Kidnap and beaten

ig

nd bolts, and the door was cautiously opened and

hile the person of the house set himself to replacing the defen

es; the table was laid for supper with a bowl of porridge, a horn spoon, and a cup of small beer. Besides what I have named, there was not

so was the nightgown that he wore, instead of coat and waistcoat, over his ragged shirt. He was long unshaved; but what most distressed and even daunted me, he would neither take his eyes away from me nor look me fa

cing at about the level of my knee

red it was h

(moistens) my cough." He drank the cup about half out, still keeping an eye upon m

ter was for Mr. Ba

am?" says he. "Give m

my fathe

s ye seem to like either me or my house, or my good parritch, I'm your born uncle, Davie,

d burst into tears. As it was, I could find no words, neither black nor white, but handed him th

over the fire, turned the lett

's in it?" he a

ir," said I, "that the s

"but what bro

the lette

y, "but ye'll have had

at they might help me in my life. But I am no beggar; I look for no favours at your hands, and I want none

usted me from the stool and spoon, "they're fine, halesome food-they're grand food, parritch." He murmured a little grace to himself and fell to. "Your father was very fond of his meat, I mind; he was a hearty, if not a great

ow at my shoes and now at my home-spun stockings. Once only, when he had ventured to look a little higher, our eyes met; and no thief taken with a hand in a man's pocket could have shown more lively signals of distress. This set me in a

s been long d

eks, sir,

man," he continued. "He never said muckle when he

you told it me yourself,

id Ebenezer. "Nor yet

as the name,

was more than I could read. Certainly, however, he seemed to be outgrowing that distaste, or ill-will, that he had conceived at first against my person; for presently he jump

teps, and paused before a door, which he unlocked. I was close upon his heels, having stumbled after him as best I might; and the

Uncle Ebenezer, "t

ir, and pit-mirk,"* said

as th

m unco feared of fires. Good-night to ye, Davie, my man." And before I had time to add

way to it, as damp as a peat-hag; but by good fortune I had caught up my bundle and my plaid, and rolling

twenty, it must have been as pleasant a room to lie down or to awake in as a man could wish; but damp, dirt, disuse, and the mice and spiders had done their worst since then. Many of the window-panes, besi

face there, if I wanted;" and when that was done, I made the best of my own way back to the kitchen, where he had lit the fire and was making the porridge. The table was laid with two bowls and two horn spoons, but the same si

my habit, but not

; "I'll deny you

an accurate half from one cup to the other. There was a kind of nobleness in this that took my breath away; i

up again. Then he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked. From time to time his eyes came coasting round to me, and he shot out one of his questions. On

nd that the minister, that had ever taken the least note of me; but I began to think my uncle made too

right by you; but while I'm taking a bit think to mysel' of what's the best thing to put you to-whether the law, or the meenistry, or maybe the army, whilk is what boys are fondest of-I wouldnae li

me. For all that, I would have you to know that I have a pride of my own. It was by no will o

two. I'm nae warlock, to find a fortune for you in the bottom of a parritch bowl; but just you

ant to help me, there's no doubt but I'll b

my uncle; and I began next to say that I must have the bed and bedclothes

what's yours is mine. Blood's thicker than water; and there's naebody but you and me that ought the name." And then on he rambled about the family, and its ancient greatnes

d the limmer rowpit!* Dod, David, I'll have her roasted on red peats before I'

old

at, and a good enough beaver hat, both without lace. These he threw on any way, and taking a sta

el' in the house," said he.

ock me out," I said, "it'll be the l

pale, and sucke

wickedly at a corner of the floor-"this

at a boddle's purchase. I was brought up to have a good conceit of myself; and if you were all the unc

I could see him all trembling and twitching, like a man with

bear and forbear. I'll no go; th

see it, every word and every minute: it's not possible that you can like me; and as for me, I've spoken to you as I never thought

for the honour of the house I couldnae let you leave the way ye came. Bide here quiet

ay awhile. It's more just I should be helped by my own blood than strangers;