# On the March Again with Alan explained — Catriona

> Chapter companion for Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

David and Alan reunite and travel eastward along the coast, discussing Alan's time in hiding, his longing for Scotland, and their plan to meet a ship behind the Isle of Fidra. Alan uses humor and storytelling to interact with locals, while David reflects on his companion's character.

## Themes in this chapter

### Exile and Belonging

Alan expresses his longing for Scotland and his discomfort at leaving, highlighting the theme of exile.

### Deception and Manipulation

Alan uses a fabricated story about a cold to engage the innkeeper's wife, demonstrating his skill in deception for disguise.

## Character check-ins

### David Balfour

Narrator and traveler, reunites with Alan and observes his behavior.

### Alan Breck Stewart

Recently emerged from hiding, wears distinctive boot-hose, shares his experiences and plans for escape to France.

### Charles Stewart

Mentioned as the one who would tell Alan the time on his watch; Alan gives his address in care of Charles Stewart.

### Count Drummond-Melfort

Mentioned as Alan's colonel, an author who writes books like Caesar.

## Key lines

> I feel like a gomeral to be leaving Scotland on a day like this. It sticks in my head; I would maybe like it better to stay here and hing.

Alan feels foolish about leaving Scotland on such a beautiful day and almost prefers to stay and face the consequences.

_Alan expresses his emotional attachment to Scotland and reluctance to go into exile._

> A man should aye put his best foot forrit with the womenkind; he should aye give them a bit of a story to divert them, the poor lambs!

A man should always make a good impression on women by entertaining them with a story.

_Alan explains his method of engaging women through storytelling and flattery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xii-on-the-march-again-with-alan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se/chapters