ught the hand in his, to hold it tightly,
the two lads gazing in each other's eyes as a strong friendship was
cemented between them, one far more binding than Kenneth could have
imagined in his wildest dreams.

"There; I'm going to fetch the dogs," said Max hastily, and he ran out
of the room, and down and out into the castle yard, where, to his
horror, the first person he saw was old Donald, looking more wild and
strange than ever.

Max backed into the archway leading to the house, hoping he had not been
seen, but the old man uttered what was meant for a cry of delight, and,
smiling at him, began to beckon with his hand and arm.

"What shall I do?" muttered Max, as the old man came up and tried to
catch hold of his arm.

"Hey, bonnie laddie!" he cried, in a confidential whisper. "She's been
watching for ye. She's chust made ta peautiful new dirge, and she shall
play it to you up in ta toor."

"No, no," cried Max desperately. "The young Mackhai has sent me on a
message."

"Ou ay! Put she'll not pe long. It was a peautiful music, and ye--Ta
Southron laddie's gane!"

It was quite true, for Max had darted back and run to the dining-room,
to get round by the terrace, and so by the rocks to the other side of
the ruins, in search of the dogs.

There he came suddenly upon Scoodrach, lying on his chest in the sun,
and with his chin in his hands, gazing up at the window of Kenneth's
room.

"Here! hi, Scoodrach!" cried Max; and the lad looked at him scowling.
"Kenneth has sent me to fetch--"

Scoodrach sprang up, with his whole manner changed.

"She's sent her to fetch me?" he cried eagerly.

"No, no; to fetch--the dogs."

A savage look of anger flashed into the lad's face, and he stood with
his hands working.

"Na, na," he cried hoarsely; "it's a lee! Ta young Chief sent her to
fetch his gillie, and she's trying to keep her awa'!"

"I told you the truth," cried Max, almost as angrily. "Here, Sneeshing,
Sneeshing!" he cried, as he caught sight of the dog a hundred yards
away; and the quaint-looking little terrier pricked up his ears, looked
round, caught sight of the two boys, and came helter-skelter towards
them.

The effect of this dash was for a sharp bark to be heard, and Dirk came
into view, with his plume-like tail waving; while, before he was
half-way toward Max, Bruce came, making greyhound-like bounds and
evidently in a great state of excitement.

"Good dogs! good dogs, then!" cried Max, pa