Master of Ballantrae | Page 6

able, but an
honest, solid sort of lad like many of his neighbours. Little heard, I say;
but indeed it was a case of little spoken. He was known among the
salmon fishers in the firth, for that was a sport that he assiduously
followed; he was an excellent good horse-doctor besides; and took a
chief hand, almost from a boy, in the management of the estates. How
hard a part that was, in the situation of that family, none knows better

than myself; nor yet with how little colour of justice a man may there
acquire the reputation of a tyrant and a miser. The fourth person in the
house was Miss Alison Graeme, a near kinswoman, an orphan, and the
heir to a considerable fortune which her father had acquired in trade.
This money was loudly called for by my lord's necessities; indeed the
land was deeply mortgaged; and Miss Alison was designed accordingly
to be the Master's wife, gladly enough on her side; with how much
good-will on his, is another matter. She was a comely girl, and in those
days very spirited and self-willed; for the old lord having no daughter
of his own, and my lady being long dead, she had grown up as best she
might.
To these four came the news of Prince Charlie's landing, and set them
presently by the ears. My lord, like the chimney-keeper that he was,
was all for temporising. Miss Alison held the other side, because it
appeared romantical; and the Master (though I have heard they did not
agree often) was for this once of her opinion. The adventure tempted
him, as I conceive; he was tempted by the opportunity to raise the
fortunes of the house, and not less by the hope of paying off his private
liabilities, which were heavy beyond all opinion. As for Mr. Henry, it
appears he said little enough at first; his part came later on. It took the
three a whole day's disputation, before they agreed to steer a middle
course, one son going forth to strike a blow for King James, my lord
and the other staying at home to keep in favour with King George.
Doubtless this was my lord's decision; and, as is well known, it was the
part played by many considerable families. But the one dispute settled,
another opened. For my lord, Miss Alison, and Mr. Henry all held the
one view: that it was the cadet's part to go out; and the Master, what
with restlessness and vanity, would at no rate consent to stay at home.
My lord pleaded, Miss Alison wept, Mr. Henry was very plain spoken:
all was of no avail.
"It is the direct heir of Durrisdeer that should ride by his King's bridle,"
says the Master.
"If we were playing a manly part," says Mr. Henry, "there might be
sense in such talk. But what are we doing? Cheating at cards!"
"We are saving the house of Durrisdeer, Henry," his father said.
"And see, James," said Mr. Henry, "if I go, and the Prince has the upper
hand, it will be easy to make your peace with King James. But if you

go, and the expedition fails, we divide the right and the title. And what
shall I be then?"
"You will be Lord Durrisdeer," said the Master. "I put all I have upon
the table."
"I play at no such game," cries Mr. Henry. "I shall be left in such a
situation as no man of sense and honour could endure. I shall be neither
fish nor flesh!" he cried. And a little after he had another expression,
plainer perhaps than he intended. "It is your duty to be here with my
father," said he. "You know well enough you are the favourite."
"Ay?" said the Master. "And there spoke Envy! Would you trip up my
heels - Jacob?" said he, and dwelled upon the name maliciously.
Mr. Henry went and walked at the low end of the hall without reply; for
he had an excellent gift of silence. Presently he came back.
"I am the cadet and I SHOULD go," said he. "And my lord here in the
master, and he says I SHALL go. What say ye to that, my brother?"
"I say this, Harry," returned the Master, "that when very obstinate folk
are met, there are only two ways out: Blows - and I think none of us
could care to go so far; or the arbitrament of chance - and here is a
guinea piece. Will you stand by the toss of the coin?"
"I will stand and fall by it," said Mr. Henry. "Heads, I go; shield, I
stay."
The coin was spun, and it fell shield. "So there is a lesson for Jacob,"
says