Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-04-01

we had no familiarity, scarcely even
that of speech. The truth is that l was
sickening for my grave, which is my
best excuse. But besides that l was of
an unforgiving disposition from my
birth, slow to take offense, slower to
forget it, and now ipcensed both against
my companion and myself. For the
best part of two days he was unwearied-
ly kind, silent indeed, but always ready
to help, and always hoping las could
very well see) that my displeasure would
blow by. For the same length of time
l staid in myself, nursing my anger,
roughly refusing his services, and pass
ing him over with my eyes as if he had
been bush or stone.
The second night, or rather the peep
Of the third day, found us upon very
open hill, 80 that We could not follow
our usual plan and lie down immediate
ly to eat and sleep. Before we had
reached place of shelter the gray had
come pretty clear. for though it still
rained, the clouds ran higher, and Alan,
looking in my face, showed some mark
of concern.
aye had better let me take your pack,
said he for perhaps the ninth time since
we parted from the scout beside Loch
Rannoch.
81 do very well, thank you," said
as cold as ice.
Alan flushed darkly. "Tll not offer it
again." he said; I'm not patient man,
| David"
~ never said you were," said l, which
was exactly the rude, silly speech Of Il
hoy of ten.
Alan made no answer at the time, but
lis conduct answered for him. Hence.
forth, it rs to be thought, he quite for
gave himself for the airair at Cluny's,
cooked his hat again, walked jauntily,
whistled airs and looked at me upon one
side with a provoking smile.
The third night we were to pass
/ through the western end of the country
of Balquidder. 1t came clear and cold
with a touch ii the air like frost and a
northerly wind that blew the clouds
away and made the stars bright. The
streams were full of course, and still
made great noise among the hills, but
| observed that Alan thought no more
upon the Kelpie and was in high good
sririts. As for me the change of weather
came too late; had lain i'll the mire SO
long that (as the Bible has i) my very
clothes "abhorred me-" | was dead
weary, deadly sick and full Of pains and
shiverings; the chill of the wind went
through me, and the sound of it con-
fused my ears. In this poor state had
TO bear from my companion something
in the nature of persecution. He
spoke good deal and never without
taunt. "Whig" was the best name he
had to give me. Here" he would say
"here's dub for ye to jump, my Wing
gle. ken you're fine jumper!" And
SO on. all the time with gliding voice
and face.
All the while / was growing worse
| and worse. Once had fallen, my legs
simply doubling under me, and this had
struck Alan for the moment, but was
afoot SO briskly and set off again with
such natural manner that he soon for
got the incident. Flushes of heat went
over me and then spasms of shuddering
The stitch in my side was hardly bear
able. At last began to feel that could
trail myself no farther, and with that
there came on me all at once the wist
to have it out with Alan, let my anger
blaze and be done with my life in more
sudden manner. He had just called me
"Whig." stopped.
"Mr. Stewart" said / in voice thai
quivered like fiddle string, ''you art
older than l am, and should know youl
manners. Do you think it either very
wise or very witty to cast my politics II
my teeth? | thought where folk diff
fered it was the part of gentlemen tt
differ civilly, and if did not may tel
you / could find a better taunt thar
some of yours"
Alan had stopped opposite to me, his
hat cooked, his hands in his breeches
pockets, his head little to one side. HI
listened, smilingly evilly, as l could SEE
by the starlight, and when had done
he began to whistle Jacobite air. Il
was the air made in mockery Of Gen
eral Cope's defeat at Prestonpans:
Hey, Johnny Cope, are you waukin yet2
And are your drums a-beatin yet?
And it came in my mind that Alan, OF
the day of that battle, had been engaged
on the royal side.
"Why do ye take that air, Mr.. Stew
arty' said l. "Is that to remind II Q yor
have been beaten on both sides?'
The air stopped on Alan's lips. "Da
vidr' said he.
"But it's time these manners ceased,
/ continued, land / mean you shal
henceforth speak civilly of my king ant
my good fr, ,nds, the Campbells."
II am Stewart" began Alan.