Chapter 30

           SofarasIwasconcernedmyself,Ihadcometoport;butIhadstillAlan,towhomIwassomuchbeholden,onmyhands;andIfeltbesidesaheavychargeinthematterofthemurderandJamesoftheGlens.OnboththeseheadsIunbosomedtoRankeillorthenextmorning,walkingtoandfroaboutsixoftheclockbeforethehouseofShaws,andwithnothinginviewbutthefieldsandwoodsthathadbeenmyancestors’andwerenowmine.EvenasIspokeonthesegravesubjects,myeyewouldtakeagladbitofarunovertheprospect,andmyheartjumpwithpride.

           Aboutmycleardutytomyfriend,thelawyerhadnodoubt.Imusthelphimoutofthecountyatwhateverrisk;butinthecaseofJames,hewasofadifferentmind.

           “Mr.Thomson,”sayshe,“isonething,Mr.Thomson’skinsmanquiteanother.Iknowlittleofthefacts,butIgatherthatagreatnoble(whomwewillcall,ifyoulike,theD.ofA.)hassomeconcernandisevensupposedtofeelsomeanimosityinthematter.TheD.ofA.isdoubtlessanexcellentnobleman;but,Mr.David,timeoquinocueredeos.Ifyouinterferetobalkhisvengeance,youshouldrememberthereisonewaytoshutyourtestimonyout;andthatistoputyouinthedock.There,youwouldbeinthesamepickleasMr.Thomson’skinsman.Youwillobjectthatyouareinnocent;well,butsoishe.AndtobetriedforyourlifebeforeaHighlandjury,onaHighlandquarrelandwithaHighlandJudgeuponthebench,wouldbeabrieftransitiontothegallows.