# III: How Childe Roland and Another Came to the Dark Tower explained — Huntingtower

> Chapter companion for Huntingtower by John Buchan.

## What happens

Dickson McCunn wakes irritated by John Heritage's iconoclastic views, resolves to avoid him, and sets off alone on his walking holiday. He chooses a westward route toward the sea, eventually arriving at the village of Dalquharter. There, he and Heritage (who has followed) explore the area and discover a strange, new, sinister house called Huntingtower. They witness a patrol of men and hear a beautiful voice singing from within, which Heritage recognizes as the voice of a girl he saw in Rome. They seek lodging in the village, are turned away from the inn by a suspicious landlord, and finally secure a room from a reluctant old woman named Mrs. Morran.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Heroism

Dickson's spontaneous decision to explore the westward peninsula and the discovery of the mysterious house set the stage for an unexpected adventure.

### Escape and Renewal

Dickson seeks a holiday of renewal in the countryside, escaping his routine life, and the chapter emphasizes the beauty of spring and the allure of the unknown.

## Character check-ins

### Dickson McCunn

Wakes irritated by Heritage, resolves to travel alone, chooses a new route, discovers Huntingtower, hears the singing, and secures lodging with Mrs. Morran.

### John Heritage

Follows Dickson, explores Dalquharter with him, recognizes the singing voice as the girl from Rome, and insists on staying in the village.

### Mrs. Morran

Reluctantly agrees to let Dickson and Heritage stay in her loft after they are turned away from the inn.

### Dobson

Mentioned as the innkeeper of the Cruives, a suspicious man with a licensed victualler appearance.

## Key lines

> Sich poetry! ... And yon blethers about the workingman!

Dickson dismisses Heritage's poetry and political talk as nonsense.

_Shows Dickson's irritation with Heritage's iconoclastic views._

> The man's a child, and not like to grow up.

Dickson decides Heritage is immature and unlikely to change.

_Highlights Dickson's frustration and his decision to avoid Heritage._

> Let's get out of this.

Dickson urges Heritage to leave the area around the house.

_Reflects Dickson's unease and fear of the mysterious house._

> That is the voice of the girl I saw in Rome, and it is singing her song!

Heritage recognizes the singer as the girl he met in Rome.

_Reveals Heritage's emotional connection and motivation to stay._

> That fellow's a swine.

Heritage calls the innkeeper a contemptible person.

_Shows Heritage's distrust of the innkeeper and his determination to remain in Dalquharter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/iii-how-childe-roland-and-another-came-to-the-dark-tower
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huntingtower_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters