"Here! Take that in your right hand and put your left hand on my pole, and say after me.

'I swear no' to blab what is telled me in secret, and to be swift and sure in obeyin' orders, s'help me God!' Syne kiss the bookie." Dickson at first refused, declaring that it was all havers, but Heritage's docility persuaded him to follow suit.

The two were sworn.
"Now," said Heritage.
Dougal squatted again on the hearth-rug, and gathered the eyes of his audience.

He was enjoying himself.
"This day," he said slowly, "I got inside the Hoose." "Stout fellow," said Heritage; "and what did you find there ?" "I got inside that Hoose, but it wasn't once or twice I tried.

I found a corner where I was out o' sight o' anybody unless they had come there seekin' me, and I sklimmed up a rone pipe, but a' the windies were lockit and I verra near broke my neck.