And I may tell ye at the off-go, unless we can agree upon some terms, ye are little likely to set eyes upon him.

For my friends," added Alan, simply, "are no very well off." My uncle cleared his throat.

"I'm no very caring," says he.

"He wasnae a good lad at the best of it, and I've nae call to interfere." "Ay, ay," said Alan, "I see what ye would be at: pretending ye don't care, to make the ransom smaller." "Na," said my uncle, "it's the mere truth.

I take nae manner of interest in the lad, and I'll pay nae ransome, and ye can make a kirk and a mill of him for what I care." "Hoot, sir," says Alan.