# Various Doings in the West explained — Mr. Standfast

> Chapter companion for Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.

## What happens

Hannay, under the alias Cornelius Brand, travels on the Tobermory through the West Highlands, following Gresson. He faces challenges including lack of a passport, a suspicious deputy-lieutenant, and a near-fatal accident at sea orchestrated or witnessed by Gresson.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Hannay adopts multiple false identities (Brand, Blaikie) to evade detection and follow Gresson.

### Fortitude and Endurance

Hannay endures seasickness, cold, and a near-fatal accident while maintaining his cover.

### Comradeship and Loyalty

Hannay's thoughts of Blenkiron and Peter reflect his loyalty to his comrades.

## Character check-ins

### Cornelius Brand

Hannay's alias as a colonial traveler on the Tobermory.

### Richard Hannay

Narrator, traveling undercover as Brand, following Gresson.

### Abel Gresson

Suspicious fellow passenger; Hannay follows him; possibly involved in Hannay's near-fall overboard.

### Mary Lamington

Recalled in Hannay's thoughts during his vigil on deck.

### John S. Blenkiron

Mentioned in Hannay's reminiscences.

### Peter Pienaar

Mentioned in Hannay's reminiscences.

### Ted Broadbury

Son of Colonel Broadbury, a young convalescent officer who helps verify Hannay's false identity.

### Captain Robert Blaikie

Identity borrowed by Hannay to evade the deputy-lieutenant.

## Key lines

> I was a colonial of Scots extraction, who was paying his first visit to his fatherland and wanted to explore the beauties of the West Highlands.

Hannay pretends to be a Scottish colonial tourist seeing the Highlands for the first time.

_Hannay's cover story to the captain._

> I did not reply in a colonial accent, but with the hauteur of the British officer when stopped by a French sentry.

Hannay switches from his colonial persona to an officer's tone when confronted by the deputy-lieutenant.

_Demonstrates Hannay's quick adaptability in disguise._

> I reflected that seasickness was kitten's play to a good bout of malaria.

Hannay compares his seasickness favorably to past malaria, showing his resilience.

_Hannay's internal reflection on enduring hardship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-v-various-doings-in-the-west
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters