into a new life on his return. He was all about and over the place
accompanied by the faithful Hamish; and he had a friendly word and
smile for every one he met. He was a good master: perhaps he was none
the less liked because it was pretty well understood that he meant to be
master. His good-nature had nothing of weakness in it. "If you love me,
I love you," says the Gaelic proverb; "_otherwise do not come near me_."
There was not a man or lad about the place who would not have adventured
his life for Macleod; but all the same they were well aware that the
handsome young master, who seemed to go through life with a merry laugh
on his face, was not one to be trifled with. This John Fraser, an
Aberdeen man, discovered on the second night after Macleod's return to
Castle Dare.

Macleod had the salmon-fishing on this part of the coast, and had a
boat's crew of four men engaged in the work. One of these having fallen
sick, Hamish had to hire a new hand, an Aberdeenshire man, who joined
the crew just before Macleod's departure from London. This Fraser turned
out to be a "dour" man; and his discontent and grumbling seemed to be
affecting the others, so that the domestic peace of Dare was threatened.
On the night in question old Hamish came into Macleod's conjoint library
and gun-room.

"The fishermen hef been asking me again, sir," observed Hamish, with his
cap in his hand. "What will I say to them?"

"Oh, about the wages?" Macleod said, turning round.

"Ay, sir."

"Well, Hamish, I don't object. Tell them that what they say is right.
This year has been a very good year; we have made some money; I will
give them two shillings a week more if they like. But then, look here,
Hamish--if they have their wages raised in a good year, they must have
them lowered in a bad year. They cannot expect to share the profit
without sharing the loss too. Do you understand that, Hamish?"

"Yes, Sir Keith, I think I do."

"Do you think you could put it into good Gaelic for them?"

"Oh ay."

"Then tell them to choose for themselves. But make it clear."

"Ay, Sir Keith," said Hamish. "And if it was not for that ---- man, John
Fraser, there would be no word of this thing. And there is another thing
I will hef to speak to you about, Sir Keith; and it is John Fraser,
too, who is at the bottom of this, I will know that fine. It is more
than two or three times that you will warn the men not to bathe in the
bay below the castle; and not for