The Master of Ballantrae - Week 2

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

The action becomes very exciting in these two chapters.
Chapter 4 is entitled "Persecutions Endured by Mr. Henry".
I'm not going to list them but just when you think it couldn't get any worse-it does!
And all because of the Master a.k.a Mr. Bally.

Please comment any events or characters that strike you in this event-packed chapter.
Some quotes to think about:

Mackellar refers to "Mr. Henry's martyrdom", the Master's "diabolical acts".

At the end of Chapter 4 we learn the truth about the Master's survival at Culloden.
Were you surprised?

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Chapter 5 is entitled "Account of all that Passed on the Night of February 27, 1757".

In this chapter all the tension between the brothers comes to a head. Henry's pride has kept him from responding to all the Master's taunts but he has reached his limit when the Master insults Alison.

What is the insult that results in the duel between Henry and his brother?
How does the Master behave during the duel?

Mackellar informs Alison about the reasons for and the result of the duel. Also of Henry's sufferings on his brother's account.
Mackellar tells the lord and then Henry explains all the taunts he's had to deal with, including being called Jacob, who tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright. (From the Old Testament)

The Master appears to be dead, but the body in the shrubbery has disappeared, apparently taken by freebooters.
On checking through the Master's things, Mackellar discovers that the Master was in the process of packing to depart, and finds proof of the Master's spying for the British(the original letters and documents).

Do you think those at Durrisdeer will finally have some peace in their lives?
What information do we learn at the very end of the chapter?

[Abigail]

Mackellar’s position in the household is very difficult. He is trusted and a companion on the one hand; but on the other, if he ever displeases any of the Duries, he is promptly reduced to servant status. They rely on him but their respect for him is limited.

I have to say that the scene in which the Master pointed the sword at Mackellar and Mackellar fell to his knees and begged did not ring true for me. I get that Mackellar isn’t a man of physical courage but he does have considerable moral courage, and I feel that would have carried him through the moment.

As to the question about the residents of Durrisdeer finding peace, of course not! Too many pages left. Also, it’s impossible for passions so durable and violent to just vanish; the ripples of the duel must continue to trouble the waters.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I felt the same way on reading that scene, Abigail. But I suppose it was necessary for plot reasons.

[Neil]

Thanks to all who commented that the book gets better in these next chapters. You were right I am now starting to enjoy the book and the twist in the tail in fact, I’ve finished this weeks chapters already. That is good in a way, because there are one or two spoilers floating around!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

There certainly are, Neil!

[Lori, Moderator]

I was a bit surprised he was a spy. Seems out of character for him, but I guess it was just a way of showing us that the Master has a cowardly side. I don't know dueling etiquette, but I suppose the same part of him that prompted him to turn spy is what prompted him to grab the blade.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

The rules and honest behaviour are for other people-according to the master!

[Nancy]

Much more exciting this week! Rosemarie and Abigail, I agree with you completely about the scene where MacKellar acted so frightened. But at least he took decisive action after the duel. The Master is shaping up to be a truly despicable character. Of course, he isn't dead - that would be too easy a solution to all the problems. I feel for poor Henry, a good man who has never been fully appreciated by his father or his wife. I do not want him to bear the guilt of having killed his brother, but I'm glad that his family is gaining some small understanding of the pain inflicted on him by the Master.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

It's about time that they realized just how much he suffered!

[Robin P, Moderator]

Rosemarie wrote: "The rules and honest behaviour are for other people-according to the master!"

Yes, becoming a spy was a way to save himself, he doesn't see it as cowardice. Following codes of honor is for suckers. Also, double crossing your associates is only logical (they knew too much or they were slowing you down or they had something you need.) Surprisingly, he seems to honor his vow of friendship with Burke, or was Burke making that up?

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Maybe Burke knows too much about his actions but he's too well known to be silently removed by the Master.
Then again, Burke isn't a reliable narrator.