140                                   KIDNAPPED.
I was for getting angry, and appealed to the rich
man (Hector Maclean was his name) who had been a
witness to our bargain and to my payment of the five
shillings. But Maclean had taken his share of the
punch, and vowed that no gentleman should leave his
table after the bowl was brewed; so there was nothing
for it but to sit and hear Jacobite toasts and Gaelic
songs, till all were tipsy and staggered off to the bed or
the barn for their night's rest.
Next day (the fourth of my travels) we were up
before five upon the clock; but my rascal guide got to
the bottle at once, and it was three hours before I had
him clear of the house, and then (as you shall hear) only
for a worse disappointment.
As long as we went down a heathery valley that lay
before Mr. Maclean's house, all went well; only my
guide looked constantly over his shoulder, and when I
asked him the cause, only grinned at me. No sooner,
however, had we crossed the back of a hill, and got out
of sight of the house windows, than he told me Torosay
lay right in front, and that a hill-top (which he pointed
out) was my best landmark.
"I care very little for that." said I, "since you are
going with me."
The impudent cheat answered me in the Gaelic that
he had no English.
"My fine fellow," I said, "I know very well your
English comes and goes. Tell me what will bring it
back ? Is it more money you wish?"