uld be caught
such snatches as, "Who iss it that hass won efery great pattle in the
last century? Ta Hielanders!" "Who won ta pattle of Palacklafa? Ta
Hielanders!" "Who stormed ta heights of Awlma? Ta Hielanders!"

On he swept down to the last page of history, shouting the answers to
this glorious catechism with a ferocious defiance that challenged
denial; and at every shout there was an answering roar from the
inhabitants of the Oa which threatened to dislodge the roof.

The distracted chairman had not the courage to attempt to stem the
torrent. He did not care to obtrude himself inside Catchach's range of
vision, for before he was done with Scotland the orator was rolling up
his sleeves and calling out like Goliath of Gath for all the township
of Oro to come forward and contradict him. Many of the audience became
alarmed, and some of the older folk were starting for the door, when at
last the flow of fiery eloquence ceased. How he ever managed to stop,
no one could understand; some people said they supposed he had come to
the limit of his English. If Catchach had been able to address his
audience in Gaelic, it is likely they would not have seen their homes
until morning.

But he did stop at last, and went tearing down the aisle and out of the
door, shaking the dust of the place from off his feet. The back row
arose in a body, and went roaring after him, for Catchach in a rage was
better than all the patriotic demonstrations on earth.

The meeting broke up in complete disorder. The hour was unconscionably
late, and the remainder of the long inspiriting programme had perforce
to be omitted. Those of the audience who remained sang "God Save the
Queen" in a rather distracted fashion and hurried away with the firm
conviction that a patriotic concert was an exceedingly improper
performance.

As the unhappy chairman and his confederate were leaving the scene of
their disappointment Sim Basketful brushed violently past the Irish
orator and confronted them. He informed them in a choking voice that
if the Presbyterians were contemplating getting up any more such
disgraceful performances, they would see that they were held in their
own church, as the Methodists objected to having their place of worship
turned into a den of thieves.

XIV

DONALD'S RETURN

In the rush of preparation for the concert the winter had slipped away,
and by the time it was over the days had come when the sun was too
ardent fo