to procure me
means of conveyance; but I do not recollect that I pledged myself to
go off, if I found occasion to alter my mind. For your trouble on my
account, I am sorry, and I thank you; your expense," he added, putting
his hand into his pocket, "admits a more solid compensation: freight and
demurrage are matters with which I am unacquainted, Captain Craigengelt,
but take my purse and pay yourself according to your own conscience."
And accordingly he tendered a purse with some gold in it to the
soi-disant captain.

But here Bucklaw interposed in his turn. "Your fingers, Craigie, seem to
itch for that same piece of green network," said he; "but I make my vow
to God, that if they offer to close upon it, I will chop them off with
my whinger. Since the Master has changed his mind, I suppose we need
stay here no longer; but in the first place I beg leave to tell him----"

"Tell him anything you will," said Craigengelt, "if you will first
allow me to state the inconveniences to which he will expose himself by
quitting our society, to remind him of the obstacles to his remaining
here, and of the difficulties attending his proper introduction at
Versailles and Saint Germains without the countenance of those who have
established useful connexions."

"Besides forfeiting the friendship," said Bucklaw, "of at least one man
of spirit and honour."

"Gentlemen," said Ravenswood, "permit me once more to assure you
that you have been pleased to attach to our temporary connexion more
importance than I ever meant that it should have. When I repair to
foreign courts, I shall not need the introduction of an intriguing
adventurer, nor is it necessary for me to set value on the friendship
of a hot-headed bully." With these words, and without waiting for an
answer, he left the apartment, remounted his horse, and was heard to
ride off.

"Mortbleu!" said Captain Craigengelt, "my recruit is lost!"

"Ay, Captain," said Bucklaw, "the salmon is off with hook and all. But
I will after him, for I have had more of his insolence than I can well
digest."

Craigengelt offered to accompany him; but Bucklaw replied: "No, no,
Captain, keep you the check of the chimney-nook till I come back; it's
good sleeping in a haill skin.

Little kens the auld wife that sits by the fire,
How cauld the wind blaws in hurle-burle swire."

And singing as he went, he left the apartment.

CHAPTER VII.

Now, Billy Berwick, keep good heart