Yes, hesaid simply, I have been
notified.
He came out into a little dell down which a
pathran, and confronted two human beings. He knows times andseasons bettern Parson
and near as well as Almighty God. But let me tell you, sir, you have arrived in a
curst inconvenienthour.
You have nothing to fearamong the moor-men of the
Seven Towns. I can offer you better hospitality, sir, than a bed by the fire. So
Zerry brings the gentlemaninto the Moor, and here he be.
Let her but remain neutral, and we will beat the
Hanoverianssoldiers. Hold there, he cried, and took a pace forward.
Over the river, sir, by the road that turns
right-handed at thefoot of the street.
To such dwellings men sat loose, as to a tent in a
campaign.
Kitty, I present to you Captain Maclean, a
gentleman in theservice of His Majesty of France.
Iremember that he commended especially a great ham.
But I summon him in the name of loyaltyand religion.
There wasno word uttered between us on the walk
back to Oxford. I am one that takes no chances withthe old gods.
The barbarity of it undid the travellers
discretion. Thesituation so far transcended his experience that his orderly
worldseemed to melt into shadows. The sound of their steps on the terrace halted the
strollers.
Let her but remain neutral, and we will beat the
Hanoverianssoldiers.
They turned slow eyes on the newcomer,and made room
for him in their circle.
I am Alcinous, of whom I think you have been
notified.
Once he raised his head, and remained forsome time
staring across the valley at the declining sun.