The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Sec fie s of Long Ago. 421
Finlay Don hae ever met so far from home. And how are
they all in Duncairn ? How is Kate and the bairns? I
have not heard of them since Lammasfair. I have little
Jockie with me. Standing on a box that he might get
within reach of the stage, he undertook to hang and coffin
the blackguardly old puppet, while I skipped round to have
a word with you."
Glenbeltane, not ill pleased to see the voluble showman,
gave him reassuring intelligence as to his wife and family,
and desired him to come round to a booth to have some
refreshment.
" Thank you, Glenbeltane, thank you kindly, but
not now. It is of that very booth I wish to talk. I
have been watching you, through a rent in the show, for the
last half hour. I saw you enter the open end of that tent
and sit down at the table, along with the dealer and two
friends of his, with whom you were, as I judged, concluding
a bargain. I recognised, too, your topsman and young
Gillespie as they ranged themselves alongside of you. But
I saw more than the inside of the tent ; I could see the
outside, and, whom saw I there but Gillies and Farquhar
Macilvaine, in the company of one of the most noted
sharpers who ever attended a tryst. They were within easy
earshot of the table where you sat, and know to a penny
what sum of money you have on you. When you rose to
leave I watched them closely. They had apparently been
of the opinion that Gillespie would accompany the topsman,
as I would have expected myself. His presence with you
may have put them out somewhat in their calculations.
Meantime, they know perfectly well that you are going for
the horses, and have not followed you hither. So, have a
care, Glenbeltane ;
for these foul carrion have scented a full
how Jockie is
purse. But I can stay no longer. Hark !
getting confused, and if his voice falters more, the people
will grow impatient. Farewell, my \vorthy friend and bene-
factor, and farewell, my bold piper until we meet at the
fireside of Glenbeltane, or in the kitchen of Keilangus Inn
at Yuletide.