This blew off the rain and brought out the sun . And here I must explain ; and the reader would do well to look at a map . On the day when the fog fell and we ran down Alan 's boat , we had been running through the Little Minch . At dawn after the battle , we lay becalmed to the east of the Isle of Canna or between that and Isle Eriska in the chain of the Long Island . Now to get from there to the Linnhe Loch , the straight course was through the narrows of the Sound of Mull . But the captain had no chart ; he was afraid to trust his brig so deep among the islands ; and the wind serving well , he preferred to go by west of Tiree and come up under the southern coast of the great Isle of Mull . All day the breeze held in the same point , and rather freshened than died down ; and towards afternoon , a swell began to set in from round the outer Hebrides . Our course , to go round about the inner isles , was to the west of south , so that at first we had this swell upon our beam , and were much rolled about . But after nightfall , when we had turned the end of Tiree and began to head more to the east , the sea came right astern . Meanwhile , the early part of the day , before the swell came up , was very pleasant ; sailing , as we were , in a bright sunshine and with many mountainous islands upon different sides . Alan and I sat in the round-house with the doors open on each side -LRB- the wind being straight astern -RRB- , and smoked a pipe or two of the captain 's fine tobacco . 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 XXXXX 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 .
Alan Campbell Campbells Island Minch blackcocks days first good-nature round-house