sall be a still, sir," said Tavish innocently,
as his master closed up.

"Maybe?" said The Mackhai sharply; "and I'm thinking you knew it was
there, and have tasted the stuff."

Tavish was silent, and they all plodded on toward the distant light, the
dog's track being straight for it naturally, for the only way up the
little glen was by the burn.

"Ta licht's gone," muttered Tavish. "She'll be thinking they've heert
ta tog, and thrown watter upo' it, and we shall be in trouble pefore
we've done."

"Hallo!" cried Kenneth; "the light's out."

The Mackhai called attention to the fact at the same moment.

"Keep close to me, Kenneth," he said. "But no they would not dare," he
said to himself.

Tavish turned to his master.

"Shall she fecht?"

"There will be no need, my man. Get on. We shall find the boy has
taken shelter there."

Tavish shook his head, and muttered to himself.

"What is it, Tavvy?" said Kenneth.

"If it's ta whusky they're makking aboon yonder, ta young chentleman
isna there."

"Well, we shall soon see about that," cried Kenneth, pressing on in the
most reckless way, and only saving himself from several falls by his
activity, for he went among the broken rocks like a goat.

A loud burst of barking lent speed to his feet; and ten minutes later
the party were up in front of the rough building, from which came to
their nostrils the strong reek of steam, telling that water had been
thrown upon the fire they had seen.

There was no answer to their calls, but Dirk was barking furiously
inside, and Kenneth at once entered, Tavish following to light a match;
but there was no one within, only enough visible to show what business
had been going on.

"Any one about here?" shouted Kenneth, after they had satisfied
themselves that Max was not to be seen.

But there was no reply, and Tavish shouted in Gaelic.

Only the echoes answered his call; and Kenneth impatiently coaxed out
the dog, who seemed to think that his work was done.

"He has been here, father, and they've gone on."

"Ta loons air hiding, laddie," whispered Tavish, "and hearin' every word
we say. Hey! but Dirk has it again. Gude tog! gude tog!"

Dirk had suddenly taken up the track again, and followed faithfully on,
right up the side of the glen, and away over the level mountain plain,
after tracking the fugitive by the side of a great fall, which made its
way downward into the loch.

The rest of the hunt was easy, for Dir