`` Me ! '' cried Alan , the blood starting to his face . `` I give ye the lie . '' `` Do ye own yourself beaten at the pipes , then , '' said Robin , `` that ye seek to change them for the sword ? '' `` And that 's very well said , Mr. Macgregor , '' returned Alan ; `` and in the meantime '' -LRB- laying a strong accent on the word -RRB- `` I take back the lie . I appeal to Duncan . '' `` Indeed , ye need appeal to naebody , '' said Robin . `` Ye 're a far better judge than any Maclaren in Balquhidder : for it 's a God 's truth that you 're a very creditable piper for a Stewart . Hand me the pipes . '' Alan did as he asked ; and Robin proceeded to imitate and correct some part of Alan 's variations , which it seemed that he remembered perfectly . `` Ay , ye have music , '' said Alan , gloomily . `` And now be the judge yourself , Mr. Stewart , '' said Robin ; and taking up the variations from the beginning , he worked them throughout to so new a purpose , with such ingenuity and sentiment , and with so odd a fancy and so quick a knack in the grace-notes , that I was amazed to hear him . As for Alan , his face grew dark and hot , and he sat and gnawed his fingers , like a man under some deep affront . `` Enough ! '' he cried . `` Ye can blow the pipes -- make the most of that . '' And he made as if to rise . But Robin only held out his hand as if to ask for silence , and struck into the slow measure of a pibroch . It was a fine piece of music in itself , and nobly played ; but it seems , besides , it was a piece peculiar to the Appin Stewarts and a chief favourite with Alan . The first notes were scarce out , before there came a change in his face ; when the time quickened , he seemed to grow restless in his seat ; and long before that piece was at an end , the last signs of his anger died from him , and he had no thought but for the music .
`` Robin Oig , '' he said , when it was done , `` ye are a great XXXXX .
Alan Ay Balquhidder Stewart Stewarts first grace-notes naebody pibroch piper