Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-01-28

islands upon different sides. Alan and
| sat in the roundhouse with tho aoors
open on each side (the wind bein5
straight astern) and smoked pipe OF
two of the captain S fine tobacco. 1t was
at this time we heard each others stories,
which was the more important to me.
as | gained some knowledge of that wild
highland country on which | was soon
to land. In those days, so close on the
pack of the great rebellion, it was need
full man should know what lie was do
ing when he went upon the heather.
1t was | that showed the example
telling him all my misfortune, which
no heard with great good nature. Only
when came to mention that good friend
OF mihe, Mr.. Campbell, the minister,
Alan fred up and cried out that nc
hated all that were of that name.
why" said |, "he is man you
should be proud to give your hand to-"
Il know nothing would help Camp
bell to-" says he, "unless it was leaden
bullet. | would hunt all of that name
like blackcocks. If lay dying, l would
crawl upon my knees to my chamber
window for a shot at one."
"Why, Alan" cried, "what ails ye
at the Campbells?"
well" says he, rye ken very well
that | am an Appin Stewart, and the
Campbells have long harried and wasted
those of my name; aye, and got lands of
us by treachery, but never with the
sword" he cried loudly, and with the
word brought down his fist upon the
table. But | paid the less attention to
this, for | knew it was usually said by
those who have the underhand. There's
more than that" he continued, "and all
in the same story; lying words, lying
papers. tricks fit for a peddler, and the
show of what's legal over all to make a
man the more angry"
You that are so wasteful of your
buttons" said |, II can hardly think
you would be good judge of business. -
"Ah!" says he, falling again to smil-
ing, Il got my wastefulness from the
same man | got the buttons from, and
that was my poor father, Duncan Stew
art, grace be to him! He was the pret
test man of his kindred, and the best
swordsman in the hielands, David, and
that is the same as to say in all the
world, should ken, for it was him that
taught me. He was in the Black Watch
when first it was mustered, and like
other gentlemen privates had gillie at
his back to carry his firelock for him on
the march. And that was the father
that had, God rest him."
Il think he was not the man to leave
you rich" said l.
'And that's true" said Alan. "He
besides. And that was how l came to
enlist. which was black spot upon my
character at the best of times, and
would still be a sore job for me if fell
among the redcoats."
"Whatr' cried l, "were you in the
English army"
THAT was | ," said Alan. "But l de-
serted to the right side at Prestonpans,
and that's some comfort"
/ could scarcely share this view, hold
ing desertion under arms for an unpar-
donable fault in honor. But for all i
was so young was wiser than say my
thought. Dear. dear" says |, "the
punishment is death"
AYE" said he, ''if they got hands on
me it would be short shrift and lang
tow for Alan! But | have the king of
Frances commission in my pocket.
which would aye be some protection"
II misdoubt it inuch," said l.
81 have doubts myself" said Alan
dryly.
"And, good heaven, man." cried l,
"you that are a condemned rebel, and a
deserter, and man of the French kings
what tempts ye back into this country?
It's Drawing of Providence"
Tut" says Alan, II have been back
every year since forty-sixw
"And what brings ye, man?" cried |.
"Well, ye see, | weary for my friends
and country" said he. France is a
Draw place, nae doubt, but weary foi
the heather and the deer. And then /
have bit things that attend to. Whiles
pick up a few lads to serve the king of
france; recruits, ye see, ana tnats aye
little money. But the heart of the
matter is the business of my chief, Ard
shiel."
Il thought they called your chief Ap-
pin,' said l.
"Aye, but Ardshiel is the captain of
the clan, said he, which scarcely cleared
my mind. "Ye see. David, he that was
ali his life so great n man, and come of
the blood and bearing the name of kings,
is now brought down to live in French
town like poor and private person. He
that had four hundred swords at his
whistle have seen with these eyes of
mine buying butter in the market place
and taking it home in kale leaf. This
is not only pain, but disgrace to us
of his family and clan, There are the