reading the cloth, they employed themselves in
conveying jugs of water from the bright stream which flowed by.

As many of the party had come from a considerable distance, it was
settled that dinner should be the first thing attended to, though some
of the young ladies directly after their arrival had got out their
sketch-books, and would have preferred finishing their sketches first.
Fanny, who had observed the rapid way in which they conveyed the scenery
to their paper, wished that she could sketch also. Her granny promised
that she should have lessons as soon as she returned home.

"Oh, how much I shall like it, and I think I shall remember this scene
so well that I shall be able to put it down on paper as soon as I have
learned to draw," she exclaimed.

One of the young ladies lent her a book. To her surprise, by following
the guidance of her instructress, she found that she could already make
a sketch which would remind her of the scene.

The picnic dinner was exactly as Fanny had expected it to be. There was
the facetious old gentleman--a neighbouring laird noted for his jokes,--
and he did not fail to keep the company in fits of laughter, and there
were young ladies and young gentlemen and middle-aged gentlemen, who
told stories and sang songs.

The laird of Glen Tulloch had in the meantime despatched Alec Morrison
to bring down a boat which was kept further up the loch, that those of
the party who wished it might enjoy a row.

Norman and his young friends after eating as many of the good things as
they wanted, not caring for the jokes or the conversation, strolled away
to enjoy a scramble among the rocks. They were not observed, or they
would have been warned of the danger they were running.

Little Robby had been waiting patiently to obtain his share of the feast
with the servants. When he saw them go, he followed, for he had been
told by his grandfather to take care and not get among the slippery
rocks. Young as he was, it occurred to him that if it would be
dangerous for him, it would be equally so for the young gentlemen.

"What are you coming after us for, you little brat?" exclaimed Norman,
as turning round he caught sight of Robby. "Go back and stay with the
servants."

"Please, grandfather said any one going climbing among those rocks,
would run the chance of slipping and being carried into the loch,"
answered Robby, not feeling angry at the rude way Norman had spoken to
him.

"What is