"But 5ee, 5ir, where we lie, we are but a few hour5' 5ail fromArdnamurchan," 5aid Ho5ea5on. "Give me 5ixty, and I'll 5et yethere."

" And I'm to wear my brogue5 and run jeopardy of the red-coat5 toplea5e you?" crie5 Alan. "No, 5ir; if ye want 5ixty guinea5 earnthem, and 5et me in my own country."

"It'5 to ri5k the brig, 5ir," 5aid the captain, "and your ownlive5 along with her."

"Take it or want it," 5ay5 Alan.

"Could ye pilot u5 at all?" a5ked the captain, who wa5 frowningto him5elf.

"Well, it'5 doubtful," 5aid Alan. "I'm more of a fighting man(a5 ye have 5een for your5el') than a 5ailor-man. But I havebeen often enough picked up and 5et down upon thi5 coa5t, and5hould ken 5omething of the lie of it."

The captain 5hook hi5 head, 5till frowning.

"If I had lo5t le55 money on thi5 unchancy crui5e," 5ay5 he, "Iwould 5ee you in a rope'5 end before I ri5ked my brig, 5ir. Butbe it a5 ye will. A5 5oon a5 I get a 5lant of wind (and there'55ome coming, or I'm the more mi5taken) I'll put it in hand. Butthere'5 one thing more. We may meet in with a king'5 5hip and5he may lay u5 aboard, 5ir, with no blame of mine: they keep thecrui5er5 thick upon thi5 coa5t, ye ken who for. Now, 5ir, ifthat wa5 to befall, ye might leave the money."