# David Balfour — Kidnapped character guide

> David Balfour in Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Davie, Mr. Balfour, David, Mr. David Balfour, Balfour

**First appearance:** 0002-i-i-set-off-upon-my-journey-to-the-house-of-shaws

## Who they are

A ragged young Lowlander who walks into a lawyer's office with Latin on his tongue and a claim to the estate of Shaws, determined to be believed.

## Relationships

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_friendship_

Deep, loyal friendship forged through shared adventures and mutual survival against enemies.

### [Mr. Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_campbell)

_social_

David's childhood minister who advises him and sends him off with a Bible.

### [Mr. Rankeillor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_rankeillor)

_professional_

The lawyer who helps David reclaim his inheritance and acts as a wise counselor.

### [Cluny Macpherson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/cluny_macpherson)

_social_

David is a guest of the Highland chief, who treats him with wary courtesy.

### [Captain Hoseason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/captain_hoseason)

_rivalry_

Hoseason kidnaps David and later tries to kill him, making them bitter enemies.

### [Colin Roy Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/colin_roy_campbell)

_rivalry_

Campbell is the government factor whose murder David witnesses, putting David in danger.

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_friendship_

Deep, loyal friendship forged through shared adventures and mutual survival against enemies.

### [Mr. Rankeillor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_rankeillor)

_professional_

The lawyer who helps David reclaim his inheritance and acts as a wise counselor.

### [Mr. Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_campbell)

_social_

David's childhood minister who advises him and sends him off with a Bible.

### [Colin Roy Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/colin_roy_campbell)

_rivalry_

Campbell is the government factor whose murder David witnesses, putting David in danger.

### [Captain Hoseason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/captain_hoseason)

_rivalry_

Hoseason kidnaps David and later tries to kill him, making them bitter enemies.

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_friendship_

Deep, loyal friendship forged through shared adventures and mutual survival against enemies.

## In the story

### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/dedication)

Mentioned as a character in the tale, with the printed trial silent on matters touching him.

### [Kidnapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/kidnapped)

The protagonist and narrator, a young man leaving his home to seek his inheritance.

### [I Set Off Upon My Journey to the House of Shaws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/i-i-set-off-upon-my-journey-to-the-house-of-shaws)

The protagonist, a 17-year-old lad, leaves his home in Essendean to seek his fortune at the House of Shaws.

### [II: I Come to My Journey’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-my-journey-s-end)

Arrives at the House of Shaws after a journey from Essendean, facing ominous warnings and a hostile reception from his uncle.

### [I Make Acquaintance of My Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/iii-i-make-acquaintance-of-my-uncle)

Arrives at the House of Shaws, meets his uncle, and experiences disappointment and suspicion.

### [IV: I Run a Great Danger in the House of Shaws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/iv-i-run-a-great-danger-in-the-house-of-shaws)

David grows increasingly suspicious of his uncle's motives, discovering a clue about his father's handwriting and narrowly escaping a deadly trap in the stair-tower.

### [I Go to the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/v-i-go-to-the-queen-s-ferry)

David reflects on his uncle's enmity, confronts him, and decides to accompany him to Queen's Ferry, showing both youthful confidence and growing wariness.

### [What Befell at the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vi-what-befell-at-the-queen-s-ferry)

David is the naive protagonist who is tricked into boarding the Covenant and kidnapped.

### [VII: I Go to Sea in the Brig Covenant of Dysart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vii-i-go-to-sea-in-the-brig-covenant-of-dysart)

Kidnapped and imprisoned aboard the Covenant, David suffers injury, sickness, and despair before being moved to the forecastle and beginning to recover.

### [The Roundhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/viii-the-roundhouse)

David is moved to serve in the roundhouse after Ransome's murder. He observes the crew's guilt and struggles with his own fear and despair about his future.

### [The Man with the Belt of Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/ix-the-man-with-the-belt-of-gold)

David meets Alan Breck Stewart, warns him of the crew's plot, and agrees to stand with him against the murderous sailors.

### [X: The Siege of the Roundhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/x-the-siege-of-the-roundhouse)

David participates in the defense of the roundhouse, firing pistols at the attackers and killing two men. He is horrified by his actions and breaks down crying afterward.

### [The Captain Knuckles Under](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xi-the-captain-knuckles-under)

Narrates the chapter; participates in the parley and treaty negotiations, feeling sympathy for the wounded captain.

### [I Hear of the “Red Fox”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xii-i-hear-of-the-red-fox)

Listens to Alan's tale, questions the morality of revenge, and expresses admiration for the Highlanders' loyalty.

### [XIII: The Loss of the Brig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xiii-the-loss-of-the-brig)

David is thrown overboard during the wreck and struggles in the sea, eventually swimming ashore on Earraid.

### [The Islet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xiv-the-islet)

David is stranded alone on Earraid, struggling to survive with limited food and shelter, and experiencing despair and illness.

### [The Lad with the Silver Button: Through the Isle of Mull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xv-the-lad-with-the-silver-button-through-the-isle-of-mull)

Travels alone through Mull, seeking Alan; shows resourcefulness and temper when dealing with his dishonest guide.

### [The Lad with the Silver Button: Across Morven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xvi-the-lad-with-the-silver-button-across-morven)

Travels from Torosay to Kinlochaline, meets Neil Roy Macrob and Mr. Henderland, receives route to Aucharn.

### [XVII: The Death of the Red Fox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xvii-the-death-of-the-red-fox)

David travels to Appin, witnesses the murder of Colin Roy Campbell, and is forced to flee with Alan Breck after being accused of complicity.

### [XVIII: I Talk with Alan in the Wood of Lettermore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xviii-i-talk-with-alan-in-the-wood-of-lettermore)

David is horrified by the murder and initially believes Alan guilty, but is relieved when Alan swears innocence. He agrees to flee with Alan, though troubled by the moral compromises.

### [The House of Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xix-the-house-of-fear)

Arrives with Alan at James Stewart's house; observes the frantic preparations; consents to being named in the warrant to protect Alan and James.

### [XX: The Flight in the Heather: The Rocks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xx-the-flight-in-the-heather-the-rocks)

David struggles with fear and exhaustion during the flight, nearly drowning in a river leap but saved by Alan. He shows courage despite his terror.

### [XXI: The Flight in the Heather: The Heugh of Corrynakiegh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxi-the-flight-in-the-heather-the-heugh-of-corrynakiegh)

David spends five days in the heugh, fishing, learning swordplay from Alan, and growing anxious about their escape. He considers leaving Alan to travel alone, as the wanted description no longer matches his ragged appearance.

### [The Flight in the Heather: The Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxii-the-flight-in-the-heather-the-moor)

David is near collapse from exhaustion, experiencing hallucinations and a sense of despair, yet he continues to follow Alan's lead.

### [Cluny’s Cage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxiii-cluny-s-cage)

Ill and feverish, David refuses to gamble on principle, citing a promise to his father, and earns Cluny's grudging respect.

### [The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxiv-the-flight-in-the-heather-the-quarrel)

Angry and proud over Alan's loss of his money, David struggles with feelings of betrayal and shame, eventually falling ill and needing Alan's help.

### [In Balquhidder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxv-in-balquhidder)

Lying bedridden for a week after his ordeal, David is visited by Robin Oig and nearly witnesses a duel between Alan and Robin.

### [End of the Flight: We Pass the Forth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxvi-end-of-the-flight-we-pass-the-forth)

David is recovering from illness and reluctantly participates in Alan's deception to gain help from a young woman at an inn. He asserts his loyalty to King George to allay her fears.

### [I Come to Mr. Rankeillor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxvii-i-come-to-mr-rankeillor)

David arrives in Queensferry, meets Mr. Rankeillor, and recounts his adventures, including his association with Alan Breck.

### [I Go in Quest of My Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxviii-i-go-in-quest-of-my-inheritance)

David learns the full story of his father and uncle's quarrel, and devises a plan to reclaim his inheritance with the help of Mr. Rankeillor and Alan.

### [I Come Into My Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxix-i-come-into-my-kingdom)

David is present during the negotiation and later signs the agreement, securing his inheritance.

### [Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxx-goodbye)

David takes leave of his ancestral home and parts ways with Alan, entering Edinburgh with a heavy heart.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/david_balfour
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters