There 's bad folk everywhere , and what 's far worse , weak ones . So when it comes dark again , I will steal down into that clachan , and set this that I have been making in the window of a good friend of mine , John Breck Maccoll , a bouman * of Appin 's . '' * A bouman is a tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him the increase . `` With all my heart , '' says I ; `` and if he finds it , what is he to think ? '' `` Well , '' says Alan , `` I wish he was a man of more penetration , for by my troth I am afraid he will make little enough of it ! But this is what I have in my mind . This cross is something in the nature of the crosstarrie , or fiery cross , which is the signal of gathering in our clans ; yet he will know well enough the clan is not to rise , for there it is standing in his window , and no word with it . So he will say to himsel ' , THE CLAN IS NOT TO RISE , BUT THERE IS SOMETHING . Then he will see my button , and that was Duncan Stewart 's . And then he will say to himsel ' , THE SON OF DUNCAN IS IN THE HEATHER , AND HAS NEED OF ME . '' `` Well , '' said I , `` it may be . But even supposing so , there is a good deal of heather between here and the Forth . '' `` And that is a very true word , '' says Alan . `` But then John Breck will see the sprig of birch and the sprig of pine ; and he will say to himsel ' -LRB- if he is a man of any penetration at all , which I misdoubt -RRB- , ALAN WILL BE LYING IN A WOOD WHICH IS BOTH OF PINES AND BIRCHES . Then he will think to himsel ' , THAT IS NOT SO VERY RIFE HEREABOUT ; and then he will come and give us a look up in Corrynakiegh . And if he does not , David , the devil may fly away with him , for what I care ; for he will no be worth the salt to his porridge . '' `` Eh , man , '' said I , drolling with him a little , `` you 're very ingenious ! But would it not be simpler for you to write him a few words in black and white ? '' `` And that is an excellent observe , Mr. Balfour of Shaws , '' says Alan , drolling with me ; `` and it would certainly be much simpler for me to write to him , but it would be a sore job for John Breck to read it . He would have to go to the school for two-three years ; and it 's possible we might be wearied waiting on him . ''
So that night XXXXX carried down his fiery cross and set it in the bouman 's window .
Alan Appin Breck Corrynakiegh David Maccoll Shaws bouman crosstarrie troth