It just comes to this; if I am to service ye the way that you propose, I'll loss my lieihood.

Then it's clear ye'll have to make it up to me, and a pickle mair, for your ain credit like.

And what's that but just a bribe?
And if even I was certain of the bribe! But by a' that I can learn, it's far frae that; and if _you_ were to hang, where would _I_ be?
Na: the thing's no possible.

And just awa' wi' ye like a bonny lad! and let Andie read his chapter." I remember I was at bottom a good deal gratified with this result; and the next humour I fell into was one (I had near said) of gratitude to Prestongrange, who had saved me, in this violent, illegal manner, out of the midst of my dangers, temptations, and perplexities.

But this was both too flimsy and too cowardly to last me long, and the remembrance of James began to succeed to the possession of my spirits.