Kidnapped | Chapter 24 : The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel | Summary

Summary

Cluny Macpherson sends Alan and David on their way with a guide who carries their luggage and remains with them for two days before directing them toward their best route. During the first day of their journey, David remains angry with Alan for taking his money and losing it. He again considers separating from Alan, until Alan confronts him about the matter. Alan and David remain on difficult terms, but they stick together through terrible weather and exhausting travel. David grows sick again but insists on carrying his own pack until a second confrontation with Alan that reconciles the two men, after which David is almost too weak to walk.

Analysis

Cluny Macpherson is such an honorable and loyal friend that he gives David and Alan a guide for a few days. In addition to showing them their route, the guide assists them by carrying their packs, which offers David a chance to recover. This slight recovery is just enough because as they travel onward, the weather gets worse and worse, and David becomes ill again. However, David's pride and his anger at Alan will not let him accept help from Alan until it is almost too late. Alan offers multiple times to carry David's pack, but he refuses. Alan jokes with him, calling him names and encouraging him to keep going, but that is also not enough. David's stubborn pride and his adherence to his principles almost cost him his life. Their quarrel at the end of this chapter resolves by David finally recognizing his pride and asking Alan for help. Again, Alan helps David and saves his life. By this point, Alan has saved David's life multiple times, perhaps more than enough to make up for the time that David saved his life. Still, Alan remains loyal to David and will not leave him to travel on his own.