It was at this time we heard each other 's stories , which was the more important to me , as I gained some knowledge of that wild Highland country on which I was so soon to land . In those days , so close on the back of the great rebellion , it was needful a man should know what he was doing when he went upon the heather . It was I that showed the example , telling him all my misfortune ; which he heard with great good-nature . Only , when I came to mention that good friend of mine , Mr. Campbell the minister , Alan fired up and cried out that he hated all that were of that name . `` Why , '' said I , `` he is a man you should be proud to give your hand to . '' `` I know nothing I would help a Campbell to , '' says he , `` unless it was a leaden bullet . I would hunt all of that name like blackcocks . If I lay dying , I would crawl upon my knees to my chamber window for a shot at one . '' `` Why , Alan , '' I cried , `` what ails ye at the Campbells ? '' `` Well , '' says he , `` ye ken very well that I am an Appin Stewart , and the Campbells have long harried and wasted those of my name ; ay , and got lands of us by treachery -- but never with the sword , '' he cried loudly , and with the word brought down his fist upon the table . But I paid the less attention to this , for I knew it was usually said by those who have the underhand . `` There 's more than that , '' he continued , `` and all in the same story : lying words , lying papers , tricks fit for a peddler , and the show of what 's legal over all , to make a man the more angry . '' `` You that are so wasteful of your buttons , '' said I , `` I can hardly think you would be a good judge of business . '' `` Ah ! '' says he , falling again to smiling , `` I got my wastefulness from the same man I got the buttons from ; and that was my poor father , Duncan Stewart , grace be to him ! He was the prettiest man of his kindred ; and the best swordsman in the Hielands , David , and that is the same as to say , in all the world , I should ken , for it was him that taught me . He was in the Black Watch , when first it was mustered ; and , like other gentlemen privates , had a gillie at his back to carry his firelock for him on the march . Well , the King , it appears , was wishful to see Hieland swordsmanship ; and my father and three more were chosen out and sent to London town , to let him see it at the best . So they were had into the palace and showed the whole art of the sword for two hours at a stretch , before King George and Queen Carline , and the Butcher Cumberland , and many more of whom I havenae mind . And when they were through , the King -LRB- for all he was a rank usurper -RRB- spoke them fair and gave each man three guineas in his hand .
Now , as they were going out of the palace , they had a porter 's lodge to go by ; and it came in on my father , as he was perhaps the XXXXX private Hieland gentleman that had ever gone by that door , it was right he should give the poor porter a proper notion of their quality .
Campbell Cumberland David Hielands London Watch ails first good-nature guineas