While we were thus cheerfully talking, and the Dominie by whiles playing a spring upon his pipes to gain the lady's goodwill, there came in a man of a black and gruesome countenance. We knew him at once for the master of Chapeldonnan, James Bannatyne, for he came in as only a goodman comes into his own house. He was a man renowned for his great strength all over Carrick. He turned on us a lowering regard as he went clumsily by into an inner room, carrying an armful of nets. I noted that the twine had not been wet, so that his sea fishing had not come to much. But behind the door he flung down a back-load of birds—mostly solan geese and the fowl called 'the Foolish Cock of the Rock,' together with half-a-dozen 'Tammy Nories.' So I guessed that he had either been over the water to Ailsa, or desired to have it thought so.
His wife went ben the room to him. We could hear the sulky giant's growling questions as to who we were, and his wife's brisk replies. Presently she came out looking a little dashed.
'James has come in raither tired,' she said, 'and he will need to lie down and hae a sleep.'
'In that case, mistress,' I said, 'we will e'en thank you for your kindly hospitality and take our ways.'
She followed us to the door, and I think she was wonderfully glad to get us safe away without bloodshed.
'Be sure that ye gang na south by the Benane,' she said, 'the folk that bide there are no canny.'
So we thanked her again and took our way, breathing more freely also to have left the giant behind.
We had not gone far, however, when we spied her husband hastening after us across a field. He came up with us by a turn in the road.
'We harbour no spies at Chapeldonnan,' he said, bending sullenest brows at us, 'and that I would have you know.'
'We are no spies on you nor on any well-doing man,' I said. 'We are honest merchants on our way to Stranrawer, and but called in to ask the way.'