I hae got ye whar I want ye at last, ye contemptible dog," exclaimed the factor, unconsciously in his excitement reverting back in some degree to his brogue.
"Can ye blame the fatherly instinct that urged me to come here, knowing as I did that I took my life in my hand ?" growled the other, sullenly.
"Fatherly instinct be hanged.

Ye never knew what it was in the past.
Always hae ye been a rogue, with a double tongue in your head.

Fatherly instinct, in faith, I hae a gude idea ye meant to carry off the child, if naething more than to stab me, whom ye hate like poison ?" said Gregory, and his words burned like a scorpion's sting, for the man burst out into a string of oaths.
"And I would have succeeded if it hadn't been for this meddling young fool, this son of the daughter you thrust out of your flinty heart.

He held me here, curse him! I defy you, Gregory! Do your worst with me.

Not another word do you get out of me now," and he shut his teeth hard as if the tortures of the Inquisition might not force him to speak.
The factor shot one look at Owen, a look that was benign, even full of hearty thanksgiving, and it was evident that by his act of that night the lad had fully bridged the gulf that had lain between them; he held the whip hand now, and it would be his grandfather who would be suing for forgiveness ere another sun had gone down.
"Fatherly love ye say, Angus Ferguson?
I do not believe it.