he had met simon fraser of balnain two or three times , but when they both were lads in the highlands-simon was a few years younger , and jamie 's vague memories of a small , round , cheerful wee lad who trotted after the older boys , waving a shinty stick taller than himself , had nothing in common with the stout , solid man who rose now in his stirrups , calling out and brandishing his sword , attempting to rally his panicked troops by sheer force of personality .