Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-10-26
KIDNAPPED,
BEING MEMOIRS OF THE ADVENTURES OF DAVID
RALFoUR IN THE YEAR 175L
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
CHAPTER XxyI.-(Continued.)


Alloa and Clackmannan and Culross, all
of which we avoided; and about 10 in
the morning, mighty hungry and tired,
came to the little clachan of Limekilns
This is a place that sits near in by the
Waterside, and looks across the Hope to
the town of Queensferry. Smoke went
APP from both Of these, and from other
villages and farms upon all hands. The
fields We're being reaped; two ships lay
anchored. and boats were coming ana
going on the Hope. 1t was altogether
a right pleasant sight to me; and l could
not take my fill of gazing at these COM
Portable green, cultivated hills and the
busy people both of the field and sea.
For all that, there was Mr.. Rankell-
lor'S house Oh the south shore, where l
had no doubt wealth awaited me; and
here was [ upon the north, clad i'll poor
enough attire of an OutlandiSh fashion,
with 3 silver shilIings left to me of all
my fortune, q price set on my head,
and an outlawed man for my company.
60 AIanr' said |, 'tO think of it!
over there there's all that heart could
want waiting for me; and the birds go
over, and the boats go overall that
please can CO. but just me only! O, man,
but it's heartbreak!
In LimekilnS we entered a small
change-house, which we only knew to be
Il public by the wand over the door,
and bought some bread and cheese from
Il goodIooking lass that was the servant.
This we carried with us in bundle
meaning to sit and eat it in 4 bush of
wood on the seashore, that we saw some
third part of mile in front. AS we
went | kept looking across the water
and signing to myself; and though |
took no heed Of it, Alan had fallen into
a muse. At last he stopped III the way
did We take heed of the lass we
bought this ofY' says he, tapping on the
bread and cheese.
ITO be sure" said /, ''and bonny lass
she was"
aye thought that?" cries he. 'Man
David. that's good news
I'm the name of all that's wonderful,
why so?' says |. what good can that
dof'
well" said Alan, with one of his
droll looks, 81 was rather in hopes it
would maybe get us that boat
IF il were the other way about, it
would be Iiker it," said |.
That's all that We ken, We see said
Alan II don't want the lass to fall IN
love with We, | want her to be sorry for
We, David; to which end, there is no
manner of need that she should take
you for a beauty Let me see" Cook
ING me curiOuSly over. 81 wish We were
q wee thing paler; but apart from that
ven do fine for my purpOse-ye have
Il fine. hangdog, rag-and-tatter, clapper-
maclaw kind of a look to We, as if ye
had, stolen the coat from potato-bogle.
Come; right about, and back to the
change-house for that boat of ours.
| followed him laughing.
David Balfour," said he ''ye're very
funny gentleman by your way of it. and
this is 2 very funny employ for We,
no doubt For all that, if ye
have any affection for my neck
Ito say nothing of your OWN
We will perhaps be kind
enough to take this matter responsibility.
] am going to do a bit of play-acting,
the bottom ground of which is just ex-
actly as. serious as the gallows for the
pair of rs. SO bear it, if ye please. in
mind and conduct yourself according.
''Well, WELL" said |, "have it as you
will"
AS we got near the clachan, he made
me take his arm and hang upon it like
one almost helpless with WEAKNESS; and
by the time he pushed open the change
house door. he seemed to be half carry
ing me. The maid appeared surprised
(as we'll she might be- at our speedy re-
turn: but Alan had no words to spare
for her in explanation, helped me to a
chair. called for a tass of brandy with
which he fed me in little SIPS and then
breaking up the bread and cheese helped
me to eat it like a nursery-lass: the Whole
with that grave, concerned, affectionate
countenance, that might have imposed
upOn a Judge. It was small wonder it
the maid were taken with the picture
we presented, Of a poor, sick, over
wrought lad and his most tender com
radp She drew quite near, and stood
leaning with her back on the next table:
whats like wrong with him!' said
she ~ last.
Alan turned upon her. to my great
wonder, with 2 kind of fury. "Wrong?
111Or1 lie
of miles than he has hairs upon his chin.
and slept oftener in wet heather than
dry sheets. Wrong, quo she? Wrong
enough. I should think! Wrong. lndeed!'
and he kept grumbling to himself, as
he fed me, like man ill-pleased
'He's Young for the like of that" said
.'Ower young" said Alan, with his
back to her.
''He would be better riding" says she.
"And where could | get a horse for
him 2" cried Alan, turning on her with
the same appearance of fury. would
We have me steal?
I thought this roughness would have
sent her off in dudgeon, as indeed it
closed her mouth for the time. But my
companion knew very we'll what he was
doing: and for as simple as he was in
some things OF life; had great fund OF
robustness in such affairs as these.
''Yc neednae tell me- she said at last
were gentry"
'sWeH,'' said Alan, softened a little q
believe against his wilD by this artless
comment, sand suppose we were? did
ever YOU hear that gentrice put money
in folks pockets?"
She sighed at this. as if she were her
self some disinherited great lady. no.
saws she. that's true indeed"
was all this while chatting at the part
] played, and sitting tongue-tied between
shame and merriment; but somehow at
this I could hold in no longer. and babe
Alan let me be, for | was better already.
My voice stuck in my throat, for l ever
hated to take part in lies; but my very
pmba rrassment helped on the plot. for
the lass no doubt set down my husky
voice to sickness and fatigue
Has he nae friends?" said she, in a
fearful voice.
'"That has he so,'' cried Alan. eff we
could but win to hem!-friends and rich
friends, beds to lie in, food to eat. doc
tors to see him-and here he must tramp
in the dubs ard sleep in the heather like
n beggarman -