'I—I—I didn't know,' stammered poor Tricksy.
'What is it?' cried the others, pressing round to look.
'It's one of the orders that were stolen,' said Allan.
'Tell them where you found it, Tricksy,' said Hamish.
'It was in the box-room, where the spare coats and the fishing baskets are kept,' said Tricksy. 'I went to see if Reggie's knife was in the pocket of his old great-coat, and when I pulled it off the shelf this fluttered down.'
'Well,' said Allan, while the others were dumb with astonishment, 'this beats me altogether. It wasn'twewho were the thieves!'
Every one looked at the order, and turned it round, and examined the back of it, but there was no clue to the mystery.
'Let's go and have a thorough search of the box-room,' said Marjorie; 'who knows what we may bring to light.'
'Take my pony, Tricksy,' said Reggie considerately. 'Those who haven't ponies will have to walk. Don't begin the search until we are all there!'
When the walkers reached Ardnavoir they found the others standing guard at the door of the box-room.
'Now!' said Marjorie, throwing open the door; and they all burst in.
All the garments were taken down from the shelves and unfolded and shaken, but nothing was to be found. Every pocket was turned out; but the contents were only pebbles, and bits of string, and pieces of dried seaweed.
All the fishing baskets were opened and peeped into, and turned upside down and shaken, but without result.
Afterwards they pulled out the boxes that were ranged against the wall, and looked behind them, but no postal orders were found.
'This box is unfastened,' cried Tricksy; 'let's look inside it.'
'Do you think we should do that,' demurred Hamish; 'Mrs. Stewart might object.'
'Can't stop to think of that in a case of necessity,' replied Reggie, and Marjorie's hands were soon in the trunk.
Furs smelling strongly of camphor, some old chair covers, then a quantity of frocks and boys' suits grown too small, and a layer of boots at the bottom.
'Nothing there,' said Marjorie, cramming the things into the box again.
'These other trunks are all locked,' said Reggie, trying them one after the other.
'They'll have to be opened when the police come,' observed Hamish.
Marjorie and Allan looked at each other.
'Do you think we ought to bring the police back at this time?' asked Marjorie in an undertone.
Allan sat down on a box, and the others all followed his example.
'We've got to consider what's to be done about this discovery,' began Allan. 'The first question is, have you showed the order to Pater or Mother already, Hamish?'
'Not yet,' said Hamish.
'Well, then,' said Allan, 'we've got to make up our minds whether we'd better do it or not.'
Hamish looked astonished.
'I don't see how there can be any doubt about that,' he began. 'Surely it's the very first——'
Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie were all looking at each other.
'We couldn't possibly keep back evidence like this,' pursued Hamish.
Marjorie's and Reggie's eyes were saying 'Don't tell them.'
Allan pushed his hair back from his forehead, thrust his hands into his pockets, and then turned to Hamish again.
'We've got to think of a lot of things in an affair like this,' he said. 'For instance——'
'It seems to me there's only one way of looking at it,' replied Hamish, his slow voice becoming steadier. 'You've got an important piece of evidence which may prove the turning-point of the case, and you don't even tell your father and mother.'
'Ithink Hamish is in the right,' broke in Tricksy's little voice.
A glance from Reggie caused her to quail and Allan turned upon Hamish.
'Now, Hamish, old fellow, don't you jolly well make an ass of yourself. We find ourselves in this predic.; either we've got to shut up about this valuable find, or have the police poking about the island when they're not wanted.'
'We've all three voted against you, so you are in a minority, Hamish,' broke in Marjorie, her voice sharp with vexation.
Hamish became very red, and looked at them steadily.
'I can't act contrary to the wishes of the majority,' he said, since we've made a Compact; but I wish to say that I think you are making a great mistake and that I think we shall all have cause to regret what you are doing.'
There was no reply since none could be made, and the meeting closed in an uncomfortable silence.
'Tear, tear,' they heard Duncan's voice saying in irritable tones outside the door; 'what will hev become of ahl ta young ladies and gentlemen? They will ahl pe away just at ta ferry time when they will be wanted. They will pe after some nonsense. I will ahlways pe the mosst afraid when they are ferry quiet when Mr. Allan will pe with them. He iss so sensible and wiselike, iss Mr. Allan, that when he finds mischiefs for them to do they will ahlways pe the ferry worst kinds of mischief, whateffer.'
They all trooped out, and followed Duncan's retreating figure.
'Here we are, Duncan, what do you want us for?'
'Tear me, young ladies and gentlemen,' said Duncan, 'we will hev peen looking for you ahl over the house and grounds. The Sheriff iss here from Stornwell and the minister iss come to call, and the laird says as it iss such a ferry fine day he iss going to take effery one out for a sail in the yacht, and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor iss come, and we are to hev lunch on board and go over to Alvasay, and afterwards if there iss time we will pe stopping at the Corrachin Caves, for Mr. Graham says he will pe liking to explore them; and here we will ahl pe waiting for you, young ladies and chentlemen.'
Marjorie's lips tightened.
'Look here, Duncan,' she said, after Hamish, followed consolingly by Tricksy, had passed out of hearing, 'we must make them too late for the caves.'
'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, we will hev to keep them out whateffer,' said Duncan, 'Mr. Graham's eyes will pe ferry sharp, he iss as bad as Mr. Harry, who is notticing efferything. But there iss ta laird, Miss Marjorie, he will pe calling to me to come with ta lunch baskets, I will hev to go.'
The hall was a scene of animation. The Sheriff was standing talking to Mrs. MacGregor and receiving defiant glances from Tricksy; the minister, an elderly man with white hair and stooping shoulders, stood somewhat apart; the other gentlemen were collecting rugs and fishing tackle, and Harry and Gerald were jumping about, asking questions and getting in every one's way.
'Rob MacLean has come to say that theKelpieiss all ready, sir,' said Duncan, who among his other avocations sailed his master's yacht.
'Don't let us wait any longer then,' said the laird; 'we shall not have time to visit the caves this evening if we miss the tide.'
Two trips of theMermaid—the Craft only when her young owners were by themselves—conveyed the entire party on board theKelpie, whose crew, consisting of Rob MacLean and another crofter, were in readiness.
'We must manage not to go to the caves, Rob,' said Marjorie as she passed.
'Aye, Miss Marjorie, she will not pe going to the caves to-day,' said the Highlander grimly.
It was a glorious day for a sail, and the young people's spirits rose in spite of themselves. There was enough wind to fill out the sails and make the vessel skim swiftly over the water, but not enough to make any one in the least uncomfortable, and the waves were dancing in the sunlight.
'Do you see that island over there?' said Marjorie to Harry, who was looking about him with sparkling eyes; 'that high one beyond all the little skerries? That's where we're going; it's an awfully jolly place, there's a fine loch with sea trout in it and a capital beach.'
Harry looked at the island, and then at the water tumbling and foaming in the vessel's wake; and then he began to look about for some more active occupation. The ladies were talking to their guests and pointing out the interesting places as they passed, and Gerald and Tricksy were sitting soberly in a corner by themselves. Mr. Stewart and Dr. MacGregor were busy with the sailing of the vessel, which seemed to require a great deal of management at this stage; and Harry's soul became filled with envy as he saw the other boys helping them dexterously as though they had passed their lives on board a ship.
Seeing Reggie perched half-way up the mast, helping to shake out a sail, Harry tried to scramble up after him, but Hamish ordered him down.
Harry turned and looked up with an indignant stare.
The elder boy, who seemed almost grown-up in his yachting suit, met the look with his usual good-natured smile, but did not seem disposed to be trifled with.
'You had better begin when the vessel's steady,' he said; 'it would never do to fall overboard while she's going along at this rate.'
'Why,' said Harry; 'couldn't you lower a boat?'
'It would not do you much good,' said Hamish. 'The current's flowing pretty rapidly one way, and the wind's driving us along at a fair speed in exactly the opposite direction; you might be carried miles out into the open before we could get a boat out.'
Harry went to the side and looked down at the water that was eddying past.
'It wouldn't be at all nice to fall overboard here, would it?' said Marjorie, who seemed to be blown along the deck, her hair flying in the wind. 'It will soon be over now, and see how near the island has been getting; we'll be there in no time.'
She hurried off to help in the coiling of the ropes, and in about half-an-hour theKelpiewas brought alongside the rude stone pier of Alvasay.
First came a walk to a wonderful rocky fiord, where the stones that were thrown down rebounded from side to side, and finally landed with a dull thud in some stagnant-looking water at the bottom. Afterwards, the day being hot, boys and girls scattered for a bathe.
'I can swim twice across the school swimming-bath,' said Harry, picking his way barefoot over the rocks and shivering a little, for although the sun was hot, the wind seemed cold when one had nothing on.
'You'll find it a bit rough with these waves against you,' said Reggie briefly.
'Far jollier,' said Harry, looking at the pebbles underneath the bright waves and the masses of seaweed swaying to and fro—'ugh, it is cold though!'
When his splash had subsided he saw the island boys swimming far ahead of him. In a little while he began to feel tired, and the waves seemed to be growing bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger. When he was able to see over their crests he could make out the other two sitting upon a rock which raised its head out of the water, and waiting for him.
After considerable efforts he reached the islet, grasped a point of rock, and drew himself on to dry land.
The others looked at him approvingly. Gerald was still splashing in shallow water near the shore.
'Good for you,' said Reggie; 'it's a pretty stiff sea for a fellow who has only practised in a swimming-bath.'
Harry did not look quite pleased.
'I say,' began Allan, 'look at Gerald, he's actually trying to come out to us. He is a plucky little chap.'
'That he is,' said Hamish. 'I'll swim back and see if I can help him.'
He dropped into the water and swam to meet Gerald, who was struggling gallantly along, making very wry faces, and swallowing quantities of water. With the bigger boy swimming by his side and occasionally helping him Gerald got along fairly well, and in a little while clambered on to the rocks, looking exceedingly happy.
Diving from steep places and swimming until they were tired, then getting out and sunning themselves on the warm rocks or sand of the little islets, running races and pushing each other into the water, the time passed quickly, and they were all surprised when Duncan came in view signalling that tea was ready.
They had been in the water long enough, for their teeth were chattering and they could hardly get into their clothes for trembling.
'I say,' began Harry with chattering teeth, 'you fellows ought to learn to tread water and to swim on the side. They teach these things at the swimming-baths. The ordinary kind of swimming does well enough in a place like this——'
'It's the best way of getting along, I should say,' suggested Reggie.
'Yes,' said Harry rather contemptuously; 'getting along is all very well; but when you're swimming where a lot of people see you, you like to be able to do the fancy strokes. You need to have lessons for these things though.'
Reggie's dark, serious eyes exchanged a glance with Allan's amused ones.
'Good thing Marjorie isn't here,' observed Allan in an aside; and the other boys grinned as they thought of the way in which Marjorie always had a reply ready for Harry when he was caught boasting.
'What's that?' said Harry, his head popping out of the opening of his shirt.
Allan was saved from the necessity of replying by the reappearance of Duncan, to say that 'The young gentlemen wass to please mek haste and come at once, as effery one wass waiting for them.'
During the walk from the bathing-place Allan was very silent, and all tea-time he watched Reggie and Harry thoughtfully, and was evidently revolving something in his mind.
After tea he took an opportunity of saying to Marjorie, 'Now, Marjorie, remember that we've got to make theKelpielate.'
'I'll try to get lost,' said Marjorie. 'I hope they won't go off without me though. You'd better lose yourself too, with one or two of the others; and they'll notice if so many are absent.'
'I'll do my best,' said Allan. 'I think we'll manage to keep them back an hour or so. You might come this way, Reggie, will you?'
Allan walked for some distance in silence, and Reggie began to wonder what was coming.
'Reggie,' began Allan, rather absently, 'have you been thinking that you're going to school next term?'
'Yes,' answered Reggie, wondering what this was going to lead to.
'Well,' resumed Allan, 'you'll need to have some fights, you know, almost as soon as you get there.'
'I suppose so,' said Reggie.
'I mean,' said Allan, 'even supposing that no one challenges you, you'll have to fight some of the fellows at the very commencement, don't you see, just to show that you're not the sort to be put upon.'
Reggie listened attentively, but said nothing.
'You haven't had much opportunity of practising yet, of course, and it won't do, if you want to make a position for yourself in the school, just to begin upon some of the new fellows, kids of your own size or a little bigger; any one can do that. What you want is to challenge some of the older fellows at the very beginning, and then, no one will try humbugging you, as they do with the new fellows.'
Reggie looked doubtful. The idea of making a position for himself was tempting, but if it was only to be carried into effect by fighting bigger boys he felt that the result might be failure.
'What you want is practice,' resumed Allan. 'Now it's no use your trying to fight me—I'm much too big and strong for you; nor Hamish, for he's far too good-natured and would never hit out at you enough; so it's awfully lucky we've got Harry here just now—he's just the very fellow.'
Reggie looked up in perplexity.
'But how can I fight Harry?' he said; 'I've never quarrelled with him.'
'You young duffer,' said Allan, 'you don't need to fight about anything in particular. It's only for practice. Then we've got to make the yacht late, you know, and this is no end of a good opportunity, as we can't be expected to stay where the grown-ups are likely to find us when we've got a fight on hand. Here's a nice quiet place, just behind these rocks, and there's Harry wading in that pool; you can just fight him at once, or I'll punch both your heads for you. Hullo, Harry! Come along! Reggie wants to fight you. Now, go it, you two, and I'll be umpire;' and before the younger boys knew what they were about they were sparring at each other like a couple of angry cocks.
'Straight, Reggie, you young duffer,' said Allan, settling himself to give professional advice. 'Give it to him from the shoulder.'
'I say, what's the row?' asked Hamish, who came strolling down to the scene; 'so these two have come to loggerheads, have they?'
'Not they,' replied Allan carelessly; 'it's only practice.'
Marjorie's curly head rose above a rock behind which she had been lyingperdu; and when she saw what was going on she jumped up and scrambled to the other side.
'Whatever is the matter?' she cried. 'Can't you make them stop, Allan?'
'Practice-fight,' replied Allan; 'don't call out, Marjorie; you'll distract their attention.'
Reggie, unused to fighting, soon began to have the worst of it, but he struggled manfully until a well-planted blow from Harry knocked the breath out of him.
'That's enough for a beginning,' said Allan. 'You've done not so badly, Reggie, for the first time, and you'll get into it all right by practice.'
'But what did he go at me for?' cried Harry, with a blank expression of countenance. 'I didn't do anything to him.'
'Nobody said you did, you duffer,' replied Allan; 'Reggie only wants to be able to fight the fellows at school; and you and he can have a go at each other every day if you like.'
'Dear me,' said Mr. Matthews the minister, coming towards the group with a concerned face; 'I am sorry to see that some of you have been quarrelling. Pray, what has been the subject of dispute?'
'It's nothing,' said Allan, 'only practice. There's no quarrel at all.'
'What's this? what's this?' broke in the somewhat rasping voice of the Sheriff, who had followed Mr. Matthews, unobserved by the young people; 'it seems that half-a-dozen boys cannot be together without coming to blows.'
'They're not fighting seriously,' cried Marjorie; 'it's only fun.'
Mr. Matthews was looking both grieved and puzzled.
'Dear me,' he said, shaking his head, 'this is most distressing. To fight when you have not any ground for quarrelling. Why did you not endeavour to dissuade them, Miss Marjorie?'
'It's all right,' said Marjorie. 'What would be the good of interfering?'
The Sheriff said nothing, but he was looking so grimly amused that Marjorie added hastily, 'Why, it doesn't matter! Why shouldn't they fight if it amuses them? When once you learn to understand boys you know that it's no use being surprised at anything they do!'
'Allan! Reggie!' Mr. Stewart's voice was calling somewhat impatiently. 'Go and look for the young ladies and gentlemen, Duncan; quick, don't lose time, we're late already.'
'Tear me,' observed Duncan, looking at Harry's and Reggie's somewhat battered faces as they passed; 'so there hass peen a fight between you two young gentlemen, and Mr. Allan hass been helping you. I wass thinking from Mr. Allan's looks these last days tat there would pe some mischief pefore ferry long! It iss ahl right, Miss Marjorie, it iss ahl right,' he said soothingly, in response to her glance; 'we hev made theKelpiean hour and a quarter late, whateffer. That iss ferry good, although Rob says he will pe thinking it iss a pity that the sea will not pe going to pe at ahl rough.'
There was only enough breeze to fill the sails as theKelpieglided gently towards the island of Erricha. The gulls sat balancing themselves on the smooth swell of the waves; and as the vessel passed a low rocky islet a number of seals flopped into the water and swam in her wake.
'It's awfully nice,' observed Gerald, his blue eyes shining with enjoyment.
'Yes,' replied Tricksy; 'we've had an awfully jolly day, but I've been thinking, that all this time we've been doing nothing for Neil. We ought to, you know, as we've made a compact.'
Allan produced a bit of stick and began whittling it.
'It would be nice if we could begin now,' observed Gerald.
'It's all very well,' said Harry disgustedly, 'but there seems to be nothing to do.'
'I heard the Sheriff saying to Mother that the gipsies had come back again,' said Tricksy.
Reggie's dark eyes looked at Allan, who stopped his whittling.
'Look!' said Marjorie abruptly, 'we're just rounding the headland.'
The Grahams wondered at the sudden silence which fell upon the group.
'We'll tack shore wards, Duncan,' announced Mr. Stewart. We would like to spend an hour or two at the caves.'
'Aye, aye, sir,' replied Duncan stiffly.
Allan and Reggie began to look intent.
'There's Rob coming forward,' said Marjorie softly.
The Highlander touched his cap respectfully.
'I do not think we can pe landing at ta Corrachin Caves to-night, sir,' he said civilly but firmly; 'ta wind iss north-west and ta current iss running ferry strong, sir. We wass thinking it would pe too dangerous.'
'Tut, tut,' said Mr. Stewart; 'we're not going to be so timid as all that, Rob. Just think of some of the days when we have landed, man.'
'But Duncan and I was thinking that it wass a ferry tangerous sea to-day, sir, ferry tangerous indeed, and we will pe afraid for ta ladies, sir, and for ta young ladies and gentlemen.'
'Nonsense, man,' returned Mr. Stewart; 'call this a heavy sea? I never saw a better sea in my life. Tell Duncan to put her head south-east by south.'
But Duncan had taken the helm, and the vessel lay unexpectedly against the wind.
'It iss ta cross currents, sir,' said Rob. 'Yo-ho there! Slack the main-sheet!' and the boys were easing off the rope before they had realised what they were about.
The vessel gave a plunge or two and then steadied herself, Duncan standing with a grim face at the wheel.
'It iss ahl right now, sir,' said Rob composedly; 'but we cannot pe teking her back to catch a wind tat will tek her to Corrachin after this.'
Dr. MacGregor was looking surprised.
'I can't think what ails the men,' fumed Mr. Stewart. 'There is nothing unusual in the appearance of the sea so far as I can make out, and I ought to know as well as they can.'
'Successful mutiny,' muttered Marjorie; and the boys grinned.
Mr. Graham walked to the side and looked down at the water, but did not take it upon himself to express an opinion.
'It looks as though the fellows were keeping something back,' continued Mr. Stewart.
'Perhaps it's one of their Highland superstitions,' suggested Mrs. Stewart. 'I wouldn't take any more notice if I were you.'
Silence fell as theKelpieglided past the caves. The vessel passed near enough for those on board to look into the yawning hollows beneath the overhanging cliffs, and to hear the thunder of the angry sea which always beat upon that shore.
Marjorie and the boys felt a lump rise in their throats as they thought of the comrade driven to seek refuge in that desolate spot.
'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr. Graham, slow day for us; suppose we take the boat and go fishing for crabs!'
'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgety mood and will be quarrelling with some one presently if he has nothing to do.'
'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishing. Come along and let's rummage out the lines, Reggie. We must be sure and get enough for all. Tricksy, you might ask Duncan to put some provisions in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper. Let's hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon.'
The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft.
Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, came and stood by the boat, pricking up their ears.
'Can't take you, Laddie,' said Allan; 'we're going a long way and there's no room for you in the boat.'
Laddie smiled an intelligent dog smile and wagged his tail as though to say, 'I'll wait and see whether you won't change your mind, young sir.'
'Come now, a good shove all together,' said Allan; and the boat ran down to the water.
'All right; chuck in the things, Reggie; and now, girls, will you take your places.'
They all seated themselves and the Craft was pushed off.
'Go home, Laddie,' called out Reggie to the two dogs, who were standing side by side on the shore, looking pitifully disappointed.
The dogs remained looking after the boat for a minute or two; then they gave each other a resigned glance and turned tail and trotted off, having evidently made up their minds to seek consolation in some other form of amusement.
The boat was rowed to where a bottom of weedy stones showed through the water, then Allan began to explain to his guests the method of fishing.
'You see this weight on the end of the line,' he said, 'and there's a bit of scarlet cloth attached; well, you let down the line to the stones and then draw it up again like this, and keep doing so until the crabs come out to see what's the matter; then you dance it up and down in front of them until they get into a rage, and catch hold of it; then you draw it up on board and the silly asses are too angry to let go and you catch them, don't you see?'
'Jolly fun,' said Harry, and a smile overspread Gerald's features. 'I suppose you get a lot of them that way?'
'Yes,' said Marjorie, 'but don't jump about so, Harry; you're making the boat bob from side to side.'
Harry muttered something and drew back into the boat. All the lines were flung out, and every now and again an irate crab was drawn up, clinging obstinately to the string.
The sport proved most absorbing, but after a little, Tricksy happening to look towards the shore drew Marjorie's attention to two figures standing on the hillside.
'What's the matter, Marjorie?' said Reggie, as the girl changed colour.
Following the direction of her eyes his attitude stiffened, and Allan and Hamish looked to see what was the matter.
'It's Gibbie MacKerrach,' said Reggie, 'and he's talking to Andrew MacPeters.'
The combination had an ominous sound, and they all looked extremely concerned.
'What's the matter?' asked Harry.
'It's that gipsy lad who used to like Neil so much,' said Allan; 'the other is the fellow who we suspect may have been the thief. It's to be hoped that he is not making Gibbie tell him things that will do harm to Neil.'
'Which one is the gipsy?' asked Harry. 'I heard father say that they were camping on the moor not far from the Corrachin Caves.'
Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie looked at each other with startled eyes. Then Allan said, 'Pull away from here, will you, Reggie, and don't let them see us if you can help it. It would be better that Andrew should not know that we saw him with Gibbie.'
'Now,' said Allan, after the boat had been rowed out of sight. 'We can try some deep-sea fishing.'
Reggie caught a small haddock which was divided among the party for bait, and the lines were thrown out again.
In a little while Reggie drew in a small cod, and a minute afterwards a good-sized haddock was found to be on Harry's line.
'Gently, Harry, gently, you'll get the line broken,' said Hamish warningly as Harry sprang up and Gerald danced about in his seat, to the great discomfort of Tricksy.
'There you are!' cried Marjorie, as the fish was drawn leaping and struggling into the boat.
'Hullo!' said Harry triumphantly; 'it's a fine big one and no mistake!'
'It's a good size,' said Marjorie, 'but, Harry,wouldyou mind not kicking my feet as you jump about.'
Harry muttered an apology, and just at that moment Hamish drew in a big cod, then two little haddocks were pulled up by Tricksy.
'Gerald, look at your line,' cried Harry, springing forward, and Gerald pulled in a haddock, while Allan and Hamish steadied the boat, which had been set rocking by Harry's sudden movement.
It was a beautiful evening, and the fish were taking well, but sport was spoiled by the incapacity of the Grahams to keep still. If Harry hooked a fish Gerald sprang up to look, and if any one else had a take Harry pranced backwards and forwards until it was drawn on board.
At last Hamish suggested that it was time to row to the Pirates' Island and have tea in the Den.
'Yes, I think so,' said Marjorie, somewhat irritably. 'I've had my ankles tripped over quite often enough as it is.'
'And I've beentryingto keep my feet out of the way,' said Tricksy, rather dolefully, 'but one has to put them somewhere, you know.'
'Have you been so uncomfortable?' said Harry, looking round with serene unconsciousness; 'Hamish's bootsarerather big.'
A smile travelled round the group as the lines were hastily wound up.
'You'll feel better after tea,' said Hamish soothingly.
The sun was already low when they landed, and Marjorie and Tricksy went into the cottage at once to get tea ready while Reggie fetched peats, and Allan and Hamish lingered behind to secure the Craft.
The Grahams, finding themselves with no special duties, wandered aimlessly about, getting into the way of the busy people.
'We've had a jolly fine take, haven't we?' said Harry, sauntering up to Reggie, who was busy at the peat-stack.
'Not bad,' said Reggie briefly. 'Here, take an armful of these, will you, and carry them into the house.'
Harry carried in the peats and set them down by the fire-place, where Marjorie was busy frying fish, while Tricksy was making bannocks at the table.
'I say, Marjorie,' began Harry, 'we've had fine sport, haven't we?'
'Yes,' replied Marjorie absently.
Harry looked at the two girls, who went on quietly and busily with their work.
'I caught as many as Allan, didn't I?' he began again.
'I'm sure I don't know,' said Marjorie indifferently. She was tired and the peat smoke was making her eyes smart, and it irritated her to see Harry doing nothing.
'But surely you kept count,' persisted Harry; 'I caught more than Hamish, anyhow.'
'I wasn't looking,' said Marjorie. 'If you caught more than Hamish to-day it was more than you do when you go trout fishing. I wish you would go away now, Harry, and not talk to me until tea is ready.'
'Let her alone, Harry,' remonstrated Gerald, who had followed his brother into the hut; but Harry was in a teasing mood and Marjorie's reply had stung him.
'Cross patch!' he muttered, giving her elbow a shove.
Marjorie had not been prepared for the movement, which jerked some of the fish into the fire. In an instant she turned round and pinned Harry against the wall, while her eyes blazed.
'Harry! you struck a lady!—Apologise!'
'No, I won't,' muttered Harry, struggling to free himself. His arms were held as in a vice.
'Are you going to apologise for having hit a lady?' reiterated Marjorie.
'No,' replied Harry, trying desperately to free himself, and becoming aware that the other boys were nearing the door of the hut.
The struggle was prolonged for a minute or two, and then, just as the boys, to Harry's unspeakable confusion, were on the point of coming in, Marjorie slowly relaxed her hold and let him go.
Harry left the cottage, followed by Gerald, and seated himself on the turf dyke with his chin resting on his hands. For a long time he gazed blankly in front of him, and neither boy spoke.
At last Harry began, 'I say, Gerald, do you think they saw?'
'Yes,' answered Gerald; 'I'm afraid they did.'
Harry dropped his chin on his hands again and reflected.
'Do you think it was because of that that they didn't come in at first?' he queried after awhile.
'I think so,' said Gerald; 'they didn't want to have to interfere.'
A long pause followed. Harry gazed seawards, absorbed in gloomy reflections.
'It was awfully stupid of you to go on teasing her,' said Gerald; 'any one could have seen that she was going to lose her temper. She's so strong too; always rowing and climbing, and doing things like a boy.'
'Don't tell the boys at school,' said Harry, after a long time; then he relapsed into silence again.
Suddenly he pulled himself together, and jumped off the dyke just as Marjorie was coming out of the hut.
'Look here,' he began, planting himself in front of her, with a flush rising to his face; 'I apologise! but it's because I shouldn't have hit you and not because you held me.'
'It's all right,' said Marjorie, who was sorry that she had lost her temper; 'don't let's think of it any more but come and have tea.'
The other boys tried to drown any lingering embarrassment by talking very fast, and the meal became an animated, if not a merry one.
'Hark,' said Reggie suddenly, 'what's that?'
They all became silent and listened, Allan standing up. A deep rushing noise was filling the cottage, and rapidly increasing in volume.
'It's the tide-way,' said Reggie; 'we've forgotten to keep a look-out.'
All trooped out of the cottage and looked at the angry current which was sweeping past both shores of the island.
'Here's a jolly go,' said Allan; 'we shan't get home to-night.'
Tricksy looked frightened and Harry amazed, but Marjorie's face cleared and she jumped up and clapped her hands with glee.
'Oh, hooray, hooray,' she said; 'just what I always wanted. We'll have to spend the night in the cottage. Oh, what fun!'
'But won't Mrs. Stewart be frightened?' suggested Gerald, the thoughtful boy.
'Not she,' said Marjorie; 'she knows that we can take care of ourselves; besides, Father and Mr. Stewart made us promise that if we were surrounded by a tide-way we were not to try to come home, however long we might have to wait. It would be quite impossible for us to row across. We must make up our minds to spend the night here.'
They remained out of doors a little longer, discussing the situation, while the red turned to grey beyond the far-off islands; then they went indoors to make preparations for the night.
Fresh peats were cast on the fire, and the stores of cut heather were brought out and laid on the floor to serve as beds. Marjorie lighted the lamp which hung from the ceiling, and its smoky glare lighted up a circle of eager, wakeful faces.
The novelty of their surroundings, together with the voice of the current, which was running deep and swift round their tiny strip of an island, took from them all disposition to sleep during the early part of the night. It was not until the lamp had burnt out, and Tricksy's head had sunk heavily against Marjorie's knee that the rushing became fainter and finally died away, and one by one the listeners dropped to sleep upon their heather couches.
It was about midnight when Marjorie awoke, aroused by a slight noise, and the flames from the peats showed her Allan staring in front of him with wakeful eyes, and listening.
'What is it?' she asked.
'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again—now, hark.'
Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the water.
'It's some one coming for us,' she said.
'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.'
Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed.
'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested.
She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some adventure.
'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes. Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the youngsters.'
They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood out of doors in the cool quiet night.
'Crouch down, Marjorie, and keep behind the dyke,' said Allan. 'Let's make certain that itisNeil before we show ourselves.'
By this time the boat was close to the shore, and its occupant sprang out.
The cloudy moonlight showed the face and figure to be those of Neil.
'Stand up, Marjorie; let him see it's a girl,' said Allan, 'and he'll know that he's safe.'
Marjorie stood up, and called 'Neil! Hist! Neil!'
The figure turned round.
'Who is that?' asked a voice in Gaelic.
'It's Marjorie, Neil; and Allan.'
Neil carefully secured the boat and came forward.
'What are you doing here, Miss Marjorie, at this time of night? and Allan too? Has anything happened?'
'We're shipwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the tide-way,' said Marjorie.
'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe. Come along.'
They entered very softly, Neil dragging his limbs as though he were fatigued.
'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes.
'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had stirred on his heather couch.
'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake. 'He's going to stay here till morning.'
'Neil?' repeated Harry. 'Oh, I say, what a lark. Gerald, wake up, you lazy beggar, here's Neil at last—Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he administered a shove to his sleeping brother.
By this time all the inmates of the cottage were awake, Hamish being the last to open a pair of bewildered, sleepy eyes. Room was made for Neil at the fire, the smouldering peats were roused to life, and the boys and girls clustered round, staring and asking questions, much too excited to think of sleep.
'How is your mother, Neil?' asked Tricksy, whose dark eyes looked bigger and darker than ever between surprise and sleepiness.
'She iss better, thank you, Miss Tricksy. I will have left her sleeping quietly, and I will pe coming here so that I can be going back early to see how she iss in the morning.'
Then after a little hesitation he added, 'She has made me promise that I'll go away now. Rob MacLean's boat goes to-morrow evening.'
'Oh, what a sell!' exclaimed Harry, who had been sitting cross-legged by his hero and looking up in his face with sparkling eyes. 'I mean,' he added, somewhat confusedly, as he saw the faces of the others, 'I'm sorry you have to go; it would have been such fun if you could have stayed.'
They conversed a little longer, but quietly, for the darkness and silence which reigned outside their little shelter, and the monotonous lapping of the waves made them drowsy; and one by one they dropped to sleep.
Marjorie was the first to awaken. The clear morning light was already filling the hut, and the others were lying around and breathing heavily.
She rose and went out of doors.
The sun had not yet risen, but the clouds in the east were red. Some gulls were rising languidly above the shimmering water.
Marjorie stood looking about her for a minute or two; then she ran into the cottage.
'Allan,' she cried, 'wake up! There are some people standing on the shore; your father and Mr. Graham and some others and Laddie is with them. They are just going to launch the boat. Get up, quick; there's no time to lose!'
Neil was already on his feet, the events of the past few months having taught him to keep on the alert; and the others had begun to open their eyes and stretch themselves.
'Hullo,' said Reggie, grasping the situation, 'boat coming over here; that will never do.'
'Hurry up,' said Allan, 'or they'll be across before you know where you are.'
'You had better wait until we've gone,' said Marjorie to Neil. 'Stay in the cottage, or they may see you.'
Hastily saying good-bye they ran down to the shore, but stopped short in dismay.
The boat was gone.
'Comes of not having fastened her securely,'. said Allan; 'the current has carried her away.'
'What shall we do?' said Marjorie. 'We'll have every one coming to the island. Hide Neil; let's pile all the heather on the top of him——'
'What's the matter?' cried Neil from the hut. 'Why are you waiting?'
'The boat's gone,' they cried.
Neil came out.
'Mine's still there, on the other side,' he said. 'Take her, and some of you can come back for me.'
'Oh, Neil, we couldn't do that! What if any one were to come in the meanwhile?'
'We must risk it. It will be better than bringing the whole boat-load upon us. Quick, get in; they will be shoving down the boat.'
In another minute they had pushed off, leaving Neil behind.
When the boat left the island the figures on shore stood still and waited; and half-way across Marjorie waved her handkerchief.
'It's Father,' said Tricksy, 'with Mr. Graham and Duncan and a lot of others; and there's Laddie jumping about and barking.'
'Allan,' said Marjorie, touching his arm, 'there's Andrew MacPeters, do you see him? standing behind the others.'
The boat glided in beside the landing stones, while a row of anxious faces watched and waited.
'Down, Laddie,' said Mr. Stewart, as the collie rushed forward with a joyful welcome. 'So there you are,' he said to the young people. 'You are not cold, are you?'
'We're all right, Father,' said Allan. 'We landed on that island yesterday evening and we were surrounded by the tide-way so we could not return. I hope Mother was not anxious. We thought you would rather we stayed there than tried to cross when the current was flowing.'
'You were quite right not to try to get back under these circumstances,' said Mr. Stewart gravely; and the young people knew that he had been anxious, although he did not wish to blame them.
Mr. Graham said nothing, but after his eyes had travelled over the group, and he had, as Tricksy afterwards expressed it, 'counted his boys,' he placed himself between them and set off in the direction of Ardnavoir, still without speaking except to ask them whether they had wet feet.
Reggie, as the quickest runner, was sent on ahead to tell his mother that they had returned, and a brisk walk brought them all to the house.
'By the way,' said Mr. Stewart as the young people were refreshing themselves with a good breakfast; 'what man was that who was with you on the island?'
A startled movement went round the group, and Allan looked at his father without replying.
'That man who helped you with the boat,' said Mr. Stewart; 'he stayed behind after you left; who was he?'