Похищенный
Chapter 12
“And,goodheaven,man,”criedI,“youthatareacondemnedrebel,andadeserter,andamanoftheFrenchKing’s—whattemptsyebackintothiscountry?It’sabravingofProvidence.”
“Tut!”saysAlan,“Ihavebeenbackeveryyearsinceforty-six!”
“Andwhatbringsye,man?”criedI.
“Well,yesee,Iwearyformyfriendsandcountry,”saidhe.“Franceisabrawplace,naedoubt;butIwearyfortheheatherandthedeer.AndthenIhavebitthingsthatIattendto.WhilesIpickupafewladstoservetheKingofFrance:recruits,yesee;andthat’sayealittlemoney.Buttheheartofthematteristhebusinessofmychief,Ardshiel.”
“IthoughttheycalledyourchiefAppin,”saidI.
“Ay,butArdshielisthecaptainoftheclan,”saidhe,whichscarcelyclearedmymind.“Yesee,David,hethatwasallhislifesogreataman,andcomeofthebloodandbearingthenameofkings,isnowbroughtdowntoliveinaFrenchtownlikeapoorandprivateperson.Hethathadfourhundredswordsathiswhistle,Ihaveseen,withtheseeyesofmine,buyingbutterinthemarket-place,andtakingithomeinakale-leaf.Thisisnotonlyapainbutadisgracetousofhisfamilyandclan.Therearethebairnsforby,thechildrenandthehopeofAppin,thatmustbelearnedtheirlettersandhowtoholdasword,inthatfarcountry.
