Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/202

 "select one or two of his followers, men whom he can trust, and who are capable of keeping their own secret; these shall serve for our guides. Let them be at my tent tomorrow at day-break, and see, if possible, that they neither guess my purpose, nor hold any communication with each other in private.—This old man, has he any children?"

"They have been killed or hanged," said the Captain, "to the number of a round dozen, as I believe—but he hath left one child, a smart and hopeful youth, whom I have noted to be never without a pebble in his plaid nook, to fling at whosoever might come in his way, being a symbol, that, like David, who was accustomed to sling smooth stones taken from the brook, he may afterwards prove an adventurous warrior."

"That boy, Major Dalgetty," said the Marquis, "I will have to attend upon my own person. I presume he will have sense enough to keep his name secret."