or Ardgour, or in Morven, or Arisaig, or Morar; or, in brief, where ye

please, within thirty miles of my own country; except in a country of

the Campbells. That's a broad target. If ye miss that, ye must be as

feckless at the sailoring as I have found ye at the fighting. Why, my

poor country people in their bit cobles* pass from island to island in

all weathers, ay, and by night too, for the matter of that."

*Coble: a small boat used in fishing.

"A coble's not a ship, sir," said the captain. "It has nae draught of

water."

"Well, then, to Glasgow if ye list!" says Alan. "We'll have the laugh of

ye at the least."

"My mind runs little upon laughing," said the captain. "But all this

will cost money, sir."

"Well, sir" says Alan, "I am nae weathercock. Thirty guineas, if ye land

me on the sea-side; and sixty, if ye put me in the Linnhe Loch."

"But see, sir, where we lie, we are but a few hours' sail from

Ardnamurchan," said Hoseason. "Give me sixty, and I'll set ye there."

"And I'm to wear my brogues and run jeopardy of the red-coats to please

you?" cries Alan. "No, sir; if ye want sixty guineas earn them, and set

me in my own country."

"It's to risk the brig, sir," said the captain, "and your own lives

along with her."

"Take it or want it," says Alan.

"Could ye pilot us at all?" asked the captain, who was frowning to

himself.

"Well, it's doubtful," said Alan. "I'm more of a fighting man (as ye

have seen for yoursel') than a sailor-man. But I have been often enough

picked up and set down upon this coast, and should ken something of the

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