, Miss Moss," said Jackman; "I assure
you I have no intention of attempting murder--at least not in that
direction."

"Och! an' it's murder enough you've done already for wan man," said Quin
in an undertone.

"Oh! I say, that reminds me. Do tell us the rest of the story of the
elephant hunt, Mr Jackman," cried Junkie.

"Not just now, my boy. It's a long story. Besides, we are on our way
to church! Some other time I will tell it you."

"It would take half the romance away from my mother's visit if the eagle
were killed," remarked Milly, who did not overhear the elephant
parenthesis.

"Has your mother, then, decided to come?" asked Barret.

"Yes. In spite of the sea, which she dreads, and steamers, which she
hates, she has made up her mind to come and take me home."

"How charming that will be!" said Barret.

"Indeed!" returned Milly, with a significant look and smile.

"Of _course_ I did not mean that," returned Barret, laughing. "I meant
that it would be charming for you to have your mother out here, and to
return home in her company. Is she likely to stay long?"

"I cannot tell. That depends on so many things. But I am sure of one
thing, that she longs to see and thank you for the great service you
rendered me on the day of your arrival here."

Barret began to protest that the service was a comparatively small one,
and such as any man might gladly render to any one, when the arrival of
the boat at the landing-place cut him short.

About thirty or forty people had assembled from the surrounding
districts, some of whom had come four or even six miles to attend
church. They formed a quiet, grave, orderly company of men and women in
homespun garments, with only a few children among them. The arrival of
the laird's party made a very considerable addition to the congregation,
and, as the hour for meeting had already passed by a few minutes, they
made a general move towards the church.

The building was wonderfully small, and in the most severely simple
style of architecture, being merely an oblong structure of grey stone,
with small square windows, and a belfry at one end of the roof. It
might have been mistaken for a cottage but for this, and the door being
protected by a small porch, and placed at one end of the structure,
instead of at the side.

A few of the younger men remained outside in conversation, awaiting the
advent of the minister. After a time, however, these dropped in and
took t