Clifford.—Homer or Maro could never have held a candle to you! Why your floating island would beat a steamer. But, joking apart, we are really much obliged to you for the very interesting story you have told us.
Dominie (bowing).—I am yespecially proud and happy that you are pleased with it, sir.
Author.—We are all very much indebted to you indeed, for you have helped us very agreeably over the most dreary1 part of our road.
The good man rose an inch or two higher than he had hitherto appeared, and his cheek glowed with satisfaction.
We had now come to the Pass of Craig-Bey, where the Grantown country opened to us. A rocky hill arose on our right, wildly wooded with tall Scottish pines, whilst, on our left, the ground declined into a hollow, through which the dark streamlet that drains the extensive peat-bog, whence the villagers of Grantown are supplied with fuel, throws itself into a deep rocky ravine, along which our road skirted. At some distance to our left, and on the farther side of the glen, a beautiful smiling portion of Highland2 country arose in swelling3 grounds, simply cultivated, amidst natural birchen groves4; whilst every now and then we had a transient view directly downwards5, where the stream threw itself into a fairy little holm, surrounded by tall castellated rocks, richly tinted6 with warm coloured mosses7, and rising picturesquely8 from among woods of golden-leaved aspen and birch.
Clifford.—Is there no story connected with that beautiful spot below?
Author.—The place is called Huntly’s Cove10. It has its name from some cavity in the crag, which is said to have been the place of concealment11 of George, second Marquis of Huntly, in the time of Charles I. [158]
Clifford.—I forget his history at this moment.
Author.—He was married, if I remember rightly, in 1609, to the Lady Anne Campbell, eldest12 daughter of Archibald, seventh Earl of Argyll; and he was, therefore, brother-in-law to Archibald, the eighth Earl of Argyll, who so strenuously13 exerted himself in the cause of the people against King Charles I., and who, as you may recollect14, was appointed by the Convention of Estates, 16th April, 1644, commander-in-chief of the forces raised to suppress the insurrection of his brother-in-law, this very Marquis of Huntly of whom we are now talking. The Marquis, you know, rose in arms for the King in the north; but Argyll marching against him, dispersed15 the Royalists, and obliged Huntly to fly to Strathnaver, in Sutherland. Huntly again appeared in arms in 1645, and refused to lay them down even when commanded by the King, who was then under the control of the Parliament of 1646. He was exempted16 from the pardon granted on the 4th March, 1647, and he was that same year taken prisoner. I remember the peerage account of him states that his capture took place in Strathnaver—a blunder occasioned by the circumstance of his having fled to that district of country upon the first-mentioned occasion. It was in Strathaven that he was taken, and the similarity of names assisted in producing the confusion. Before his capture he lay concealed17 in Strathaven, or as it is very commonly called Stradaun, and when more than ordinarily alarmed by an increased activity in the search for him, he used to come over to hide himself here for greater security. I think it was an ancestor of the present Sir Neil Menzies of Castle Menzies who took him, but the legendary18 circumstances have escaped me, if I ever knew them.
Grant.—Thus it is that some of our most curious and valuable traditions are lost.
Clifford.—It is truly provoking that it should be so. As we have Roxburghe, and Bannatyne, and Maitland Clubs for the preservation19 and printing of old writings, would it not be a meritorious20 thing to establish a Legend Club, the object of which should be to proceed systematically21 throughout every part of the British dominions22 to collect and write down all the legendary and traditionary matter which may yet remain?
Grant.—There is no doubt that an immense mass of [159]materials might thus be gathered together for the use of the novelist and playwright23.
Clifford.—Nay24, nay, Grant; but joking apart, I do think that although the great mass might be rubbishy enough, and, perhaps, much fitter for the compounder of melodramas25 than for anything else, croyez moi on doit cependant trouver des perles, ou plutot des diamants, dans ce grand fumier. And then when you think that the numerous fitful beams of light which might proceed from these recovered diamonds should be concentrated into one focus, it is not very impossible that history itself might receive some fresh illumination from the flame that might be kindled26.
Author.—Your scheme is amusing enough, and by no means undeserving of attention; but I conceive that the utility of such a society as you speak of would very much depend upon the efficiency of its secretary.
Clifford (with an arch look).—Why, no doubt, it would so. And therefore I should propose to confer that important and distinguished27 post upon our new acquaintance, Mr. Macpherson here, seeing that he is so much given to searching out the truth of such things, and that he has, moreover, proved himself to be so able a narrator of them after he has found them out.
Dominie (his eyes glistening28 with pride and delight as he again advanced to fill that place in the line of march which he had occupied during the time we were listening to his tale).—What could be more to my mind than such an occupation! And yet, sir, seeing that I am already planted as a teacher of youth in a comfortable house in Caithness, with a small garden and a cow’s grass appended thereto; to all which there falls to be added a salary, which, though small, yet sufficeth for my mainteenance, who have no wife or “charge of children,” as Lord Chancellor29 Bacon hath it, save that of the children of other people, whence there arises to me not expense but yemolument, it would be well to know what sum of money by the year might be incoming to the holder30 of that secretaryship of which you have spoken; seeing that prudence31 bids us be sure that we move not our right foot until our left be firmly set down.
Clifford.—As to the matter of revenue, I fear there would be more of honorary dignity than of edible32 income attached to the situation. I would, therefore, earnestly [160]advise you, since I now learn that your lot has already been so pleasantly cast, to hold your right foot fast in Caithness, where, were the society to go on, you might be appointed one of its honorary corresponding members.
Dominie.—Thank you, sir, your advice is good. I could by no means afford to throw away my cow’s grass and potato-yard to the dogs, to say nothing of my salary, without something better. I shall therefore e’en hold as I am.
Clifford.—What mountain is that which I see rising blue and grand yonder in the eastern distance?
Grant.—I have now a right to step forward as your cicerone, Clifford, for this is the country of the great clan33 to which I belong. Yet I must confess that I have no great knowledge of its history. I can at least tell you, however, that the mountain you are inquiring about is Ben Rinnes, the hill which rises over the ancient house of Ballindalloch, at the junction34 of the rivers Avon and Spey. Ballindalloch belongs to an old family of the Grants.
Dominie.—I could tell you a curious legend about the building of the Castle of Ballindalloch, were it not deemed presumption35 in me to tell of the Grants in presence of so accomplished36 a member of the clan.
Grant.—Sir, I shall cheerfully trust to you to do justice to the Grants, and especially to the Grants of Ballindalloch; for since the Macphersons are now engrafted on the family of that house, I think you will be disposed to say nothing that may be in anywise to their disparagement37.
Dominie.—God forbid that I should. They have always been kind friends of mine.
Clifford.—I protest against any more stories till after dinner. I presume we shall find an inn at Grantown, and I therefore beg leave to move that all lengthened38 communications be adjourned39 until we are fairly set in to be comfortable for the evening.
Grant.—Agreed. Now, then, follow me in at this gate that opens to our left here, and through this plantation40, and I, as your cicerone here, shall show you something worth looking at.
We had no sooner burst from the confinement41 of the trees, than a wide and extensive and grand prospect42 opened to us. From the immediate43 foreground the eye [161]ran gently down some sloping cultivated inclosures, till, passing over the widespread woods by which these were surrounded, it swept with eagle flight across the wide valley of the Spey and the endless forests of Abernethy, and rested with joy and with a feeling of freedom on the blue chain of the Cairngorum mountains, rising huge and vast above these minor44 dependent hills that were congregated45 about their bases. To the left our view was bounded by tall groves of timber-trees, chiefly beeches46, and after penetrating47 these, the lofty bulk of Castle Grant presented itself within an hundred yards of us.
Clifford.—I think it will not be considered as any breach48 of the rule we have just laid down, if you should give us an outline, in three words, of the history of this the feudal49 residence of your chiefs.
Grant.—All I can tell you regarding it is, that it has been the seat of the chief of our clan ever since the fourteenth century, when the surrounding lands were taken from the Cumins and bestowed50 on the Grants by the Crown. Another large cantle of the ancient possessions of the Cumins came into the family by the marriage of Sir John Grant with Matilda or Bigla, the heiress of Gilbert Cumin of Glenchearnich.
Dominie.—True, true, sir, I have a curious story about that. You see, gentlemen, Gilbert Cumin, whose cognomen51 was Gibbon More——
Clifford.—You will forgive me for interrupting you, sir, but you will recollect, that although we allowed Grant to tell us what he knew about the castle, we have just laid it down as a rule, that we are to have no more long stories upon empty stomachs. Let us hasten to see the interior of this chateau52, and then to Grantown and to dinner with what appetite we may. You shall dine with us, and I shall book you for there giving us Gibbon More, or any More you may be possessed53 of.
Dominie.—Your pun is most excellent, sir, ha! ha! ha!—your reproof54 is most just, and your invitation most kind, and readily accepted. And as I can be of little use to you here, gentlemen, perhaps I shall be most benefeecially employed, both for your interest and my own, by stepping my ways on to Grantown, and looking to the preparation for your accommodation and entertainment at the inn.
Author.—No, no, sir, we have already secured all that [162]by the gilly who has preceded us with the pony55. We cannot part with you so, your information may be useful to us.
Clifford.—This huge pile seems to have been built at various periods, and with no great taste. That tower is the only picturesque9 part about it.
Grant.—That is called the Cumin’s Tower, and it is perhaps the only very old fragment of the building. The most modern part is the northern front, the style of which is quite inappropriate.
Clifford.—Come, let us hasten to discuss the interior; my appetite at present is sufficiently56 sharp, yet it is for something more digestible than granite57 and mortar58.
We hurried through the castle, admired the great hall, some fifty feet by thirty in size, and were particularly delighted with some of the old family portraits, which are extremely curious as to costume.
Clifford.—What a fierce old white-bearded fellow that is in the bonnet59 and tartan plaid, drawing a pistol as if he was about to shoot us. I should not like to meet in a wood with such an one as he appears to have been, unless I met him as a friend.
Dominie.—That is old Robert Grant of Lurg. I can tell you many a story about him. He was surnamed old Stachcan, or the Stubborn; and—a——
Clifford.—Unless you are determined60 to deserve that surname, as well as ever the said Robert Grant did, you had better attempt no more stories till after dinner, my good friend. And now, methinks, we have seen enough of these bearded, belted, and bonneted61 heroes; and if you have no objections, I think we may as well proceed to march into quarters for the night.
A walk of little more than a mile brought us to the village of Grantown, and a period of time something less than a couple of hours found us all seated, after a very good dinner, round a cheerful fire, each preparing to light his cigar, and moderately to sip62 the fluid that was most agreeable to him.
Clifford (opening his tablets).—Let me see what my book says. Ha!—Legend of the Raid of Killychrist—Building of Ballindalloch—Gibbon More—Old Stachcan! The raid comes first—the raid stops the way,—so drive on with the raid if you please. [163]
Author.—Since you desire it, I shall do so, in order, as you say, to get it out of the way. But I must tell you that the Raid of Killychrist does in fact form so small a part of that which I have to narrate63 to you, that I might rather call it the Legend of Allan with the Red Jacket.
Clifford.—Pray call it what you please, but quocunque nomine gaudet, let us have your legend, if you please, without further loss of time.
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1
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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5
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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picturesquely
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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exempted
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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legendary
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| adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学） | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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meritorious
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| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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playwright
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| n.剧作家，编写剧本的人 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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melodramas
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| 情节剧( melodrama的名词复数 ) | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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edible
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| n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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disparagement
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| n.轻视，轻蔑 | |
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lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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42
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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43
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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48
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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50
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cognomen
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| n.姓；绰号 | |
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52
chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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53
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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54
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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55
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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56
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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57
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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58
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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59
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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bonneted
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| 发动机前置的 | |
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62
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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63
narrate
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| v.讲，叙述 | |
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