The Singletons looked aghast to hear such a speech from their chief! "Is the boy mad ?" said one in a whisper.
"Or a coward ?" said another.
"Or a fool ?" said another.
"The laird's joking," said auld Geordie, in a coaxing voice; "and we are glad to see ye so merry.

But ye'll be in earnest to-morrow, I warrant, with a score of troopers between you and a thousand pounds!" "I'm in earnest now," replied young Singleton.

"I'm no robber chief, I tell you.

The convoy shall go safe to Edinburgh, as far as we are concerned.

But, come now, Geordie, I want to hear something about this old castle of mine, for you know I was scarcely in it since I was a boy." But it was easier to turn the talk than to turn the thoughts of his clansmen.