Nay, and he hit me with the other end
of the stick; for he accused me of a kind of artful cowardice,
going about at the expense of a little risk to purchase greater
safety. No doubt, until I had declared and cleared myself, I might
any day encounter Mungo Campbell or the sheriff's officer, and be
recognised, and dragged into the Appin murder by the heels; and, no
doubt, in case I could manage my declaration with success, I should
breathe more free for ever after. But when I looked this argument
full in the face I could see nothing to be ashamed of. As for the
rest, "Here are the two roads," I thought, "and both go to the same
place. It's unjust that James should hang if I can save him; and
it would be ridiculous in me to have talked so much and then do
nothing. It's lucky for James of the Glens that I have boasted
beforehand; and none so unlucky for myself, because now I'm
committed to do right. I have the name of a gentleman and the
means of one; it would be a poor duty that I was wanting in the
essence." And then I thought this was a Pagan spirit, and said a
prayer in to myself, asking for what courage I might lack, and that
I might go straight to my duty like a soldier to battle, and come
off again scatheless, as so many do.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45