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 piper . I am not fit to blow in the same kingdom with ye . Body of me ! ye have mair music in your sporran than I have in my head ! And though it still sticks in my mind that I could maybe show ye another of it with the cold steel , I warn ye beforehand -- it 'll no be fair ! It would go against my heart to haggle a man that can blow the pipes as you can ! '' Thereupon that quarrel was made up ; all night long the brose was going and the pipes changing hands ; and the day had come pretty bright , and the three men were none the better for what they had been taking , before Robin as much as thought upon the road . CHAPTER XXVI END OF THE FLIGHT : WE PASS THE FORTH The month , as I have said , was not yet out , but it was already far through August , and beautiful warm weather , with every sign of an early and great harvest , when I was pronounced able for my journey .
Our money was now run to so low an ebb that we must think XXXXX of all on speed ; for if we came not soon to Mr. Rankeillor 's , or if when we came there he should fail to help me , we must surely starve .
Alan Ay Oig Robin Stewart brose first night pibroch sporran