Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Kidnapped

52                               KIDNAPPED.
Now, I longed to see the inside of a ship more than
words can tell; but I was not going to put myself in
jeopardy, and I told him my uncle and I had an appoint-
ment with a lawyer.
"Ay, ay," said he, "he passed me word of that
But, ye see, the boat'll set ye ashore at the town pier, and
that's but a penny stonecast from Rankeillor's house.'
And here he suddenly leaned down and whispered in my
ear: "Take care of the old tod;* he means mischief.
Come aboard till I can get a word with ye." And then,
passing his arm through mine, he continued aloud, as he
set off towards his boat: "But come, what can I bring
ye from the Carolinas? Any friend of Mr. Balfour's can
command. A roll of tobacco? Indian feather work? A skin
of a wild beast? a stone pipe? the mocking-bird that mews
for all the world like a cat ? the cardinal bird that is as
red as blood ?-take your pick and say your pleasure."
By this time we were at the boat-side, and he was
handing me in. I did not dream of hanging back; I
thought (the poor fool !) that I had found a good friend
and helper, and I was rejoiced to see the ship. As soon
as we were all set in our places, the boat was thrust off
from the pier and began to move over the waters; and
what with my pleasure in this new movement and my
surprise at our low position, and the appearance of the
shores, and the growing bigness of the brig as we drew
near to it, I could hardly understand what the captain
said, and must have answered him at random.
* Fox.