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To be sure, if he persisted in continuing his journey, and endeavouring to meet Jock McKillock, he very likely might be apprehended, and in that case he would certainly lose the money in his possession; but then if Pearson was not honest, it would equally be lost. The latter saw by the working of his countenance, the doubts that were crossing his mind.
He is willing to return south, that I may ride to the north and make the arrangements which you were to have done with our friend Jock McKillock, for the purchase of the cattle. There is no time to be lost, and I assure you that you may trust my friend as you would me."
My respected friend, Jock McKillock, would rather you looked at the cattle before they are driven south." "The lad is trustworthy enough," answered Brinsmead, in a low voice, so that Jack should not be supposed to hear it. "He understands, too, the points of a beast better than most lads of his age.
On saying this the speaker presented a letter to Brinsmead, which the latter handed to Jack to read, observing, "You're a better scholar than I am, Mr Deane, and I'll beg you just to see what friend McKillock has to say." Jack took the epistle, which was somewhat dirty, the superscription being in a large though not over-legible hand.
Take this advice from an old man. Keep your own counsel on all occasions. Judge which is best for your master's interests, and let nothing turn you aside from following that out. Avoid quarrelling with any one, and let no one pick a quarrel with thee. Mr Sanderson seems a fair-spoken man, but there's one thing I would have you remember, that he is not Jock McKillock himself.
What will Jock McKillock do with the cattle he has brought thus far on the way? and what am I to do with the money with which I was to pay for them?" "I have thought of all that, my friend," answered Pearson. "Give me the money, and I will settle the matter with Jock McKillock, and the cattle shall be driven south as safely as if you were at their tails."
I cannot side with him when he is making his bargain, and help to beat down Jock McKillock, but I will give him all the advice in the general way I can, and Jock's an honest chield, and would not take advantage of him when he puts his trust in his honour." Jack all this time could not help overhearing the conversation, and became more puzzled than ever how to act.
It will give more time to Jock McKillock to get the herd together." Deane made many inquiries of his companion with regard to the character of the people on whom he was to call, and he was somewhat surprised to find that they were all strong Jacobites, the greater number indeed being Romanists. Still, his suspicions were not sufficiently aroused to make him refuse to deliver them.
"If you are Master Brinsmead, as I have ne'er doobt is the case," he said, "I have to tell you of a sad accident which occurred to our respected friend, Jock McKillock, whom you expected to meet here: and, seeing that he could not come himself, he deputed me to transact the proposed business with you."
He saw, however, that it was addressed to Master Brinsmead, drover, at Saint Faith's. On opening it, Jack saw that it purported to be signed by Jock McKillock, introducing his trusted friend Mr Allan Sanderson, who would make all the arrangements for the sale of the cattle they had spoken of at their meeting on the previous year.
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