During our night tramps , it was solemn to hear the voice of them below in the valleys , now booming like thunder , now with an angry cry . I could well understand the story of the Water Kelpie , that demon of the streams , who is fabled to keep wailing and roaring at the ford until the coming of the doomed traveller . Alan I saw believed it , or half believed it ; and when the cry of the river rose more than usually sharp , I was little surprised -LRB- though , of course , I would still be shocked -RRB- to see him cross himself in the manner of the Catholics . During all these horrid wanderings we had no familiarity , scarcely even that of speech . The truth is that I was sickening for my grave , which is my best excuse . But besides that I was of an unforgiving disposition from my birth , slow to take offence , slower to forget it , and now incensed both against my companion and myself . For the best part of two days he was unweariedly kind ; silent , indeed , but always ready to help , and always hoping -LRB- as I could very well see -RRB- that my displeasure would blow by . For the same length of time I stayed in myself , nursing my anger , roughly refusing his services , and passing him over with my eyes as if he had been a bush or a stone . The second night , or rather the peep of the third day , found us upon a very open hill , so that we could not follow our usual plan and lie down immediately to eat and sleep . Before we had reached a place of shelter , the grey had come pretty clear , for though it still rained , the clouds ran higher ; and Alan , looking in my face , showed some marks of concern . `` Ye had better let me take your pack , '' said he , for perhaps the ninth time since we had parted from the scout beside Loch Rannoch . `` I do very well , I thank you , '' said I , as cold as ice . Alan flushed darkly . `` I 'll not offer it again , '' he said . `` I 'm not a patient man , David . '' `` I never said you were , '' said I , which was exactly the rude , silly speech of a boy of ten . Alan made no answer at the time , but his conduct answered for him . Henceforth , it is to be thought , he quite forgave himself for the affair at Cluny 's ; cocked his hat again , walked jauntily , whistled airs , and looked at me upon one side with a provoking smile . The third night we were to pass through the western end of the country of Balquhidder . It came clear and cold , with a touch in the air like frost , and a northerly wind that blew the clouds away and made the stars bright .
The streams were full , of course , and still made a great noise among the hills ; but I observed that XXXXX thought no more upon the Kelpie , and was in high good spirits .
Alan Cluny David Kelpie Rannoch days night ninth offence tramps