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

THE JOURNEY IX THE WILDERNESS. 301
to say." The INIaster had not flinched before their on-
slaught ; nor, at this proof of the ground he had gained,
did he betray the least sufficiency.
" Do not let us be in haste/' says he. " Meat first
and public speaking after."
With that they made a hasty meal : and as soon as it
was done, the INIaster, leaning on one elbow, began his
speech. He spoke long, addressing himself to each
except Harris, finding for each (with the same excep-
tion) some particular flattery. He called them " bold,
honest blades," declared he had never seen a more jovial
company, work better done, or pains more merrily sup-
ported. ''Well, then," says he, ''some one asks me.
Why the devil I ran away ? But that is scarce worth
answer, for I think you all know pretty well. But you
know only pretty well : that is a point I shall arrive at
presently, and be you ready to remark it when it comes.
There is a traitor here : a double traitor: I will give
you his name before I am done ; and let that suffice for
now. But here comes some other gentleman and asks
me, ' Why, in the devil, I came back ? ' Well, before I
answer that question, I have one to put to you. It was
this cur here, this Harris, that speaks Hindustani ? "
cries he, rising on one knee and pointing fair at the
man^s face, with a gesture indescribably menacing ; and
when he had been answered in the affirmative, "Ah ! "
says he, " then are all my suspicions verified, and I did
rightly to come back. Now, men, hear the truth for