"He's comin' the morn and I'm michty glad o't. For three weeks I've been like a coo in an unco loan. But, Captain Maclean, sir, I'm wae for you, sittin' sae gash and waefu' in this auld bourock."
Alastair's eyes had never left Edom's face, and suddenly his mind was made up. He resolved to trust everything to this man's honesty.
"You can help me if you will. Can I count on you?"
"If it's onything reasonably possible," said the cautious Edom.
"I need friends. I want you to summon them."
"I'll be blithe to do that."
"You know the country round and the inns?"
"I've traivelled the feck o't on my twae feet and sampled the maist o' the publics."
"Then find a cross-roads which has broom on the signpost or an inn with an open eye painted under the sign. Whistle this air," and he hummed Midwinter's ditty.
Edom made a tolerable attempt at it. "I mind ye whustled that when we were huntit i' the big wud. And after that?"