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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Catriona, by Robert Louis Stevenson

CHAPTER I.
A BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK

The 25th day of August, 1751, about two in the afternoon, I, David
Balfour, came forth of the British Linen Company, a porter attending me
with a bag of money, and some of the chief of these merchants bowing me
from their doors. Two days before, and even so late as yestermorning, I
was like a beggar-man by the wayside, clad in rags, brought down to my
last shillings, my companion a condemned traitor, a price set on my own
head for a crime with the news of which the country rang. To-day I was
served heir to my position in life, a landed laird, a bank porter by me
carrying my gold, recommendations in my pocket, and (in the words of
the saying) the ball directly at my foot.

There were two circumstances that served me as ballast to so much sail.
The first was the very difficult and deadly business I had still to
handle; the second, the place that I was in. The tall, black city, and
the numbers and movement and noise of so many folk, made a new world
for me, after the moorland braes, the sea-sands and the still
country-sides that I had frequented up to then. The throng of the
citizens in particular abashed me. Rankeillor’s son was short and small
in the girth; his clothes scarce held on me; and it was plain I was ill
qualified to strut in the front of a bank-porter. It was plain, if I
did so, I should but set folk laughing, and (what was worse in my case)
set them asking questions. So that I behooved to come by some clothes
of my own, and in the meanwhile to walk by the porter’s side, and put
my hand on his arm as though we were a pair of friends.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson ​

Context of the Source ​

Catriona (1893), also known as David Balfour in some editions, is the sequel to Stevenson’s Kidnapped (1886), both of which are historical adventure novels set in 18th-century Scotland. The protagonist, David Balfour, is a young man entangled in political intrigue, betrayal, and survival after being wrongfully accused of treason in the aftermath of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The novel blends historical realism with coming-of-age themes, exploring David’s moral and social growth as he navigates a dangerous world.

This excerpt opens Catriona, picking up where Kidnapped left off—David, once a penniless fugitive, has suddenly inherited wealth and status but remains burdened by unresolved dangers.

Themes in the Excerpt ​

  1. Sudden Reversal of Fortune

    • David’s transformation from "a beggar-man by the wayside" to a "landed laird" with a "bag of money" and "recommendations in my pocket" is abrupt and disorienting.
    • The contrast between his past (rags, a price on his head, a "condemned traitor" as a companion) and present (wealth, respect, opportunity) highlights the instability of fate—a common theme in Stevenson’s work.
    • The phrase "the ball directly at my foot" (a reference to being in a position of advantage, like having the ball at one’s feet in a game) suggests opportunity, but also pressure—he must act wisely to maintain his new status.

  2. Alienation and Discomfort in Civilization

    • David is a country boy thrust into "the tall, black city" (Edinburgh), where the "numbers and movement and noise of so many folk" overwhelm him.
    • His physical inadequacy (ill-fitting clothes, small stature) makes him feel out of place, reinforcing the fish-out-of-water trope.
    • The city is not just a setting but a symbol of artificiality and scrutiny—he fears being laughed at or questioned, unlike the anonymity of the "moorland braes" and "sea-sands."

  3. Danger Lurking Beneath Success

    • Despite his new wealth, David is not free: he still has "deadly business" to handle (likely tied to the political conspiracies from Kidnapped).
    • The "ballast" metaphor suggests that his fears and responsibilities weigh him down, preventing him from being swept away by his sudden good fortune.
    • His need to disguise his status (walking beside the porter instead of leading him) shows that his new identity is fragile—he must navigate social expectations carefully.

  4. Class and Appearance

    • David’s clothing (or lack of proper attire) is a symbol of his liminal status—neither fully a gentleman nor a commoner.
    • The bank porter represents institutional power, but David’s awkwardness (having to pretend they are "a pair of friends") underscores his lack of belonging in high society.
    • Stevenson critiques social performativity—David must act the part of a laird before he truly feels like one.

Literary Devices & Stylistic Analysis ​

  1. First-Person Narration & Tone

    • The confessional, introspective tone ("I, David Balfour") creates immediacy, pulling the reader into David’s psychological state.
    • His self-deprecating humor ("Rankeillor’s son was short and small in the girth; his clothes scarce held on me") makes him relatable, despite his extraordinary circumstances.

  2. Contrast & Juxtaposition

    • Past vs. Present:
      • "Two days before… I was like a beggar-man" vs. "To-day I was served heir to my position in life"
      • "moorland braes, the sea-sands and the still country-sides" vs. "the tall, black city"
    • These sharp contrasts emphasize the disorientation of David’s new reality.

  3. Metaphor & Symbolism

    • "the ball directly at my foot": Opportunity is within reach, but it also implies responsibility—he must "play" wisely.
    • "ballast to so much sail": His fears and unfinished business keep him grounded amid his sudden rise.
    • "the tall, black city": Edinburgh is forbidding and imposing, a place of social judgment (black = stern, unyielding).

  4. Irony & Dramatic Tension

    • Despite his wealth, David is more vulnerable in the city than he was as a fugitive in the wilderness.
    • The bank porter (a symbol of security) is also a reminder of his insecurity—he must pretend to be at ease.

  5. Historical & Cultural References

    • "British Linen Company": A real 18th-century bank, signaling David’s entry into the world of commerce and respectability.
    • "a price set on my own head": Refers to his wrongful accusation of treason (from Kidnapped), tying the sequel to its predecessor.
    • "landed laird": A Scottish landowner—David’s new status is both a privilege and a burden in a society where loyalty and politics are dangerous.

Significance of the Passage ​

  1. Character Development

    • This opening redefines David’s identity. In Kidnapped, he was a victim of circumstance; now, he must actively shape his destiny.
    • His self-awareness (knowing he looks ridiculous in borrowed clothes) shows growth—he is no longer the naive boy from the first book.

  2. Setting the Stage for Conflict

    • The "deadly business" hints at unresolved threats (likely involving Alan Breck, the "condemned traitor" from Kidnapped).
    • The city as a battleground suggests that David’s struggles will be social and political, not just physical.

  3. Stevenson’s Exploration of Identity

    • David’s duality (rich but uncomfortable, respected but insecure) reflects Stevenson’s own preoccupation with duality (seen also in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde).
    • The question arises: Can David reconcile his past as a fugitive with his present as a gentleman?

  4. Historical Realism & Adventure

    • Stevenson grounds the story in real 18th-century Scotland, blending historical detail (the Jacobite aftermath, banking systems) with personal drama.
    • The tension between wilderness and civilization is a recurring theme—David must adapt or be exposed.

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters ​

This opening establishes the central conflict of Catriona: David Balfour is no longer a victim, but he is not yet a master of his fate. His newfound status is both a blessing and a curse, and the city—unlike the open wilderness—offers no hiding place.

Stevenson uses vivid contrasts, psychological depth, and historical texture to create a compelling narrative hook. The reader is left wondering:

  • What is the "deadly business" David must handle?
  • Will he succeed in his new role, or will his past drag him down?
  • How will he navigate a world where appearance and reality are at odds?

The excerpt is a masterclass in setting up a sequel—it honors the past (Kidnapped) while propelling the story into new territory.