ust come," cried Tim.

Shanter seemed to think that he must not, and he took no more notice,
but marched away, fetched another big armful of wood, and then took the
big kettle to fill at the spring.

"I say, uncle," cried Tim, "here's insubordination in the camp."

"What's the matter?" said Uncle Jack, who was chaining up the wheels of
one of the wagons to insure its not being dragged away.

"The black will not work."

"Send him to me."

Tim ran back to Shanter.

"Here," he cried; "Uncle Jack wants you."

"Baal come along Uncle Jack," said the black sharply. "Uncle Jack come
along Shanter."

"But I say: that won't do," cried Tim. "You must mind what's said to
you."

"Shanter going get grub. You come along mine."

"No; I'm going to work, and you have to help."

Shanter got up and walked straight away in the other direction, and Tim
went and told his uncle.

"Lazy scoundrel!" cried Uncle Jack. "Well, if he doesn't work he can't
be fed."

"Shall I go and tell the captain?"

"No; he has plenty of worries on his mind. Let's do without the sable
rascal. We never counted upon having his help."

So the work went on without the black, and the captain did not miss him;
while the ladies, finding a plentiful supply of wood and water, were
loud in Shanter's praises.

Just before dark he walked back into camp with a bark bag hanging from
his spear, and a pleasant grin upon his face.

"Baal black fellow," he cried.

"There now," said Aunt Georgie, who was busy preparing the evening meal,
helped by Mrs Bedford; "there it is again. I was doubtful before."

"Baal black fellow," said Shanter once more.

"Yes, there. You see how it is, Marian; these people must be
descendants of the old Philistines, all degenerate and turned black."

"Nonsense!" said Uncle Jack, and he looked very sternly at the black.

"But it is not nonsense, John," said the old lady. "Surely you don't
mean to say that I do not know what I'm talking about. That dreadful
man is a descendant of the old Philistines. You heard him say as
plainly as could be something about Baal."

Norman burst into a roar of laughter.

"Norman, my dear, how can you be such a rude child?" cried the old lady
reprovingly.

"Why, aunt, baal means none, or not any."

"Nonsense, my dear!"

"But it does, aunt. Baal black fellow means that there are none about."

"Baal black fellow," cried Shanter, nodding. "Mine not see plenty--all
gone."

"Ther