Похищенный
Chapter 18
”
“AndyettherewasonethingIsawclearly,”saidI;“andthatwas,thatyouexposedyourselfandmetodrawthesoldiers.”
“It’sverylikely,”saidAlan;“andsowouldanygentleman.Youandmewereinnocentofthattransaction.”
“Thebetterreason,sincewewerefalselysuspected,thatweshouldgetclear,”Icried.“Theinnocentshouldsurelycomebeforetheguilty.”
“Why,David,”saidhe,“theinnocenthaveayeachancetogetassoiledincourt;butfortheladthatshotthebullet,Ithinkthebestplaceforhimwillbetheheather.Themthathavenaedippedtheirhandsinanylittledifficulty,shouldbeverymindfulofthecaseofthemthathave.AndthatisthegoodChristianity.Forifitwastheotherwayroundabout,andtheladwhomIcouldnaejustclearlyseehadbeeninourshoes,andweinhis(asmightverywellhavebeen),Ithinkwewouldbeagooddealobligedtohimoursel’sifhewoulddrawthesoldiers.”
Whenitcametothis,IgaveAlanup.Buthelookedsoinnocentallthetime,andwasinsuchcleargoodfaithinwhathesaid,andsoreadytosacrificehimselfforwhathedeemedhisduty,thatmymouthwasclosed.Mr.Henderland’swordscamebacktome:thatweourselvesmighttakealessonbythesewildHighlanders.Well,hereIhadtakenmine.Alan’smoralswerealltail-first;buthewasreadytogivehislifeforthem,suchastheywere.
“Alan,”saidI,“I’llnotsayit’sthegoodChristianityasIunderstandit,butit’sgoodenough.AndhereIofferyemyhandforthesecondtime.
