human
Now, Flemming, he said, at the conclusion,
gpt
It gets beyond me, your majesty. Thieving is not right unless it's done under cover of law, which these reiving lads to the South seem to take small account of. On the other hand, to destroy them root and branch may be leaving Scotland naked to her enemy. I admit I'm fairly in a corner.
human
You're as bad as I am, cobbler,
gpt
There is one point, commented the king,
human
That certainly speaks well for the villains,
gpt
Then what is your verdict,
human
Well, I kind of think I should leave them alone,
gpt
Do you agree with him, David?
human
I'm not sure but I do. It seems a choice of two evils.
gpt
Well, of all half-hearted counsellors, King James has the champion pair; and yet I had made up my mind before I asked the advice of either of you.
human
And what was that? inquired Sir David,
gpt
No.
human
To leave them alone?
gpt
No.
human
What then?
gpt
What then? Why, just to get a little surer information. Here are three men of open minds. I propose that for the next week, or thereabouts, we three shall be honest cattle merchants, who will mount our honest horses and take a quiet bit journey along the Border. The scenery, they tell me, is grand, and David here will make poems on it. It's a healthy country, and the cobbler has been bending too assiduously over broken shoes of late, so the fresh air and the exercise will do him good.
human
Losh, your majesty! cried the cobbler, in dismay,
gpt
I'm no horseman. I never rode any four-legged thing but a cobbler's bench, and that side-saddle fashion.
human
Oh, you'll have learnt when we reach the Border, said the king, with a laugh.
gpt
Before two days are past you'll be riding as well as Sir David, who is at present the worst horseman in all Scotland.
human
Pegasus is the steed I yearn to ride,
gpt
Yes, and even it sometimes throws you, David. You'll never be the Psalmist your namesake was. Well, we'll look on it as agreed. Flemming shall be purse-bearer, and so our tour will be an economical one. Here is a purse well filled. You will look after the drover's costumes, make all disbursements, and take care that you do not betray us by undue lavishness.