180                                   KIDNAPPED.
Having thus set folks' minds at rest, we came clown
the brae, and were met at the yard gate (for this place
was like a well-doing farm) by a tall, handsome man of
more than fifty, who cried out to Alan in the Gaelic.
"James Stewart," said Alan, "I will ask ye to speak
in Scotch, for here is a young gentleman with me that
has nane of the other. This is him," he added, putting
his arm through mine, "a young gentleman of the
lowlands, and a laird in his country too, but I am think-
ing it will be the better for his health if we give his
name the go-by."
James of the Glens turned to me for a moment, and
greeted me courteously enough ; the next he had turned
to Alan.
"This has been a dreadful accident." he cried. "It
will bring trouble on the country." And he wrung his
hands.
"Hoots!" said Alan, "ye must take the sour with
the sweet, man. Colin Roy is dead, and be thankful for
that!"
"Ay," said James, "and by my troth, I wish he
was alive again! It's all very fine to blow an'd boast
beforehand; but now it's done, Alan; and who's to bear
the wyte* of it? The accident fell out in Appin-mind
ye that, Alan; it's Appin that must pay; and I am a
man that has a family."
While this was going on I looked about me at the
servants. Some were on ladders, digging in the thatch
* Blame.