human
I heard you were prisoner at Stirling?
gpt
Prisoner, sir!
human
What an absurd rumour. MacDonald a prisoner! I assure you he was no more a prisoner at Stirling Castle than he is at this moment in Dunvegan Castle.
gpt
Ah, said McLeod turning again to the farmer, his eyes partially closing, examining the other with more severe scrutiny than had previously been the case.
human
He was at liberty to come and go as he pleased, then?
gpt
As free as air, sir; otherwise how could he have visited my slight holding and thus become acquainted with me?
human
I thought perhaps he had met you in the courtyard of Stirling with a sack of corn on your shoulder.
gpt
I said a _small_ farmer certainly, but I am not quite so unimportant as you seem to imply. I have a better horse to carry my corn than the one that to-day carried me to Dunvegan.
human
You came to Skye then to see the king's boat, of which you had heard favourable report? The news of her seems to have travelled very quickly.
gpt
Indeed and that's true, said the king complacently.
human
Information spreads rapidly in the Highlands.
gpt
It seems to spread to the Lowlands as well. You heard the king's proclamation perhaps?
human
Yes, we heard the pronouncement.
gpt
It's possible you came from the fleet?
human
No. We came overland.
gpt
Had you heard of the fame of Malcolm's boat before you left Stirling?
human
I did not say we left Stirling. As a matter of fact we left the small village of Doune some miles to the north of it, and at that time had heard nothing either of Malcolm or his boat.
gpt
Hum,