half-menacing way.

"Mr Mackhai at home?" said the man.

"No, he is not. What do you want?"

"Mr Mackhai."

"Well, you can't see him; he's out. I'm his son."

"Then ye'll just come doon and show me the way in."

"You mean the way out."

"Oh no, I don't, my whipper-snapper. Is this the way?"

"No."

"Then which is?" said the man, looking to right and left.

"There is no way in for you," said Kenneth; and a murmur of applause
followed the words.

"Look ye here, my lad," said the man, holding out his paper. "D'ye see
this?"

"Oh yes, I can see it," cried Kenneth. "Here, Scoody, this gentleman
wants a light for his pipe; throw him a box of matches."

"No nonsense, please," cried the man. "I come in the name of the law.
Sandy, gang and ope that gate."

"Gin ye gang that gate," roared Tavish, "I'll break the head o' ye."

The man who had stepped forward, started back at this menacing warning,
for Tavish suddenly appeared standing up like a giant near the gateway,
with something which looked like a great stone in his hand.

"Put that doon, mon," cried the bailiff. "Ye'll be getting into
trouble. Now, young sir, come doon and ope the gate, and read this
paper. I take possession here in the name of the law."

"All right!" cried Kenneth mockingly. "Take away."

There was a laugh, and Kenneth shouted again,--

"Hi, Grant! you can show him how to take away."

"Are you going to open these gates, sir, and let us in?" cried the
bailiff, as soon as a hearty laugh had subsided.

"No."

"Are you going to tell your men to open, then?"

"No, I'm not."

"Do you know that you are resisting the law, young sir?"

"No, but I know I'm resisting you."

"By this paper I have proper warrant to take possession of all here."

"Have you? Well, I don't care what warrant you have. My father's out,
and I'm not going to let a set of ragged-looking Southroners come and do
what they please in Dunroe."

"I tell you, I have a proper warrant for taking possession."

"Then put it back in your pocket, and come again when my father's at
home."

"Look here, me laddie, it'll be a bad day's wark for ye, if ye resist
the law."

"You be off, and come again when my father's at home, I tell you."

"I've come a' these lang miles, me laddie, and I'm no' gaeing back
wi'out takking possession. Noo, ance mair, will ye open the gates?"

"No."

"Then we must break them in."

"Mind we don't break your head in, then, t