`` Now , '' said he , `` there is a little clachan '' -LRB- what is called a hamlet in the English -RRB- `` not very far from Corrynakiegh , and it has the name of Koalisnacoan . There there are living many friends of mine whom I could trust with my life , and some that I am no just so sure of . Ye see , David , there will be money set upon our heads ; James himsel ' is to set money on them ; and as for the Campbells , they would never spare siller where there was a Stewart to be hurt . If it was otherwise , I would go down to Koalisnacoan whatever , and trust my life into these people 's hands as lightly as I would trust another with my glove . '' `` But being so ? '' said I. `` Being so , '' said he , `` I would as lief they didnae see me . 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 XXXXX ' , THAT IS NOT SO VERY RIFE HEREABOUT ; and then he will come and give us a look up in Corrynakiegh .
Alan Appin Breck David Stewart clans crosstarrie himsel lief troth