Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Kidnapped

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CHAPTER   XXVI.
END   OF  THE   PLIGHT:    WE   PASS  THE   FORTH.
THE month, as I have said, was not yet out, but it was
already far through August, and beautiful warm weather,
with every sign of an early and great harvest, when I
was pronounced able for my journey. Our money was
now run to so low an ebb that we must think first of all
on speed; for if we came not soon to Mr. Rankeillor's,
or if when we came there he should fail to help me, we
must surely starve. In Alan's view, besides, the hunt
must have now greatly slackened; and the line of the
Forth and even Stirling Bridge, which is the main pass
over that river, would be watched with little interest.
"It's a chief principle in military affairs," said he,
"to go where ye are least expected. Forth is our
trouble; ye ken the saying, 'Forth bridles the wild
Hielandman.' Well, if we seek to creep round about
the head of that river and come down by Kippen or
Balfron, it's just precisely there that they'll be looking to
lay hands on us. But if we stave on straight to the
auld Brig' of Stirling, I'll lay my sword they let us pass
unchallenged."
The first night, accordingly, we pushed to the house
of a Maclaren in Strathire, a friend of Duncan's, where