第6章
CHAPTERXXV。
RUMOURS。
AlmostfromthefirstmomentofhisbeingdomiciledonGlashgar，whatwiththegoodfood，thefineexercise，theexquisiteair，andhisgreathappiness，Gibbiebegantogrow;andhetooktogrowingsofastthathislegssoonshotfaroutofhiswinseygarment。But，ofallplaces，thatwasasmallmatterinGormgarnet，wherethekiltwasascommonastrowsers。Hiswirylimbsgrewlargerwithoutlosingtheirfirmnessorelasticity;hischest，theeffortinrunninguphillconstantlyalternatedwiththereliefofrunning，down，rapidlyexpanded，andhislungsgrewhardyaswellaspowerful;tillhebecameatlengthsuchinwindandmuscle，thathecouldrundownawaywardsheepalmostaswellasOscar。Andhisnervegrewalsowithhisbodyandstrength，tillhiscoolnessandcourageweresplendid。Never，whenthetideofhisaffairsranmostintheshallows，hadGibbiehadmuchacquaintancewithfears，butnowhehadforgottenthetasteofthem，andwouldhaveencounteredawildhighlandbullaloneonthemountain，asreadilyastieCrummieupinherbyre。
Oneafternoon，Donal，havinggotahalf-holiday，bythehelpofafriendandthefavourofMistressJean，camehometoseehismother，andhavinggreetedher，setouttofindGibbie。Hehadgonealongway，lookingandcallingwithoutsuccess，andhadcomeinsightofacertaintinyloch，ortarn，thatfilledahollowofthemountain。
ItwascalledtheDeidPot;andtheoldawe，amountingnearlytoterror，withwhichinhischildhoodhehadregardedit，returneduponhim，themomenthesawthedarkgleamofit，nearlyasstrongasever——anaweindescribable，arisingfrommingledfeelingsofdepth，anddarkness，andlateralrecesses，andunknownserpent-likefishes。Thepot，thoughsmallinsurface，wastrulyofunknowndepth，andhadelementsofdreadaboutittellinguponfarlessactiveimaginationsthanDonal’s。Whilehestoodgazingatit，almostafraidtogonearer，agreatsplashthatechoedfromthesteeprockssurroundingit，broughthisheartintohismouth，andimmediatelyfollowedaloudbarking，inwhichherecognizedthevoiceofOscar。Beforehehadwellbeguntothinkwhatitcouldmean，Gibbieappearedontheoppositesideoftheloch，highaboveitslevel，onthetopoftherocksformingitsbasin。Hebeganinstantlyarapiddescenttowardsthewater，wheretherocksweresosteep，andthefootingsoprecarious，thatOscarwiselyremainedatthetop，norattemptedtofollowhim。PresentlythedogcaughtsightofDonal，wherehestoodonalowerlevel，whencethewaterwascomparativelyeasyofaccess，andstartingoffatfullspeed，joinedhim，withmuchdemonstrationofwelcome。ButhereceivedlittlenoticefromDonal，whosegazewasfixed，withmuchwonderandmorefear，onthedescendingGibbie。Sometwentyfeetfromthesurfaceoftheloch，hereachedapointwhenceclearly，inDonal’sjudgment，therewasnopossibilityoffartherdescent。ButDonalwasnevermoremistaken;forthatinstantGibbieflashedfromthefaceoftherockheadforemost，likeafishingbird，intothelake。
Donalgaveacry，andrantotheedgeofthewater，accompaniedbyOscar，who，allthetime，hadshowednoanxiety，buthadstoodwagginghistail，andutteringnowandthenalittlehalf-disappointedwhine;neithernowwerehismotionsasheranotherthanthoseoffrolicandexpectancy。Whentheyreachedtheloch，therewasGibbiealreadybutafewyardsfromtheonlypossiblelanding-place，swimmingwithonehand，whileintheotherarmheheldababylamb，itsheadlyingquitestillonhisshoulder：
ithadbeenstunnedbythefall，butmightcomeroundagain。ThenfirstDonalbegantoperceivethatthecraturwasgrowinganathlete。Whenhelanded，hegaveDonalamerrylaughofwelcome，butwithoutstoppingflewupthehilltotakethelambtoitsmother。Freshfromtheicywater，heransofastthatitwasallDonalcoulddotokeepupwithhim。
TheDeidPot，then，taughtGibbiewhatswimmingitcould，whichwasnotmuch，andwhatdivingitcould，whichwasmore;butthenightsofthefollowingsummer，wheneverybodyonmountainandvalleywereasleep，andthemoonshone，hewouldoftengodowntotheDaur，andthrowinghimselfintoitsdeepestreaches，spendhoursinlonelysportwithwaterandwindandmoon。Hehadbythattimelearnedthingsknowingwhichamancanneverbelonesome。
Thefewgoatsonthemountainwereforatimeveryinimicaltohim。
Sooftendidtheybutthimover，causinghimsometimesseverebruises，thatatlastheresolvedtotryconclusionswiththem;andwhennextagoatmadearushathim，heseizedhimbythehornsandwrestledwithhimmightily。Thisexerciseoncebegun，heprovokedengagements，untilhisstrengthandaptitudeweresuchandsowellknown，thatnotabilly-goatonGlashgarwouldhavetodowithhim。
Butwhenhesawthateveryoneofthemranathisapproach，Gibbie，whocouldnotbeartobeindiscordwithanycreature，changedhisbehaviourtowardsthem，andtookequalpainstoreconcilethemtohim——norrestedbeforehehadentirelysucceeded。
EverytimeDonalcamehome，hewouldbringsomebookofversewithhim，and，leadingGibbietosomehollow，shadyorshelteredasthetimerequired，wouldtherereadtohimballads，orsongs，orversemorestately，asmoodorprovisionmightsuggest。Themusic，themelodyandthecadenceandtheharmony，thetoneandtherhythmandthetimeandtherhyme，insteadofgrowingcommontohim，rejoicedGibbiemoreandmoreeveryfeast，andwithever-growingreverencehelookeduptoDonalasamightymaster-magician。ButifDonalcouldhavelookeddownintoGibbie’sbosom，hewouldhaveseensomethingtherebeyondhiscomprehension。ForGibbiewasalreadyinthekingdomofheaven，andDonalwouldhavetosuffer，beforehewouldbegineventolookaboutforthedoorbywhichamanmayenterintoit。
IwonderhowmuchGibbiewasindebtedtohisconstrainedsilenceduringalltheseyears。Thathelostbyit，noonewilldoubt;thathegainedalso，afewwilladmit：thoughIshouldfindithardtosaywhatandhowgreat，IcannotdoubtitboreanimportantpartinthefosteringofsuchthoughtsandfeelingsandactionsaswerebeyondthevisionofDonal，poetashewasgrowingtobe。WhileDonalread，rejoicinginthemusicbothofsoundandsense，Gibbiewasdoingsomethingbesides：hewaslisteningwiththesameears，andtryingtoseewiththesameeyes，whichhebroughttobearuponthethingsJanettaughthimoutofthebook。Alreadythosefirstweeklyissues，latelycommenced，ofapopularliteraturehadpenetratedintothemountainsofGormgarnet;butwhetherDonalreadBlindHarryfromathumbedoldmodernedition，orsomenewtaleorneatpoemfromtheEdinburghpress，Gibbiewasalwaysplacingwhatheheardbytheside，asitwere，ofwhatheknew;askinghimself，inthiscaseandthat，whatJesusChristwouldhavedone，orwhathewouldrequireofadisciple。Theremustbeonerightway，heargued。SometimeshisinnocencefailedtoseethatnodiscipleoftheSonofMancould，savebyfearfulfailure，beinsuchcircumstancesasthetaleorballadrepresented。But，whethersuccessfulornotintheindividualinquiry，theboy’smindandheartandspirit，inthissilent，unembarrassedbrooding，asenergeticasitwaspeaceful，expandedupwardswhenitfailedtowiden，andthewideningwouldcomeafter。Gifted，fromthefirstofhisbeing，withsuchararedrawingtohiskind，hesawhisutmostaffectiondwarfedbythewordsanddeedsofJesus——beheldmoreandmoregrandtherequirementsmadeofamanwhowouldlovehisfellowsasChristlovedthem。Whenhesankfoiledfromanyendeavourtounderstandhowamanwastobehaveincertaincircumstances，theseorthose，healwaystookrefugeindoingsomething——anddoingitbetterthanbefore;leapedthemoreeagerlyifRobertcalledhim，spokethemoregentlytoOscar，turnedthesheepmorecarefulnottoscarethem——asifbyinstinctheperceivedthattheonlyhopeofunderstandingliesindoing。Hewouldcleavetotheskirtwhenthehandseemedwithdrawn;hewouldruntodothethinghehadlearnedyesterday，whenasyethecouldfindnoanswertothequestionofto-day。Thus，astheweeksofsolitudeandloveandthoughtandobedienceglidedby，therealityofChristgrewuponhim，tillhesawtheveryrocksandheatherandthefacesofthesheeplikehim，andfelthispresenceeverywhere，andevercomingnearer。Nordidhisimaginationaidonlyalittleinthegrowthofhisbeing。HewoulddreamwakingdreamsaboutJesus，gloriouslychildlike。Hefanciedhecamedowneverynowandthentoseehowthingsweregoinginthelowerpartofhiskingdom;andthatwhenhedidso，hemadeuseofGlashgaranditsrocksforhisstair，comingdownitsgranitescaleinthemorning，andagain，whenhehadendedhisvisit，goingupintheeveningbythesamesteps。Thenhighandfastwouldhisheartbeatatthethoughtthatsomedayhemightcomeuponhispathjustwhenhehadpassed，seetheheatherliftingitsheadfromthetrailofhisgarment，ormoreslowlyoutoftheprintsleftbyhisfeet，ashewalkedupthestairsofheaven，goingbacktohisFather。Sometimes，whenasheepstoppedfeedingandlookedupsuddenly，hewouldfancythatJesushadlaidhishandonitshead，andwasnowtellingitthatitmustnotmindbeingkilled;forhehadbeenkilled，anditwasallright。
AlthoughhecouldreadtheNewTestamentforhimselfnow，healwayspreferredmakingacquaintancewithanynewportionofitfirstfromthemouthofJanet。Hervoicemadethewordmoreofawordtohim。
Butthenexttimeheread，itwassuretobewhatshehadthenread。Shewashispriestess;theopeningofherBiblewastheopeningofawindowinheaven;hercottagewastheporter’slodgetothetemple;hisverysheepwerefeedingonthetemple-stairs。Smileatsuchfanciesifyouwill，butthinkalsowhethertheymaynotbewithinsightofthegreatestoffacts。OfallteachingsthatwhichpresentsafardistantGodisthenearesttoabsurdity。Eitherthereisnone，orheisnearertoeveryoneofusthanournearestconsciousnessofself。Anunapproachabledivinityistheveriestofmonsters，themosthorribleofhumanimaginations。
Whenthewintercame，withitsfrostandsnow，GibbiesavedRobertmuchsuffering。AtfirstRobertwasunwillingtolethimgooutaloneinstormyweather;butJanetbelievedthatthechilddoingtheoldman’sworkwouldbespeciallyprotected。Allthroughthehardtime，therefore，Gibbiewentandcame，andnoevilbefellhim。
Neitherdidhesufferfromthecold;for，asheephavingdiedtowardstheendofthefirstautumn，Robert，inviewofGibbie’scomingnecessity，hadbeggedofhismastertheskin，anddresseditwiththewooluponit;andofthis，betweenthethreeofthem，theymadeacoatforhim;sothatheroamedthehilllikeasavage，inagarmentofskin。
Itbecame，ofcourse，beforeverylong，wellknownaboutthecountrythatMr。Duff’scroftersuponGlashgarhadtakeninandwerebringingupafoundling——somesaidaninnocent，somesaidawildboy——whohelpedRobertwithhissheep，andJanetwithhercow，butcouldnotspeakawordofeitherGaelicorEnglish。Byandby，strangestoriescametobetoldofhisexploits，representinghimasgiftedwithbodilypowersasmuchsurpassingthecommon，ashismentalfacultieswereassumedtobeundertheordinarystandard。
Therumourconcerninghimswelledaswellasspread，mainlyfromtheloveofthemarvellouscommonintheregion，Isuppose，until，towardstheendofhissecondyearonGlashgar，thenotionofGibbieintheimaginationsofthechildrenofDaurside，wasthatofanalmostsupernaturalbeing，whohaddweltupon，orratherwhohadhaunted，Glashgarfromtimeimmemorial，andofwhomtheyhadbeenhearingalltheirlives;and，althoughtheyhadneverheardanythingbadofhim——thathewaswild，thatheworeahairyskin，thathecoulddomorethananyotherboydaredattempt，thathewasdumb，andthatyet(forthisalsowassaid)sheepanddogsandcattle，andeventhewildcreaturesofthemountain，couldunderstandhimperfectly——thesestatementsweremorethanenough，actingonthesuspicionandfearbelongingtothesavageintheirownbosoms，toenvelopetheideaofhiminamistofdread，deepeningtosuchhorrorinthecaseofthemoretimidandimaginativeofthem，thatwhenthetwilightbegantogatheraboutthecottagesandfarmhouses，theverymentionof“thebeast-loono’Glashgar“wasenough，andthatformilesupanddowntheriver，tosendmanyofthechildrenscouringlikestartledharesintothehouse。Gibbie，inhisatmosphereofhumangraceandtenderness，littlethoughtwhatcloudsoffoolishfancies，risingfromthevalleysbelow，had，bytheirdistortingvapours，madeofhimanobjectofterrortothosewhomattheveryfirstsighthewouldhavelovedandserved。Amongstthese，perhapsthemostafraidofhimwerethechildrenofthegamekeeper，fortheylivedontheveryfootofthehauntedhill，nearthebridgeandgateofGlashruach;andthelairdhimselfhappenedonedaytobewitnessoftheirfear。Heinquiredthecause，andyetagainwashisenlightenedsoulvexedbythepersistencywithwhichtheshadowsofsuperstitionstillhungabouthislands。Hadhebeenhalfasphilosophicalashefanciedhimself，hemighthaveseenthattherewasnotnecessarilyasinglefilmofsuperstitioninvolvedinthebeliefthatasavageroamedamountain——whichwasallthatMistressMacPholp，deprivingtherumourofitsrichercolouring，venturedtoimpartasthecauseofherchildren’sperturbation;butanythingahair’s-breadthoutofthecommon，wasathinghatedofThomasGalbraith’ssoul，andwhateveranotherbelievedwhichhedidnotchoosetobelieve，hesetdownatonceassuperstition。Heheldthereforeimmediatecommunicationwithhisgamekeeperonthesubject，whoinhisturnwasscandalizedthathischildrenshouldhavethusprovedthemselvesunworthyoftheprivilegesoftheirposition，andgivenannoyancetotheliberalsouloftheirmaster，andtookcarethatboththeyandhiswifeshouldsufferinconsequence。Theexpressionoftheman’sfaceashelistenedtothelaird’scomplaint，wouldnothavebeenapleasantsighttoanyloverofGibbie;butithadnotoccurredeithertomasterormanthattheoffensivebeingwhosedoubtfulexistencecausedthescandal，wasthesametowardswhomtheyhadoncebeenguiltyofsuchbrutality;norwouldtheirknowledgeofthefacthavebeenfavourabletoGibbie。
Thesameafternoon，thelairdquestionedhistenantoftheMainsconcerninghiscottars;andwasassuredthatbetterormorerespectablepeoplewerenotinalltheregionofGormgarnet。
WhenRobertbecameaware，chieflythroughtherepresentationsofhiswifeandDonal，ofGibbie’sgiftsofotherkindsthanthoserevealedtohimselfbyhisgoodshepherding，hebegantoturnitoverinhismind，andbyandbyreferredthequestiontohiswifewhethertheyoughtnottosendtheboytoschool，thathemightlearnthethingshewassomuchmorethanordinarlycapableoflearning。Janetwouldgivenoimmediateopinion。Shemustthink，shesaid;andshetookthreedaystoturnthematteroverinhermind。Herquestioningcogitationwastothiseffect：“WhatneedhasamantoknowanythingbutwhattheNewTestamentteacheshim？，LifewaslittletomebeforeIbegantounderstanditsgoodnews;nowitismorethangood——itisgrand。Butthen，manistolivebyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod;andeverythingcameoutofhismouth，whenhesaid，Lettherebethis，andLettherebethat。
Whateveristrueishismaking，andthemoreweknowofitthebetter。Besides，howmuchlessoftheNewTestamentwouldI
understandnow，ifitwerenotforthingsIhadgonethroughandlearnedbefore！”
“Ay，Robert，“sheanswered，withoutpreface，thethirdday，“I’mthinkin’there’saheapo’things，gienIhedthem，’atwadhelpmetokenwhattheMaisterspaktill。Itwadbeasinnotolattheladdielearn。Butwha’lltakthetribleneedfu’tothelearnin’o’
apuirdummie？”
“LathimgangdoontotheMains，an’herdwi’Donal，“answeredRobert。“HekensahantlemairnoryouormeorGibbieaither;an’
whanhe’slearnta’’atDonalcanshawhimit’llbetimetothinkwhatneist。”
“Weel，“answeredJanet，“nanecansaybutthat’ssense，Robert;an’
thoughI’mlaith，foryoursakemairnormyain，tolattheladdiegang，lethimgangtoDonal。Ihoup，atweenthetwa，theywinnalatthenowtamo’thecorn。”
“Thecorn’s’maistcuttitnoo，“repliedRobert;“an’forthemaittero’that，twaguidconscienceswinnablawaneanitheroot——Butheneednagangilkaday。Hecangieaedaytothelearnin’，an’theneisttothinkin’abootitamo’thesheep。An’onyday’atyewanttokeephim，yecankeephim;foritwinnabeasgienhegaedtotheschuil。”
Gibbiewasdelightedwiththeproposal。
“Only，“saidRobert，infinalwarning，“dinnayelatthemtakye，Gibbie，an’scoreyerbackagain，mycratur;an’dinnayeanswernaebody，whantheyspeirwhatye’reca’d，onythingmairnorjistGibbie。”
Theboylaughedandnodded，and，asJanetsaid，thebairn’snickwasguid’sthebestman’sword。
Nowcameahappytimeforthetwoboys。DonalbeganatoncetoteachGibbieEuclidandarithmetic。Whentheyhadhadenoughofthatforaday，hereadScotishhistorytohim;andwhentheyhaddonewhatseemedtheirdutybythat，thencamethebestofthefeast——whatevertalesorpoetryDonalhadlaidhishandsupon。
SomewhereaboutthistimeitwasthathefirstgotholdofacopyoftheParadiseLost。Hefoundthathecouldnotmakemuchofit。Buthefoundalsothat，asbeforewiththeballads，whenhereadfromitaloudtoGibbie，hismerelisteningpresencesentbackaspiritualechothathelpedhimtothemeaning;andwhenneitherofthemunderstoodit，thegrandorganrollofit，losingnothingintheScotchvoweling，delightedthemboth。
Oncetheywerestartledbyseeingthegamekeeperenterthefield。
Themomenthesawhim，Gibbielaidhimselfflatontheground，butreadytospringtohisfeetandrun。Theman，however，didnotcomenearthem。
CHAPTERXXVI。
THEGAMEKEEPER
Thesecondwintercame，andwiththefirstfrostGibbieresumedhissheepskincoatandthebroguesandleggingswhichhehadmadeforhimselfofdeer-hidetannedwiththehair。Itpleasedthetwooldpeopletoseehimsowarmlyclad。Itpleasedthemalsothat，thusdressed，healwaysremindedthemofsomesacredpersonageundetermined——Jacob，orJohntheBaptist，orthemanwhowenttomeetthelionandbekilledbyhim——inRobert’sbigBible，thatis，inoneorotherofthewoodcutsofthesame。Verysoonthestoriesabouthimwereallstirredupafresh，andnewrumoursadded。Thisoneandthatofthechildrendeclaredtheyhadcaughtsightofthebeast-loon，runningabouttherockslikeagoat;andonedayaboyofAngus’sown，whohadbeenagoodwayupthemountain，camehomenearlydeadwithterror，sayingthebeast-loonhadchasedhimalongway。Hedidnotaddthathehadbeenthrowingstonesatthesheep，notperceivinganyoneinchargeofthem。So，onefinemorninginDecember，havingnothingparticulartoattendto，Angusshoulderedhisdouble-barrelledgun，andsetoutforawalkoverGlashgar，inthehopeofcominguponthesavagethatterrifiedthechildren。Hemustbeoff。Thatwassettled。WhereAnguswasinauthority，theoutlandishwasnottobesuffered。Thesunshonebright，andakeenwindwasblowing。
Aboutnoonhecameinsightofafewsheep，inashelteredspot，wherewerelittlepatchesofcoarsegrassamongtheheather。Onastone，afewyardsabovethem，satGibbie，notreading，ashewouldbehalfthetimenow，butbusiedwithaPan’s-pipes——which，underDonal’sdirection，hehadmadeforhimself——drawingfromthemexperimentalsounds，andfeelingafterthepossibilityofamelody。
HewassomuchoccupiedthathedidnotseeAngusapproach，whonowstoodforamomentortworegardinghim。HewashirsuteasEsau，hisheadcrownedwithitsownplentifulcrop——eveninwinterheworenocap——hisbodycoveredwiththewoolofthesheep，andhislegsandfeetwiththehideofthedeer——thehair，asinnature，outward。
Thedeer-skinAngusknewforwhatitwasfromafar，andconcludingitthespoiloftheonlycrimeofwhichherecognizedtheenormity，whereasitwasintruthpartofaskinhehadhimselfsoldtoasaddlerinthenextvillage，tomakesporransof，boiledoverwithwrath，andstrodenearer，grindinghisteeth。Gibbielookedup，knewhim，andstartingtohisfeet，turnedtothehill。Angus，levellinghisgun，shoutedtohimtostop，butGibbieonlyrantheharder，noroncelookedround。Idioticwithrage，Angusfired。Oneofhisbarrelswasloadedwithshot，theotherwithball：meaningtousetheshotbarrel，hepulledthewrongtrigger，andliberatedthebullet。ItwentthroughthecalfofGibbie’srightleg，andhefell。Ithad，however，passedbetweentwomuscleswithoutinjuringeithergreatly，andhadseverednoartery。Thenextmomenthewasonhisfeetagainandrunning，nordidheyetfeelpain。Happilyhewasnotveryfarfromhome，andhemadeforitasfastashecould——precededbyOscar，who，havingoncebyaccidentbeenshothimself，hadamortalterrorofguns。MaimedasGibbiewas，hecouldyetrunagooddealfasteruphillthantherascalwhofollowedhim。Butlongbeforehereachedthecottage，thepainhadarrived，andthenearerhegottoittheworseitgrew。Inspiteoftheanguish，however，heheldonwithdetermination;tobeseizedbyAngusanddraggeddowntoGlashruach，wouldbefarworse。
RobertGrantwasathomethatday，sufferingfromrheumatism。Hewasseatedintheingle-neuk，withhispipeinhismouth，andJanetwasjusttakingthepotatoesfortheirdinneroffthefire，whenthedoorflewopen，andinstumbledGibbie，andfellonthefloor。Theoldmanthrewhispipefromhim，androsetrembling，butJanetwasbeforehim。Shedroptdownonherkneesbesidetheboy，andputherarmunderhishead。Hewaswhiteandmotionless。
“Eh，RobertGrant！”shecried，“he’sbleedin’。”
Thesamemomenttheyheardquickyetheavystepsapproaching。AtonceRobertdivinedthetruth，andagreatwrathbanishedrheumatismandagetogether。Likeaboyhesprangtothecrapo’thewa’，whencehisyetpowerfulhandcamebackarmedwithahugerustyoldbroad-swordthathadseenserviceinitsday。Twoorthreefiercetugsatthehiltprovingthebladeimmovableinthesheath，andthestepsbeingnowalmostatthedoor，heclubbedtheweapon，graspingitbythesheathedblade，andholdingitwiththeedgedownward，sothattheblowhemeanttodealshouldfallfromtheroundofthebaskethilt。Asheheaveditaloft，thegrayoldshepherdseemedinspiredbythegodofbattles;therageofahundredancestorswaswellingupinhispeacefulbreast。Hisredeyeflashed，andthefewhairsthatwerelefthimstooderectonhisheadlikethemaneofarousedlion。EreAngushadhissecondfootoverthethreshold，downcamethehelmet-likehiltwithadullcrashonhishead，andhestaggeredagainstthewall。
“Takyethat，AngusMacPholp！”pantedRobertthroughhisclenchedteeth，followingtheblowwithanotherfromhisfist，thatprostratedtheenemy。Againheheavedhisweapon，andstandingoverhimwherehelay，morethanhalf-stunned，saidinahoarsevoice，“BythegreatGodmymaker，AngusMacPholp，gienyeseektorise，I’llcomedoononyeagainasyelie！——Here，Oscar！——He’snoanetohaudonyfairplaywi’，mairnorabrutebeast——Watchhim，Oscar，andtakhimbythethro’tgienhemuvafinger。”
ThegunhaddroppedfromAngus’shand，andRobert，keepinghiseyeonhim，securedit。
“She’slodd，“mutteredAngus。
“Liestillthan，“returnedRobert，pointingtheweaponathishead。
“It’llbemurder，“saidAngus，andmadeamovementtolayholdofthebarrel。
“Haudhimdoon，Oscar，“criedRobert。Thedog’spawswereinstantlyonhischest，andhisteethgrinningwithinaninchofhisface。
Angusvowedinhishearthewouldkillthebeastonthefirstchance。“Itwadbebutbludeforblude，AngusMacPholp，“hewenton。“Yerhoor’scome，myman。Thatbairn’sisnothefirstbludeo’
manyehaeshed，an’it’stimetheScripturewasfulfillt，an’thehan’o’manshedyours。”
“Ye’renogauintokillme，RobGrant？”growledthefellowingrowingfright。
“I’mgauintoseewhethertheshirrawinnabeperswaudittohangye，“answeredtheshepherd。“Thismaunbeputtenastaptill——Quaiet！orI’llbrainye，an’savehimthetrouble——Here，Janet，fessyerpoto’pitawtas。I’mgauintotoomtheman’sgun。
Gienhedaurtomuv，jistgiehimthehaillbilin’，breeana’，i’
theillfaceo’’m;gienyelathimuphe’llkill’sa’;onlytakcarean’haudaffo’thedog，puirfallow！——Iwadlaythestocko’
yermurderin’guni’thefiregien’twarna’atIreckonit’sthelaird’san’noyours。Ye’renofittobetrustitwi’agun。Ye’rewaurnoraweyver。”
Sosayinghecarriedtheweapontothedoor，and，interrorlesthemight，throughwrathorthepressureofdirenecessity，useitagainsthisfoe，emptieditssecondbarrelintotheearth，andleaneditupagainstthewalloutside。
JanetobeyedherhusbandsofarastostandoverAnguswiththepotato-pot：howfarshewouldhavecarriedherobediencehadheattemptedtorisemayremainaquestion。Doubtlessabravemandoinghisdutywouldhavescornedtoyieldhimselfthus;butrightandwronghadmetfacetoface，andthewronghadarighteoustraitorinhiscitadel。
WhenRobertreturnedandrelievedherguard，JanetwentbacktoGibbie，whomshehaddrawntowardsthefire。Helayalmostinsensible，butinvainJanetattemptedtogetateaspoonfulofwhiskybetweenhislips。Forashegrewolder，hishorrorofitincreased;andnow，evenwhenhewasfaintandbuthalfconscious，hisphysicalnatureseemedtorecoilfromcontactwithit。Itwaswithsignsofdisgust，rubbinghismouthwiththebackofeachhandalternately，thathefirstshowedreturningvitality。Inaminuteortwomorehewasabletocrawltohisbedinthecorner，andthenJanetproceededtoexaminehiswound。
Bythistimehislegwasmuchswollen，butthewoundhadalmoststoppedbleeding，anditwasplaintherewasnobulletinit，fortherewerethetwoorifices。Shewasheditcarefullyandbounditup。ThenGibbieraisedhisheadandlookedsomewhatanxiouslyroundtheroom。
“Ye’reluikin’efterAngus？”saidJanet;“he’syon’erupo’theflure，atwayairdsfraeye。Dinnabefleyt;yerfatheran’Oscarhashimsafeeneuch，Is’warran’。”
“Here，Janet！”criedherhusband;“gienyebethrou’wi’thebairn，Imaunbegauin’。”
“Hoot，Robert！ye’renosurelygauin’tolea’mean’puirGibbie，’atmaunnastir，i’thehooseoorlaneswi’themurderin’man！”
returnedJanet。
“’DeedamI，lass！，Jistrinandfessthebittow’atyehingyerdudsupo’atthewashin’，an’we’llbin’thefeetan’thehan’so’
’im。”
Janetobeyedandwent。Angus，whohadbeenquietenoughforthelasttenminutes，meditatingandwatching，begantoswearfuriously，butRobertpaidnomoreheedthanifhehadnotheardhim——stoodcalmandgrimathishead，withtheclubbedswordheavedoverhisshoulder。Whenshecameback，byherhusband’sdirections，shepassedtheroperepeatedlyroundthekeeper’sankles，thenseveraltimesbetweenthem，drawingtheboutstightlytogether，sothat，insteadofthetwosharingonering，eachanklehadnow，asitwere，aclose-fittingoneforitself。Againandagain，asshetiedit，didAngusmeditateasuddenspring，butthedeterminedlookofRobert，andhisfeelingmemoryoftheblowshehadsounsparinglydelivereduponhim，aswellastheweakeningeffectofthathehadreceivedonhishead，causedhimtohesitateuntilitwasaltogethertoolate。Whentheybegantobindhishands，however，heturneddesperate，andstruckatboth，cursingandraging。
“Gienyebinnaquaiet，yes’tastethedog’steeth，“saidRobert——AngusreflectedthathewouldhaveabetterchancewhenhewasleftalonewithJanet，andyielded——“Troth！”Robertwenton，ashecontinuedhistask，“Ihaenopityleftforye，AngusMacPholp;an’gienyetyauveonymair，I’lllatatye。IwadcarenomoretocawootyerharnsnorIwadtokillatod(fox)。Tobehangtfor’t，Iwadbebutprood。It’safinethingtobehangtforaguidcause，butye’llbehangtforanillane——Noo，Janet，fessabun’leo’brackensfraethebyre，an’layaneth’sheid。Wemaunnabesairerupo’him，northeneedcessitylaidupo’hiz。Is’jisttrailhimaffo’thedoor，an’abitontothefire，forhe’llbecauldwhanhe’squaitetdoon，an’syneI’llawa’an’getwordo’theshirra’。Scotlan’scometillaprettypass，whantheyshotmenwi’
guns，asgientheywarwullcraturstobepeeltan’aiten。Carewhatsethim！，Hemayweelbeakeepero’ghem，forhe’sasillakeepero’’sbritherasauldCainhimsel’。But，“heconcluded，tyingthelastknothard，“we’lle’endeewhatwecantokeepthekeeper。”
ItwasseldomRobertspokeatsuchlength，buttheprovocation，thewrath，theconflict，andthevictory，hadsentthebloodrushingthroughhisbrain，andloosedhistonguelikestrongdrink。
“Ye’lltakyerdenneraforeyegang，Robert，“saidhiswife。
“Na，Icanaitnaething;I’lltakabannocki’mypooch。YecangiemydennertoAngus：he’llwanthertenin’forthewuddie(gallows)。”
Sosayingheputthebannockinhispocket，flunghisbroadbluebonnetuponhishead，tookhisstick，andorderingOscartoremainathomeandwatchtheprisoner，setoutforawalkoffivemiles，asifhehadneverknownsuchathingasrheumatism。Hemustfindanothermagistratethanthelaird;hewouldnottrusthimwherehisowngamekeeper，AngusMacPholp，wasconcerned。
“Keepyereeuponhim，Janet，“hesaid，turninginthedoorway。
“Dinnalowsesichto’himaforeIcomebackwi’theconstable。
Dinnalippen。Is’bebackinthreehoorslike。”
Withthesewordsheturnedfinally，anddisappeared。
ThemortificationofAngusashelaythustrappedinthedenofthebeast-loon，atbeingtakenandboundbyanoldman，awoman，andacolliedog，wasextreme。Hewentoverthewholeaffairagainandagaininhismind，everwithafreshburstoffury。Itwasinvainheexcusedhimselfonthegroundthattheattackhadbeensosuddenandtreacherous，andtheprecautionstakensocomplete。Hehadprovedhimselfanass，andthewholecountrywouldringwithmockeryofhim！，Hehadsenseenough，too，toknowthathewasinaseriousaswellasludicrouspredicament：hehadscarcelycourageenoughtocontemplatethepossibleresult。Ifhecouldbutgethishandsfree，itwouldbeeasytokillOscaranddisableJanet。Fortheidiot，hecountedhimnothing。Hehadbetterwait，however，untilthereshouldbenoboilingliquidreadytoherhand。
Janetsetoutthedinner，peeledsomepotatoes，andapproachingAngus，wouldhavefedhim。Inplaceofacceptingherministration，hefelltoabusingherwiththeworstlanguagehecouldfind。Shewithdrewwithoutaword，andsatdowntoherowndinner;but，findingthetorrentofvituperationkeptflowing，roseagain，andgoingtothedoor，fetchedagreatjugofcoldwaterfromthepailthatalwaysstoodthere，andcomingbehindherprisoner，emptieditoverhisface。Hegaveahorridyelltakingthedoucheforaboilingone。
“Yeneednacryootlikethatatguidcauldwatter，“saidJanet。“Butye’lljistabsteenfraeonymairsicwordsi’myhearin’，oryes’
getthelikeilkatimeyebrakoot。”，Asshespoke，sheknelt，andwipedhisfaceandheadwithherapron。
AfreshoathrushedtoAngus’slips，butthefearofasecondjugfulmadehimsuppressit，andJanetsatdownagaintoherdinner。Shecouldscarcelyeatamouthful，however，forpityoftherascalbesideher，atwhomshekeptlookingwistfullywithoutdaringagaintoofferhimanything。
Whileshesatthus，shecaughtaswiftinvestigatinglookhecastonthecordsthatboundhishands，andthenatthefire。Sheperceivedatoncewhatwaspassinginhismind。Rising，shewentquicklytothebyre，andreturnedimmediatelywithachaintheyusedfortetheringthecow。Theendofitshesliptdeftlyroundhisneck，andmadeitfast，puttingthelittlebarthroughalink。
“Iryegauin’tohangme，yeshe-deevil？”hecried，makingafutileattempttograspthechainwithhisboundhands。
“Ye’llbewantin’adrappymaircauldwatter，I’mthinkin’，“saidJanet。
Shestretchedthechaintoitslength，andwithagreatstonedrovethesharpironstakeattheotherendofit，intotheclay-floor。
Fearingnextthat，boundashishandswere，hemightgetaholdofthechainanddragoutthestake，ormightevencontrivetoremovetheropefromhisfeetwiththem，orthathemightindeedwithhisteethundotheknotthatconfinedhishandsthemselves——shegotapieceofrope，andmadealoopattheendofit，thenwatchingheropportunitypassedtheloopbetweenhishands，noosedtheotherendthroughit，anddrewthenoosetight。Thefreeendoftheropesheputthroughthestaplethatreceivedtheboltofthecottage-door，andgradually，ashegrewwearyinpullingagainsther，tightenedtheropeuntilshehadhisarmsattheirstretchbeyondhishead。
Notquitesatisfiedyet，shelastlycontrived，inpartbysettingOscartooccupyhisattention，todothesamewithhisfeet，securingthemtoaheavychestinthecorneroppositethedoor，uponwhichchestsheheapedapileofstones。IfitpleasedtheLordtodeliverthemfromthisman，shewouldhaveherhonestpartinthesalvation！，Andnowatlastshebelievedshehadhimsafe。
Gibbiehadfallenasleep，buthenowwokeandshegavehimhisdinner;thenreddup，andtookherBible。Gibbiehadlaindownagain，andshethoughthewasasleep。
Angusgrewmoreandmoreuncomfortable，bothinbodyandinmind。
Heknewhewashatedthroughoutthecountry，andhadhithertoratherenjoyedtheknowledge;butnowhejudgedthatthepopularfeeling，bynomeansamereprejudice，wouldtellagainsthimcommittedfortrial。HeknewalsothatthemagistratetowhomRoberthadbetakenhimself，wasnotoverfriendlywithhismaster，andcertainlywouldnotlistentoanyintercessionfromhim。Atlength，whatwithpain，hunger，andfear，hispridebegantoyield，and，afteranhourhadpassedinuttersilence，hecondescendedtoparley。
“JanetGrant，“hesaid，“latmegang，an’I’lltroubleyouoryoursnomore。”
“Wadnayethinkmesomefuletohearkentillye？”suggestedJanet。
“I’llsweironylawfu’aith’atyeliketolayupo’me，“protestedAngus，“’atI’lldeewhateveryepleasetorequireo’me。”
“Idinnadoobtyewadsweir;butwhatneist？”saidJanet。
“Whatneistbutye’lllowsemyhan’s？”rejoinedAngus。
“It’snomainnero’usementionin’’t，“repliedJanet;“for，asyeken，I’mun’erauthority，an’yersel’h’ardmymantellmetotakuncopercautionnotolatyegang;forverily，Angus，yehaeconduckityersel’thisdaymorelikeanepossessedwi’alegion，thanthedoucefaimilyman’atye’resuppositbythelaird，yermaister，tobe。”
“Waseverman，“protestedAngus“madesicafuleo’，an’saemisguidit，byapairo’auldcottarslikeyouan’RobertGrant！”
“Wi’thehelpo’theLord，bymeanso’thedog，“supplementedJanet。
“IwussfraemyhertIhedthegreatreiddraigoni’yerplace，an’
Iwadwatchhimbonny，Icantellye，AngusMacPholp。Iwadnabeclearabootgieinhimhisdenner，Angus。”
“Letmegang，wuman，wi’yerreiddraigons！，I’llhairmnaebody。
Thepuiridiot’snomucklethewaur，an’I’lltakmairtentwhanI
fireanithertime。”
“Wiserfowknormemaunseetothat，“answeredJanet。
“Hoots，wuman！itwasnaethingbutanaccident。”
“Ikenna;butit’llbeseenwhatGibbiesays。”
“Awva！hisword’sguidfornaething。”
“Forapenny，orathoosan’poun’。”
“Mywife’llbeooto’herwuts，“pleadedAngus。
“Wadyelikeadrinko’milk？”askedJanet，rising。
“Iwadthat，“heanswered。
Shefilledherlittleteapotwithmilk，andhedrankitfromthespout，hopingshewasonthepointofgivingway。
“Noo，“shesaid，whenhehadfinishedhisdraught，“yemaunjistmakthebesto’it，Angus。Onygait，it’saguidlessoninpatiencetoye，an’thatyehaenahadoweraften，I’mthinkin’——Robert’llbehereerlang。”
Withthesewordsshesetdowntheteapot，andwentout：itwastimetomilkhercow。
InalittlewhileGibbierose，triedtowalk，butfailed，andgettingdownonhishandsandknees，crawledoutafterher。Anguscaughtaglimpseofhisfaceashecreptpasthim，andthenfirstrecognizedtheboyhehadlashed。Notcompunction，butanoccasionalpangofdreadlestheshouldhavebeenthecauseofhisdeath，andmightcomeuponhisbodyinoneofhiswalks，hadservedsotofixhisfaceinhismemory，that，nowhehadanearviewofhim，palewithsufferingandlossofbloodandthereforemorelikehisformerself，heknewhimbeyondadoubt。Withagreatshootofterrorheconcludedthattheidiothadbeenlyingtheresilentlygloatingoverhisrevenge，waitingonlytillJanetshouldbeoutofsight，andwasnowgoneaftersomeinstrumentwherewithtotakeit。
Hepulledandtuggedathisbonds，butonlytofindescapeabsolutelyhopeless。Ingatheringhorror，helaymovelessatlast，butstrainedhishearingtowardseverysound。
NotonlydidJanetoftenpraywithGibbie，butsometimesassheread，herheartwouldgrowsofull，hersoulbesopervadedwiththeconviction，perhapstheconsciousness，ofthepresenceofthemanwhohadsaidhewouldbealwayswithhisfriends，that，sittingthereonherstool，shewouldbegintalkingtohimoutoftheverydepthofherlife，justasifshesawhiminRobert’schairintheingle-neuk，athomeinhercottageasinthehousewhereMarysatathisfeetandheardhisword。ThenwouldGibbielistenindeed，awedbyverygladness。HeneverdoubtedthatJesuswasthere，orthatJanetsawhimallthetimealthoughhecouldnot。
Thiscustomofprayingaloud，shehadgrownintosolongbeforeGibbiecametoher，andhewassomuchandsuchachild，thathispresencewasnocheckuponthehabit。Itcameinpartfromtheintenserealityofherbelief，andwasinpartawilledfosteringofitsintensity。Sheneverimaginedthatwordswerenecessary;shebelievedthatGodknewhereverythought，andthatthemomentsheliftedupherheart，itenteredintocommunionwithhim;buttheverysoundofthewordsshespokeseemedtomakeherfeelnearertothemanwho，beingtheeternalSonoftheFather，yethadearstohearandlipstospeak，likeherself。Totalktohimaloud，alsokeptherthoughtstogether，helpedhertofeelthefactofthethingsshecontemplated，aswellastherealityofhispresence。
NowthebyrewasjustontheothersideoftheturfwallagainstwhichwastheheadofGibbie’sbed，andthroughthewallGibbiehadheardhervoice，withthatsomethinginthetoneofitwhichlethimunderstandshewasnottalkingtoCrummie，buttoCrummie’smaker;
anditwasthereforehehadgotupandgoneafterher。Fortherewasnoreason，sofarashekneworimagined，whyheshouldnothear，assomanytimesbefore，whatshewassayingtotheMaster。
HesupposedthatasshecouldnotwellspeaktohiminthepresenceofamanlikeAngus，shehadgoneouttothebyretohavehertalkwithhimthere。Hecrawledtotheendofthecottagesosilentlythatsheheardnosoundofhisapproach。Hewouldnotgointothebyre，forthatmightdisturbher，forshewouldhavetolookuptoknowthatitwasonlyGibbie;hewouldlistenatthedoor。Hefounditwideopen，andpeepingin，sawCrummiechewingaway，andJanetonherkneeswithherforeheadleaningagainstthecowandherhandsthrownupoverhershoulder。Shespokeinsuchavoiceoftroubledentreatyashehadneverheardfromherbefore，butwhichyetwokeastrangevibrationofmemoryinhisdeepestheart——Yes，itwashisfather’svoiceitremindedhimof！，Sohadhecriedinprayerthelasttimeheeverheardhimspeak。Whatshesaidwasnearlythis：
“OLord，ginyewadbutsaywhatyewadhaedeen！，Whanabodydisnakenyerwull，she’sjistdriventodistraction。Thooknows，myMaister，asweel’sIcantellye，’atgienyesaidtillme，’Thatman’sgauin’tocutyerthro’t：takthetowsfraehim，an’lathimup，’Iwadrintodee’t。It’snorevenge，Lord;it’sjist’atI
dinnaken。Theman’sdunemenoill，’cep’ashe’ssairhurtityerbonnieGibbie。It’sGibbie’athastoforgie’iman’syneme。Butmymantelltmenotolathimup，an’hooamItobeawifesicasyewadhae，OLord，gienIdinnadeeasmymantelltme！，ItwadillbefitmetolatmyauldRobertgangsaefarwantin’hisdenner，a’
fornaething。Whatwadhethinkwhanhecamhame！，Ofcoorse，Lord，gienyetelltme，thatwadmaka’thediffer，forye’reRobert’smaisterasweel’smine，an’yourwullwadsaitisfeehimjistasweel’sme。Iwadfainlathimgang，puirchiel！butIdaurna。
Lord，converthimtothetrowth。Lord，lathimkenwhathateis——Buteh，Lord！，Iwussyewadtellmewhattodu。Thywull’sthebeginnin’an’midsan’en’o’a’thingtome。I’mwullin’
eneuchtolathimgang，buthe’sRobert’spris’neran’Gibbie’senemy;he’snomypris’neran’nomyenemy，an’IdinnathinkIhaethericht。An’whakensbuthemichtgangshottin’mairfowkyet，’causeIloothimgang！——Buthecannashotaharewantin’thywull，OJesus，theSaviouro’manan’beast;an’illwadIliketohaeahan’i’thehangin’o’’m。Hemaydeserve’t，Lord，Idinnaken;
butI’mthinkin’yemadehimnosaeweeltempered——asmyRobert，forenstance。”
Herehervoiceceased，andshefellamoaning。
HertroublewasechoedindimpainfromGibbie’ssoul。Thattheprophetesswhokneweverything，thepriestesswhowasathomeintheverytreasure-houseofthegreatking，shouldbethusabandonedtodireperplexity，wasadreadful，abewilderingfact。Butnowfirstheunderstoodtherealstateoftheaffairinthepurportoftheoldman’sabsence;alsohowhewashimselfpotentlyconcernedinthebusiness：iftheoffencehadbeencommittedagainstGibbie，thenwithGibbielaythepower，thereforethedutyofforgiveness。ButverilyGibbie’smeritandhisgracewereininverseratio。Fewthingswereeasiertohimthantolovehisenemies，andhismeritinobeyingthecommandmentwassmallindeed。Noenemyhadasyetdonehim，inhisimmediateperson，thewronghecouldevenimagineithardtoforgive。NosoonerhadJanetceasedthanhewasonhiswaybacktothecottage：onitsfloorlayonewhohadtobewaiteduponwithforgiveness。
Weariedwithfutilestruggles，Angusfoundhimselfcompelledtoabidehisfate，andwaslyingquitestillwhenGibbiere-entered。
Theboythoughthewasasleep，butonthecontraryhewaswatchinghiseverymotion，fullofdread。GibbiewenthoppingupononefoottotheholeinthewallwhereJanetkepttheonlyknifeshehad。Itwasnotthere。Heglancedround，butcouldnotseeit。Therewasnotimetolose。Robert’sreturningstepsmightbeheardanymoment，andpoorAngusmightbehanged——onlyforshootingGibbie！
Hehoppeduptohimandexaminedtheknotsthattiedhishands：
theyweredrawnsotight——ingreatmeasurebyhisownstruggles——andsodifficulttoreachfromtheirposition，thathesawitwouldtakehimalongtimetoundothem。Angusthought，withfreshhorror，hewasexaminingthemtomakesuretheywouldhold，andwassoabsorbedinwatchinghismovementsthatheevenforgottocurse，whichwastheonlythinglefthim。Gibbielookedroundagainforamoment，asifindoubt，thendarteduponthetongs——therewasnopoker——andthrustthemintothefire，caughtuptheasthmaticoldbellows，andbegantoblowthepeats。Angussawthefirstaction，heardthesecond，andahideousdismayclutchedhisveryheart：thesavagefoolwasabouttotakehisrevengeinpincheswiththeredhottongs！，Helookedfornomercy——perhapsfeltthathedeservednone。
Manhoodheldhimsilentuntilhesawhimtaketheimplementoftorturefromthefire，glowing，notredbutwhitehot，whenheutteredsuchaterrificyell，thatGibbiedroppedthetongs——happilynotthehotends——onhisownbarefoot，butcaughtthemupagaininstantly，andmadeagreathoptoAngus：ifJanethadheardthatyellandcamein，allwouldbespoilt。Butthefaithlesskeeperbegantostrugglesofiercely，writhingwitheverycontortion，andkickingwitheveryinch，leftpossibletohim，thatGibbiehardlydaredattemptanythingfordreadofburninghim，whilehesentyellafteryell“asfastasmill-wheelsstrike。”，WithasuddenthoughtGibbiesprangtothedoorandlockedit，sothatJanetshouldnotgetin，andAngus，hearingthebolt，wasthemoreconvincedthathispurposewascruel，andstruggledandyelled，withhiseyesfixedontheglowingtongs，nowfastcoolinginGibbie’shand。Ifinsteadofgloweringatthetongs，hehadbutlentonesteadfastregardtothefaceoftheboywhomhetookforademoniacalidiot，hewouldhaveseenhissupposeddevilsmilethesweetestofhuman，troubled，pitifulsmiles。Eventhen，Isuspect，however，hiseyebeingevil，hewouldhavebeheldinthesmileonlythejoyofmaliceinthenearprospectofaglutofrevenge。
InthemeantimeJanet，inherperplexity，had，quiteforgetfulofthepoorcow’snecessities，abandonedCrummie，andwandereddownthepathasfarastheshoulderherhusbandmustcrossascendingfromtheotherside：thither，agreatrockintervening，solittleofAngus’scriesreached，thatsheheardnothingthroughthedeafnessofherabsorbingappealfordirectiontohershepherd，themasterofmen。
Gibbiethrustthetongsagainintothefire，andwhileblowingit，bethoughthimthatitmightgiveAngusconfidenceifheremovedthechainfromhisneck。Helaiddownthebellows，anddidso。ButtoAngustheactionseemedonlypreparatorytotakinghimbythethroatwiththehorribleimplement。Inhisagonyandwildendeavourtofrustratethesupposedintent，hestruggledharderthanever。ButnowGibbiewasundoingtheropefastenedroundthechest。ThisAngusdidnotperceive，andwhenitcamesuddenlylooseinthemidstofoneofhisfiercestrainingcontortions，theresultwasthathethrewhisbodyrightoverhishead，andlayonhisfaceforamomentconfused。Gibbiesawhisadvantage。Hesnatchedhisclumsytooloutofthefire，seatedhimselfonthecorrespondingpartofAngus’sperson，andseizingwiththetongstheropebetweenhisfeet，heldontoboth，inspiteofhisheavesandkicks。InthefewmomentsthatpassedwhileGibbieburnedthrougharoundoftherope，Angusimaginedaconsiderablenumberofpangs;butwhenGibbieroseandhoppedaway，hediscoveredthathisfeetwereatliberty，andscrambledup，hisheaddizzy，andhisbodyreeling。ButsuchwasthenthesunshineofdelightinGibbie’scountenancethatevenAngusstaredathimforamoment——only，however，withavaguereflectionontheinconsequentialityofidiots，towhichsucceededtheimpulsetotakevengeanceuponhimforhissufferings。ButGibbiestillhadthetongs，andAngus’shandswerestilltied。Heheldthemouttohim。Gibbiepouncedupontheknotswithhandsandteeth。Theyoccupiedhimsomelittletime，duringwhichAnguswasalmostcompelledtotakebettercognizanceofthefaceofthesavage;anddullashewastothegoodthingsofhumannature，hewasyetinameasuresubduedbywhathetherelookeduponratherthanperceive;
whilehecouldscarcelymistaketheheartyministrationofhisteethandnails！，Themomenthishandswerefree，Gibbielookedupathimwithasmile，andAngusdidnotevenboxhisears。Holdingbythewall，Gibbielimpedtothedoorandopenedit。Withanodmeantforthanks，thegamekeepersteppedout，tookuphisgunfromwhereitleanedagainstthewall，andhurriedawaydownthehill。AmomentsoonerandhewouldhavemetJanet;butshehadjustenteredthebyreagaintomilkpoorCrummie。
Whenshecameintothecottage，shestaredwithastonishmenttoseenoAngusonthefloor。Gibbie，whohadlaindownagaininmuchpain，madesignsthathehadlethimgo：whereuponsuchalookofreliefcameoverhercountenancethathewasfilledwithfreshgladness，andwasifpossiblemoresatisfiedstillwithwhathehaddone。
ItwaslatebeforeRobertreturned——alone，weary，anddisappointed。
Themagistratewasfromhome;hehadwaitedforhimaslongashedared;butatlength，bothbecauseofhiswife’sunpleasantposition，andthedangertohimselfifhelongerdelayedhisjourneyacrossthemountain，seeingitthreatenedastorm，andtherewasnomoon，hesetout。ThathetoowasrelievedtofindnoAngusthere，hedidnotattempttoconceal。Thenextdayhewenttoseehim，andtoldhimthat，topleaseGibbie，hehadconsentedtosaynothingmoreabouttheaffair。Anguscouldnothelpbeingsullen，buthejudgeditwisetobehaveaswellashecould，kepthistempertherefore，andsaidhewassorryhehadbeensohasty，butthatRoberthadpunishedhimprettywell，foritwouldbeweeksbeforeherecoveredtheblowontheheadhehadgivenhim。Sotheypartedontolerableterms，andtherewasnofurtherpersecutionofGibbiefromthatquarter。
Itwassometimebeforehewasabletobeoutagain，butnohourspentwithJanetwaslost。
CHAPTERXXVII。
AVOICE。
Thatwintertheoldpeopleweregreatlytriedwithrheumatism;fornotonlywerethefrostssevere，buttherewasmuchrainbetween。
Theirchildrendidallintheirpowertoministertotheirwants，andGibbiewasnurseaswellasshepherd。Hewhowhenachildhadsoughthisplaceintheliveuniversebyattendingondrunkpeopleandhelpingthemhomethroughthemidnightstreets，mighthavefelthimselfpromotedconsiderablyinhavingthenecessitiesofsuchasRobertandJanettoministerto，butheneverthoughtofthat。Itmadehimalittlemournfulsometimestothinkthathecouldnotreadtothem。Janet，however，wasgenerallyabletoreadaloud。Robert，beingalsoasthmatic，sufferedmorethanshe，andwasattimesalittleimpatient。
Gibbiestilloccupiedhisheather-bedonthefloor，anditwaspartofhisbusiness，asnurse，tokeepupagoodfireonthehearth：
peats，happily，wereplentiful。Awakeforthiscause，heheardinthemiddleofonenight，thefollowingdialoguebetweenthehusbandandwife。
“I’mgrowin’terribleauld，Janet，“saidRobert。“It’sasairthingthisauldage，an’Icannabringmysel’contentwi’’t。YeseeI
haenabeenusedtill’t。”
“That’strue，Robert，“answeredJanet。“Gienwehadbeenbornauld，wemichtbythistimehaebeenathamewi’t。Butsynewhatwadhaecomeo’thegran’delichto’seein’auldagerinhirplinawa’fraethefaceo’theAunciento’Days？”
“Iwadfainbecontentitwi’mylot，thouch，“persistedRobert;“butwhanIfin’mysel’saehelplesslike，Icannagetitooto’myheid’attheLordhasforsakenme，an’leftmetomakanillbesto’’twantin’him。”
“Iwadnalatsicathouchtcomeintilmyheid，Robert，saelangasI
kennedIcudnadrawbreathnorwagtonguewantin’him，forinhimweleevean’muvan’haeoorbein’。Gienhebethelifeo’me，whatforsudItriblemysel’abootthatlife？”
“Ay，lass！butgienyehedthisashmy，makin’a’yerbreistasgien’twarlinedwi’thesan’paper’attheyhedbeenlichtin’athoosan’
ortwaluciferspunksupo’——yemichtbedriventoforget’attheLordwasyerlife——forIcantellyeit’snolikehaeinhisbreithi’yernostrils。”
“Eh，mybonnylaad！”returnedJanetwithinfinitetenderness，“I
michtweelforgetit！，IdoobtIwadnabehalfsaepatientasyersel’;butjisttohelptohaudyeup，Is’tellyewhatIthinkI
wadettleefter。Iwadsaytomysel’Gienhebethelifeo’me，I
haenobusinesswi’onymairo’’tnorhegiesme。Ihaebuttotakaebreath，be’thard，be’teasy，aneatatime，an’lathimseetotheneisthimsel’。HereIam，an’here’shim;an’’athewinnalat’sainwarkcometoill，thatI’mweelsureo’。An’yemichtjistthinktoyersel’，Robert，’atasyearebornintilthewarl’，an’hereyeareauldintil’t——yemayjistthink，Isay，’athooye’rejistnew-bornanauldman，an’beginnin’togrowyoong，an’
’atthat’syerbusiness。Fornaitheryounormecanbethatfarfraehame，Robert，an’whanwewintherewe’llbeyoongeneuch，I’mthinkin’;an’nooweryoong，forwe’llhaewhattheysayyecannagetdoonhere——apairo’auldheidsupo’yoongshoothers。”
“Eh！butIwussImayhaeyethere，Janet，forIkennawhatIwaddowantin’ye。Iwadbeuncostrayupyon’er，gienIhadtogangmylane，an’noyoutorefartill，’atkensthew’yso’theplace。”
“Ikennomoreaboutthew’yso’theplacenoryersel’，Robert，thoughI’mthinkin’they’llbeuncoquaietan’sensible，seein’’ata’theremaunbegentlefowk。It’seneuchtome’atI’llbei’thehooseo’myMaister’sfather;an’myMaisterwasweelcontenttogangtothathoose;an’itmaunbesomethingbyordinar’’atwasfitforhim。Butpuirsimplefowklikeoorsel’s’illhaenoneedtohingdowntheheidan’luiklikegowks’atdisnakenmainners。
Bairnsarenoexpeckittokena’thew’yso’amucklehoose’attheyhaeneverbeenintili’theirlivesafore。”
“It’snothata’thegither’attriblesme，Janet;it’smair’atI’llbeexpeckittosingan’luikpleased-like，an’Idivnotkenhooit’llbepoassible，an’younaegait’ithinmysichtormycry，orthehearin’o’myears。”
“Divyebelievethis，Robert’——atwe’rea’ane，jistane，inChristJesus？”
“Icannaweelsay。I’mnodenyin’naething’atthebuiktellsme;
yekenmebetternorthat，Janet;butthere’smonyathingitsays’atIdinnakenwhetherIbelieve’t’atmyainhan’，orwhetheritbeonlyata’thing’atyebelieve，Janet，’sjisttomeasgienI
believetitmysel’;an’that’sasairthought，foramancannabesavete’enbytheproxyo’’sainwife。”
“Weel，ye’rejustmucklewhaurIfin’mysel’whiles，Robert;an’I
comfortmysel’wi’thehoup’atwe’llkenthethingthere，’atmaybewe’rebuttryin’tobelievehere。Butonygaityehaepruv’tweel’atyouan’me’sane，Robert。NoowekenfraeScriptur’’attheMaistercamtomakayeaneo’them’atwasattwa;an’wekenalso’atheconqueredDeith;saehewadneverlatDeithmaktheane’athehadmadeane，intiltwaagain：it’snorizontothinkit。ForouchtIken，whatluikslikeagangin’awamaybeacomin’nearer。
An’theremaybew’yso’comin’nearertillaneanitherupyon’er’atwekennaethingabootdoonhere。There’sthatladdie，Gibbie：I
cannabutthink’atgienhehedthetonguetospeyk，oraivengienhecudmak’onysoon’wi’senseintil’t，likesingin’，say，hewadfin’himsel’nearertill’snorhecani’thenoo。Whakensbutthem’at’ssingin’upthereaforethethrone，maysingsobonny，’at，i’
thepooero’theirbrawthouchts，theirverrasangsmaybelikelaiddersforthemtocomedoonupo’，an’hingabootthem’attheyhaeleftahin’them，tillthetimecomesforthemtogangan’jinethemi’thegreenpastursabootthetreeo’life。”
Moreofliketalkfollowed，butthesewordsconcerningappropinquationinsong，althoughtheirmeaningwasnotveryclear，tooksuchaholdofGibbiethatheheardnothingafter，butfellasleepthinkingaboutthem。
Inthemiddleofthefollowingnight，Janetwokeherhusband。
“Robert！，Robert！”shewhisperedinhisear，“hearken。I’mthinkin’
yonmaunbesomeweeangelcomedoontosay，’Ikenye，puirfowk。’“
Robert，scarcedaringtodrawhisbreathlistenedwithhisheartinhismouth。Fromsomewhere，apparentlywithinthefourwallsofthecottage，camealowlovelysweetsong——somethinglikethepipingofabigbird，somethinglikeasmallhumanvoice。
“Itcannabeanangel，“saidRobertatlength，“forit’ssingin’’MyNannie’sAwa’。’“
“An’whatfornoanangel？”returnedJanet。“Isnathatjistwhatyemichtbesingin’yersel’，efterwhatyewassayin’lastnicht？，I’mthinkin’theremaunbeaheapo’yoongangelsupthere，newdeid，singin’，’MyNannie’sAwa’。’“
“Hoot，Janet！yekenthere’snaithermerryin’norgiein’inmerriagethere。”
“Whawassayin’onythingabootmerryin’orgiein’inmerriage，Robert？，Isthattosay’atyouan’me’stobenomoretoaneanithernoritherfowk？，Norit’snotosay’at，’causemerriageisnothew’yo’thecountry，’atthere’stobenaethingbetteri’theplaceo’’t。”
“WhatgarredtheMaistersayonythingabootitthan？”
“Jist’causetheyplaguithimwi’speirin’。Hewadneverhaeopenedhismoo’anentit——itwasnaaneo’hissubjec’s——gienithadnabeen’atawheenpride-prankitbeuk-fowk’atdidnabelievetherewasonyangels，orspeeritso’onykin’，butsaid’atamanancedeidwasayean’a’thegitherdeid，an’yetpreten’ittobelieveinGodhimsel’fora’that，thouchttobleck(nonplus)theMaisterwi’
speirin’whilko’saivenapuirbody’athadbeengarredmerrythema’，wadbethewifeo’whantheygatupagain。”
“Abodymichtthinkitwadbelefttohersel’tosay，“suggestedRobert。“Shehadcomethrou’eneuchtohaesomeclaimtobeconsidert。”
“Shemaunhaebeenarichtguidane，“saidJanet，“gienilkaneo’
thesaivenwadbewantin’heragain。ButIs’warran’shekennedweeleneuchwhilko’themwasherain。But，Robert，man，thisisjokin’——no’atit’syourwyte(blame)——an’it’snobecomin’，I
doobt，upo’sicasarioussubjec’。An’I’mfeart——ay！there！——I
thouchtasmuckle！——theweesangie’sdrappititsel’a’thegither，jistasgienthelaverockhadfa’ntitintil’tsnest。Idoobtwe’llhearnaemairo’’t。”
Assoonashecouldhearwhattheyweresaying，Gibbiehadstoppedtolisten;andnowtheyhadstoppedalso，andtherewasanend。
ForweekshehadbeenpickingouttunesonhisPan’s-pipes，also，hehadlatelydiscoveredthat，althoughhecouldnotarticulate，hecouldproducetones，andhadtaughthimselftoimitatethepipes。
Now，tohisdelight，hehadfoundthatthenoiseshemadewererecognizedassongbyhisfatherandmother。Fromthattimehewasoftenheardcrooningtohimself。Beforelonghebegantolookabouttheheavensforairs——tosuitthisorthatsonghecameupon，orheardfromDonal。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
THEWISDOMOFTHEWISE。
Change，meantime，wasinprogresselsewhere，andaswelluponthefootashighonthesideofGlashgar——changewhichseemedallimportanttothosewhofeltthegrindoftheglacierasitslipped。
ThomasGalbraith，ofGlashruach，Esquire，whomnomorethananyothercouldnegationsave，wasnotenfranchisedfromfolly，orliftedabovebeliefinalie，byhishatredtowhathecalledsuperstition：hehadlongfallenintowhatwillultimatelyprovethemostdegradingsuperstitionofall——theworshipofMammon，andwasrapidlysinkingfromdeeptolowerdeep。Firstofall，thiswasthesuperstitionofplacinghopeandtrustinthatwhich，fromagetoage，andonthetestimonyofallsortsofpersonswhohavetriedit，hasbeenprovedtofailutterly;next，suchwasthefollyofthemanwhosewisdomwasindignantwiththeharmlessimaginationofsimplepeoplefordaringflutteritswingsuponhisland，thatheriskedwhathelovedbestintheworld，evenbetterthanMammon，theapprobationoffellowworshippers，byinvestinginWelshgoldmines。
ThepropertyofGlashruachwasagoodone，butnotnearlysolargeasithadbeen，andhewasanxioustorestoreittoitsformerdimensions。Therentswerelow，anditcouldbuttardilywidenitsownborders，whileofmoneyhehadlittleandnowilltomortgage。
Toincreasehismoney，thathemightincreasehisproperty，hetooktospeculation，buthadneverhadmuchsuccessuntilthatsameyear，whenhedisposedofcertainsharesatalargeprofit——nothingtroubledbytheconvictionthatthemanwhoboughtthem——inignoranceofmanyafactwhichthelairdknew——mustinallprobabilityberuinedbythem。Hecountedthissuccess，anditgavehimconfidencetospeculatefurther。Inthemeantime，withwhathehadthussecured，hereannexedtothepropertyasmallfarmwhichhadbeenforsometimeinthemarket，butwhosesalehehadmanagedtodelay。Thepurchasegavehimparticularpleasure，becausethefarmnotonlymarchedwithhishome-grounds，butfilledupagreatnotchinthemapofthepropertybetweenGlashruachandtheMains，withwhichalsoitmarched。Itwasgoodland，andheletitatonce，onhisownterms，toMr。Duff。
Inthespring，affairslookedratherbadforhim，andinthemonthofMay，heconsideredhimselfcompelledtogotoLondon：hehadafaithinhisownbusiness-facultyquiteasfoolishasanysuperstitioninGormgarnet。Therehefellintothehandsofacertainman，whosetrueplacewouldhavebeenintheswellmob，andnotintheHouseofCommons——afellowwhousedhisinfluenceandfacilitiesasmemberofParliamentinpromotingbubblecompanies。
Hewasintimatewithanelderbrotherofthelaird，himselfmemberforanotunimportantborough——aman，likewise，ofprinciplesthatlovetheshade;andbetweenthemtheyhadnodifficultyinmakingatoolofThomasGalbraith，aschairmanofacertainaggregateofiniquity，whosedesignationwillnot，insomefamilies，beforgottenforacenturyorso。Duringthesummer，therefore，thelairdwasfromhome，workingupthecompany，hopingmuchfromit，andtryinghardtobelieveinit——whippingupitscream，andperhapshimselftakingthefroth，certainlydoinghisbesttomakeotherstakeit，foranincreaseofgenuinesubstance。HedevotedthechamberofhisimaginationtotheserviceofMammon，andthebrowniehekeptthereplayedhimfinepranks。
Asmallerchange，thoughofreallygreaterimportanceintheend，was，thatinthecourseofthewinter，oneofDonal’ssisterswasengagedbythehousekeeperatGlashruach，chieflytowaituponMissGalbraith。Ginevrawasstillasilent，simple，unconsciouslyretiring，andtherewithdignifiedgirl，inwhomchildhoodandwomanhoodhadbeguntointerchangehues，asitwerewiththeplayofcoloursinadove’sneck。Happytheyinwhomneitherhasafinalvictory！，Happyalsoallwhohavesuchwomentolove！，AtonemomentGinevrawoulddrawherselfup——bridlehergrandmotherwouldhavecalledit——withinvoluntaryrecoilfromdoubtfulapproach;thenext，Ginnywouldburstoutinamerrylaughatsomethinginwhichonlyachildcouldhaveperceivedthemirth-causingelement;thenagainthewomanwouldseemsuddenlytore-enterandrebukethechild，forthesparklewouldfadefromhereyes，andshewouldlooksolemn，andevenalittlesad。Thepeopleabouttheplacelovedher，butfromthestillnessonthegeneralsurfaceofherbehaviour，thefarawayfeelingshegavethem，andtheimpossibilityofdivininghowshewasthinkingexceptshechosetounbosomherself，theywereallalittleafraidofheraswell。Theydidnotacknowledge，eventothemselves，thatherevidentconscientiousnessborenosmallpartincausingthatslightuneasinessofwhichtheywereawareinherpresence。Possiblyitrousedinsomeofthemsuchadissatisfactionwiththemselvesasgavetheinitiativetodislikeofher。
Inthemindofhernewmaid，however，therewasnostrife，thereforenotendencytodislike。Shewasthoroughlywell-meaning，liketherestofherfamily，andfindingherlittlemistressdwellinthesameatmosphere，thedesiretobeacceptabletoherawokeatonce，andgrewrapidlyinherheart。ShewastheyoungestofJanet’sgirls，aboutfouryearsolderthanDonal，notclever，butassweetashonest，andfullofdivineservice。Alwaysreadytothinkothersbetterthanherself，themomentshesawthestillfaceofGinevra，shetookherforalittlesaint，andacceptedherasaqueen，whosewilltohershouldbelaw。Ginevra，onherpart，wastakenwiththehealthyhueandhonesteyesofthegirl，andneitherfeltanydisliketohertouchingherhair，norlosthertemperwhenshewasawkwardandpulledit。Beforethewinterwasover，thebondbetweenthemwasstrong。
OneprincipaldutyrequiredofNicie——herparentshadnamedherafterthemotherofSt。Paul’sTimothy——wastoaccompanyhermistresseveryfinedaytothemanse，amileandahalffromGlashruach。ForsometimeGinevrahadbeenunderthecareofMissMachar，thedaughteroftheparishclergyman，anoldgentlemanofsoberaspirations，towhomthelastcenturywastheAugustanageofEnglishliterature。Hewasgenial，gentle，andaloverofhisrace，withmuchreverencefor，andsomefaithin，aScotchGod，whosenaturewassummedupinaseriesofwordsbeginningwithomni。
Partlythatthelivingwasapoorone，andherfatheroldandinfirm，MissMarchar，herselfmiddle-aged，hadundertakentheinstructionofthelittleheiress，neverdoubtingherselfmistressofallitwasnecessaryaladyshouldknow。Bynatureshewasromantic，butherromancehadfadedagooddeal。Possiblyhadshereadthenewpoetsofherage，thevitalflameofwonderandhopemighthavekeptnotalittleofitsoriginalbrightnessinherheart;butunderherfather’sguidance，shehadnevergotbeyondtheNightThoughts，andtheCourseofTime。Bothintellectuallyandemotionally，therefore，MissMacharhadwitheredinsteadofripening。Astoherspiritualcarriage，shethoughttoomuchaboutbeingaladytobethoroughlyone。Theuttergraciousnessoftheidealladywouldblushtoregarditself。Shewasbothgentleanddignified;butwouldhavedoneanatureinferiortoGinevra’sinjurybythewayshetalkedofthingsrightandwrongasbecomingornotbecominginaladyofpositionsuchasGinevrawouldonedayfindherself。Whatlessonsshetaughthershetaughtherwell。Hermusicwasold-fashioned，ofcourse;butIhaveafancythatperhapstheolderthemusiconelearnsfirst，thebetter;forthedeeperistherebytherootingofthatwhichwillhavetheatmosphereoftheagetoblossomin。Butthentoeveryloverofthetruth，atruethingisdearerbecauseitisold-fashioned，anddearerbecauseitisnew-fashioned：andtruemusic，liketruelove，likealltruth，laughsatthegodFashion，becauseitknowshimtobebutanape。
Everyday，then，exceptSaturdayandSunday，MissMacharhadfortwoyearsbeeninthehabitofwalkingordrivingtoGlashruach，andtherespendingthemorninghours;butoflateherfatherhadbeenailing，andashewassooldthatshecouldnotwithoutanxietyleavehimwhensufferingfromthesmallestindisposition，shehadfoundherselfcompelledeithertogiveupteachingGinevra，ortoaskMr。Galbraithtoallowhertogo，whensuchoccasionshouldrenderitnecessary，tothemanse。Shedidthelatter;thelairdhadconsented;andthencearosethedutyrequiredofNicie。Mr。
Machar’shealthdidnotimproveasthespringadvanced，andbythetimeMr。GalbraithleftforLondon，hewasconfinedtohisroom，andGinevra’swalktothemanseforlessonshadsettledintoacustom。