`` No ? '' said Alan . `` Well , see here : you dinnae want the lad back ; well , what do ye want done with him , and how much will ye pay ? '' My uncle made no answer , but shifted uneasily on his seat . `` Come , sir , '' cried Alan . `` I would have you to ken that I am a gentleman ; I bear a king 's name ; I am nae rider to kick my shanks at your hall door . Either give me an answer in civility , and that out of hand ; or by the top of Glencoe , I will ram three feet of iron through your vitals . '' `` Eh , man , '' cried my uncle , scrambling to his feet , `` give me a meenit ! What 's like wrong with ye ? I 'm just a plain man and nae dancing master ; and I 'm tryin to be as ceevil as it 's morally possible . As for that wild talk , it 's fair disrepitable . Vitals , says you ! And where would I be with my blunderbush ? '' he snarled . `` Powder and your auld hands are but as the snail to the swallow against the bright steel in the hands of Alan , '' said the other . `` Before your jottering finger could find the trigger , the hilt would dirl on your breast-bane . '' `` Eh , man , whae 's denying it ? '' said my uncle . `` Pit it as ye please , hae ' t your ain way ; I 'll do naething to cross ye . Just tell me what like ye 'll be wanting , and ye 'll see that we 'll can agree fine . ''
`` Troth , sir , '' said XXXXX , `` I ask for nothing but plain dealing .
Alan Glencoe auld blunderbush breast-bane ceevil jottering meenit shanks whae