, before Alec Morrison could have come up to save him," he
exclaimed. Captain and Mrs Vallery expressed their gratitude, and as
may be supposed, everybody praised little Robby's bravery.

Meantime the boys' wet clothes were stripped off, and they were wrapped
up in warm shawls supplied by the ladies. Fanny knelt by her brother's
side, almost overcome with her agitation; indeed he was evidently
suffering as much from alarm, perhaps, as from the sudden plunge into
the cold water.

As none of the Glen Tulloch party could longer enjoy the picnic, a
servant was sent on to get their carriages ready, while Captain Vallery
carrying Norman, and old Alec his little grandson, they proceeded down
the glen that they might get home as soon as possible. The other boys,
as may be supposed, wisely amused themselves on safe ground, and it is
to be hoped they were properly thankful that they had been preserved
from an accident by which their young friend had so nearly lost his
life.

Mrs Vallery took her seat in the hinder part of the carriage, and kept
Norman in her arms, anxiously watching his face, now flushed, now pale,
while the two elder ladies insisted on taking care of little Robby. He,
however, appeared to be not all the worse for his wetting. He could not
help now and then expressing his thankfulness that the young gentleman
had caught hold of his handkerchief in time to avoid being carried into
the loch before his grandfather had reached him. He said nothing about
himself, nor did he seem to think that he was deserving of any praise.

The laird and Captain Vallery drove towards home as fast as they could,
but their anxiety to arrive at the end of their journey made the road
appear much longer than it had on coming.

Mrs Maclean wished to carry Robby on with her. To this, however, Alec
would not agree.

"No, Mrs Maclean," he answered, "he will do very well with me. I could
not rest without him under my roof, and a sailor's son will be none the
worse for a ducking." Robby was then lifted out of the carriage, and by
his own request placed on the ground.

"Please, Mrs Maclean, may I come over to-morrow to ask how the young
gentleman is?" he said looking up. "I will ask God, when I say my
prayers to-night, that he may be made well."

"If your grandfather can spare you, we shall be glad to see you," said
Mrs Maclean.

"I must thank you for the interest you feel in my little grandson," said
Mrs Leslie.

Robby se