Mac-Guffog accordingly interrupted their discourse by the harsh harmony of the bolts and bars, and showed his bloated visage at the opening door. ‘Come, Mr. Dinmont, we have put off locking up for an hour to oblige ye; ye must go to your quarters.’
‘Quarters, man? I intend to sleep here the night. There’s a spare bed in the Captain’s room.’
‘It’s impossible!’ answered the keeper.
‘But I say it IS possible, and that I winna stir; and there’s a dram t’ ye.’
Mac-Guffog drank off the spirits and resumed his objection. ‘But it’s against rule, sir; ye have committed nae malefaction.’
‘I’ll break your head,’ said the sturdy Liddesdale man, ‘if ye say ony mair about it, and that will be malefaction eneugh to entitle me to ae night’s lodging wi’ you, ony way.’
‘But I tell ye, Mr. Dinmont,’ reiterated the keeper, ‘it’s against rule, and I behoved to lose my post.’
‘Weel, Mac-Guffog,’ said Dandie, ‘I hae just twa things to say. Ye ken wha I am weel eneugh, and that I wadna loose a prisoner.’
‘And how do I ken that?’ answered the jailor.
‘Weel, if ye dinna ken that,’ said the resolute farmer, ‘ye ken this: ye ken ye’re whiles obliged to be up our water in the way o’ your business. Now, if ye let me stay quietly here the night wi’ the Captain, I’se pay ye double fees for the room; and if ye say no, ye shall hae the best sark-fu’ o’ sair banes that ever ye had in your life the first time ye set a foot by Liddel Moat!’