and he dropped off to sleep with his
arm round his instrument, cuddling it up to him on the pillow as if it
had been a darling child.

Donald was left to sleep; and, under Kenneth's orders, all hands were
set to work to clear away the traces of the fight, while Scoodrach was
sent out to scout and bring back tidings of the whereabouts of the
enemy.

The young gillie had recovered his sgian-dhu from where it had been
thrown by Kenneth, and he ran off with alacrity, delighted with his
task; while baskets and maunds were brought, and amidst plenty of hearty
laughter the potatoes were gathered up, the women entering into the task
heart and soul.

But, like Humpty Dumpty, the various earthenware pots that had fallen
from the wall, even with the aid of all the king's horses and men, could
not have been put together again, so Long Shon gathered the sherds into
a basket, throwing one load into the sea, and coming back for another.

"I say, look here, Tavvy," cried Kenneth very innocently, after hurling
a potato with magnificent aim at Max's back, and completely ignoring his
inquiring gaze as the visitor turned round.

"Tid she call me?"

"Yes; we must have this old spar out of the way, for they may come back
and have better luck next time."

"Hey, but they wadna daur come back," cried Tavish.

"I don't know, Tavvy. Anyhow, we'll have the spar where they can't get
it. Where shall we put it?"

"She'd better pit it inside ta castle," said Tavish.

"Well, we'll all help you carry it. You'll help, Max?"

"Oh yes, I'll help," replied Max, offering the potato to Kenneth. "Do
you want to throw this at any one else?"

"Eh? No. Yes, I do. I'll keep it for the bailiffs. I say, though,
this is a rum game. Those people can't have any right to come like
that."

"I don't know for certain," said Max; "but I'm afraid they have--if--"

He stopped short, for Kenneth flushed up.

"Oh, come, Maxy, that's too bad. Don't insult my father by saying
things in that underhanded way. My father doesn't owe money, I'm sure."

Max felt uncomfortable, for he had an undefined feeling that there was
something very wrong, but it was all misty and confused.

"I didn't want to hurt your feelings, Ken," he said.

"Then you shouldn't. There, never mind. Hi, Long Shon, come and help
carry this old spar."

"She ton't want any one to help her carry ta bit o' wud," said Tavish
contemptuously. "She could pitch it like ta caber."

H