e disputing in vehement pantomime, the former
denying and the latter affirming, although with constantly increasing
uncertainty and anxiety. Finally, the constable approached the bar and
slightly touched the arm of the sheriff.

'With your leave, respected sir,' asked he, as the latter turned toward
him, 'does the stranger huntsman there enjoy the acquaintance of the
lord governor?'

'So it would seem,' answered the sheriff, 'as the governor has just now
invited him to dinner.'

At that moment the governor shook the Scot kindly by the hand, and the
Laplander started back in affright.

'Do you not now perceive that you must have been blind?' whispered he
to the good Enontekis. 'My God! what trouble might I not have prepared
for myself through my zeal for the discharge of my official duty! To
follow a friend and guest of our most noble governor as a criminal! But
happily the gentlemen have not perceived us, and we cannot do better
than to make a speedy retreat.'

With anxious haste he drew his somewhat reluctant companion out of the
room. Meanwhile Mac Donalbain had taken his leave of the governor, and
now quickly, but with a courteous greeting, dashed past Arwed, who
followed him to the door of the room. There he saw him cast a wild
glance toward the crowd assembled before the front door, and then turn
off to the right toward the back door, which opened into the garden.
The constable was standing there, engaged in a warm dispute with poor
Enontekis, who was still unsatisfied that he could have been mistaken.
Their armed followers, whose thirst for battle did not appear to be
very strong, were standing solemnly around them. Mac Donalbain stood
for a moment regarding the group as if considering what course to take,
and then marched boldly up to his pursuers.

'Out of the way, Laplanders!' thundered he, hurling them to the right
and left; and in this manner he passed through the assemblage and
disappeared.

'That was very uncourteous, sir Swede!' cried the terrified constable
after him when he had got out of hearing. 'We call ourselves Samolazes,
and not Laplanders. Our enemies only call us so, when they wish to
insult us; but we poor people are treated justly nowhere upon earth,
and must be patient under all our injuries until we appear before the
final judgment seat!'

The tone of the little man grew constantly weaker and weaker during
this speech. Weeping, he went forth; weeping, Enontekis followed him;
and so