adalbane, and broad Lorn besides."

"I assure you, my dearest mother," replied Hamish, "that I am in no
danger. But have you seen MacPhadraick, mother? and what has he said to
you on my account?"

"Silver he left me in plenty, Hamish; but the best of his comfort was
that you were well, and would see me soon. But beware of MacPhadraick,
my son; for when he called himself the friend of your father, he better
loved the most worthless stirk in his herd than he did the life-blood of
MacTavish Mhor. Use his services, therefore, and pay him for them, for
it is thus we should deal with the unworthy; but take my counsel, and
trust him not."

Hamish could not suppress a sigh, which seemed to Elspat to intimate
that the caution came too late. "What have you done with him?" she
continued, eager and alarmed. "I had money of him, and he gives not that
without value; he is none of those who exchange barley for chaff. Oh, if
you repent you of your bargain, and if it be one which you may break off
without disgrace to your truth or your manhood, take back his silver,
and trust not to his fair words."

"It may not be, mother," said Hamish; "I do not repent my engagement,
unless that it must make me leave you soon."

"Leave me! how leave me? Silly boy, think you I know not what duty
belongs to the wife or mother of a daring man? Thou art but a boy yet;
and when thy father had been the dread of the country for twenty years,
he did not despise my company and assistance, but often said my help was
worth that of two strong gillies."

"It is not on that score, mother, but since I must leave the country--"

"Leave the country!" replied his mother, interrupting him. "And think
you that I am like a bush, that is rooted to the soil where it grows,
and must die if carried elsewhere? I have breathed other winds than
these of Ben Cruachan. I have followed your father to the wilds of Ross
and the impenetrable deserts of Y Mac Y Mhor. Tush, man! my limbs, old
as they are, will bear me as far as your young feet can trace the way."

"Alas, mother," said the young man, with a faltering accent, "but to
cross the sea--"

"The sea! who am I that I should fear the sea? Have I never been in
a birling in my life--never known the Sound of Mull, the Isles of
Treshornish, and the rough rocks of Harris?"

"Alas, mother, I go far--far from all of these. I am enlisted in one of
the new regiments, and we go against the French in America."

"Enlisted!" utte