I   TALK   WITH   ALAN   IN   THE   WOOD.                  171
shot the bullet, I think the best place for him will be
the heather. Them that havenae dipped their hands in
any little difficulty, should be very mindful of the case
of them that have. And that is the good Christianity.
For if it was the other way round about, and the lad
whom I couldnae just clearly see had been in our shoes,
and we in his (as might very well have been) I think
we would be a good deal obliged to him oursel's if he
would draw the soldiers."
When it came to this, I gave Alan up. But he
looked so innocent all the time, and was in such clear
good faith in what he said, and so ready to sacrifice
himself for what he deemed his duty, that my mouth
was closed. Mr. Henderland's words came back to me:
that we ourselves might take a lesson by these wild
Highlanders. Well, here I had taken mine. Alan's
morals were all tail-first; but he was ready to give his
life for them, such as they were.
"Alan," said I, "I'll not say it's the good Christi-
anity as I understand it, but it's good enough. And
here I offer ye my hand for the second time."
Whereupon he gave me both of his, saying surely I
had cast a spell upon him, for he could forgive me any-
thing. Then he grew very grave, and said we had not
much time to throw away, but must both flee that
country: he, because he was a deserter, and the whole of
Appin would now be searched like a chamber, and every
one obliged to give a good account of himself; and I,
because I was certainly involved in the murder.