“There’ll be Andie Scougal, in the _Thristle_,” replied Rob. “I saw Hoseason the other day, but it seems he’s wanting the ship. Then there’ll be Tam Stobo; but I’m none so sure of Tam. I’ve seen him colloguing with some gey queer acquaintances; and if was anybody important, I would give Tam the go-by.” “The head’s worth two hundred pounds, Robin,” said Stewart. “Gosh, that’ll no be Alan Breck!” cried the clerk. “Just Alan,” said his master. “Weary winds! that’s sayrious,” cried Robin. “I’ll try Andie, then; Andie’ll be the best.” “It seems it’s quite a big business,” I observed. “Mr. Balfour, there’s no end to it,” said Stewart. “There was a name your clerk mentioned,” I went on: “Hoseason. That must be my man, I think: Hoseason, of the brig _Covenant_. Would you set your trust on him?” “He didnae behave very well to you and Alan,” said Mr. Stewart; “but my mind of the man in general is rather otherwise. If he had taken Alan on board his ship on an agreement, it’s my notion he would have proved a just dealer. How say ye, Rob?” “No more honest skipper in the trade than Eli,” said the clerk. “I would lippen to [5] Eli’s word—ay, if it was the Chevalier, or Appin himsel’,” he added. “And it was him that brought the doctor, wasnae’t?” asked the master. “He was the very man,” said the clerk. “And I think he took the doctor back?” says Stewart. “Ay, with his sporran full!” cried Robin. “And Eli kent of that!” [6] “Well, it seems it’s hard to ken folk rightly,” said I. “That was just what I forgot when ye came in, Mr. Balfour!” says the Writer. CHAPTER III. I GO TO PILRIG The next morning, I was no sooner awake in my new lodging than I was up and into my new clothes; and no sooner the breakfast swallowed, than I was forth on my adventurers. Alan, I could hope, was fended for; James was like to be a more difficult affair, and I could not but think that enterprise might cost me dear, even as everybody said to whom I had opened my opinion. It seemed I was come to the top of the mountain only to cast myself down; that I had clambered up, through so many and hard trials, to be rich, to be recognised, to wear city clothes and a sword to my side, all to commit mere suicide at the last end of it, and the worst kind of suicide, besides, which is to get hanged at the King’s charges.