"
Ian brought from his cupboard oat-cake and a flask of brandy. The
other shook his head.
"I had food at sunrise, and I drank from a spring below."
"Very good!"
The laird of Glenfernie sat looking down the mountain-sides and over
to far hills and moving clouds, much as he used to sit in the crook of
the old pine outside the broken wall at Glenfernie. There was a trick
of posture when he was at certain levels within himself. Ian knew it
well.
"Perhaps I should tell you," said Alexander, "that I came alone
through the pass and that I have been alone for some days. If there
are soldiers near I do not know of them."
"It is not necessary," answered Ian. While he spoke he saw in a flash
both that his confidence was profound that it was not necessary, and
that that incapacity to betray that might be predicated of Old
Steadfast was confined to but one of the two upon this rock. The
enlightenment stung, then immediately brought out a reaction. "To each
some specialty in error! I no more than he am monstrous!" There arose
a desire to defend himself, to show Old Steadfast certain things. He
spoke. "We are going to fight presently--"
"Yes."
"That's understood. Now listen to me a little! For long years we were
together, friends near and warm! You knew that I saw differently from
you in regard to many things--in regard, for instance, to women.
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