lly to the Neil boys and their
friends. There was not a kinder or tenderer heart in all the Ontario
Highlands than poor Catchach's, but he was always in the throes of a
feud with someone, for he loved a fight and might be said never to be
at peace except when he was at war.

It was this militant gentleman who was descending upon the unsuspecting
young clergyman, setting the stones and dust flying in his haste. But
there was no sign of war about him now, only a beaming peace and
goodwill. His eyes were shining, his mouth was expanded in a terrible
smile, displaying two rows of long, irregular, yellow teeth and his big
red hands were outstretched in greeting. He shouted when he was some
half-dozen yards distant, "They tell me you will pe hafing the Gaelic!"

"I--I am not quite sure that I understand you," said the grandson of
John McAlpine, coming to a standstill and wishing with all his heart
that his cane was not so slim.

"My name will pe McBess, Allister McBess!" cried the rubicund
personage, grasping a rather unwilling hand and shaking it wildly,
"Allister McBess, oh yes, inteet, an' they will pe telling me you will
pe a real Hielanman, though how coult a Hielanman pe hafing such a name
as Egerton, it is a missery to me, whatefer!"

There was no mistaking the good feeling in Catchach's beaming
countenance. John Egerton smiled and shook his hand in return. "I am
afraid there is a slight mistake," he answered cordially, "I can't
boast of being altogether Highland Scotch, and who has been telling you
I could speak Gaelic?" He pronounced it Galic and a change came over
Catchach's face.

"Tonal Neil, Tonal Neil, whatefer; he will pe saying the new minister
will pe Hielan' an' will pe hafing the beautiful Gaelic!"

The look of good-natured indulgence died from John Egerton's face at
the mention of Donald's name. The young man with the easy air of
equality had been taking liberties! "I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr.
McBess," he said stiffly, making the fatal error of failing to detect
McBeth in Catchach's lisp, "I am neither Highland Scotch nor can I
speak the Gaelic."

Catchach let go his coat; a quiver of mortal disappointment passed over
his face.

"And whoever has told you such falsehoods," continued the young man
with some heat, "is an untruthful mischiefmaker!"

Catchach's fiery countenance became rigid. He stepped back and stared
so wildly at the minister that the young man hastened to add for h