d, and that he enjoyed it all the more for
not having shot the animal himself,--though he could not help telling
Kenneth that the fat seemed to stick to the roof of his mouth.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

KENNETH RESISTS THE LAW.

Three more days glided by, spent in hunting and fishing. Max succeeded
in spearing one skate himself, and was nearly pulled out of the boat by
the curious fish as it made its final struggle for life. And then a
momentous day came, when, after spending the morning in having a
glorious sail, during which, as there was a splendid breeze, Max had
felt quite comfortable, as he sat well to windward, holding on by the
gunwale and helping to act as ballast to keep the boat from going over
under the great press of sail Kenneth insisted upon carrying, they ran
softly in under shelter of the rocks, and were approaching the castle
landing-place, when Tavish came rushing up breathlessly.

"Come oot!" he roared. "Come oot, laddies!"

"What's the matter, Tavvy? Has my father--"

"Nay, laddie; he's no' come back. Come oot! come oot!"

The boat was run in, Scoodrach left to moor her, and Kenneth leaped
ashore.

"What's wrong?" he cried, as he was saluted by a burst of baying from
the dogs, which had been waiting their master's return.

"Wrang, my laddie? She had to gang doon to Kinlochai, and there she
found ta bailies."

"What, at the farm?"

"At ta fairm, laddie, noo. An ugly, pock-faaced chief wi' hauf a dizzen
loons asked me ta way to Dunroe. He's a bailie coming to tak' ta
place."

"What? Nonsense, Tavvy!"

"Hey, but it's nae nonsense, laddie, for she met Dooncan Graeme, and
Dooncan knew her at Glasgie. She's ta bailie, and she's coming to tak'
ta Dunroe."

"Then she isn't going to have it!" cried Kenneth, flushing. "Bailiffs,
indeed! It's all some stupid mistake."

"She rin on to tall ye, but ye were awa'," panted Tavish, whose face was
streaming.

"They're just here, then?" said Kenneth excitedly.

"Na; she was askit ta way to Dunroe, and she sent them richt doon
through ta mountains, laddie; and they'll nivver get here till some ane
sets them richt."

"Bravo, Tavish! But it must be all some mistake."

"Nay, laddie, it's no meestake. Ta Chief canna pay some siller, and ta
bailie's coming to tak' Dunroe."

"Is he?" cried Kenneth fiercely. "We'll see about that. Call Long
Shon."

"She's in ta castle, laddie, getting ta auld gates to. She was going to
shut ta ga