ThissoravishedmethatIwasasgoodasasleep。IwastryingtoreconstructthepictureasI

hadlastseenheratBiggleswickstation……

Aheavybodycollidedwithmeandshookmyarmfromtherope。Islitheredacrosstheyardofdeck，engulfedinawhirlofwater。Onefootcaughtastanchionoftherail，anditgavewithme，sothatforaninstantIwasmorethanhalfoverboard。Butmyfingersclawedwildlyandcaughtinthelinksofwhatmusthavebeentheanchorchain。Theyheld，thoughaton\'sweightseemedtobetuggingatmyfeet……Thentheoldtubrolledback，thewatersslippedoff，andIwassprawlingonawetdeckwithnobreathinmeandagallonofbrineinmywindpipe。

Iheardavoicecryoutsharply，andahandhelpedmetomyfeet。

ItwasGresson，andheseemedexcited。

\'God，MrBrand，thatwasaclosecall！Iwascominguptofindyou，whenthisdamnedshiptooktolyingonherside。IguessI

musthavecannonedintoyou，andIwascallingmyselfbadnameswhenIsawyourollingintotheAtlantic。IfIhadn\'tgotagripontheropeIwouldhavebeendownbesideyou。Say，you\'renothurt？

Ireckonyou\'dbettercomebelowandgetaglassofrumunderyourbelt。You\'reaboutaswetasmother\'sdish-clouts。\'

There\'soneadvantageaboutcampaigning。Youtakeyourluckwhenitcomesanddon\'tworryaboutwhatmighthavebeen。I

didn\'tthinkanymoreofthebusiness，exceptthatithadcuredmeofwantingtobesea-sick。Iwentdowntothereekingcabinwithoutonequalminmystomach，andateagoodmealofwelsh-rabbitandbottledBass，withatotofrumtofollowupwith。ThenIshedmywetgarments，andsleptinmybunktillweanchoredoffavillageinMullinaclearbluemorning。

IttookusfourdaystocrawlupthatcoastandmakeOban，forweseemedtobeafloatinggeneralstoreforeveryhamletinthoseparts。Gressonmadehimselfverypleasant，asifhewantedtoatonefornearlydoingmein。Weplayedsomepoker，andIreadthelittlebooksIhadgotinColonsay，andthenriggedupafishing-line，andcaughtsaitheandlytheandanoccasionalbighaddock。ButIfoundthetimepassslowly，andIwasgladthataboutnoononedaywecameintoabayblockedwithislandsandsawacleanlittletownsittingonthehillsandthesmokeofarailwayengine。

Iwentashoreandpurchasedabetterbrandofhatinatweedstore。ThenImadeabee-lineforthepostoffice，andaskedfortelegrams。Onewasgiventome，andasIopeneditIsawGressonatmyelbow。

Itreadthus:

_Brand，Postoffice，Oban。Page117，paragraph3。_Ochterlony。

IpassedittoGressonwitharuefulface。

\'There\'sapieceoffoolishness，\'Isaid。\'I\'vegotacousinwho\'saPresbyterianministerupinRoss-shire，andbeforeIknewaboutthispassporthumbugIwrotetohimandofferedtopayhimavisit。

Itoldhimtowiremehereifitwasconvenient，andtheoldidiothassentmethewrongtelegram。Thiswaslikelyasnotmeantforsomeotherbrotherparson，who\'sgotmymessageinstead。\'

\'What\'stheguy\'sname？\'Gressonaskedcuriously，peeringatthesignature。

\'Ochterlony。DavidOchterlony。He\'sagreatswellatwritingbooks，buthe\'snoearthlyuseathandlingthetelegraph。However，itdon\'tsignify，seeingI\'mnotgoingnearhim。\'Icrumpledupthepinkformandtosseditonthefloor。GressonandIwalkedtothe_Tobermorytogether。

Thatafternoon，whenIgotachance，Ihadoutmy_Pilgrim\'s_Progress。Page117，paragraph3，read:

\'__ThenIsawinmydream，thatalittleofftheroad，overagainsttheSilver-mine，stoodDemas(gentlemanlike)tocalltopassengerstocomeandsee:whosaidtoChristianandhisfellow，Ho，turnasidehitherandIwillshowyoua_thing。

AtteaIledthetalktomyownpastlife。Iyarnedaboutmyexperiencesasaminingengineer，andsaidIcouldnevergetoutofthetrickoflookingatcountrywiththeeyeoftheprospector。\'Forinstance，\'Isaid，\'ifthishadbeenRhodesia，Iwouldhavesaidtherewasagoodchanceofcopperintheselittlekopjesabovethetown。

They\'renotunlikethehillsroundtheMessinamine。\'ItoldthecaptainthatafterthewarIwasthinkingofturningmyattentiontotheWestHighlandsandlookingoutforminerals。

\'Ye\'llmakenothingofit，\'saidthecaptain。\'Thecostsareowerbig，evenifyefoundtheminerals，forye\'dhavetoimporta\'yourlabour。TheWestHielandmanisnofondo\'hardwork。Yekenthepsalmo\'thecrofter？

__Othatthepeatswouldcutthemselves，Thefishchumpontheshore，AndthatIinmybedmightlieHenceforthforever_more！\'

\'Hasiteverbeentried？\'Iasked。

\'Often。There\'smarbleandslatequarries，andtherewaswordo\'

coalinBenbecula。Andthere\'stheironminesatRanna。\'

\'Where\'sthat？\'Iasked。

\'UpforenentSkye。Wecallinthere，andgenerallybideabit。

There\'saheapofcargoforRanna，andweusuallygetagoodloadback。ButasItellye，there\'sfewHielandersworkingthere。MostlyIrishandladsfraeFifeandFalkirkway。\'

Ididn\'tpursuethesubject，forIhadfoundDemas\'ssilver-mine。

Ifthe_TobermorylayatRannaforaweek，Gressonwouldhavetimetodohisownprivatebusiness。Rannawouldnotbethespot，fortheislandwasbaretotheworldinthemiddleofamuch-frequentedchannel。ButSkyewasjustacrosstheway，andwhenIlookedinmymapatitsbig，wanderingpeninsulasIconcludedthatmyguesshadbeenright，andthatSkyewastheplacetomakefor。

ThatnightIsatondeckwithGresson，andinawonderfulstarrysilencewewatchedthelightsdieoutofthehousesinthetown，andtalkedofathousandthings。Inoticed-whatIhadhadahintofbefore-thatmycompanionwasnocommonman。Thereweremomentswhenheforgothimselfandtalkedlikeaneducatedgentleman:

thenhewouldremember，andrelapseintothelingoofLeadville，Colorado。InmycharacteroftheingenuousinquirerIsethimposersaboutpoliticsandeconomics，thekindofthingImighthavebeensupposedtopickupfromunintelligentbrowsingamonglittlebooks。Generallyheansweredwithsomeslangycatchword，butoccasionallyhewasinterestedbeyondhisdiscretion，andtreatedmetoaharanguelikeanequal。Idiscoveredanotherthing，thathehadacrazeforpoetry，andacapaciousmemoryforit。Iforgothowwedriftedintothesubject，butIrememberhequotedsomequeerhauntingstuffwhichhesaidwasSwinburne，andversesbypeopleI

hadheardoffromLetchfordatBiggleswick。Thenhesawbymysilencethathehadgonetoofar，andfellbackintothejargonoftheWest。Hewantedtoknowaboutmyplans，andwewentdownintothecabinandhadalookatthemap。Iexplainedmyroute，upMorvernandroundtheheadofLochiel，andbacktoObanbytheeastsideofLochLinnhe。

\'Gotyou，\'hesaid。\'You\'veahellofawalkbeforeyou。Thatbugneverbitme，andIguessI\'mnotenvyingyouany。Andafterthat，MrBrand？\'

\'BacktoGlasgowtodosomeworkforthecause，\'Isaidlightly。

\'Justso，\'hesaidwithagrin。\'It\'sagreatlifeifyoudon\'tweaken。\'

Westeamedoutofthebaynextmorningatdawn，andaboutnineo\'clockIgotonshoreatalittleplacecalledLochaline。Mykitwasallonmyperson，andmywaterproof\'spocketswerestuffedwithchocolatesandbiscuitsIhadboughtinOban。Thecaptainwasdiscouraging。\'Ye\'llgetyourbellyfulo\'Hielandhills，MrBrand，aforeyewinroundthelochhead。Ye\'llbewishin\'yerselfbackonthe_Tobermory。\'ButGressonspeededmejoyfullyonmyway，andsaidhewishedhewerecomingwithme。Heevenaccompaniedmethefirsthundredyards，andwavedhishataftermetillIwasroundtheturnoftheroad。

Thefirststageinthatjourneywaspuredelight。Iwasthankfultoberidoftheinfernalboat，andthehotsummerscentscomingdowntheglenwerecomfortingafterthecold，saltsmellofthesea。

Theroadlayupthesideofasmallbay，atthetopofwhichabigwhitehousestoodamonggardens。PresentlyIhadleftthecoastandwasinaglenwhereabrownsalmon-riverswirledthroughacresofbog-myrtle。Ithaditssourceinaloch，fromwhichthemountainrosesteeply-aplacesoglassyinthatAugustforenoonthateveryscarandwrinkleofthehillsidewerefaithfullyreflected。

AfterthatIcrossedalowpasstotheheadofanothersea-lock，and，followingthemap，struckovertheshoulderofagreathillandatemyluncheonfaruponitsside，withawonderfulvistaofwoodandwaterbelowme。

AllthatmorningIwasveryhappy，notthinkingaboutGressonorIvery，butgettingmymindclearinthosewidespaces，andmylungsfilledwiththebriskhillair。ButInoticedonecuriousthing。

OnmylastvisittoScotland，whenIcoveredmoremoorlandmilesadaythananymansinceClaverhouse，Ihadbeenfascinatedbytheland，andhadpleasedmyselfwithplansforsettlingdowninit。Butnow，afterthreeyearsofwarandgeneralrocketing，Ifeltlessdrawntothatkindoflandscape。Iwantedsomethingmoregreenandpeacefulandhabitable，anditwastotheCotswoldsthatmymemoryturnedwithlonging。

IpuzzledoverthistillIrealizedthatinallmyCotswoldpicturesafigurekeptgoingandcoming-ayounggirlwithacloudofgoldhairandthestrong，slimgraceofaboy，whohadsung\'CherryRipe\'inamoonlitgarden。UponthathillsideIunderstoodveryclearlythatI，whohadbeenascarelessofwomenasanymonk，hadfallenwildlyinlovewithachildofhalfmyage。Iwasloathtoadmitit，thoughforweekstheconclusionhadbeenforcingitselfonme。NotthatIdidn\'trevelinmymadness，butthatitseemedtoohopelessabusiness，andI

hadnouseforbarrenphilandering。But，seatedonarockmunchingchocolateandbiscuits，Ifaceduptothefactandresolvedtotrustmyluck。Afterallwewerecomradesinabigjob，anditwasuptometobemanenoughtowinher。Thethoughtseemedtobraceanycouragethatwasinme。Notaskseemedtoohardwithherapprovaltogainandhercompanionshipsomewhereatthebackofit。Isatforalongtimeinahappydream，rememberingalltheglimpsesIhadhadofher，andhumminghersongtoanaudienceofoneblack-facedsheep。

Onthehighroadhalfamilebelowme，Isawafigureonabicyclemountingthehill，andthengettingofftomopitsfaceatthesummit。IturnedmyZiessglassesontoit，andobservedthatitwasacountrypoliceman。Itcaughtsightofme，staredforabit，tuckeditsmachineintothesideoftheroad，andthenveryslowlybegantoclimbthehillside。Onceitstopped，waveditshandandshoutedsomethingwhichIcouldnothear。Isatfinishingmyluncheon，tillthefeatureswererevealedtomeofafatoldishman，blowinglikeagrampus，hiscapwellonthebackofabaldhead，andhistrouserstiedabouttheshinswithstring。

TherewasaspringbesidemeandIhadoutmyflasktoroundoffmymeal。

\'Haveadrink，\'Isaid。

Hiseyebrightened，andasmileoverranhismoistface。

\'Thankyou，sir。Itwillbeverywarrmcomingupthebrae。\'

\'Yououghtn\'tto，\'Isaid。\'Youreallyoughtn\'t，youknow。

Scorchinguphillsandthendoublingupamountainarenotgoodforyourtimeoflife。\'

Heraisedthecapofmyflaskinsolemnsalutation。\'Yourverygoodhealth。\'Thenhesmackedhislips，andhadseveralcupfulsofwaterfromthespring。

\'YouwillhafcomefromAchranichway，maybe？\'hesaidinhissoftsing-song，havingatlastfoundhisbreath。

\'Justso。Fineweatherforthebirds，iftherewasanybodytoshootthem。\'

\'Ah，no。Therewillbefewshotsfiredtoday，fortherearenogentlemenleftinMorvern。ButIwassaskingyou，ifyoucomefromAchranich，ifyouhafseenanybodyontheroad。\'

Fromhispocketheextricatedabrownenvelopeandabulkytelegraphform。\'Willyoureadit，sir，forIhafforgotmyspectacles？\'

ItcontainedadescriptionofoneBrand，aSouthAfricanandasuspectedcharacter，whomthepolicewerewarnedtostopandreturntoOban。Thedescriptionwasn\'tbad，butitlackedanyonegooddistinctivedetail。Clearlythepolicemantookmeforaninnocentpedestrian，probablytheguestofsomemoorlandshooting-box，withmybrownfaceandroughtweedsandhobnailedshoes。

Ifrownedandpuzzledalittle。\'Ididseeafellowaboutthreemilesbackonthehillside。There\'sapublic-housejustwheretheburncomesin，andIthinkhewasmakingforit。Maybethatwasyourman。Thiswiresays“SouthAfrican“；andnowIrememberthefellowhadthelookofacolonial。\'

Thepolicemansighed。\'Nodoubtitwillbetheman。Perhapshewillhafapistolandwillshoot。\'

\'Nothim，\'Ilaughed。\'Helookedamangysortofchap，andhe\'llbescaredoutofhissensesatthesightofyou。Buttakemyadviceandgetsomebodywithyoubeforeyoutacklehim。You\'realwaysthebetterofawitness。\'

\'Thatisso，\'hesaid，brightening。\'Ach，thesearethebadtimes！

inolddaystherewassnothingtodobutwatchthedoorsattheflower-showsandkeeptheyachtsfrompoachingthesea-trout。Butnowitisspies，spies，and“Donald，getoutofyourbed，andgoofftwentymiletofindaGerman。“Iwasswishingthewarwassby，andtheGermansalldead。\'

\'Hear，hear！\'Icried，andonthestrengthofitgavehimanotherdram。

Iaccompaniedhimtotheroad，andsawhimmounthisbicycleandzig-zaglikeasnipedownthehilltowardsAchranich。ThenI

setoffbrisklynorthward。ItwasclearthatthefasterImovedthebetter。

AsIwentIpaiddisgustedtributetotheefficiencyoftheScottishpolice。Iwonderedhowonearththeyhadmarkedmedown。

PerhapsitwastheGlasgowmeeting，orperhapsmyassociationwithIveryatBiggleswick。Anyhowtherewassomebodysomewheremightyquickatcompilinga_dossier。UnlessIwantedtobebundledbacktoObanImustmakegoodspeedtotheArisaigcoast。

Presentlytheroadfelltoagleamingsea-lochwhichlaylikethebluebladeofaswordamongthepurpleofthehills。Attheheadtherewasatinyclachan，nestledamongbirchesandrowans，whereatawnyburnwoundtothesea。WhenIenteredtheplaceitwasaboutfouro\'clockintheafternoon，andpeacelayonitlikeagarment。Inthewide，sunnystreettherewasnosignoflife，andnosoundexceptofhenscluckingandofbeesbusyamongtheroses。

Therewasalittlegreyboxofakirk，andclosetothebridgeathatchedcottagewhichborethesignofapostandtelegraphoffice。

ForthepasthourIhadbeenconsideringthatIhadbetterprepareformishaps。Ifthepoliceofthesepartshadbeenwarnedtheymightprovetoomuchforme，andGressonwouldbeallowedtomakehisjourneyunmatched。TheonlythingtodowastosendawiretoAmosandleavethematterinhishands。Whetherthatwaspossibleornotdependeduponthisremotepostalauthority。

Ienteredthelittleshop，andpassedfrombrightsunshinetoatwilightsmellingofparaffinandblack-stripedpeppermintballs。Anoldwomanwithamutchsatinanarm-chairbehindthecounter。

Shelookedupatmeoverherspectaclesandsmiled，andItooktoherontheinstant。ShehadthekindofoldwisefacethatGodloves。

BesideherInoticedalittlepileofbooks，oneofwhichwasaBible。Openonherlapwasapaper，the__UnitedFreeChurch_Monthly。

Inoticedthesedetailsgreedily，forIhadtomakeupmymindontheparttoplay。

\'It\'sawarmday，mistress，\'Isaid，myvoicefallingintothebroadLowlandspeech，forIhadaninstinctthatshewasnotoftheHighlands。

Shelaidasideherpaper。\'Itisthat，sir。Itisgrandweatherforthehairst，butherethat\'snotillthehinnerendo\'September，andatthebestit\'sabitscarto\'aits。\'

\'Ay。It\'sadifferentthingdownAnnandaleway，\'Isaid。

Herfacelitup。\'AreyefromDumfries，sir？\'

\'NotjustfromDumfries，butIknowtheBordersfine。\'

\'Ye\'llnobeatthem，\'shecried。\'NotthatthisisnoaguidplaceandI\'vemuckletobethankfu\'forsinceJohnSanderson-thatwasmaman-broughtmehereforty-seevenyearsynecomeMartinmas。

ButtheaulderIgetthemairIthinko\'thebitwhaurIwasborn。ItwastwaemilesfromWamphrayontheLockerbieroad，buttheytellmetheplaceisnoojustarickleo\'stanes。\'

\'Iwaswondering，mistress，ifIcouldgetacupofteainthevillage。\'

\'Ye\'llhaeacupwi\'me，\'shesaid。\'It\'snooftenweseeonybodyfraetheBordershereaways。Thekettle\'sjustontheboil。\'

Shegavemeteaandsconesandbutter，andblack-currantjam，andtreaclebiscuitsthatmeltedinthemouth。Andasweatewetalkedofmanythings-chieflyofthewarandofthewickednessoftheworld。

\'There\'snaeladslefthere，\'shesaid。\'Theya\'joinedtheCamerons，andthefecko\'themfellatanawfu\'placecalledLowse。Johnandmeneverhadnoboys，jisttheonelassiethat\'smarriedonDonaldFrew，theStrontiancarrier。Iusedtovexmysel\'aboutit，butnowI

thanktheLordthatinHismercyHesparedmesorrow。ButIwadhaelikedtohavehadoneladdiefechtin\'forhiscountry。IwhileswishIwasaCatholicandcouldpitupprayersforthesodgersthataredeid。Itmaunbeagreatconsolation。\'

Iwhippedoutthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progressfrommypocket。\'Thatisthegrandbookforatimelikethis。\'

\'FineIkenit，\'shesaid。\'IgotitforaprizeintheSabbathSchoolwhenIwasalassie。\'

Iturnedthepages。Ireadoutapassageortwo，andthenI

seemedstruckwithasuddenmemory。

\'Thisisatelegraphoffice，mistress。CouldItroubleyoutosendatelegram？YouseeI\'veacousinthat\'saministerinRoss-shireattheKyle，andhimandmearegreatcorrespondents。Hewaswritingaboutsomethinginthe_Pilgrim\'s_ProgressandIthinkI\'llsendhimatelegraminanswer。\'

\'Aletterwouldbecheaper，\'shesaid。

\'Ay，butI\'monholidayandI\'venotimeforwriting。\'

Shegavemeaform，andIwrote:

__ochterlony。PostOffice，Kyle-Demaswillbeathisminewithintheweek。Strivewithhim，lestIfaintbythe_way。

\'Ye\'reuncolavishwi\'thewords，sir，\'washeronlycomment。

Wepartedwithregret，andtherewasnearlyarowwhenItriedtopayforthetea。IwasbiddenrememberhertooneDavidTudhole，farmerinNetherMirecleuch，thenexttimeIpassedbyWamphray。

ThevillagewasasquietwhenIleftitaswhenIhadentered。I

tookmywayupthehillwithaneasiermind，forIhadgotoffthetelegram，andIhopedIhadcoveredmytracks。Myfriendthepostmistresswould，ifquestioned，beunlikelytorecognizeanySouthAfricansuspectinthefrankandhomelytravellerwhohadspokenwithherofAnnandaleandthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress。

Thesoftmulberrygloamingofthewestcoastwasbeginningtofallonthehills。Ihopedtoputinadozenmilesbeforedarktothenextvillageonthemap，whereImightfindquarters。ButereIhadgonefarIheardthesoundofamotorbehindme，andacarslippedpastbearingthreemen。Thedriverfavouredmewithasharpglance，andclappedonthebrakes。Inotedthatthetwomeninthetonneauwerecarryingsportingrifles。

\'Hi，you，sir，\'hecried。\'Comehere。\'Thetworifle-bearers-

solemngillies-broughttheirweaponstoattention。

\'ByGod，\'hesaid，\'it\'stheman。What\'syourname？Keephimcovered，Angus。\'

Thegilliesdulycoveredme，andIdidnotlikethelookoftheirwaveringbarrels。Theywereobviouslyassurprisedasmyself。

Ihadabouthalfasecondtomakemyplans。Iadvancedwithaverystiffair，andaskedhimwhatthedevilhemeant。NoLowlandScotsformenow。MytonewasthatofanadjutantofaGuards\'battalion。

Myinquisitorwasatallmaninanulster，withagreenfelthatonhissmallhead。Hehadalean，well-bredface，andverycholericblueeyes。Isethimdownasasoldier，retired，Highlandregimentorcavalry，oldstyle。

Heproducedatelegraphform，likethepoliceman。

\'Middleheight-stronglybuilt-greytweeds-brownhat-

speakswithacolonialaccent-muchsunburnt。What\'syourname，sir？\'

Ididnotreplyinacolonialaccent，butwiththehauteuroftheBritishofficerwhenstoppedbyaFrenchsentry。Iaskedhimagainwhatthedevilhehadtodowithmybusiness。Thismadehimangryandhebegantostammer。

\'I\'llteachyouwhatIhavetodowithit。I\'madeputy-lieutenantofthiscounty，andIhaveAdmiraltyinstructionstowatchthecoast。Damnit，sir，I\'veawireherefromtheChiefConstabledescribingyou。You\'reBrand，averydangerousfellow，andwewanttoknowwhatthedevilyou\'redoinghere。\'

AsIlookedathiswrathfuleyeandleanhead，whichcouldnothaveheldmuchbrains，IsawthatImustchangemytone。ifI

irritatedhimhewouldgetnastyandrefusetolistenandhangmeupforhours。Somyvoicebecamerespectful。

\'Ibegyourpardon，sir，butI\'venotbeenaccustomedtobepulledupsuddenly，andaskedformycredentials。MynameisBlaikie，CaptainRobertBlaikie，oftheScotsFusiliers。I\'mhomeonthreeweeks\'leave，togetalittlepeaceafterHooge。Wewereonlyhauledoutfivedaysago。\'Ihopedmyoldfriendintheshell-shockhospitalatIshamwouldpardonmyborrowinghisidentity。

Themanlookedpuzzled。\'HowthedevilamItobesatisfiedaboutthat？Haveyouanypaperstoproveit？\'

\'Why，no。Idon\'tcarrypassportsaboutwithmeonawalkingtour。Butyoucanwiretothedepot，ortomyLondonaddress。\'

Hepulledathisyellowmoustache。\'I\'mhangedifIknowwhattodo。Iwanttogethomefordinner。Itellyouwhat，sir，I\'lltakeyouonwithmeandputyouupforthenight。Myboy\'sathome，convalescing，andifhesaysyou\'repukkaI\'llaskyourpardonandgiveyouadashedgoodbottleofport。I\'lltrusthimandIwarnyouhe\'sakeenhand。\'

Therewasnothingtodobutconsent，andIgotinbesidehimwithanuneasyconscience。SupposingthesonknewtherealBlaikie！

Iaskedthenameoftheboy\'sbattalion，andwastoldthe10thSeaforths。Thatwasn\'tpleasanthearing，fortheyhadbeenbrigadedwithusontheSomme。ButColonelBroadbury-forhetoldmehisname-volunteeredanotherpieceofnewswhichsetmymindatrest。Theboywasnotyettwenty，andhadonlybeenoutsevenmonths。AtArrashehadgotabitofshrapnelinhisthigh，whichhadplayedthedeucewiththesciaticnerve，andhewasstilloncrutches。

Wespunoverridgesofmoorland，alwayskeepingnorthward，andbroughtupatapleasantwhite-washedhouseclosetothesea。

ColonelBroadburyusheredmeintoahallwhereasmallfireofpeatswasburning，andonacouchbesideitlayaslim，pale-facedyoungman。Hehaddroppedhispoliceman\'smanner，andbehavedlikeagentleman。\'Ted，\'hesaid，\'I\'vebroughtafriendhomeforthenight。IwentouttolookforasuspectandfoundaBritishofficer。

ThisisCaptainBlaikie，oftheScotsFusiliers。\'

Theboylookedatmepleasantly。\'I\'mverygladtomeetyou，sir。

You\'llexcusemenotgettingup，butI\'vegotagameleg。\'Hewasthecopyofhisfatherinfeatures，butdarkandsallowwheretheotherwasblond。Hehadjustthesamenarrowhead，andstubbornmouth，andhonest，quick-temperedeyes。Itisthetypethatmakesdashingregimentalofficers，andearnsV。C。s，andgetsdoneinwholesale。Iwasneverthatkind。Ibelongedtotheschoolofthecunningcowards。

Inthehalf-hourbeforedinnerthelastwispofsuspicionfledfrommyhost\'smind。ForTedBroadburyandIwereimmediatelydeepin\'shop\'。Ihadmetmostofhisseniorofficers，andIknewallabouttheirdoingsatArras，forhisbrigadehadbeenacrosstheriveronmyleft。Wefoughtthegreatfightoveragain，andyarnedabouttechnicalitiesandslangedtheStaffinthewayyoungofficershave，thefatherthrowinginquestionsthatshowedhowmightyproudhewasofhisson。Ihadabathbeforedinner，andasheledmetothebathroomheapologizedveryhandsomelyforhisbadmanners。\'Yourcoming\'sbeenagodsendforTed。Hewasmopingabitinthisplace。And，thoughIsayitthatshouldn\'t，he\'sadashedgoodboy。\'

Ihadmypromisedbottleofport，andafterdinnerItookonthefatheratbilliards。Thenwesettledinthesmoking-room，andIlaidmyselfouttoentertainthepair。Theresultwasthattheywouldhavemestayaweek，butIspokeoftheshortnessofmyleave，andsaidImustgetontotherailwayandthenbacktoFortWilliamformyluggage。

SoIspentthatnightbetweencleansheets，andateaChristianbreakfast，andwasgivenmyhost\'scartosetmeabitontheroad。I

dismisseditafterhalfadozenmiles，and，followingthemap，struckoverthehillstothewest。AboutmiddayItoppedaridge，andbeheldtheSoundofSleatshiningbeneathme。Therewereotherthingsinthelandscape。InthevalleyontherightalonggoodstrainwascrawlingontheMallaigrailway。Andacrossthestripofsea，likesomefortressoftheoldgods，rosethedarkbastionsandturretsofthehillsofSkye。

CHAPTERSIX

TheSkirtsoftheCoolinObviouslyImustkeepawayfromtherailway。IfthepolicewereaftermeinMorvern，thatlinewouldbewarned，foritwasabarrierImustcrossifIweretogofarthernorth。Iobservedfromthemapthatitturnedupthecoast，andconcludedthattheplaceformetomakeforwastheshoresouthofthatturn，whereHeavenmightsendmesomeluckintheboatline。ForIwasprettycertainthateveryporterandstation-masteronthattin-potoutfitwasanxioustomakebetteracquaintancewithmyhumbleself。

IlunchedoffthesandwichestheBroadburyshadgivenme，andinthebrightafternoonmademywaydownthehill，crossedatthefootofasmallfresh-waterlochan，andpursuedtheissuingstreamthroughmidge-infestedwoodsofhazelstoitsjunctionwiththesea。Itwasroughgoing，butverypleasant，andIfellintothesamemoodofidlecontentmentthatIhadenjoyedthepreviousmorning。

Inevermetasoul。Sometimesaroedeerbrokeoutofthecovert，oranoldblackcockstartledmewithhisscolding。Theplacewasbrightwithheather，stillinitsfirstbloom，andsmeltbetterthanthemyrrhofArabia。Itwasablessedglen，andIwasashappyasaking，tillIbegantofeelthecomingofhunger，andreflectedthattheLordaloneknewwhenImightgetameal。Ihadstillsomechocolateandbiscuits，butIwantedsomethingsubstantial。

ThedistancewasgreaterthanIthought，anditwasalreadytwilightwhenIreachedthecoast。Theshorewasopenanddesolate-greatbanksofpebblestowhichstraggledaldersandhazelsfromthehillsidescrub。ButasImarchednorthwardandturnedalittlepointoflandIsawbeforemeinacrookofthebayasmokingcottage。And，ploddingalongbythewater\'sedge，wasthebentfigureofaman，ladenwithnetsandlobsterpots。Also，beachedontheshinglewasaboat。

Iquickenedmypaceandovertookthefisherman。Hewasanoldmanwitharaggedgreybeard，andhisrigwasseaman\'sbootsandamuch-darnedbluejersey。Hewasdeaf，anddidnothearmewhenI

hailedhim。Whenhecaughtsightofmeheneverstopped，thoughheverysolemnlyreturnedmygoodevening。Ifellintostepwithhim，andinhissilentcompanyreachedthecottage。

Hehaltedbeforethedoorandunslunghisburdens。Theplacewasatwo-roomedbuildingwitharoofofthatch，andthewallsallgrownoverwithayellow-floweredcreeper。Whenhehadstraightenedhisback，helookedseawardandatthesky，asiftoprospecttheweather。Thenheturnedonmehisgentle，absorbedeyes。\'Itwillhafbeenafineday，sir。Wassyouseekingtheroadtoanywhere？\'

\'Iwasseekinganight\'slodging，\'Isaid。\'I\'vehadalongtramponthehills，andI\'dbegladofachanceofnotgoingfarther。\'

\'Wewillhafnoaccommodationforagentleman，\'hesaidgravely。

\'Icansleeponthefloor，ifyoucangivemeablanketandabiteofsupper。\'

\'Indeedyouwillnot，\'andhesmiledslowly。\'ButIwillaskthewife。Mary，comehere！\'

Anoldwomanappearedinanswertohiscall，awomanwhosefacewassooldthatsheseemedlikehismother。Inhighlandplacesonesexagesquickerthantheother。

\'Thisgentlemanwouldliketobidethenight。Iwasstellinghimthatwehadapoorsmallhouse，buthesayshewillnotbemindingit。\'

Shelookedatmewiththetimidpolitenessthatyoufindonlyinoutlandplaces。

\'Wecandoourbest，indeed，sir。ThegentlemancanhaveColin\'sbedintheloft，buthewillhaftobedoingwithplainfood。Supperisreadyifyouwillcomeinnow。\'

Ihadascrubwithapieceofyellowsoapatanadjacentpoolintheburnandthenenteredakitchenbluewithpeat-reek。Wehadamealofboiledfish，oatcakesandskim-milkcheese，withcupsofstrongteatowashitdown。Theoldfolkhadthemannersofprinces。Theypressedfoodonme，andaskedmenoquestions，tillforverydecency\'ssakeIhadtoputupastoryandgivesomeaccountofmyself。

IfoundtheyhadasonintheArgyllsandayoungboyintheNavy。Buttheyseemeddisinclinedtotalkofthemorofthewar。ByamereaccidentIhitontheoldman\'sabsorbinginterest。Hewaspassionateabouttheland。Hehadtakenpartinlong-forgottenagitations，andhadsufferedevictioninsomeancientlandlords\'

quarrelfarthernorth。Presentlyhewaspouringouttomeallthewoesofthecrofter-woesthatseemedsoantediluvianandforgottenthatIlistenedasonewouldlistentoanoldsong。\'Youwhocomefromanewcountrywillnothafheardofthesethings，\'hekepttellingme，butbythatpeatfireImadeupformydefectiveeducation。

Hetoldmeofevictionsintheyear。OnesomewhereinSutherland，andofharshdoingsintheOuterIsles。Itwasfarmorethanapoliticalgrievance。Itwasthelamentoftheconservativeforvanisheddaysandmanners。\'OverinSkyewassthefinelandforblackcattle，andeverymanhadhisbitherdonthehillside。Butthelairdssaiditwassbetterforsheep，andthentheysaiditwassnotgoodforsheep，sotheyputitunderdeer，andnowthereisnoblackcattleanywhereinSkye。\'Itellyouitwaslikesadmusiconthebagpipeshearingthatoldfellow。Thewarandallthingsmodernmeantnothingtohim；helivedamongthetragediesofhisyouthandhisprime。

I\'maTorymyselfandabitofaland-reformer，soweagreedwellenough。Sowell，thatIgotwhatIwantedwithoutaskingforit。I

toldhimIwasgoingtoSkye，andheofferedtotakemeoverinhisboatinthemorning。\'Itwillbenotrouble。Indeedno。Iwillbegoingthatwaymyselftothefishing。\'

Itoldhimthatafterthewar，everyacreofBritishsoilwouldhavetobeusedforthementhathadearnedtherighttoit。Butthatdidnotcomforthim。Hewasnotthinkingaboutthelanditself，butaboutthemenwhohadbeendrivenfromitfiftyyearsbefore。Hisdesirewasnotforreform，butforrestitution，andthatwaspastthepowerofanyGovernment。Iwenttobedintheloftinasad，reflectivemood，consideringhowinspeedingournewfangledploughwemustbreakdownamultitudeofmolehillsandhowdesirableandunreplaceablewasthelifeofthemoles。

Inbrisk，shiningweather，withawindfromthesouth-east，weputoffnextmorning。Infrontwasabrownlineoflowhills，andbehindthem，alittletothenorth，thatblacktoothcombofmountainrangewhichIhadseenthedaybeforefromtheArisaigridge。

\'ThatistheCoolin，\'saidthefisherman。\'Itisabadplacewhereeventhedeercannotgo。ButalltherestofSkyewassthefinelandforblackcattle。\'

Aswenearedthecoast，hepointedoutmanyplaces。\'Lookthere，Sir，inthatglen。Ihafseensixcothousessmokingthere，andnowthereisnotanyleft。Therewerethreemenofmyownnamehadcroftsonthemacharsbeyondthepoint，andifyougothereyouwillonlyfindthemarksoftheirbitgardens。Youwillknowtheplacebythegeantrees。\'

Whenheputmeashoreinasandybaybetweengreenridgesofbracken，hewasstillharpinguponthepast。Igothimtotakeapound-fortheboatandnotforthenight\'shospitality，forhewouldhavebeatenmewithanoarifIhadsuggestedthat。ThelastIsawofhim，asIturnedroundatthetopofthehill，hehadstillhissaildown，andwasgazingatthelandswhichhadoncebeenfullofhumandwellingsandnowweredesolate。

Ikeptforawhilealongtheridge，withtheSoundofSleatonmyright，andbeyonditthehighhillsofKnoydartandKintail。Iwaswatchingforthe_Tobermory，butsawnosignofher。AsteamerputoutfromMallaig，andtherewereseveraldrifterscrawlingupthechannelandonceIsawthewhiteensignandadestroyerbustlednorthward，leavingacloudofblacksmokeinherwake。Then，afterconsultingthemap，Istruckacrosscountry，stillkeepingthehigherground，but，exceptatoddminutes，beingoutofsightofthesea。I

concludedthatmybusinesswastogettothelatitudeofRannawithoutwastingtime。

SosoonasIchangedmycourseIhadtheCoolinforcompany。

Mountainshavealwaysbeenacrazeofmine，andtheblacknessandmysteryofthosegrimpeakswenttomyhead。IforgotallaboutFosseManorandtheCotswolds。Iforgot，too，whathadbeenmychieffeelingsinceIleftGlasgow，asenseoftheabsurdityofmymission。Ithadallseemedtoofar-fetchedandwhimsical。Iwasrunningapparentlynogreatpersonalrisk，andIhadalwaystheunpleasingfearthatBlenkironmighthavebeentoocleverandthatthewholethingmightbeamare\'snest。Butthatdarkmountainmasschangedmyoutlook。Ibegantohaveaqueerinstinctthatthatwastheplace，thatsomethingmightbeconcealedthere，somethingprettydamnable。IrememberIsatonatopforhalfanhourrakingthehillswithmyglasses。Imadeoutuglyprecipices，andglenswhichlostthemselvesinprimevalblackness。Whenthesuncaughtthem-foritwasagleamyday-itbroughtoutnocolours，onlydegreesofshade。NomountainsIhadeverseen-nottheDrakensbergortheredkopjesofDamaralandorthecold，whitepeaksaroundErzerum-everlookedsounearthlyanduncanny。

Oddlyenough，too，thesightofthemsetmethinkingaboutIvery。Thereseemednolinkbetweenasmooth，sedentarybeing，dwellinginvillasandlecture-rooms，andthatshaggytangleofprecipices。ButIfelttherewas，forIhadbeguntorealizethebignessofmyopponent。Blenkironhadsaidthathespunhiswebwide。Thatwasintelligibleenoughamongthehalf-bakedyouthofBiggleswick，andthepacifistsocieties，oreventhetoughsontheClyde。Icouldfithiminallrighttothatpicture。Butthatheshouldbeplayinghisgameamongthosemysteriousblackcragsseemedtomakehimbiggerandmoredesperate，altogetheradifferentkindofproposition。Ididn\'texactlydisliketheidea，formyobjectiontomypastweekshadbeenthatIwasoutofmyproperjob，andthiswasmoremylineofcountry。IalwaysfeltthatIwasabetterbanditthanadetective。Butasortofawemingledwithmysatisfaction。I

begantofeelaboutIveryasIhadfeltaboutthethreedevilsoftheBlackStonewhohadhuntedmebeforethewar，andasIneverfeltaboutanyotherHun。ThemenwefoughtattheFrontandthemenIhadrunacrossintheGreenmantlebusiness，evenoldStummhimself，hadbeenhumanmiscreants。Theywereformidableenough，butyoucouldgaugeandcalculatetheircapacities。ButthisIverywaslikeapoisongasthathungintheairandgotintounexpectedcranniesandthatyoucouldn\'tfightinanupstandingway。Tillthen，inspiteofBlenkiron\'ssolemnity，Ihadregardedhimsimplyasaproblem。Butnowheseemedanintimateandomnipresentenemy，intangible，too，asthehorrorofahauntedhouse。Uponthatsunnyhillside，withtheseawindsroundmeandthewhaupscalling，IgotachillinmyspinewhenIthoughtofhim。

Iamashamedtoconfessit，butIwasalsohorriblyhungry。

Therewassomethingaboutthewarthatmademeravenous，andthelesschanceoffoodtheworseIfelt。IfIhadbeeninLondonwithtwentyrestaurantsopentome，Ishouldaslikelyasnothavegoneoffmyfeed。Thatwasthecussednessofmystomach。Ihadstillalittlechocolateleft，andIatethefisherman\'sbutteredsconesforluncheon，butlongbeforetheeveningmythoughtsweredwellingonmyemptyinterior。

Iputupthatnightinashepherd\'scottagemilesfromanywhere。

ThemanwascalledMacmorran，andhehadcomefromGallowaywhensheepwerebooming。Hewasaverygoodimitationofasavage，alittlefellowwithredhairandredeyes，whomighthavebeenaPict。HelivedwithadaughterwhohadoncebeeninserviceinGlasgow，afatyoungwomanwithafaceentirelycoveredwithfrecklesandapoutofhabitualdiscontent。Nowonder，forthatcottagewasaprettymeanplace。Itwassothickwithpeat-reekthatthroatandeyeswerealwayssmarting。Itwasbadlybuilt，andmusthaveleakedlikeasieveinastorm。Thefatherwasasurlyfellow，whoseconversationwasonelonggrowlattheworld，thehighprices，thedifficultyofmovinghissheep，themeannessofhismaster，andthegodforsakencharacterofSkye。\'Here\'smenoseenbaker\'sbreadforamonth，andnocompanybutawheenignorantHielandersthatyatterGawlic。IwishIwasbackintheGlenkens。

AndI\'dgangthemornifIcouldgetpaidwhatI\'mawed。\'

However，hegavemesupper-abraxyhamandoatcake，andI

boughttheremnantsoffhimforusenextday。Ididnottrusthisblankets，soIsleptthenightbythefireintheruinsofanarm-

chair，andwokeatdawnwithafoultasteinmymouth。Adipintheburnrefreshedme，andafterabowlofporridgeItooktheroadagain。

ForIwasanxioustogettosomehill-topthatlookedovertoRanna。

BeforemiddayIwascloseundertheeasternsideoftheCoolin，onaroadwhichwasmorearockerythanapath。PresentlyIsawabighouseaheadofmethatlookedlikeaninn，soIgaveitamissandstruckthehighwaythatledtoitalittlefarthernorth。ThenI

boreofftotheeast，andwasjustbeginningtoclimbahillwhichI

judgedstoodbetweenmeandthesea，whenIheardwheelsontheroadandlookedback。

Itwasafarmer\'sgigcarryingoneman。Iwasabouthalfamileoff，andsomethinginthecutofhisjibseemedfamiliar。Igotmyglassesonhimandmadeoutashort，stoutfigurecladinamackintosh，withawoollencomforterrounditsthroat。AsIwatched，itmadeamovementasiftorubitsnoseonitssleeve。ThatwasthepettrickofonemanIknew。InconspicuouslyIslippedthroughthelongheathersoastoreachtheroadaheadofthegig。WhenIroselikeawraithfromthewaysidethehorsestarted，butnotthedriver。

\'Soye\'rethere，\'saidAmos\'svoice。\'I\'venewsforye。The_TobermorywillbeinRannabynow。ShepassedBroadfordtwohourssyne。WhenIsawherIyokedthisbeastandcameuponthechanceofforegatheringwithye。\'

\'HowonearthdidyouknowIwouldbehere？\'Iaskedinsomesurprise。

\'Oh，Isawthewayyourmindwasworkin\'fromyourtelegram。

AndsaysItomysel\'-thatmanBrand，saysI，isnotthechieltobeeasystoppit。ButIwasfearedyemightbeadaylate，soIcameuptheroadtoholdthefort。Man，I\'mgladtoseeye。Ye\'reyoungerandsooplerthanme，andyonGresson\'sastirrin\'lad。\'

\'There\'sonethingyou\'vegottodoforme，\'Isaid。\'Ican\'tgointoinnsandshops，butIcan\'tdowithoutfood。Iseefromthemapthere\'satownaboutsixmileson。Gothereandbuymeanythingthat\'stinned-biscuitsandtongueandsardines，andacoupleofbottlesofwhiskyifyoucangetthem。Thismaybealongjob，sobuyplenty。\'

\'Whaur\'llIputthem？\'washisonlyquestion。

Wefixedonacache，ahundredyardsfromthehighwayinaplacewheretworidgesofhillenclosedtheviewsothatonlyashortbitofroadwasvisible。

\'I\'llgetbacktotheKyle，\'hetoldme，\'anda\'bodytherekensAndraAmos，ifyeshouldfindawayofsendin\'amessageorcomin\'

yourself。Oh，andI\'vegotawordtoyefromaladythatwekenof。

Shesays，thesoonerye\'rebackinVawnityFairthebettershe\'llbepleased，alwaysprovidedye\'vegotovertheHillDifficulty。\'

Asmilescreweduphisoldfaceandhewavedhiswhipinfarewell。IinterpretedMary\'smessageasanincitementtospeed，butIcouldnotmakethepace。ThatwasGresson\'sbusiness。IthinkI

wasalittlenettled，tillIcheeredmyselfbyanotherinterpretation。

Shemightbeanxiousformysafety，shemightwanttoseemeagain，anyhowthemeresendingofthemessageshowedIwasnotforgotten。IwasinapleasantmuseasIbreastedthehill，keepingdiscreetlyinthecoverofthemanygullies。AtthetopIlookeddownonRannaandthesea。

Therelaythe_Tobermorybusyunloading。Itwouldbesometime，nodoubt，beforeGressoncouldleave。Therewasnorow-boatinthechannelyet，andImighthavetowaithours。Isettledmyselfsnuglybetweentworocks，whereIcouldnotbeseen，andwhereI

hadaclearviewoftheseaandshore。ButpresentlyIfoundthatI

wantedsomelongheathertomakeacouch，andIemergedtogetsome。IhadnotraisedmyheadforasecondwhenIfloppeddownagain。ForIhadaneighbouronthehill-top。

Hewasabouttwohundredyardsoff，justreachingthecrest，and，unlikeme，walkingquiteopenly。HiseyeswereonRanna，sohedidnotnoticeme，butfrommycoverIscannedeverylineofhim。Helookedanordinarycountryman，wearingbadlycut，baggyknickerbockersofthekindthatgilliesaffect。HehadafacelikeaPortugueseJew，butIhadseenthattypebeforeamongpeoplewithHighlandnames；theymightbeJewsornot，buttheycouldspeakGaelic。Presentlyhedisappeared。Hehadfollowedmyexampleandselectedahiding-place。

Itwasaclear，hotday，butverypleasantinthatairyplace。Goodscentscameupfromthesea，theheatherwaswarmandfragrant，beesdronedabout，andstrayseagullsswepttheridgewiththeirwings。Itookalooknowandthentowardsmyneighbour，buthewasdeepinhishidey-hole。MostofthetimeIkeptmyglassesonRanna，andwatchedthedoingsofthe_Tobermory。Shewastiedupatthejetty，butseemedinnohurrytounload。Iwatchedthecaptaindisembarkandwalkuptoahouseonthehillside。Thensomeidlerssauntereddowntowardsherandstoodtalkingandsmokingclosetoherside。Thecaptainreturnedandleftagain。Amanwithpapersinhishandappeared，andawomanwithwhatlookedlikeatelegram。

Thematewentashoreinhisbestclothes。Thenatlast，aftermidday，Gressonappeared。Hejoinedthecaptainatthepiermaster\'soffice，andpresentlyemergedontheothersideofthejettywheresomesmallboatswerebeached。Amanfromthe_Tobermorycameinanswertohiscall，aboatwaslaunched，andbegantomakeitswayintothechannel。Gressonsatinthestern，placidlyeatinghisluncheon。

Iwatchedeverydetailofthatcrossingwithsomesatisfactionthatmyforecastwasturningoutright。Abouthalf-wayacross，Gressontooktheoars，butsoonsurrenderedthemtothe_Tobermoryman，andlitapipe。Hegotoutapairofbinocularsandrakedmyhillside。Itriedtoseeifmyneighbourwasmakinganysignal，butallwasquiet。Presentlytheboatwashidfrommebythebulgeofthehill，andIcaughtthesoundofherscrapingonthebeach。

Gressonwasnotahill-walkerlikemyneighbour。Ittookhimthebestpartofanhourtogettothetop，andhereacheditatapointnottwoyardsfrommyhiding-place。Icouldhearbyhislabouringbreaththathewasveryblown。HewalkedstraightoverthecresttillhewasoutofsightofRanna，andflunghimselfontheground。

Hewasnowaboutfiftyyardsfromme，andImadeshifttolessenthedistance。Therewasagrassytrenchskirtingthenorthsideofthehill，deepandthicklyovergrownwithheather。IwoundmywayalongittillIwasabouttwelveyardsfromhim，whereIstuck，owingtothetrenchdyingaway。WhenIpeeredoutofthecoverI

sawthattheothermanhadjoinedhimandthattheidiotswereengagedinembracingeachother。

Idarednotmoveaninchnearer，andastheytalkedinalowvoiceIcouldhearnothingofwhattheysaid。Nothingexceptonephrase，whichthestrangemanrepeatedtwice，veryemphatically。

\'Tomorrownight，\'hesaid，andInoticedthathisvoicehadnottheHighlandinflectionwhichIlookedfor。Gressonnoddedandglancedathiswatch，andthenthetwobegantomovedownhilltowardstheroadIhadtravelledthatmorning。

IfollowedasbestIcould，usingashallowdrywatercourseofwhichsheephadmadeatrack，andwhichkeptmewellbelowthelevelofthemoor。Ittookmedownthehill，butsomedistancefromthelinethepairweretaking，andIhadtoreconnoitrefrequentlytowatchtheirmovements。Theywerestillaquarterofamileorsofromtheroad，whentheystoppedandstared，andIstaredwiththem。Onthatlonelyhighwaytravellerswereaboutasrareasroadmenders，andwhatcaughttheireyewasafarmer\'sgigdrivenbyathick-setelderlymanwithawoollencomforterroundhisneck。

Ihadabadmoment，forIreckonedthatifGressonrecognizedAmoshemighttakefright。Perhapsthedriverofthegigthoughtthesame，forheappearedtobeverydrunk。Hewavedhiswhip，hejiggotedthereins，andhemadeanefforttosing。Helookedtowardsthefiguresonthehillside，andcriedoutsomething。Thegignarrowlymissedtheditch，andthentomyreliefthehorsebolted。

Swayinglikeashipinagale，thewholeoutfitlurchedoutofsightroundthecornerofhillwherelaymycache。IfAmoscouldstopthebeastanddeliverthegoodsthere，hehadputupamasterlybitofbuffoonery。

Thetwomenlaughedattheperformance，andthentheyparted。

Gressonretracedhisstepsupthehill。Theotherman-IcalledhiminmymindthePortugueseJew-startedoffatagreatpaceduewest，acrosstheroad，andoverabigpatchofbogtowardsthenorthernbuttoftheCoolin。Hehadsomeerrand，whichGressonknewabout，andhewasinahurrytoperformit。Itwasclearlymyjobtogetafterhim。

Ihadarottenafternoon。Thefellowcoveredthemoorlandmileslikeadeer，andunderthehotAugustsunItoiledonhistrail。Ihadtokeepwellbehind，andasmuchaspossibleincover，incasehelookedback；andthatmeantthatwhenhehadpassedoveraridgeI

hadtodoublenottolethimgettoofarahead，andwhenwewereinanopenplaceIhadtomakewidecircuitstokeephidden。Westruckaroadwhichcrossedalowpassandskirtedtheflankofthemountains，andthiswefollowedtillwewereonthewesternsideandwithinsightofthesea。Itwasgorgeousweather，andoutonthebluewaterIsawcoolsailsmovingandlittlebreezesrufflingthecalm，whileIwasglowinglikeafurnace。HappilyIwasinfairtraining，andIneededit。ThePortugueseJewmusthavedoneasteadysixmilesanhouroverabominablecountry。