Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

300 THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE.
Mountain had not mentioned liis own weakness or
the Master's disconcerting gaze upon the thicket^ so
that (with all the rest) his return appeared spontaneous.
For all that, a hubbub arose ; oaths flew, fists were
shaken, and guns pointed.
'' Let us get back to camp,'^ said the Master. " I
have an explanation to make, but it must be laid before
you all. And in the meanwhile I would put up these
weapons, one of which might very easily go off and
blow away your hopes of treasure. I would not kill,'^
says he, smiling, " the goose with the golden eggs."
The charm of his superiority once more triumphed ;
and the party, in no particular order, set off on their
return. By the way, he found occasion to get a word
or two apart with Mountain.
"You are a clever fellow and a bold," says he, " but
I am not so sure that you are doing yourself justice. I
would have you to consider whether you would not do
better, ay, and safer, to serve me instead of serving so
commonplace a rascal as Mr. Harris. Consider of it,"
he concluded, dealing the man a gentle tap upon the
shoulder, " and don't be in haste. Dead or alive, you
will find me an ill man to quarrel with.^'
When they were come back to the camp, whore
Harris and Pinkerton stood guard over Secundra, these
two ran upon the Master like viragoes, and were amazed
out of measure when they were bidden, by their com-
rades to " stand back and hear \ybat the gentleman had