“I cursed her for a hag, and came away about my business,” answered Jenkin.
“Ay, and what said she to that, man? That would startle her,” said Richie.
“Not a whit. She laughed, and said she was in jest,” answered Jenkin; “but I know the she-devil's jest from her earnest too well to be taken in that way. But she knows I would never betray her.'
“Betray her! No,” replied Richie; “but are ye in any shape bound to this birkie Peppercull, or Colepepper, or whatever they call him, that ye suld let him do a robbery on the honest gentleman that is travelling to the north, and may be a kindly Scot, for what we know?”
“Ay—going home with a load of English money,” said Jenkin. “But be he who he will, they may rob the whole world an they list, for I am robbed and ruined.”
Richie filled his friend's cup up to the brim, and insisted that he should drink what he called “clean caup out.” “This love,” he said, “is but a bairnly matter for a brisk young fellow like yourself, Master Jenkin. And if ye must needs have a whimsy, though I think it would be safer to venture on a staid womanly body, why, here be as bonny lasses in London as this Peg-a-Ramsay. You need not sigh sae deeply, for it is very true—there is as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. Now wherefore should you, who are as brisk and trig a young fellow of your inches as the sun needs to shine on—wherefore need you sit moping this way, and not try some bold way to better your fortune?”
“I tell you, Master Moniplies,” said Jenkin, “I am as poor as any Scot among you—I have broke my indenture, and I think of running my country.”
“A-well-a-day!” said Richie; “but that maunna be, man—I ken weel, by sad experience, that poortith takes away pith, and the man sits full still that has a rent in his breeks. [Footnote: This elegant speech was made by the Earl of Douglas, called Tineman after being wounded and made prisoner at the battle of Shrewsbury, where
“His well labouring sword
Had three times slain the semblance of the king,”]
But courage, man; you have served me heretofore, and I will serve you now. If you will but bring me to speech of this same captain, it will be the best day's work you ever did.”