Vaigher's helm, presiding, as his father would have done, over the
safety of the elder and more sober portion of the party. His sister
Isobel had the management of the little _Mermaid_, and her companions
were Gerta Bruce and Amy Congreve, who had, of course, accompanied
Garth Halsen and his father, the Yarl of Burra Isle. Any of us who
made the acquaintance of the Yarl, his household, and guests from
England, will know all about those girls and Garth, and will expect fun
where they appear.

It is a real pleasure to me (and I hope to you who read this) to renew
my acquaintance with the Burra Isle contingent; to look once more on
the tender faces of Mrs. Holtum and the "little mother" of those Manse
boys, and to hear the minister's genial laugh, as well as the Doctor's
cheery voice.

What a shaking of hands and clatter of voices there were, to be sure!
Even Pirate had to make a demonstration, for Watchie had accompanied
the Holtums, and was ready to be friends with any dog. The only person
who did not share in the general good-will and hilarity, who seemed
indeed to be out of place among so many pleasant folk, and to feel
himself quite above all such demonstrations of peace, was Thor. After
surveying the "ongoings" from the safe point of a masthead, he came to
the conclusion that the proceedings interested him no more, and with a
dismal croak he flew off to the skeoe, and, seating himself on the
topmost point of its ruinous gable, commented in very uncomplimentary
terms upon the ways of mankind. As his opinions were expressed aloud,
and accompanied by many grotesque and expressive gestures, he created a
good deal of amusement, although Mr. Adiesen remarked gravely enough,
"We ought not to have allowed Thor to accompany us."

"He won't stay at home unless he is shut up," Yaspard explained; and
Signy added, "Poor old Thor! I dare say he is more pleased than he
_seems_."

"Perhaps," Fred whispered aside to the brother and sister, "the
Thunderer, the god of war, can appreciate a peace celebration as well
as others."

"Anyway," replied Yaspard, "there ought to be a 'chief mourner' at the
funeral, and I don't know who can undertake the part if Thor will not."

"Funeral! What do you mean, brodhor?" Signy asked, with eyes very wide
open; whereupon he beseeched her to be silent, or the cat would be out
of the bag in a jiffy; and Signy, still wondering but submissive, held
her peace, while Yaspard went rollicking fr