Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-09-14

| Alan III the Gaelic.
James Stewart said Alan. II will
ask We to speak in Scotch, for here is
young gentleman with me that has name
of the other. This is him." he added,
putting his arm through mine, "a young
gentleman of the Lowlands, and laird
in his country too but | am thinking it
will be the better for his health if we
give his name the go-by."
James of the GIens turned to me for
moment, and greeted me courteously
enough; the next he had turned to Alan.
''This has been a dreadful accident,
he cried. 1T will bring trouble on the
country" And he wrung his hands.
''Hoots!" said Alan, I'VE must take
the sour with the sweet, man. Colin
Roy is dead, and be thankful for thatr'
''Ay," said James, 'and by my roth,
| wish he was alive again! It's all very
fine to blow and boast beforehand; but
now it's done, Alan; and who's to bear
the wyte [blame] of it? The accident fell
out in Appin-mind ye that, Alan; it's
Appin that must pay; and | am man
that has a family"
While this was going, on, | looked
on ladders, digging in the thatch Of the
house on the farm buildings, from Which
they brought out guns, swords, and diff
ferent weapons of war; others carried
them away; and by the sound of mattock
blows from somewhere further down the
brae, | suppose they buried them.
Though they were all so busy, there pre-
vailed no kind of order in their efforts;
men struggled together for the same gun
and ran into each other with their burn
4 ing torches, and James was continually
turning about from his talk with Alan to
cry out orders which were apparently
never understood. The faces in the torch
light were like those of people over
ho, hmm nd nil a nd thO1Ob
none spoke above his breath, their speech
sounded both anxious and angry.
It was about this time that a laSsie
came out of the house carrying pack
or bundle; and it has often made me
smile to think how Alan's instinct awoke
at the mere sight of ii.
whats that the lassie has?' he asked.
We're just setting the house in order,
Alan" said James, in his frightened and
somewhat fawning way. They'll search
Appin with candles, and we must have
all things straight. We're digging the
bit guns and swords into the MOSS We
see; and these, [ am thinking, will be
your ain French Clothes
Bury my French clothes!' cried Alan.
'Troth nov' And he laid hold upon the
packet and retired into the barn to shift
himself, recommending me in the mean
while to his kinsman.
James carried me accordingly into the
kitchen, and sat down with me at table,
smiling and talking at first in a very
hOSpitable manner. But presently the
gloom returned upon him; he sat frown-
ing and biting his fingers; only remem-
! bered me from time to time; and then
| gave NE but a word or two and q poor
smile, and back into his private terrors.
His wife sat by the fire and wept, with
her face in her hands; his eldest son was
crouched upon the floor, running over a
great mass of papers and now and again
setting one alight and burning it to the
| bitter end; all the while a servant lass
with red face was rummaging about
the room, in a blind hurry of fear, and
Whlmpering as she went; and every now
and again, one of the men would thrust
in his face from the yard and cry for
| orders.
At last James could keep his seat no
longer, and begged my permission to be
so unmannerly as walk about. II am
but poor company altogether, sir" says
he, but | can think of nothing but this
dreadful accident, and the trouble it is
like to bring upon quite innocent per-
sons"
A little later he observed his son burn
ing a paper, which he thought should
have been kept; and at that his ex-
element burst out so that it was painful
to witness. He struck the lad repeatedly
Are you gone .gyte?" [mad] he cried
do you wish to hang your father!' and
forgetful of my presence, carried on at him
a long time together in the Gaelic, the
young man answering nothing; only the
wife, at the name of hanging, throwing
her apron over her face and sobbing out
louder than before.
Ibis was all Wretched for stranger
like myself to hear and see; and | was
right glad when Alan returned, looking
like himself in his French Clothes though
Ito be sure) they were now grown almost
too battered and withered to deserve that
name. was then taken out in my turn
by another of the sons. and given that
change of clothing (of which had stood
so long in need, and a pair of Highland
DrOgueS, made of deer leather rather
strange at first, but after a little practice
very easy to the feet.
by the time | came back, Alan must
have told his story; for it seemed under
stood that [ was to fly with him. and
they were all busy upon our equipment.
1hey gave us each a sword and pistols,
though l professed my inability to use
the former; and with these, and some
ammunition, bag of oatmeal, an iron
pan, and a bottle of right French brandy.
we were ready for the heather. Money.
indeed, was lacking. l had about
two guineas left; Alan's belt hay-
ing been dispatched by another
mana, that trusty messenger had no more
than ~ pence to his whole fortune; and
as Tor James, it appears he had brought
himself SO low with journeys to Edin-
burgh and legal expenses on behalf of
the tenants, that he could only scrape
together three and iyepence halfpenny
the most of it in coppers
"This'll no do" said Alan.
"Ye must find safe bit somewhere
near by" said James, land get word to
me. Ye see, veil have to get this bust
ness prettily off, Alan This is no time
TO be stayed for a guinea or two.
They're sure to get wind of ye and to
seek We, and by my way of it, sure to
lay. on ye the wyte of this days accident.
1t it falls on you, it falls on me that am
your nearest kinsman and harbored we
while We were in the country. And if 1t
comes on me" he paused, and bit his
fingers. with white face. at would be
a painful thing for our friends if I was
to hang" said he.
at would be an i'll day for Appin, .
says Alan.
It's day that sticks in my throat, -
SAID James. 20 man, man. mailman,
Alan. YOU and me have spoken like two
foolsr' he cried, striking his hand upon