Volume 2, Chapter 5 of Rob Roy. Look round thee, young estolfo, here's the place, which men for being poor are sent to starve in, rude remedy eye-trial for sore disease, within these walls stifled by damp and stench, and death-hope's fair torch expire, and at the snuff ere yet is quite extinct, rude, wild and wayward, the desperate revelries of wild despair, kindling their hell-born crescents, light to deeds, and that the poor captive would have died air-practiced, till bondage sunk his soul to his condition. The Prison, Scene 3, Act 1 At my first entrance I turned an eager glance towards my conductor, but the lamp in the vestibule was too low in flame to give my curiosity any satisfaction by affording a distinct perusal of his features. As the turnkey held the light in his hand, the beams felt more full on his own, scarcely less interesting figure. He was a wild, shock-headed-looking animal, whose profusion of red hair covered and obscured his features, which were otherwise only characterized by the extravagant joy that affected him at the sight of my guide. In my experience I have met nothing so absolutely resembling my idea of a very uncouth, wild and ugly savage, adoring the idol of his tribe. He grinned, he shivered, he laughed, he was near-crying, if he did not actually cry. He had a, where shall I go, what can I do for you, expression of face, the complete, surrendered and anxious subservience and devotion of which it is difficult to describe, otherwise then by the awkward combination which I have attempted. The fellow's voice seemed choking in his estacy, and only could express itself in such interjections as, oi, oi, ay, ay, it's Langston she's seen ye, and other exclamations equally brief, expressed in the same un-earned tongue in which he had communicated with my conductor, while we were on the outside of the jail door. My guide received all this excess of joyful congratulation, much like a prince too early accustomed to the homage of those around him to be much moved by it, yet willing to requite it by the usual forms of royal courtesy. He extended his hand graciously towards the turnkey, with a civil inquiry of, how's all with ye, duggle, oi, oi, exclaimed duggle, softening the sharp exclamations of his surprise as he looked around with an eye of watchful alarm, oi, to see you here, to see you here, oi, what will come of ye, again the Baileys should come to get witting, to filthy, gutty halions, tat they are? My guide placed his finger on his lip, and said, fear nothing, duggle, your hand shall never draw a bolt on me. Tat, sound they know, said duggle. She said, she wad, that is, she wishes them hacked off by the elbows first, but when are ye gone yonder again, and ye'll no forget to let her ken, she's your per cousin, god ken's, only seven times removed. I will let you ken, duggle, as soon as my plans are settled. And by her soothe, when ye do, and it were twall of the Sunday ateen, she'll fling her keys to the province's head, where she give them another turn, and that's where ever Monday morning begins, see if she winna. My mysterious stranger cut his acquaintances estacy short, by again addressing him in what I afterwards understood to be the Irish, Erse, or Galeic explaining, probably the services which he required at his hand. The answer, with all her heart, with all her soul, with a good deal of indistinct muttering in a similar tone, intimated the turnkey's acquiescence in what he proposed. The fellow trimmed his dying lamp, and made a sign to me to follow him. Do you not go with us? said I, looking to my conductor. It is unnecessary, he replied. My company may be inconvenient for you, and I had better remain to secure a retreat. I do not suppose you mean to betray me to danger, said I. To none but what I partake in doubly, answered the stranger, with a voice of assurance which it was impossible to mistrust. I followed the turnkey, who, leaving the inner wicket unlocked behind him, led me up a turnpike. So this gotch called a winding stair, then along a narrow gallery, then opening one of several doors which led into the passage he ushered me into a small apartment, and casting his eye on the pallet-bed, which occupied one corner, said with an under-voice as he placed the lamp on a little deal-table, she's sleeping. She, who, can it be Diana Vernon in this abode of misery? I turned my eye to the bed, and it was with a mixture of disappointment, oddly mingled with pleasure, that I saw my first suspicion had deceived me. I saw a head neither young nor beautiful, garnished with a gray beard of two days' growth, and accommodated with a red-night cap. The first glance put me at ease on the score of Diana Vernon. The second, as the slumber-brewer awoke from a heavy sleep, yawned and rubbed his eyes, presented me with features very different indeed, even those of my poor friend Owen. I drew back, out of view an instant, that he might have time to recover himself, fortunately recollecting that I was but an intruder on the sows of sorrow, and that any alarm might be attended with unhappy consequences. One time the unfortunate formalist, raising himself from the palloped, with the assistance of one hand, and scratching his cap with the other, exclaimed in a voice in which as much peevishness as he was capable of feeling, contended with drowsiness. I'll tell you what, Mr. Dougwell, or whatever your name may be, the sum total of the matter is, that if my natural rest is to be broken in this manner I must complain to the Lord Mayor. As to speak with her, replied Dougwell, resuming the true dogged sullen tone of a turnkey, in exchange for the shrill clang of Highland congratulation, with which he had welcomed my mysterious guide, and turning on his heel he left the apartment. It was some time before I could prevail upon the unfortunate sleeper awakening to recognize me, and when he did so the distress of the worthy creature was extreme, at supposing, which he naturally did, that I had been sent thither as a partner of his captivity. Oh, Mr. Frank, what have you brought yourself and the house to? I think nothing of myself. That am a mere cipher, so to speak, but you, that was your father's sum total, his omnium, you that might have been the first man in the first house in the first city, to be shut up in a nasty scotch jail, where one cannot even get the dirt brushed off their clothes. He rubbed with an air of peevish irritation the one's stainless brown coat, which had now shared some of the impurities of the floor of his prison-house, his habits of extreme punctilious neatness acting mechanically to increase his distress. Oh, heaven be gracious to us, he continued. What news this will be on change? There has not been the light come there since the battle of Almanza, where the total of the British loss was summed up to five thousand men killed and wounded, besides a floating balance of missing. But what will that be to the news that Elzboudestone and Tresham have stopped? I broke in on his lamentations to acquaint him that I was no prisoner, though scarce able to account for my being in that place at such an hour. I could only silence his inquiries by persisting in those which his own situation suggested, and at length obtained from him such information as he was able to give me. It was none of the most distinct, for, however, clear-headed in his own routine of commercial business, Owen, you aren't well aware, was not very acute in comprehending what lay beyond that sphere. The sum of his information was that of two correspondents of my father's firm at Glasgow, where, owing to engagements in Scotland formerly alluded to, he transacted a great deal of business. Both my father and Owen had found the house of MacVity, MacFinn, and Company, the most obliging in accommodating. They had deferred to the great English house on every possible occasion, and in their barkens and transactions acted, without repining, the part of the jackal, who only claims what the lion is pleased to leave him. However small the share of profit allotted to them, it was always as they expressed it, enough for the like of them. However at large the portion of trouble they were sensible they could not do too much to deserve the continued patronage and good opinion of their honoured friends in Crane Alley. The dictates of my father were to MacVity and MacFinn the laws of the Medes and Persians, not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed, and the punctilios exacted by Owen in their business transactions, for he was a great lover of form, more especially when he could dictate it, ex-cathedra, seemed scarcely sanctimonious in their eyes. This tone of deep and respectful observance went all currently down with Owen. But my father looked a little closer into men's bosoms, and whether suspicious of this excess of deference, or as a lover of brevity and simplicity in business, tired with these gentlemen's long-winded professions of regard, he had uniformly resisted their desire to become his sole agents in Scotland. On the contrary he transacted many affairs through a correspondent of a character perfectly different, a man whose good opinion of himself amounted to self-conceit, and, two, disliking the English in general as much as my father did the scotch, would hold no communication but on a footing of absolute equality, jealous, moreover, capitious occasionally, as tenacious of his own opinions, in point of form as Owen could be of his, and totally indifferent, though the authority of all Lombridge Street had stood against his own private opinion. As these peculiarities of temper rendered it difficult to transact business with Mr. Nickel Jarvie, as they occasioned at times disputes and coldness between the English house and their correspondent, which were only got over by a sense of mutual interest, as, moreover, Owen's personal vanity sometimes suffered a little in the discussions to which they gave rise, you cannot be surprised, Treshem, that our old friend, through at all times, the weight of his influence in favour of the civil, discreet, accommodating concern of McVidi and McFinn, and spoke of Jarvie as a petulant conceded scotch peddler, with whom there was no dealing. It was also not surprising that in the circumstances, which I only learned in detail some time afterwards, Owen, in the difficulties to which the house was reduced by the absence of my father, and the disappearance of Frashley, should, on his arrival in Scotland, which took place two days before mine, have recourse to the friendship of those correspondence, who had always professed themselves obliged, gratified, and devoted to the service of his principal. He was received at Messers McVidi and McFinn's counting-house in the Gallagate, with something like the devotion a Catholic would pay to his tutelor saint. But alas, this sunshine was soon overcrowded, when encouraged by the fair hopes which it inspired, he opened the difficulties of the house to his friendly correspondence, and requested their counsel and assistance. McVidi was almost stunned by the communication, and McFinn, where it was completed, was already at the ledger of their firm, and deeply engaged in the very bowels of the multitudinous accounts between their house and that of El's Baldestone and Tresham, for the purpose of discovering on which side the balance lay. Alas, the scale depressed considerably against the English firm, and the faces of McVidi and McFinn, hitherto only blank and doubtful, became now ominous, grim and lowering. They met Mr. Owen's request of countenance and assistance, with a counter-demand of instant security against imminent hazard of eventual loss, and at length, speaking more plainly, required that a deposit of assets, destined for other purposes, should be placed in their hands for that purpose. Owen repelled this demand with great indignation, as dishonorable to his constituents, unjust to the other creditors of El's Baldestone and Tresham, and very ungrateful on the part of those by whom it was made. The scotch partners gained in the course of this controversy what is very convenient to persons who are in the wrong, an opportunity and pretext for putting themselves in a violent passion, and for taking, under the pretext of the provocation they had received, measures to which some sense of decency, if not of conscience, might otherwise have deterred them from resorting. Owen had a small share, as I believe is usual, in the house to which he acted as head clerk, and was therefore personally liable for all its obligations. This was known to Messers McVity and McFinn, and with a view of making him feel their power, or rather in order to force him, at this emergency, into those measures in their favour, to which he had expressed himself so repugnant, they had recourse to a summary process of arrest and imprisonment. Which it seems the law of Scotland, therein surely liable to much abuse, allows to a creditor, who finds his conscience at liberty, to make oath that the debtor meditates departing from the realm. Under such a warrant had poor Owen been confined to durants on the day preceding that when I was so strangely guided to his prison-house. Thus possessed of the alarming outline of facts, the question remained, what was to be done, and it was not of easy determination. I plainly perceived the perils with which we were surrounded, but it was more difficult to suggest any remedy. The warning which I had already received seemed to intimate that my own personal liberty might be endangered by an open appearance in Owen's behalf. Owen entertained the same apprehension, and in the exaggeration of his terror assured me that a scotch-man, rather than run the risk of losing a farthing by an Englishman, would find law for arresting his wife, children, manservant, maidservant, and stranger within his household. The laws concerning debt, in most countries, are so unmercifully severe that I could not altogether disbelieve his statement, and my arrest, in the present circumstance, would have been a cue to grace, to my father's affairs. In this dilemma I asked Owen if he had not thought of having recourse to my father's other correspondent in Glasgow, Mr. Nickeljärvy. He had sent him a letter, he replied, that morning, but if the smooth tongued and civil house in the Gallagate had used him thus, what was to be expected from the cross-grained crab-stock in the salt market? A street in the old town of Glasgow. You might as well ask a broker to give up his percentage, as expect a favour from him without the par-contra. He had not even, Owen said, answered his letter though it was put into his hand that morning as he went to church.  But God forgive me for saying so to you in your distress. It's God's disposing, and man must submit. My philosophy, Tresham, could not prevent my sharing in the honest creature's distress, and we mingled our tears, the more bitter on my part, as the perverse opposition to my father's will, with which the kind-hearted Owen for bore to abrade me, rose up to my conscience as the cause of all this affliction. In the midst of our mingled sorrow we were disturbed and surprised by a loud knocking at the outward door of the prison. I ran to the top of the staircase to listen, but could only hear the voice of the turnkey, alternately in a high tone, answering to some person without, and in a whisper, addressed to the person, who had guided me hither, she's coming, she's coming, aloud, then in a low key.   While duggle unwillingly, and with as much delay as possible, undid the various fastenings to give admittance to those without, whose impatience became clamorous, my guide ascended the winding stair, and sprang into Owen's apartment, into which I followed him. He cast his eyes hastily round, as if looking for a place of concealment, then said to me, lend me your pistols, yet it's no matter, I can do without them, whatever you see take no heed, and do not mix your hand in another man's feud, this gear's mine, and I must manage it as I dow, but I have been as hard bested, and worse, than I am even now. As the stranger spoke these words, he stripped from his person the cumbers' upper coat in which he was wrapped, confronted the door of the apartment, on which he fixed a keen and determined glance, drawing his person a little back to concentrate his force, like a fine horse brought up to the leaping-bar. I had not a moment's doubt that he meant to extricate himself from his embarrassment, whatever might be the cause of it, by springing full upon those who should appear when the doors opened, and forcing his way through all opposition into the street, and such was the appearance of strength and agility displayed in his frame, and of determination in his look and manner, that I did not doubt a moment, but that he might get clear through his opponents, unless they employed fatal means to stop his purpose. It was a period of awful suspense betwixt the opening of the outward gate and that of the door of the apartment, when there appeared no guard with bayonets fixed, or watch with clubs, bills, or partisans, but a good-looking young woman, with grogher and petticoats, tucked up for trudging through the streets, and holding a lantern in her hand. His female ushered in a more important personage, in form, stout, short, and somewhat corpulent, and by dignity as it soon appeared, a magistrate, bob-weight, bustling, and breathless with peevish impatience. My conductor, at his appearance, drew back as if to escape observation, but he could not allude the penetrating twinkle with which this dignitary reconnoitred the whole apartment. A bony thing it is, and a beseeming, that I should be kept at the door half an hour, Captain Stanchels, said he addressing the principal jailer, who now showed himself at the door, as if in attendance on the great man, knocking as hard to get into the toll-booth, as anybody else bought to get out of it. Could that avail them? Poor falling creatures. And how's this? How's this? Strangers in the jail after lock-up hours, and on the sabbath evening. I shall look after this, Stanchels. You may depend on it. Keep the door locked, and I'll speak to these gentlemen in a glyphing. But first I'm unhack a crack with an old acquaintance-hair. Mr. Owen, Mr. Owen, how's all with you, man? Pretty well in body, I think ye, Mr. Jarvie. Drawed out poor Owen. But sore afflicted in spirit. And I doubt, and I doubt, I, I, it's an awful wimly. And for that aim that held his head, so high, too, human nature, human nature, I, I, we're all subject to a down-come. Mr. Osbaudestone is a good honest gentleman. But I, I say, he was, I know them to make a spun or spoil a horn, as my father the worthy deacon used to say. The deacon used to say to me, Nick, young Nick, his name was Nickle, as well as mine, Sayfolk called us in their daffing, young Nick and old Nick, Nick, said he, never put out your arm farther than you can draw it easily back again. I has said, say, to Mr. Osbaudestone, and he didn't seem to take it out together, so kind as I wished, but it was well meant, well meant. This discourse delivered with prodigious mullibility and a great appearance of self-complacency, as he recollected his own advice and predictions, gave little promise of assistance at the hands of Mr. Jarvie. That it soon appeared rather to perceive from a total want of delicacy than any deficiency of real kindness. For when Owen expressed himself somewhat hurt that these things should be recalled to memory in his present situation, the glass-wigeon took him by the hand and bait him, cheer up a glyph! Do you think I would have come down at twa o'clock, at night, and amassed broken the Lord's day, just to tell a fallen man at his back-slidings? Nah, nah, that's no bally Jarvie's skate, nor whilst his worthy father's that he can afford him. Why, man, it's my rule never to think a worldly business on this habit. And though I did, I could, to keep your note, that I get this morning out of my head, yet I thought marron it all day, than on the preaching, and it's my rule to gang to my bed, with the yellow curtains precisely at ten o'clock. As I were eaten ahead ink with a neighbor, or a neighbor with me, asked the last queen there, if it isn't a fundamental rule in my household, and here ha I, sittin' up reading good books, and gaping as if I would swallow St. Enix Kirk, till at chap at twelve, Wilk was a lawful hour to get a look at my ledger, just to see how things stood between us, and then as time and tide wait for no man, I made the last get the lantern, and come slipping my ways here, to see what can be done and at your affairs. Bailey Jarvie can command entrance into the tall booth at only hour, day or night. Say could my father the deacon in his time, honest man, praise to his memory? Although Owen groaned at the mention of the ledger, leading me grievously to fear that here also the balance stood in the wrong column, and although the worthy magistrate's speech expressed much self-complacency, and some ominous triumph in his own superior judgment, yet it was blended with a sort of frank and blunt good nature, from which I could not help deriving some hopes. He requested to see some papers he mentioned, snatched them hastily from Owen's hand, and sitting on the bed, to rest his shanks, as he was pleased to express the accommodation which that posture afforded him. His servant girl held up the lantern to him, while shawing, muttering, and sputtering, now at the imperfect light, now at the contents of the packet, he ran over the writings it contained. Seeing him fairly engaged in this course of study, the guy who had brought me hither seemed disposed to take an unceremonious leave. He made a sign to me to say nothing, and intimated by his change of posture, an intention to glide towards the door in such a manner as to attract the least possible observation. But the alert magistrate, very different from my old acquaintance, Mr. Justice Inglewood, instantly detected and interrupted his purposes. I say look to the door-stangels, shut and lock it, and keep watch on the outside. The stranger's brow darkened, and he seemed for an instant again to meditate, the effecting his retreat by violence, but ere he had determined, the door closed, and the ponderous bolt revolved. He muttered an exclamation in Geliuk, strode across the floor, and then with an air of dogged resolution, as if fixed and prepared to see the scene to an end, sat himself down on the yoke-table, and whistled to Strasby. Mr. Jarvie, who seemed very alert and expeditious in going through business, soon showed himself master of that which he had been considering, and addressed himself to Mr. Owen in the following strain. "'Wheel, Mr. Owen, Whale, your house are on in certain sums to Messers McVity and McFen.' Shame father supple snouts. They made that and mare out to a bargain about the ac-woods at Glen Calzachat. That they took out between my teeth, with help of your good word, I'm on need say, Mr. Owen, but that makes an odds now.  And for this, and relief of other engagements, they stand in for you. They have put in a double turn of stanchals. McO-Kee-On-Y. "'Well, sir, ye all this tiller, and maybe ye all some are to some other body, too. Maybe ye all some to myself. Belly, Nickle Jarvie. "'I cannot deny, sir, but the balance may of this state be brought out against us, Mr. Jarvie,' said Owen. "'But you'll police to consider.' "'I had no time to consider now, Mr. Owen,' saying near Sabbath at Een, and out of Ayn's warm bed at this time of night, and a sort of drown in the air besides. "'There isn't a time for considering, but, sir, as I was saying, ye all me money, it wouldn't deny, ye all me money, less or mare, I'll stand by it. But then, Mr. Owen, I cannot see how you, an active man that understands business, can read out the business you're come down about, and clear a saw-aff, as I have grit hope you will, if ye're keep it lying here in the tool-booth a glass go. Now, sir, if ye can find caution, judici o sistae, that is, that ye win if lay the country, but appear and relieve your caution when caught for in our legal courts, ye may be set at liberty this very morning.' "'Mr. Jarvie,' said Owen. "'If any friend would become surety for me to that effect, my liberty might be usefully employed, doubtless, both for the house and all connected with it.' "'Ah, will, sir,' continued Jarvie, and doubtless such a friend would expect ye to appear when caught on, and relieve him while his engagements. And I should do so as certainly, bating sickness or death, as that too and to make for.' "'A will, Mr. Owen,' resumed the citizen of Glasgow. "'I didn't misdouchey, and I'll prove it, sir, I'll prove it. I am a careful man, as is well-kend, and industrious, as the hail-town can testify, and I can win my crowns, and keep my crowns, and count my crowns with anybody in the salt market, or it may be in the Gallagate. And I'm a prudent man, as my father the deacon was before me. But rather than an honest civil gentleman that understands business, and is willing to do justice to all men, should lie by the heels this gate, unable to help himself or anybody else, why conscience, man? I'll be your bail myself. But ye'll mind it's a bail judicio sistae, as our town clerk says. Not judicatum, solvi, ye'll mind that, for there's muckl' difference.' Mr. Owen assured him, that as matters then stood, he could not expect any one to become surety for the actual payment of the debt, but that there was not the most distant cause for apprehending laws from his failing to present himself, when lawfully called upon. I believe he, I believe he, enough said, enough said. Please hail your legs loose by breakfast time. And now let's hear what their chamber-chills of yours had to say for themselves, or how, in the name of unrule, they got here at this time a night. CHAPTER VI of Rob Roy This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott. Volume 2 Chapter 6 Hame came our good-mitted ean, and Hame came he, and there he saw a man, where a man shouldn't be. How's this now, Kimmer? How's this, Quahy? How came this carl here, without the leave of me? Old song. The magistrate took the light out of the servant maid's hand, and in advance to his scrutiny, like Diogenes in the street of Athens, lantern in hand and probably with as little expectation, as that of the cynic, that he was likely to encounter any special treasure in the course of his researches. The first whom he approached was my mysterious guide, who seated on a table as I have already described him, with his eyes firmly fixed on the wall, his features arranged into the utmost inflexibility of expression, his hands folded on his breast with an air betwixt carelessness and defiance, his heel patting against the foot of the table, to keep time with the tune which he continued to whistle, submitted to Mr. Jarvie's investigation with an air of absolute confidence and assurance which for a moment placed at fault the memory and sagacity of the acute investigator. Ah, eh, oh, is claimed the Bailey. My conscience, it's impossible, and yet, no, conscience, it cannot be, and yet again, Dale had me, that I should say, say, ye robber, ye cantoran, ye born devil, that ye are, to our bad ends and nay goodon. And this be you. In as ye see, Bailey, was a laconic answer. Conscience, if I am not claimed but bathed, you, ye cheat the woody rogue, you, here on your venture in the tall booth of Glasgow, what do ye think's the value all your head? Umpf, why, fairly wade and dutch wade, it might weigh down one provosts for Bailey's, a town clerks, six deacons, besides stent masters. Ah, ye reave and villain, interrupted Mr. Jarvie, but tell our your sins and prepare ye, for if I say the word, true Bailey, said he who was thus addressed, folding his hands behind him with the utmost nonchalance, but ye will never say that word. And why should I not, sir, exclaimed the magistrate, why should I not? Tell me that, why should I not? For three sufficient reasons, Bailey Jarvie, first, for odd langzine, second for the sake of the odd wife who yawned to fire it, stokavrelichen, that made some mixture of our bludes, to my own proper shame be it spoken, that has a cousin with accounts and yarn whittles and looms and shuttles, like a mere mechanical person, and lastly, Bailey, because if I saw a sign of your betraying me, I would plaster that, while with your harnes ere the hand of man could rescue you.  I can will, said the other, ye had gentle bludes in your veins, and I would be left to hurt my inkinsmen, but out-gang out here as free as I came in, or the very walls of glass-gatel-booth shall tell us these ten years to come. We'll will, said Mr. Jarvie, bludes thicker than water, and it lies not in kith, kin, and ally, to see moats in Ilka other's ean, if other eans see them know. It might be, sir, news to the odd wife below the benoestokavrelichen, that you, ye Highland-limmer, had knock it out my harnes, or that I had kilted you up in a toe. But you'll own, ye darned evil, that were it know your very cell, I would had grip it the best man in the Highlands. Ye want had tried, cousin, answered my guide, that I want will, but I doubt ye would have come off with the short measure, for we gang their out-highland bodies with an unchance-y generation, when ye speak to us of bondage. We don't abide the coercion of good-bride-claw about our Hunderlands. Let a bee-breaks of freestone and garters iron. You'll find the stained-breaks in the iron-garters, I, and the hemp-cravate, for all that, neighbor, replied the bailing. Naaman in a civilized country ever played the pilski ye had done, but ean pickle in your aim, pock-nook, I had given ye wanting. Well, cousin, said the other, you'll wear black at my burial. Dale a black cloak will be there robin, but the corb is in the hoody-craws. I ski ye my hand on that, but watch the good-thousand-pound scots that I lynch ye, man, and when am I to see it again? Where it is, replied my guide, after the affectation of considering for a moment, I cannot justly tell, probably where last year's snot is. And that's on the top of the she-allion ye Highland dog, said Mr. Jarvie, and I look for payment for a ye where ye stand. I, replied the Highlander, but I keep neither snot nor dollars in my sporen, and, as to when ye'll see it, why, just when the king enjoys his aim again, as the old song says, Worst of all robin, retorted the Glaswegian, I mean ye disloyal trader, worst of all, why do ye bring potpourri in on us, and arbitrary power, and a foist and a warming pan, and the set forms and the curates, and the odd enormities of surplus-as-end sermons? Ye had better stick to your old trade a theft-a-boot, blackmail, sprigs, and gill-ravaging, which are stealing now to the ruining nations. Howt, man, whist-wit ye wiggory, answered the Count. We had kent ain another money-a-long day, as take care ye're counting-room is no cleaned out when the gill-an-an-alee come to red up the Glasgow booze, and clear them of their odd shop-wars. Gill-an-an-alee, the lands with the kilts or petticoats. And unless it just far in the precise way of your duty, ye must not see me offner, Nicol, than I am disposed to be seen. Ye are a daring villain, Robb, answered the Bailey, and ye will be hanged, that will be seen in her tale-a, but I, as an air-bee, the ill-bird, and foul my nest, set apart strong necessity and ascribe a duty, which no man should hear and be an obedient. And what the devil's this, he continued, turning to me. Some gill-ravager that ye had listed. I darsay. He looks as if he had a bod-heart to the highway, and a laying-crack for the gibbet.  This good Mr. Jarvie is young Mr. Frank Elzboudestone, only child of the head of our house, who should have been taken into our firm at the time Mr. Rashley Elzboudestone, his cousin, had the look to be taken into it. Here Owen could not suppress a groan. But how so ever? Oh, I have heard of that smake, said the Scottish merchant, interrupting him. It is he whom your principal, like an obstinate odd-fuel, would make a merchant ah, what he or what he know, and the lad turned a sterling stage-player, impure dislike to the labour an honest man should live by. Will, sir, what say you to your handiwork? Will Hamlet, the Dane, or Hamlet's Ghost, be good security for Mr. Owen, sir? I don't deserve your taunt, I replied. Though I respect your motive, and am too grateful for the assistance you have afforded Mr. Owen, to resent it. My only business here was to do what I could. It is perhaps very little, to aid Mr. Owen in the management of my father's affairs. My dislike of the commercial profession is a feeling of which I am the best and sole judge. I protest, said the Highlander. I had some respect for this Kallins even before I caned what was in him. But now I honour him for his contempt of weavers and spinners, and sick-like mechanical persons in their pursuits. Mr. Madrop, said the Bailey, mad as a marked hair, though wherefore a hair should be mad at Marge, the marathon at Martin-Mass, is marathon I can we'll say. Weavers, dale shaky out of the web, the weaver craft made, spinners, you'll spin and wind yourself a bonnie-pairn. And this young burky hair, that you're hoeing and hounding on the shortest road to the gallows, and the devil, will his stage plays and his poetry's help him here.  Will Titire to Pachelet, as they caught, tell him where Rachele Osbaldiston is, or Macbeth, and all his curtains and galley-glasses, and your end to boot, Rob, procure him five thousand pounds to answer the bills which Fah do, ten days hence, where they all rooped at the cross, basket-hills, and rafferis, leather-targets, brogues, brocken, and sprens. Ten days, I answered, and instinctively drew out Diana Vernon's packet, and the time being elapsed during which I was to keep a seal sacred, I hastily broke it open. A seal's letter fell from a blank enclosure, owing to the trepidation with which I opened the parcel. A slight current of wind, which found its way through a broken pane of the window, wefted the letter to Mr. Jarvis' feet, who lifted it, examined the address with unceremonious curiosity, and, to my astonishment, handed it to his Highland kinsmen, saying, Here's a wind has blown a letter to its right owner, though there were ten thousand chances against its coming to hand. The Highlander, having examined the address, broke the letter open without the least ceremony. I endeavored to interrupt his proceeding. You must satisfy me, sir, said I, that the letter is intended for you, before I can permit you to peruse it. Make yourself quite easy, Mr. Usbaldestone. Reply the mountaineer with great composure. Remember Justice Inglewood, Clerk Jobson, Mr. Morris. Of all, remember your very humble servant, Robert Commill, and the beautiful Diana Vernon. Remember all this, and doubt no longer that the letter is for me. I remained astonished at my own stupidity. Through the whole night, the voice, and even the features of this man, though imperfectly seen, haunted me with recollections to which I could assign no exact local or personal associations. But now the light dawned on me at once. This man was Campbell himself. His whole peculiarities flashed on me at once. The deep strong voice, the inflexible, stern yet considerate cast of features, the Scottish Brogue, with its corresponding dialect and imagery, which although he possessed the power at times of laying them aside, recurred at every moment of emotion, and gave pith to his sarcasm, or vehemence to his expostulation. Rather beneath the middle size than above it, his limbs were formed upon the very strongest model that is consistent with agility. While from the remarkable ease and freedom of his movements, you could not doubt his possessing the latter quality in a high degree of perfection. Two points in his person interfered with the rules of symmetry. His shoulders were so broad in proportion to his height, as notwithstanding the lean and lathy appearance of his frame gave him something the air of being too square in respect to his stature, and his arms, though round, sinewy and strong, were so very long as to be rather a deformity. I afterwards heard that this length of arm was a circumstance on which he prided himself. But when he wore his native highland garb, he could tie the garters of his hose without stooping, and that it gave him great advantages in the use of the broadsort, at which he was very dexterous. But certainly this want of symmetry destroyed the claim he might otherwise have set up to be accounted a very handsome man. It gave something wild, irregular, and as it were unearthly, to his appearance, and reminded me involuntarily of the tales which Mabel used to tell of the old picks who ravaged Northumberland in ancient times, who, according to her tradition, were a sort of half-goblin, half-human beings, distinguished, like this man, for courage, cunning, ferocity, the length of their arms, and the squareness of their shoulders. When, however, I recollected the circumstances in which we formerly met, I could not doubt that the billet was most probably designed for him. He had made a marked figure among those mysterious personages over whom Diana seemed to exercise an influence, and from whom she experienced an influence in her turn. It was painful to think that the fate of a being so amiable was involved in that of desperados, of this man's description, yet it seemed impossible to doubt it. Of what use, however, could this person be to my father's affairs? I could think only of one. Rashley Osbaldestone had, at the instigation of Miss Vernon, certainly found means to produce Mr. Campbell, when his presence was necessary to exculpate me from Mr. Morris's accusation. Was it not possible that her influence in like manner might prevail on Campbell to produce Rashley? Looking on this supposition, I requested to know where my dangerous kinsman was, and when Mr. Campbell had seen him. The answer was indirect. It's a kid who cast she has given me to play, but yet it's fair play, and I wouldn't bulk her. Mr. Osbaldestone, I dwell not very far from hence. My kinsman can show you the way. Leave Mr. Owen to do the best he can in Glasgow. Do you come and see me in a glance, and it's like I may pleasure you, and stage your father in his extremity. I am but a poor man, but Whitt's better than wealth, and cousin, turning from me to address Mr. Jarvie. If he darn venture say muckle as to eat a dish of Scotch-calibs, and a lego red-deer venison with me, come ye with this sassan-ash gentleman as far as drymen, or Bucklevy, or the clatchin' of Aberphole. We'll be better than any of them, and I'll have somebody waiting to wishy the gate to the place where I may be for the time. What say ye, man? There's my thumb. I'll ne'er beguile thee. Na, na, Robin, said the cautious burger. I seldom like to leave the gore-balls. I had nay freedom to gang among your wild hills, Robin, and your kilted red shanks. It does not become my place, man. The gore-balls, or suburbs, are situated on the south side of the river.  The only drape of gentle blood that's in your body was our great-grand-uncles that was justified at Dumberton, and you set yourself up to say ye would derogate for your place to visit me. Executed for treason. Hark thee, man! I owe you a day in harsed.  How to wow with your gentility, replied the Bailey. Carry your gentle blood to the cross, and see what you'll buy with. But if I were to come, what do you really answer the fastly, pay me the sciller? I swear to ye, to the Highlander, upon the hella-dom of him that sleeps beneath the grey stain, it's Inch-Caliage. Inch-Caliage is an island in Larch-Lamen, where the clan of McGregor were want to be interred, and where their sepulchres may still be seen. It formerly contained a nunnery, hence the name of Inch-Caliage, or the island of old women. Say no, mere robin, say no, mere, we'll see what may be done, but ye might not expect me to gang or the Highland line, I gay beyond the line is no rate, ye might meet me about Bucklevee, or the clacklin of Aberfoil, and dint forget the needful. Nay, fear, nay, fear, said Campbell, I'll be as true as the steel blade that never failed its master. But I must be budging, cousin, for the air-glass-gatole-booth is no that or salutary to a Highlander's constitution. Troth, replied the merchant, and if my duty were to be done, ye couldn't change your atmosphere as the minister calls it, this are we while. How can the dice it ever be concerned in aiding and abetting an escape from justice? It will be a shame and disgrace to me and mine, and my very father's memory forever. How tought man, let that fleece stick in the wall, answered his kinsmen, when the dirt's dried will rub out, your father, honest man, could look or a friend's fault as well as another. You may be right, Robin, replied the bailee, after a moment's reflection. He was a considerate man, the deacon, he can't, we had all our frailties, and he lost his friends. You'll know how I've forgotten him, Robin. This question he put in a soften tone, conveying as much at least of the ludicrous as the pathetic. Forgotten him, replied his kinsmen, what's it ale me to forget him? A wab and weaver he was, and wrought my first pair of hoes. But come a while, kinsmen.  Wished, sir, said the magistrate in an authoritative tone. Lilting and singing say near the latter end of the Sabbath, this house may hear ye sing a nither tune yet. A wheel we had a backsliding to answer for. Stanchill's opened the door. The jailer obeyed, and we all sallied forth. Stanchill's looked with some surprise the two strangers, wandering doubtless, how they came into these premises without his knowledge. But Mr. Jarvis, friends of mine, Stanchill's friends of mine, silenced all disposition to inquiries. We now descended into the lower vestibule, and tolewed more than once for Duggle, to which Thamman's no answer was returned. When Campbell observed with a sardonic smile, that if Duggle was the lad he kent him, he would scarce way to get thanks for his vain share of the night's work, but was in all probability on the full trot to the pass of Balaamaha. And left us, and a bonnah, me, Macelle, locked up in the toll-booth all night, exclaimed the Bailey in iron perturbation. Cough for four-hammers, sledge-hammers, pinches and caulters, send for Deacon Yetlin, the smith, and let him can that Bailey Jarvis shut up in the toll-booth by a Highland Blackguard, whom he'll hang up as high as Hammond. When ye catch him, said Campbell gravely, but stay, the door is surely not locked. Indeed on examination we found that the door was not only left open, but that Duggle in his retreat had, by carrying off the keys along with him, taking care that no one should exercise his office of porter in a hurry. He has, glimmering as a common sense now, that creature Duggle, said Campbell, he can't an open door might have served me at a pinch. We were by this time in the street. I tell you, Robin, said the magistrate, in my pure mind, if you live the life you do, ye should ha'ane your ghillie's doorkeeper in every jail in Scotland, in case of the worst. A'ane of my kinsmen, a Bailey in Ilkeburg, will do just as well, cousin Nicol, so good night, or good morning to ye, I forget not the clashing of Everfall. And without waiting for an answer he sprung to the other side of the street, and was lost in darkness. Immediately on his disappearance we heard him give a low whistle of peculiar modulation, which was instantly replied to. Here to the Highland Divils, said Mr. Jarvie, they think themselves in the skirts of Ben Lammond already, where they may gang, we winged, whistling a bount without minding Sunday or Saturday. Here he was interrupted by something which fell with a heavy clash on the street before us. Good guidance, what's this maraud? Matty, hud up the lantern, conscience if it isn't of the keys. Will, that's just as well, they cost the burgs-sillar, and there might have been some clavours about a loss of them. Oh, and belly-gram were to get word at this nice job. It would be a sir-hair in my neck. As we were still but a few steps from the tall-boothed door we carried back these implements of office, and consigned them to the head-jailer, who in lieu of the usual motive, making good his post by turning the keys, was keeping sentry in the vestibule, till the arrival of some assistant, whom he had summoned in order to replace the Celtic fugitive Dughal. Having discharged this piece of duty to the Burg, and my road lying the same way with the honest magistrates, I profited by the light of his lantern, and he by my arm, to find our way through the streets, which whatever they may be now, were then dark, uneven, and ill-paved. Age is easily propitiated by attentions from the young. The belly expressed himself interested in me, and added, that since I was nain of that play-acting and play-ganging generation, whom his saw hated, he would be glad if I would eat a riced-in-headic, or a fresh-haring, at breakfast with him the morn, and meet my friend, Mr. Owen, whom by that time he would place at liberty. My dear sir, said I, when I had accepted of the invitation with thanks, how could you possibly connect me with a stage? I watched not, replied Mr. Jarvie. It was a blathering phrase in child they call, fair service, to get an order to send the crier through the town, for ye, at scry, a day the morn. He tells me what ye were, and how ye were sent for your father's house, because ye wouldn't be a dealer, and that ye might not disgrace your family with ganging on the stage. And Hammerga, our presenter, brought him here, and said he was an old acquaintance.  But I see he's a fool-creature, altogether, and clean misdane about ye. I like ye men, he continued. I like a lad that will stand by his friends in trouble. I ate did it myself, and say did the deacon my father, rest and bless him. But he's in a keep, or a nickel company, for Highland men, and they walk cattle. Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled? I mind that, and I doubt the best and wisest may err. Once, twice and thrice, have I backslidden. Men, and doing three things, this night, my father would not had believed his in, if he could have looked up and seen me do them. He was by this time arrived at the door of his own dwelling. He paused, however, on the threshold, and went on in a solemn tone of deep contrition. Firstly, I have thought my own thoughts on the Sabbath. Secondly, I had gained security for an Englishman. And in the third and last place, well, a day, I have led an ill door escape from the place of imprisonment. But there's a balm and gilliant, Mr. Osbaldastone. Matty, I can let my cell in, see Mr. Osbaldastone to lucky flitters, at the corner of the wines. Mr. Osbaldastone, in a whisper, you'll offer an incivility to Matty, she's an honest man's daughter, and a near cousin of the Laird of Limerfields. And of Volume 2, Chapter 6, Recording by Katie Riley, June 2010. Volume 2, Chapter 7 of Rob Roy. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 7. Will it please your worship to accept of my poor service? I beseech that I may feed upon your bread, though it be the brownest, and drink of your drink, though it be of the smallest, for I will do your worship as much service for forty shillings, as another man shall for three pounds. Greens to Quarkway. I remembered the honest Bailey's parting charge, but did not conceive there was any incivility in adding a kiss to the half-crown, with which I remunerated Matty's attendants, nor did her faye for shim, sir, express any very deadly resentment of their front. Repeated knocking at Mrs. Flight's gate, awakened in due order first, one or two stray dogs, who began to bark with all their might, next, two or three night-capped heads, which were thrust out of the neighbouring windows to reprehend me for disturbing the solemnity of the Sunday night by that untimely noise. While I tremalled, lest the thunders of their wrath might dissolve in showers like that of zanterpie, Mrs. Flight herself awoke, and began, in a tone of objugation, not unbecoming the philosophical spouts of Socrates, to scold one or two loiterers in her kitchen, for not hastening to the door, to prevent a repetition of my noisy summons. These worthies were, indeed, nearly concerned in the fricah, which their laziness occasioned, being no other than the faithful Mr. Fair-Service, with his friend Mr. Hamagor, and another person whom I afterwards found to be the town crier, who was sitting over a cog of ale, as they called it, at my expense as my bill afterwards informed me, in order to revise the terms and style of a proclamation to be made through the streets the next day, in order that the unfortunate young gentleman, as they had the impedance to qualify me, might be restored to his friends without further delay. It may be supposed that I did not suppress my displeasure at this impotent interference with my affairs, but Andrew set up such ejaculations of transport at my arrival as fairly drowned by my expressions of resentment. His raptures, per chance, were partly political, and the tears of joy which he shed had certainly their source in that noble fountain of emotion, the tankard. However, the tumultuous glee which he felt, or pretended to feel, at my return, saved Andrew the broken head which I had twice destined him, first on account of the colloquy he had held with a precenture on my affairs, and secondly, for the impertinent history he had thought proper to give of me to Mr. Javi. I, however, contented myself with slapping the door of my bedroom in his face as he followed me, praising heaven for my safe return, and mixing his joy with admonitions to me to take care how I walked my own ways in future. I then went to bed, resolving my first business in the morning, should be to discharge this troublesome, pedantic, self-conceited coxcomb, who seemed so much disposed to constitute himself rather a preceptor than a domestic. Accordingly, in the morning I resumed my purpose, and, calling Andrew into my apartment, requested to know his charge for guiding and attending me as far as Glasgow. Mr. Fair-Service looked very blank at this demand, justly considering it as a passage to approaching dismission. You don't know, he said, after some hesitation. Win a think, win a think! Speak out, you rascal, or I'll break your head, said I, as Andrew, between the double risk of losing all by asking too much or apart, by stating his demand lower than what I might be willing to pay, stood gasping in the agony of doubt and calculation. Out it came with a bolt, however, at my threat, as the kind violence of a blow on the back sometimes delivers the windpipe from an intrusive morsel. Oten penestelling per dem, thou is be the day, Yerana would not think unconscionable. It is double what is usual, and treble what you merit, Andrew. But there's a guinea for you, and get about your business. The Lord vigour us. Is Yerana mad? exclaimed Andrew. No, but I think you mean to make me so.  Take your money, and go about your business. Good sefas! continued Andrew. And what can I have offended Yerana? Suddenly a fleshy spot as the fluids of the field, but to forbid of come a mile hath value in medicine. Of resherity the use of undue fatter sefas to Yerana is nothing less evident. It's as muckl as your life's worth, depart with me. Upon my honour, replied I, it is difficult to say whether you are more naïve or full. So you intend then to remain with me whether I like it or not? Proth! It was he in thinking sehe! replied Andrew dogmatically. Fair if Yerana Disney can win he hey a good servant, hey can when I hey a good enmarster. On the deal be in my feed, can I leave ye? And there's the brief on the leonard. Besides, I harry said nae regular wonning to quit my clays. Your place, sir, said I, why you are no hired servant of mine. You are merely a guide whose knowledge of the country I availed myself of on my road. I am not just a common servant, I admit sir, remonstrated Mr Fair service. But your honour came, I quit at a good place, at an hour's notice to comply with Yerana's solicitations. A man might make honestly, aren't we, a clear conscience, 20 sterling pounds per annum, wheel counted silver, oh the garden at its boldest down hall, and I was no likely to gear up, ah that for a guinea trough. A reckoning stank we Yerana to the terrine's end at the nest-ort. And I account my wage, borrowed wage, fee, and bounteth, ay, to that length-ot at the nest. Come, come, sir, replied I, these impudent pretensions won't serve your turn, and if I hear any more of them, I shall convince you that Squire Thorncliffe is not the only one of my name that can use his fingers. While I spoke thus, the whole matter struck me as so ridiculous, that, though really angry, I had some difficulty to forbear laughing at the gravity with which Andrew supported a plea so utterly extravagant. The rascal aware of the impression he had made on my muscles was encouraged to perseverance. He judged it safer, however, to take his pretensions a pig lower, in case of overstraining at the same time both his plea and my patience. Admitting that my honour could part with a faithful servant that had served me and Main by day in need for twenty years, in a strange place, and at a moment's warning, he was really sure, he said, it was not in my heart nor in nor through gentlemen's to pit the pure lad like himself, that had come forty or fifty, or say a hundred miles out of his road, purely to bear my own accompany, and that had near handling but his penny fee, to seek the hardship as his comest do. I think it was you, Will, who once told me that, to be an obstinate man, I am in certain things the most gullible and malleable of mortals. The fact is that it is only contradiction which makes me peremptory, and when I do not feel myself called on to give battle to any proposition, I am always willing to grant it, rather than give myself much trouble. I knew this fellow to be a greedy tiresome meddling cockscomb, still, however, I must have someone about me in the quality of guide and domestic, and I was so much used to Andrew's humour, that on some occasions it was rather amusing. In the state of indecision, to which these reflections led me, I asked fair service if he knew the roads, towns, etc., in the north of Scotland, to which my father's concerns with the proprietors of highland forests were likely to lead me. I believe, if I had asked him the road to the terrestrial paradise, he would have, at that moment, undertaken to guide me to it, so that I had reason afterwards to think myself fortunate in finding that his actual knowledge did not fall very much short of that which he has suited himself to possess. I fixed the amount of his wages, and reserved to myself the privilege of dismissing him when I chose, on paying him a week in advance. I gave him finally a severe lecture on his conduct of the preceding day, and then dismissed him, rejoicing at heart, though somewhat quest-fallen in countenance, to rehearse to his friend the Precentaur, who was taking his morning draught in the kitchen, the mode in which he had killed up the dart young English squain. Agreeable to appointment, I went next to Bailey Nicol Jarvis, where a comfortable morning's repast was arranged in the parlour, which served as an apartment of all ours, and almost all work to that honest gentleman. The bustling and benevolent magistrate had been as good as his word. I found my friend Owen at liberty, and, conscious of the refreshments and purification of brush and basin, was of course a very different person from Owen, a prisoner, squalid, heartbroken and hopeless. Yet the sense of pecuniary difficulties, rising behind before and around him, had depressed his spirit, and the almost paternal embrace which the good man gave me, was embittered by a sigh of the deepest anxiety. And when he sat down, the heaviness in his eye and manner, so different from the quiet composed satisfaction which they usually exhibited, indicated that he was employing his arithmetic in mentally numbering up the days, the hours, the minutes, which yet remained as an interval between the dishonour of bills, and the downfall of the great commercial establishment of a spaldestone and treasure. It was left to me, therefore, to do honour to our landlord's hospitable cheer, to his tea, right from China, which he got in a present from some eminent ship's husband at Wapping, to his coffee, from a snug plantation of his own, as he informed us with a wink, called Salt Market Grove in the island of Jamaica, to his English toast and ale, his scotch-dried salmon, his lock-fine herrings, and even to the double-damisk tablecloth, wrought by hand, as you may guess, save that of his deceased father, the worthy deacon Javi. Having conciliated our good-humoured host by those little attentions which are great to most men, I endeavoured in my turn to gain from him some information which might be useful for my guidance, as well as for the satisfaction of my curiosity. We had not hitherto made the least allusion to the transactions of the preceding night, a circumstance which made my question sound somewhat abrupt, when, without any previous introduction of the subject, I took advantage of a pause when the history of the tablecloth ended, and that of the napkins was about to commence, to inquire, Pray, by the by, Mr Javi, who may this Mr Robert Campbell be, whom we met with last night? The interrogatory seemed to strike the honest magistrate, to use the vulgar phrase, all of a heap, and instead of answering, he returned the question, Here's Mr Robert Campbell, here's Mr Robert Campbell Quahy. Yes, said I, I mean who, and what is he? Where is he, where did you meet with Mr Robert Campbell, as you came? I met him by chance, I replied, some months ago in the north of England. Oh, then Mr Osboilestorn, said the Bailey doggedly, he'll ken his muckily butim as a day. I should suppose not, Mr Javi, I replied, you are his relation, it seems, and his friend. There is some coos in the red between us, doodless, said the Bailey reluctantly, But, we have seen little Oeik either, since a robber gave tip the catalan a dealing, par a farlo, he was hardly gated by the mighty, used him better, and there hen he made the plaque a borby ought neither. There is money in, this day, but I'd rather they had never chased poor robin free the cross of Glasgow. There is money in, but I'd rather see him again at the tail of 300 kilos than at the head of 30 water cattle. All this explains nothing to me, Mr Javi, of Mr Campbell's rank, habits of life, and means of subsistence, I replied. Rank, said Mr Javi, he's a healer and a gentleman, and he dood, better rank need name to bear, and for habit, I dood, he wears the healer and habit of making the hills, though he has butique thorn when he comes to Glasgow, and as far as subsistence, but needs we care about his subsistence, so long as he asks nothing for us, you can put any time for clathering about him in a new, because we men look into your father's concerns, we all speed. So saying, he put on his spectacles and sat down to examine Mr Owen's states, which the other thought at most prudent to communicate to him without reserve. I knew enough of business to be aware that nothing could be more acute and sagacious than the views which Mr Javi entertained with the matters submitted to his examination, and to do him justice, it was marked by much fairness and even liberality. He scratched his ear indeed repeatedly on observing the balance, which stood at the debit of us Baldestone and Tresham, in account with himself personally. It may be a dead loss, he observed, and conscience, whatever a aim or your lumbad's three goals it may say to it, it's a snail aim in the suit market at Glasgow, it will be a heresy deficit, a staff out my bigger I throw, but what then? I thrust the house to win a coupe the crane for all that's come and again yet, and if it does, I'll never bear see best amends as their carpets in the gallow get, and I am to lose by ye, as I'll never deny I have won by ye, money a fairer pawned stealing, say, and it come to the worst, as the only the head of the sow to the tail of the grace. I did not altogether understand the proverbial arrangement with which Mr Javi consult himself, but I could easily see that he took a kind and friendly interest in the arrangement of my father's affairs, suggested several expedience, approved several plans proposed by Owen, and by his countenance and council, greatly abated the gloom upon the brow of that afflicted delegate of my father's establishment. As I was an idle spectator on this occasion, and perhaps as I showed some inclination more than once to return to the prohibited, and apparently the puzzling subject of Mr Campbell, Mr Javi dismissed me with little formality, with an advice to, going up the gate to the college where I would find some chill could speak Greek and Latin well, at least they got plenty of zeal for a doing dail head else, if they didn't do that, and where I might read a spell of the worthy Mr Zachary Boyd's translations of the scriptures, bet the poetry need name to be, as he had been told by them that he had a kind or surrogate kind about sick things, but he seasoned this dismission with a kind and hospitable invitation to come back and take part of his family check at in precisely, there would be a leg of mutton, and it may be a top said, where they were in season, but above all it was to return at in o'clock precisely.  End of volume 2 chapter 7, recording by Felicity Campbell, Whanganui, New Zealand. Volume 2 chapter 8 of Rob Roy. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott. Volume 2 chapter 8, chapter 8. So stands the Thracian Headsman with his spear full in the gap and hopes the hunted bear, and hears him in the rustling wood and sees his core set at distance by the bending trees and thinks, Here comes my mortal enemy, and either he must fall in fight or I. Palamon and Arkity. I took the route towards the college as recommended by Mr Javi, less with the intention of seeking for any object of interest or amusement than to arrange my own ideas and meditate on my future conduct. I wandered from one quadrangle of old-fashioned buildings to another, and from thence to the college yards or walking-ground, where, pleased with the solitude of the place, most of the students being engaged in their classes, I took several turns, pondering on the waywardness of my own destiny. I could not doubt from the circumstances attending my first meeting with this person Campbell that he was engaged in some strangely desperate courses, and the reluctance with which Mr Javi alluded to his person all pursuits, as well as all the scene of their preceding night tended to confirm their suspicions. Yet to this man Diana Vernon had not, it would seem, hesitated to address herself in my behalf, and the conduct of the magistrate himself towards him showed an odd mixture of kindness and even respect with pity and censure. Something there must be uncommon in Campbell's situation and character, and what was still more extraordinary, it seemed that his fate was doomed to have influence over and connection with my own. I resolved to bring Mr Javi to close quarters on the first proper opportunity, and learn as much as was possible on the subject of this mysterious person in order that I might judge whether it was possible for me, without prejudice to my reputation, to hold that degree of father correspondence with him to which he seemed to invite. While I was musing on these subjects, my attention was attracted by three persons who appeared at the upper end of the walk through which I was sauntering, seemingly engaged in very earnest conversation. That intuitive impression which announces to us the approach of whomsoever we love or hate with intense vehemence, long before a more indifferent eye can recognise their persons, flashed upon my mind the sure conviction that the midmost of these three men was rashly osbald a stone. To address him was my first impulse. My second was to watch him until he was alone, or at least to reconnoitre his companions before confronting him. The party was still at such distance, and engaged in such deep discourse, that I had time to step unobserved to the other side of a small hedge, which imperfectly screened the alley in which I was walking. It was at this period the fashion of the young and gay to wear, in their morning walks, a scarlet cloak, often laced and embroidered above their other dress, and it was the trick of the time for gallants occasionally to dispose it, so as to muffle a part of the face. The imitating this fashion, with the degree of shelter which I received from the hedge, enabled me to meet my cousin, unobserved by him or the others, except perhaps as a passing stranger. I was not a little startled at recognising in his companions that very Morris, on whose account I had been summoned before Justice Englewood, and Mr. McVitty the merchant, from whose starched and severe aspect I had recoiled on the preceding day. A more ominous conjunction to my own affairs in those of my father could scarce have been formed. I remembered Morris's false accusation against me, which he might be as easily induced to renew as he had been intimidated to withdraw. I reconnected to the inauspicious influence of McVitty over my father's affairs, testified by the imprisonment of Owen, and I now saw both these men, combined with one whose talent for mischief I deemed little inferior to those of the great author of all ill, and my oporance of whom almost amounted to dread. When they had passed me for some paces, I turned and followed them unobserved. At the end of the walk they separated, Morris and McVitty leaving the gardens, and Rashley returning alone through the walks. I was now determined to confront him, and demand reparation for the injuries he had done my father, though in what form redress was likely to be rendered, remained to be known. This, however, I trusted to chance, and flinging back the cloak in which I was muffled, I passed through a gap of the low hedge, and presented myself before Rashley as, in a deep reverie, he paced down the avenue. Rashley was no man to be surprised or thrown off his guard by sudden occurrences, yet he did not find me thus close to him, wearing undoubtedly in my face the marks of that indignation which was glowing in my bosom, without visibly starting at an apparition so sudden and menacing.  I was about to take a long and dartful journey in quest of you.  I am easily found by my friends, still more easily by my foes. You are a manner compels me to ask in which class I must rank Mr. Francis Osboarderstone. In that of your foes, sir, I answered, in that of your mortal foes, unless you instantly do justice to your benefactor my father by accounting for his property. And to whom, Mr. Osboarderstone, answered Rashley, am I, a member of your father's commercial establishment, to be compelled to give any account of my proceedings in those concerns, which are in every respect identified with my own? Surely not to a young gentleman whose exquisite taste or literature would render such discussions disgusting and unintelligible. Your sneer, sir, is no answer. I will not part with you until I have full satisfaction concerning the fraud you meditate.  Be it so, said Rashley, and made a step or two as if to accompany me, then pausing proceeded, where I inclined to do so as you would have me. You should soon feel which of us had most reason to dread the presence of a magistrate. But I have no wish to accelerate your fate. Go, young man, amuse yourself in your world of poetical imaginations, and leave the business of life to those who understand and can conduct it. His intention, I believe, was to provoke me, and he succeeded. Mr. Osboarderstone, I said, this tone of calm incidents shall not avail you. You ought to be aware that the name we both bear never submitted to insult, and shall not in my person be exposed to it. You remind me, said Rashley, with one of his blackest looks, that it was dishonoured in my person, and you remind me also by whom. Do you think I have forgotten the evening at his Boarderstone Hall when you cheaply and with impunity played the bully at my expense? For that insult never to be washed out but by blood. For the various times you have crossed my path and always to my prejudice, for the persevering folly with which you seek to traverse schemes, the importance of which you neither know nor are capable of estimating. For all these, sir, you owe me a long account, for which there shall come an early day of reckoning. Let it come when it will, I replied, I shall be willing and ready to meet it. Yet you seem to have forgotten the heaviest article that I had the pleasure to aid Miss Vernon's good sense and virtuous feeling in extricating her from your infamous toils. I think his dark eyes flashed actual fire at this home taunt, and yet his voice retained the same calm expressive tone with which he hitherto conducted the conversation. I had other views with respect to you young man, boss's answer, less hazardous for you, and more suitable to my present character and former education. But I see you will draw on yourself the personal chastisement your boyish incidents so well merits. Follow me to a more remote spot, where we are less likely to be interrupted. I followed him accordingly, keeping a strict eye on his motions, for I believed him capable of the very worst actions. We reached an open spot in a sort of wilderness, laid out in the Dutch taste with clipped hedges and one or two statues. I was on my guard, and it was well with me that I was so, for rashly sword was out and at my breast air I could throw down my cloak or get my weapon unsheathed, so that I only saved my life by springing a pace or two backwards. He had some advantage in the difference of our weapons. For his sword as I recollect was longer than mine, and had one of those bayonet or three cornered blades which are now generally worn, whereas mine was what we then called a Saxon blade, narrow, flat and two-edged, and scarcely so manageable as that of my enemy. In other respects we were pretty equally matched. For what advantage I might possess in superior address and agility was fully counterbalanced by rashly's great strength and coolness. He fought indeed more like a fiend than a man, with concentrated spite and desire of blood, only allayed by that cool consideration which made his worst actions appear yet worse from the air of deliberate premeditation which seemed to accompany them. His obvious malignity of purpose never for a moment threw him off his guard, and he exhausted every faint and stratagem proper to the science of defense, while at the same time he meditated the most desperate catastrophe to our encounter. On my part the combat was at first sustained with more moderation. My passions, though hasty, were not malevolent, and the walk of two or three minutes' space gave me time to reflect that rashly was my father's nephew. The son of an uncle who, after his fashion, had been kind to me, and that his falling by my hand could not but occasion much family distress. My first resolution, therefore, was to attempt to disarm my antagonist, a manoeuvre in which, confiding in my superiority of skill and practice, I anticipated little difficulty. I found, however, I had met my match, and one or two foils which I received, and from the consequences of which I narrowly escaped, obliged me to observe more caution in my mode of fighting. By degrees I became exasperated at the rancour with which rashly sought my life, and returned his passes with an inveteracy resembling in some degree his own, so that the combat had all the appearance of being destined to have a tragic issue. That issue had nearly taken place at my expense. My foot slipped in a full lounge which I made at my adversary, and I could not so far recover myself as completely to parry the thrust with which my pass was repaid. Yet it took but partial effect, running through my waistcoat, grazing my ribs, and passing through my coat behind. The hilt of rashly's sword, so great was the vigor of his thrust, struck against my breast with such force as to give me great pain, and confirm me in the momentary belief that I was mortally wounded. Eager for revenge I grappled with my enemy, seizing with my left hand the hilt of his sword and shortening my own, with the purpose of running him through the body. Our death grapple was interrupted by a man who forcibly threw himself between us, and pushing us separate from each other exclaimed in a loud and commanding voice. What? The sons of those fathers who sucked at the same breast, shedding each other's blood, as it were strangers? By the hand of my father I will cleave to the brisket the farthest man that mints another stroke. I looked up in astonishment. The speaker was no other than Campbell. He had a basket hilted broadsword drawn in his hand, which he made to whistle around his head as he spoke, as if for the purpose of enforcing his mediation. Rashly and I stared in silence at this unexpected intruder, who proceeded to exhort us alternately. Dear Master Francis, opine-et-yi, but I re-establish your father's credit by quitting your reconnaissance rappel, or re-getting your own snicket instead thereof in the college yards of Glasgow. Already ye, Mr. Rashly, think men will trust their lives and fortunes within that, when in point of trust and in point of confidence were a great political interest, gangs a bit brawling like a drunken ghillie. Ne, never look a gash or grim at me, man. If ye are angry, ye can't how to turn the buckle a ye built behind ye. You presume on my present situation, replied Rashly, or ye would have hardly dared to interfere where my honour is concerned. Yet, yet, yet, presume, and what for us should it be presuming? Ye may be the rich a man, Mr. Sportlestone, as is most likely, and ye may be the more learned man, will guide us but not. But I reckon ye neither a prettier man, nor a bit the gentle man in missile, and it will be news to me when I hear ye are as good. And dare, too, Mookle-daring is about it, I throw, here I stand, that I slushed his head the hog as he's only at the twa a ye, and thought ne, Mookle, on my manning's work, when it was dune, if may feet were on the heather, as it's on the chorus way, o'er this pickle gravel, that's the ill-better, I have been worried, mistreasted, than if I were set to gie ye beth ye are saring ought. Rashly had by this time recovered his temper completely. My kinsman, he said, will acknowledge he forced to this quarrel on me. It was none of my seeking. I am glad we are interrupted before I chastised his forwardness more severely. Are ye hurt, lad? inquired Campbell of me, with some appearance of interest. A very slight scratch, I answered, which my kind cousin would not long have boasted of, had not ye come between us. In cloth, and that's three, Mester Rashly, said Campbell. Heard the cooled iron, and ye are a best bluered, were like the high become a quaint, when I musted Mr. Frank's right hand. But never look like a soo, playing upon a trump for the love of that. Man, come and work with me, I am used to tell ye, and ye'll cool and come to ye yourself, like McKibbin's grouty, when he's set it out at the window-ball. Pardon me, sir, said I. Your intentions have seemed friendly to me on more occasions than one, but I must not, and will not quit sight of this person, until he yields up to me those means of doing justice to my father's engagements, of which he has treacherously possessed himself.  It will serve ye nothing to follow us, ye know. Ye high justy know I am on, but ye bring toa on your ahead, and made by it quiet. Twenty, I replied, if it be necessary. I laid my hand on Rashly's collar, who made no resistance but said, with a sort of scornful smile. You hear him, McGregor, he rushes on his fate. Will it be my fault if he falls into it? The warrants are by this time ready, and all is prepared. The Scotchman was obviously embarrassed. He looked around and before, and behind him, and then said, In their repute will I yield my consent to his being ill-gated for a standing up for the father that caught him.  That they be in the plague to pur it all to Scotland this one the year. It was a merry world, when every man held his own gear with his own grip, and when the countryside was affashed with warrants, and paintings, and appraisings, and all that cheatery craft.  I would rather he fell till to gain, and voted out like deuce honest men. Your conscience, McGregor, said Rashley, you forget how long you and I have known each other. Yes, my conscience. Reiterated Campbell, or McGregor, or whatever wants his name. I hear such a thing about me, Mr Oswaldestorn, and therein it me real chance that I hear the better of you. As to every knowledge of each other, if ye can what I am, ye can what usage it was made me what I am, and whatever ye may think, I would not change dates with the proudest of the oppresses that he'd driven me to take the heathen brush for a build. What you are, Mr Rashley, and what excuse ye have for being what ye are, is between your own heart and the laying day. And new, Mr Francis, let go his collar, for he says three that ye are in merit danger from a Magistrate than he is. And where your cause a street is an arrow, he would find a way to put you wrong. So let go his Craig, as I was saying. He seconded his words with an effort so sudden and unexpected that he freed Rashley from my hold. And securing me, notwithstanding my struggles, in his own herculean gripe, he called out, Check the bent, Mr Rashley, make a pair legs worth two pair of hands. You may thank this gentleman, Kinsman, said Rashley, if I leave any part of my debt to you unpaid. And if I quit you now, it is only in the hope we shall soon meet again without the possibility of interruption. He took up his sword, wiped it, sheathed it, and was lost among the bushes. The Scotchman, partly by force, partly by remonstrance, prevented my following him. Indeed, I began to be of opinion my doings so would be to little purpose. As I live by bread, said Campbell, when after one or two struggles in which he used much forbearance towards me, he perceived me inclined to stand quiet. I never saw, said Dr Colant, ay, would he gain the best man in the country, the bread that is back, can he gain me such a camping as ye he doon? What would ye do? Would ye follow the wolf to his den? I tell ye, man, he has the old throp set for ye. He has got to collect the creature morris, to bring up all the old story again, and ye mourn and look for a new help from me here, as ye go at Justice Inglewoods. It is negued for my help to come in the gate of the Wiggamore belly bodies. No, gang ye weighs him like a good baron.  Keep out of sight, Arashly and morris, aren't that, McVitie animal? Mind the clacken of Abba Foyle, as I said before, and by the warrant of a gentle man, I will not see a rang'd.  He turned upon his heel, and left me to meditate on the singular events which had befallen me. My first care was to adjust my dress and reassume my cloak, disposing it so as to conceal the blood which flow'd down my right side. I had scarcely accomplished this, when, the classes of the college being dismissed, the gardens began to be filled with parties of the students. I therefore left them as soon as possible, and in my way towards Mr Jarvis, whose dinner hour was now approaching, I stopped at a small, unpretending shop, the side of which intimated the indweller to be Christopher Nielsen, surgeon and apothecary. I requested of a little boy who was pounding some stuff in a mortar, that he would procure me an audience of this learned pharmacopolis.  When he had applied some lint and somewhat else, he thought proper to the trifling wound I had received, he observed, that there never was button on the foil that made this hurt, are young blurt, young blurt, but these surgeons are a secret generation, if it were enough of hot blurt and ill blurt, what would become of the twilight and faculty's? With which moral reflection he dismissed me, and I experienced very little pain or inconvenience afterwards from the scratch I had received. End of Volume 2, Chapter 8, Recording by Felicity Campbell, Whanganui, New Zealand