"Yaspard will tak care we don't come off second best," said the boys confidently; but their father shook his head.
"I'm thinking," he said, "ye'll find ye've got a rale Viking tae deal wi' if ye tackle Mr. Neeven, or meddle wi' ony o' his affairs. I wadna be in Yaspard Adiesen's shoes if he gets intil Mr. Neeven's birse." [2]
"But, faither, it's a crying shame of him to keep such puir critters prisoned in such a place; and surely Yaspard is right to wish to set them free."
"I'll no say he's wrang. I think it is a shame, but I'm just warning you tae be careful;—I mean that ye tell your chief (as ye ca' him) tae be careful—very careful."
"We'll tell him what you say," they answered.
Harrison would not allow his wife or girls to discuss the matter, and a significant look he gave them served to silence them on the subject for that time.
[1] "Maute," a comrade, chum, or mate.
[2] Bristles.