How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
What," cried I, "were you in the English army?"
"That was I," said Alan. "But I deserted to the right side at Prestonpans–and that's some comfort."
I could scarcely share this view: holding desertion under arms for an unpardonable fault in honour. But for all I was so young, I was wiser than say my thought. "Dear, dear," says I, "the punishment is death." (12.13-15)
It's totally counterintuitive to think of desertion as a form of patriotism. After all, deserting the army is a crime against the state. But Alan lost confidence in the state for which he was fighting. For him, the only honorable thing to do was to go AWOL from the English army. Davie's notions of patriotism are more sympathetic to the English, so he cannot approve of Alan's choices.
Quote #5
"Ay, but Ardshiel is the captain of the clan," said he, which scarcely cleared my mind. "Ye see, David, he that was all his life so great a man, and come of the blood and bearing the name of kings, is now brought down to live in a French town like a poor and private person. He that had four hundred swords at his whistle, I have seen, with these eyes of mine, buying butter in the market-place, and taking it home in a kale-leaf. This is not only a pain but a disgrace to us of his family and clan. There are the bairns forby, the children and the hope of Appin, that must be learned their letters and how to hold a sword, in that far country. Now, the tenants of Appin have to pay a rent to King George; but their hearts are staunch, they are true to their chief; and what with love and a bit of pressure, and maybe a threat or two, the poor folk scrape up a second rent for Ardshiel. Well, David, I'm the hand that carries it." And he struck the belt about his body, so that the guineas rang. (12.24)
There are a couple things about this passage that we like. First, Alan mentions that Ardshiel's poverty is a disgrace to the Stewarts as "his family and clan." Here we see that distinction being made between Lowland and Highland conceptions of the Scottish state, with Alan confirming his allegiance to his clan. Second, we like that little hint about "what with love and a bit of pressure, and maybe a threat or two." So this whole business about the tenants donating a second rent is not quite as spontaneous as Alan is making it sound. He and his guys are forcing them into this act of patriotic support for Ardshiel in exile.
Quote #6
"Na," said Mr. Henderland, "but there's love too, and self-denial that should put the like of you and me to shame. There's something fine about it; no perhaps Christian, but humanly fine. [. . .] Ay, ay, we might take a lesson by them.–Ye'll perhaps think I've been too long in the Hielands?" he added, smiling to me. (16.28)
Why does Henderland make a distinction between what the tenants are doing for Ardshiel and Christianity? How might these donations go against Henderland's politics as a Protestant missionary? And what's up with Henderland's tone as he describes these Highlanders? He appears to admire them despite the politics, much as Davie and Alan like each other in spite of their many differences.