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，stoodDemasgentlemanliketocalltopassengerstocomeandsee: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。