It looked strange enough , to see all this wealth in a nest upon a cliff-side , wattled about growing trees . And even then , I thought it seemed deep water for Alan to be riding , who had no better battle-horse than a green purse and a matter of five pounds . The luck , it seems , changed on the second day . About noon I was wakened as usual for dinner , and as usual refused to eat , and was given a dram with some bitter infusion which the barber had prescribed . The sun was shining in at the open door of the Cage , and this dazzled and offended me . Cluny sat at the table , biting the pack of cards . Alan had stooped over the bed , and had his face close to my eyes ; to which , troubled as they were with the fever , it seemed of the most shocking bigness . He asked me for a loan of my money . `` What for ? '' said I. `` O , just for a loan , '' said he . `` But why ? '' I repeated . `` I do n't see . '' `` Hut , David ! '' said Alan , `` ye wouldnae grudge me a loan ? '' I would , though , if I had had my senses ! But all I thought of then was to get his face away , and I handed him my money . On the morning of the third day , when we had been forty-eight hours in the Cage , I awoke with a great relief of spirits , very weak and weary indeed , but seeing things of the right size and with their honest , everyday appearance . I had a mind to eat , moreover , rose from bed of my own movement , and as soon as we had breakfasted , stepped to the entry of the Cage and sat down outside in the top of the wood . It was a grey day with a cool , mild air : and I sat in a dream all morning , only disturbed by the passing by of Cluny 's scouts and servants coming with provisions and reports ; for as the coast was at that time clear , you might almost say he held court openly .
When I returned , he and XXXXX had laid the cards aside , and were questioning a gillie ; and the chief turned about and spoke to me in the Gaelic .
Alan Cluny David bigness day hours morning noon pounds right