Kidnapped / Похищенный. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Meanwhile, my uncle had read the letter and sat thinking; then, suddenly, he got to his feet with a great air of liveliness, and pulled me apart into the farthest corner of the room. �Read that,’ said he, and put the letter in my hand. Here it is, lying before me as I write:

�The Hawes Inn, at the Queensferry[27 - Queensferry (South Queensferry, The Ferry) – Квинсферри, деревенька к западу от Эдинбурга. Расположена на берегу залива Ферт-оф-Форт (в Северном море)].

�Sir, – I lie here with my hawser up and down, and send my cabin-boy to informe. If you have any further commands for over-seas, today will be the last occasion, as the wind will serve us well out of the firth. I will not seek to deny that I have had crosses with your doer[28 - doer = agent (примеч. авт.)], Mr. Rankeillor; of which, if not speedily redd up, you may looke to see some losses follow.

I have drawn a bill upon you, as per margin, and am, sir, your most obedt., humble servant,

    �ELIAS HOSEASON.’

�You see, Davie,’ resumed my uncle, as soon as he saw that I had done, �I have a venture with this man Hoseason, the captain of a trading brig, the Covenant[29 - Covenant – Завет], of Dysart. Now, if you and me was to walk over with yon lad, I could see the captain at the Hawes, or maybe on board the Covenant if there was papers to be signed; and so far from a loss of time, we can jog on to the lawyer, Mr.

Rankeillor’s. After a’ that’s come and gone, ye would be swier[30 - swier = Unwilling (примеч. авт.)] to believe me upon my naked word; but ye’ll believe Rankeillor. He’s factor to half the gentry in these parts; an auld[31 - auld = old – (шотл.) старый] man, forby: highly respeckit[32 - respeckit = respected – (шотл.) уважаемый], and he kenned your father. ’

I stood awhile and thought. Once there, I believed I could force on the visit to the lawyer, even if my uncle were now insincere in proposing it; and, perhaps, in the bottom of my heart, I wished a nearer view of the sea and ships. One thing with another, I made up my mind.

�Very well,’ says I, �let us go to the Ferry.’

Uncle Ebenezer never said a word the whole way; and I was thrown for talk on the cabin-boy.