human
Ay, Davie, ye're a queer character, says he, when I had done:
gpt
he added;
human
One thing we have to consider, said I.
gpt
Was Charles Stewart right or wrong? Is it only me they're after, or the pair of us?
human
And what's your ain opinion, you that's a man of so much experience?
gpt
It passes me,
human
And me too, says Alan.
gpt
Do ye think this lass would keep her word to ye?
human
I do that,
gpt
Well, there's nae telling, said he.
human
And anyway, that's over and done: he'll be joined to the rest of them lang syne.
gpt
How many would ye think there would be of them?
human
That depends, said Alan.
gpt
If it was only you, they would likely send two-three lively, brisk young birkies, and if they thought that I was to appear in the employ, I daresay ten or twelve,
human
And I think your own two eyes will have seen me drive that number, or the double of it, nearer hand!
gpt
It matters the less, said I,
human
Nae doubt that's your opinion, said he;
gpt
No doubt that's a branch of education that was left out with me,
human
And I can see the marks of it upon ye constantly, said Alan.
gpt
But that's the strange thing about you folk of the college learning: ye're ignorant, and ye cannae see 't. Wae's me for my Greek and Hebrew; but, man, I ken that I dinnae ken them--there's the differ of it. Now, here's you. Ye lie on your wame a bittie in the bield of this wood, and ye tell me that ye've cuist off these Frasers and Macgregors. Why! _Because I couldnae see them_, says you. Ye blockhead, that's their livelihood.
human
Take the worst of it, said I,
gpt
I am thinking of that same, said he.
human
We might twine. It wouldnae be greatly to my taste; and forbye that, I see reasons against it. First, it's now unco dark, and it's just humanly possible we might give them the clean slip. If we keep together, we make but the ae line of it; if we gang separate, we make twae of them: the more likelihood to stave in upon some of these gentry of yours. And then, second, if they keep the track of us, it may come to a fecht for it yet, Davie; and then, I'll confess I would be blythe to have you at my oxter, and I think you would be none the worse of having me at yours. So, by my way of it, we should creep out of this wood no further gone than just the inside of next minute, and hold away east for Gillane, where I'm to find my ship. It'll be like old days while it lasts, Davie; and (come the time) we'll have to think what you should be doing. I'm wae to leave ye here, wanting me.
gpt
Have with ye, then! says I.
human
Do ye gang back where you were stopping.
gpt
De'il a fear! said Alan.
human
They were good folks to me, but I think they would be a good deal disappointed if they saw my bonny face again. For (the way times go) I amnae just what ye could call a Walcome Guest. Which makes me the keener for your company, Mr. David Balfour of the Shaws, and set ye up! For, leave aside twa cracks here in the wood with Charlie Stewart, I have scarce said black or white since the day we parted at Corstorphine.