"Rob," said Muckle John, "this is a nice business, for here we are with the wild Cameron country and Arkaig safely behind us, and within a few steps of Glengarry's land, for which we have been struggling for the last four hours and more."
To the south-east of them was Glen-Pean and Glen-Kingie stretching out in solitude1. But between them and comparative safety lay the sleeping English tents, and nearing them at every moment were the Camerons and Macaulay. Muckle John shook his head gloomily. "We canna go back, Rob, and we canna go forward—at least no until nightfall, and then we're like to meet with a bullet."
He lay upon the ground, and chewed a piece of grass, eyeing the English tents with a frown.
"We're as good as lost," said Rob hopelessly.
"Man Rob," replied Muckle John grimly, "ye possess a rare discernment."
With a sigh Rob let him be, and took to thinking about his own desperate affairs. Twice during the past twelve hours he had been on the point of destroying the paper and each time he was thankful that he had waited. But now they were as good as lost. Captured either by the English or by Macaulay they were doomed2 for a quick death, and the dispatch would prove a great piece of treasure-trove for either—the map that would show the way to Prince Charlie's gold, with which he could buy ten thousand men to his standard. At least that was how Rob looked at it, and some would say there was some truth in what he believed.
It was the thought of the money falling into such hands that determined3 him to destroy the map. He stole a glance at Muckle John, but his eyes were fixed4 steadily5 on vacancy6. Then slipping away, he leaned with his back against a rock, and drew the envelope cautiously from the side of his brogue, where he had concealed7 it.
It was sealed and addressed to the Prince. Rob had hardly time to glance at it, however, before a warning call from Muckle John made him spring to his feet, the paper still in his hand.
"See, Rob," cried he, but eyeing the piece of paper keenly, "here comes Macaulay from the west, so we must decide on the instant. Once and for the last time, hae ye onything that I can tak' charge of, for it's you they'll search, no me."
"No," he cried, and made as though to tear the paper in two.
"You doited fool!" screamed Muckle John, rushing at his hands.
Rob with quick alarm leaped aside, and the big man tripped and floundered along the ground. What was he to do? But of a sudden he stood still. Why should he doubt Muckle John?
"I've taken your advice," he said, and showed the piece of paper in his hand.
"It's only what seems reasonable," replied Muckle John. "Now put it by, for it's neck or nothing for us, Rob."
"Have you a plan?" asked the boy, with his eyes on the white tents and his heart in a sad state of fright.
"A sort of a plan," he replied, and started at a run rewards the English.
Without a word Rob followed him. There was no time to question such a course, and already Macaulay was within a mile of them. But when he saw them heading for the tents in the glen below he paused, as well he might, for the sight of two Jacobite rebels scampering10 towards an English camp was sufficiently11 arresting.
The Highlanders with him, who had no wish for nearer acquaintance with red-coated soldiery, slackened their pace too, and, dropping below the sky-line, became invisible in the heather.
On ran Muckle John, and behind him Rob, until an English sentinel raised his musket13 and called to them to halt. The boy glanced anxiously at his companion's face. But he gathered nothing there. There was certainly no sign of fear.
Quite quietly Muckle John thrust a hand into his great-coat pocket.
"Here is my passport," he replied, "and this is my guide. I am Captain Strange, on special duty in the west," and he handed over a document to the man, who read it slowly, and then saluting15, stood at attention until they had passed.
"Look up the hill," he said, "and tell me if Macaulay is coming down."
But there was no one to be seen, and on learning that, Muckle John gave a great sigh as though he were vastly relieved.
They neared the tents and were walking on, when an officer rose to his feet and stopped them.
"Who are you?" he asked, "and what kind of Highland12 wild-cat is that?" pointing with the end of his sword at Rob.
"I am Captain Strange," said Muckle John.
"Strange," echoed the man, who seemed a good-humoured fellow, greatly bored with sitting among the hills. "Oh yes, I ken8 ye by name, and I am Captain Campbell, at your service. Come and have a crack inside," and he made to enter his tent.
With a momentary17 hesitation18 Muckle John followed him, but first of all he took one swift sweeping19 glance over his shoulder at the hillside.
Then, seating himself within, he fell into conversation, while Rob waited outside the tent, watching the soldiers standing20 at their posts, or marching up and down amongst the heather.
All the time a curious presentiment21 of fear grew heavy upon him, which the silent day only intensified22.
"I take it you were at Culloden," said Captain Campbell; "that must have been a poorlike affair."
"None so poor," said Muckle John; "where there are starving men and bickering23 chiefs you don't look for much resistance, but they broke two lines, sir."
"Did they so? It is evident the Argyll men were not in prominence24."
"No," replied Muckle John drily, "the Campbells were employed in pulling down walls."
The other eyed him uncertainly. He felt the sting under his words.
"If the business had been left to the Duke," said he, "there would have been no call for levies25 from the Low Country."
"If it had been left to the Duke," replied Muckle John, "every clan26 in the north would have made havoc27 of Argyll."
"You speak strangely, sir—I take it you mean no offence to the Clan Campbell?"
"I," echoed Muckle John, "what have I against them? I am a Lowlander, as my name tells ye; we canna all be born across the Highland line."
"Well, well, Captain Strange, there are braw men on both sides; I take it you are on the trail of the rebel leaders?"
"And who else? But I would as wittingly trap foxes in Badenoch; they disappear like peat reek28 on a summer's night."
Captain Campbell nodded his head, and taking out a dispatch from his pocket, he drew his stool a shade nearer.
"You come at an opportune29 time," he said, "for here is a dispatch in which your name appears, and certain secret information is contained for transmission to you."
"Indeed, sir," said Muckle John, all attention.
"It has reached the knowledge of the Duke of Cumberland that certain rebels are concealed about the shores of Arkaig, and amongst them Lord Lovat, who has fled in that direction from Gortuleg House. Two days after Culloden, a party of dragoons surrounded the latter place, but he had gone, carrying his papers with him. He is an old man, and should not evade31 capture long. The Duke places the utmost importance on his capture. If Lovat is taken, he is assured all further trouble will simmer out. As long as Lovat lives he will counsel resistance, and that may mean months of service in the hills."
"Are any others mentioned?"
"It is stated that French gold has been landed at a place near Arkaig, and here is a warrant to arrest two rebels who have knowledge of it—one is a boy, Rob Fraser by name, who is acquainted with the hiding-place of Lord Lovat, and the other is—who do you think?"
"Who indeed, sir? Lochiel—Cluny...?"
"Muckle John? But is he not abroad?"
"Abroad—who ever heard of him abroad when there is a head to crack at home? They say he is wanted on a charge in the Low Countries."
"A dangerous fellow," said Muckle John severely33, "and yet there's a kind of quality about the man—a bird of passage, Captain Campbell, and a bonny player on the chanter."
"More a gallows-bird than any other. He'll whistle a thin enough tune30 when the Duke has finished with him. He lays great stress on his taking, I can tell ye. He can spin a yarn34, Captain Strange, that will be worth hearing, I'll be bound. He and that boy, Rob Fraser, are in company, as desperate a pair as ever skulk35 in the heather this day."
"I take it there is no saying where they lie?"
"The net is closing," he said, "and once the boy is caught, there is small chance of the other going loose."
In the meantime, Rob was outside, and he wished Muckle John would come. Before them was a weary tramp, and already he was tired. His eyes shut for a moment—then opened and shut again. He took to thinking of his father, and how it fared with Lord Lovat, and so thinking he fell asleep.
His awakening37 was rude enough, for before he could open his eyes his arms were held behind his back, and he was hoisted38 roughly to his feet. The officer, good-humoured no longer, was facing him, while half a dozen red-coats shut him off from all chance of escape.
And before him stood Ephraim Macaulay.
"Which of you is Captain Strange?" cried Captain Campbell, very red in the face, and looking back towards his tent as though he awaited an indignant reply from within.
"I am Captain Strange," replied Macaulay stiffly.
"Then where are your papers?"
"They were stolen by the man who came with his boy, who was sleeping outside your tent."
"Be careful of your words, sir. How am I to know that you are what you say?"
"Perhaps you did not trouble to read the particulars on the passport?"
"No, sir—I admit that I did not."
"Then if you had you would have realized that I am not six foot two or thereabouts, or travel with a notorious rebel, such as that boy there. Also that my name is not—Muckle John."
"MUCKLE JOHN!" shouted the officer, "if what you say is true," he cried, and breaking off he started running towards the tent and peered within, then parting the folds, disappeared altogether. But an instant later, he was tearing about the camp like a man gone mad.
"He's made off!" he shouted. "Sound the bugle39 there, and search the hills!" Then plunging40 into his tent again, he reappeared with his hat in his hand.
For Muckle John had taken his departure, leaving behind him only a neat hole in the canvas of the tent, on the side farthest from the real Captain Strange, whose reputation as a secret agent in the English service did not warrant for his future safety. For long the soldiers searched, but no sign of Muckle John was discovered, and none had seen him go.
To Rob, however, this was poor comfort, for bound hand and foot and guarded by two soldiers he passed a miserable41 night, and when morning came he was set between a file of soldiers, and the march to Fort Augustus commenced, where it was rumoured42 that the Duke of Cumberland would arrive that day.
It was not till mid-day that his hands were loosed, and then, very cautiously, he searched for the precious paper, knowing that the time for its destruction was come.
His fingers ran cautiously down the side of his brogue. He did so lying on his side, and his legs tucked up under his kilt.
But all in vain, for the paper was gone.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
doomed
|
|
| 命定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
vacancy
|
|
| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
withheld
|
|
| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
scampering
|
|
| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
highland
|
|
| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
musket
|
|
| n.滑膛枪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
sentry
|
|
| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
saluting
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
sweeping
|
|
| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
presentiment
|
|
| n.预感，预觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
intensified
|
|
| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
bickering
|
|
| v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
prominence
|
|
| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
levies
|
|
| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
clan
|
|
| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
havoc
|
|
| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
reek
|
|
| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
opportune
|
|
| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
evade
|
|
| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
yarn
|
|
| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
skulk
|
|
| v.藏匿；潜行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
winked
|
|
| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
hoisted
|
|
| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
plunging
|
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
rumoured
|
|
| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |