Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-08-10
KIDNAPPED,
BEING MEMOIRS OF THE ADVENTURES or DAVID
BALFoUR IN THE YEAR 1751
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued.)


meal, he rummaged in the captains lock-
ssr 7I5l he found clothes brush; and then
taking off his coat, began to visit his
suit and brush away the stains, with such
care and labor as | supposed to have
been 0rly usual with women. To be
sure, be had no other; and besides (as
he said) it belonged to a king and so be-
hcoved TO be royalty looked after.
For all that, when l saw what care he
tack TO pluck out the threads where
the button had been cut away, l put
n higher value on his gift.
Vie was still so engaged, when we
We're hailed by Mr.. Riach from the deck,
asking for a parley; and l, climbing
through the skylight and sitting. on the
edge Of it, pistol in hand and with bold
front, though inwardly in fear OF broken
glass, hailed him back again and babe
his speak out. He came to the edge
of the roundhouse, and stood on coil Of
rope. so that his chin was on level with
the roof; and we looked at each other
awhile in silence. Mr.. Riach, as l do
not think he had been very forward IN
the battle, so he had got off with moth
ing worse than a blow upon the cheek;
bat he looked out of heart and very
either standing watch or doctorlng the
wounded.
'.This is bad job" said he at last,
shaking his head.
at was none of our choosing" said I.
''The captain" says he would like
60 speak with your friend. They might
speak at the window"
And how do we know what treachery
ne means" cried |.
''He means none, David" returned
Mr.. Riach; land if he did, I'll tell We
the honest truth, we couldnae get the
men TO follow"
-'I'IJ tell We more than that" said he.
SITS not only the men; it's me. I'm
frich'ened, Davie." And he smiled
across at me. mo" he continued,
what we want is to be shut of him."
Thereupon | consulted with Alan, and
the parley was agreed to and parole Civ
whole Of Mr. Riach's business, and he
NOW begged me for dram with such in
Stancy and such reminders of his former
kindness that at last [ handed him
pannikin with about a gill of brandy.
He drank a part, and then carried the
rest down upoN the deck, to share it IL
snppOSe) with his superior.
Il little after, the captain came (as
WAS agreeD to one of the windows, and
sitnod there in the rain, with his arm in
Il as3izrg- and looking stern and pale, and
SO old that my heart smote me for hav-
ing fired upon him.
Alan at once held pistol in his face.
''Put that thing up!' said the captain.
<'Have l not passed my word, sir? Or
do YOU seek to affront me?"
Captain" said Alan, II doubt your
word is a breakable. Last night We bag
wife; and then passed me your. word,
and gave me your hand to back it; and
We ken very well what was the upshot.
BE damned to your world" says he.
We'll well, sir" said the captain,
@tye'Il get little good by swearing, (And
Hain was quite free:( "But we have
soiher things to speak" he continued bit
5Griy ''Ye've made a sore hash of my
brig; haven't hands enough to work
aler; and my first officer (whom | could
AL 4Dare) has got your sword throughout
There is nothing left for me, sir, but to
put back into the port of Glasgow after
hands; and there (by your leave) ye will
find Them that are better able to talk
10 .yOu."
'.Ay2" said Alan; 'and faith, I'll have
a talk with them myself! Unless there's
naebody speaks English in that town,
L have a bonny tale for them. Fifteen
darFy sailors upon the one side, and a
Enan anal a haltiing boy upon the other!
-, xnsln, it's peetiful"
H0seassCn flushed red.
''.No" crntinued Alan, ''that'lI no do.
Y6A inst have to set me ashore as we
agreed"
officer is dead-ye ken best how.
There's none of the rest of us acquaint
wdth this coast, sir; and it's one very
dangerous to ships"
ii .giye We your CHOICE" says Alan.
<eSSet me on dry ground in Appin, or
Ardgour, or in Morven, or Arisaig, or
Moran; or, in brief, where ye please,
within thirty miles of my own country;
except in a country of the Campbells'.
That's a broad target. If We miss that,
We must be as feckless at the sailoring
as i have found We at the fighting. Why,
any poor country people in their lit coolies
5Coble: a small boat used in fshingl
Ypass from island to island in all wealth
aers. ay, and by night, too, for the mat
&er of that"
"a coble's not a ship, sir" said the
captain. SIT has nae draught of wa
ter"
''Well, then. to Glasgow, if ye list!'
says Alan. We'll have the laugh of
We N the least
MY mind runs little upon laughing"
said the captain. ''But all this will cost
money, sir
..Well, SIR" says Alan, 81 am nae
ueathprcock. Thirty guineas, if We land
xMe on the seaside; and sixty, If We put
me in the Linnhe Loeb"
But see, sir, where we lie; we are
Eut few hours sail from Ardna-
Enurchan," said Hoseason. GIVE me
sixty, and I'll set you there"
''..Nnd I'm to wear my brogues and
run jeopardy of the red-coats to please
you?'' cried Alan. mo, sir, if We want
sixty suineas, earn them, and set me in
my own country
Its TO risk the brig, SIR" said the
captain, land your own lives along with
her"
~s7ake it or want it, says Alan.
STSould We pilot us at all! asked me
captain. who was frowning to himself.
s.Well. it's doubtful" said Alan. I'm
meme of a fighting man las We have seen
Tor yourseI0 than a sailorman: But
have been often enough picked up and
SGT down upon this coast, and should
ken something of the lie of it.
The captain shook his head, still
fFowning.