ill say that.
They never hef any money. But wass you ever with them when they could
not get a dram because they had no money to pay for it?"

Donald's test of impecuniosity could not be gainsaid. Lavender
laughed, and bade him get back into the other boat.

"'Deed I will not," said Donald sturdily.

Lavender stared at him.

"Oh no: you wass doing quite enough the day already, or you would not
hef tumbled into the boat whatever. And supposing that you was to hef
tumbled into the water, you would have been trooned as sure as you
wass alive."

"And a good job, too, Donald," said the younger man, idly looking at
the lapping green water.

Donald shook his head gravely: "You would not say that if you had
friends of yours that was trooned, and if you had seen them when they
went down in the water."

"They say it is an easy death, Donald."

"They neffer tried it that said that," said the old fisherman
gloomily. "It wass one day the son of my sister wass coming over from
Saltcoats--But I hef no wish to speak of it; and that wass but one
among ferry many that I have known."

"How long is it since you were in the Lewis, did you say?" Lavender
asked, changing the subject. Donald was accustomed to have the talk
suddenly diverted into this channel. He could not tell why the young
English gentleman wanted him continually to be talking about the
Lewis.

"Oh, it is many and many a year ago, as I hef said; and you will know
far more about the Lewis than I will. But Stornoway, that is a fine
big town; and I hef a cousin there that keeps a shop, and is a very
rich man whatever, and many's the time he will ask me to come and see
him. And if the Lord be spared, maybe I will some day."

"You mean if you be spared, Donald."

"Oh, ay: it is all wan," said Donald.

Lavender had brought with him some bread and cheese in a piece of
paper for luncheon; and this store of frugal provisions having been
opened out, the old fisherman was invited to join in--an invitation he
gravely but not eagerly accepted. He took off his blue bonnet and said
grace: then he took the bread and cheese in his hand and looked round
inquiringly. There was a stone jar of water in the bottom of the boat:
that was not what Donald was looking after. Lavender handed him the
black bottle he had brought out from the cottage, which was more
to his mind. And then, this humble meal despatched, the old man was
persuaded to go back to his post, and Lavender continued