第4章

"Thereisthesinging，boys，"saidMurdie。"Comeaway。Letusgoin。

HewasallthemoreanxioustogettheboysintothechurchwhenhesawAleckmakingtowardthem。HehurriedPeterinbeforehim，wellpleasedwithhimselfandhissuccessaspeacemaker，butespeciallydelightedthathecouldnowturnhisfacetowardtheminister\'spew，withoutshame。Andashetookhisplaceinthebackseat，withPeterRuaghbesidehim，theglanceofprideandgratitudethatflashedacrossthecongregationtohimfromthegray-browneyesmadeMurdiefeelmorethaneverpleasedatwhathehadbeenabletodo。ButhewassomewhatdisturbedtonoticethatneitherRanaldnorDonnorAleckhadfollowedhimintothechurch，andhewaiteduneasilyfortheircoming。

InthemeantimeStraightRorywaswindinghissinuouswaythroughColeshill，theGaelicrhythmofthepsalmallowingofquaversandturnsimpossibleintheEnglish。

Inthepausefollowingthesecondverse，Murdiewasstartledatthesoundofangryvoicesfromwithout。MorethanMurdieheardthatsound。AsMurdieglancedtowardthepulpithesawthattheministerhadrisenandwaslisteningintently。

"Behold——the——sparrow——findeth——out——"chantedtheprecentor。

"Youarealiar！"Thewords，inAleck\'sfieryvoiceoutside，felldistinctlyuponMurdie\'sear，thoughfewinthecongregationseemedtohaveheard。ButwhileMurdiewasmakinguphismindtoslipout，theministerwasbeforehim。Quicklyhesteppeddownthepulpitstairs，psalm-bookinhand，andsingingashewent，walkedquietlytothebackdoor，andleavinghisbookonthewindow-sill，passedout。Thesingingwentcalmlyon，forthecongregationwereneversurprisedatanythingtheirministerdid。

Thenextversewasnearlythrough，whenthedooropened，andincameDon，followedbyAleck，lookingsomewhatdisheveledandshakenup，andtwoorthreemore。Inafewmomentstheministercamein，tookhispsalm-bookfromthewindow-sill，andstrikingupwiththecongregation，"Blestisthemanwhosestrengththouart，"marcheduptothepulpitagain，withonlyanaddedflashinhisblueeyesandalittlemoretriumphantswingtohiscoat-tailstoindicatethatanythinghadtakenplace。ButMurdielookedinvainforRanaldtoappear，andwaited，uncertainwhattodo。Hehadawholesomefearoftheminister，moreespeciallyinhispresentmood。Instinctivelyheturnedtowardtheminister\'spew，andreadingthelookofanxiousentreatyfromthepalefacethere，hewaitedtillthecongregationroseforprayerandthenslippedout，andwasseennomoreinchurchthatday。

Onthewayhomenotawordwassaidaboutthedisturbance。Butaftertheeveningworship，whentheministerhadgonetohisstudyforasmoke，Hughie，whohadheardthewholestoryfromDon，toldittohismotherandMaimieinhismostgraphicmanner。

"ItwasnotRanald\'sfault，mother，"hedeclared。"YouknowPeterwouldnotlethimalone，andRanaldhithiminthenose，andservedhimright，too。Buttheymadeitallup，andtheywerejustgoingintothechurchagain，whenthatAleckMcRaepulledRanaldback，andRanalddidnotwanttofightatall，buthecalledRanaldaliar，andhecouldnothelpit，butjusthithim。"

"Whohitwho？"saidMaimie。"You\'renotmakingitveryclear，Hughie。"

"Why，Ranald，ofcourse，hitAleck，andknockedhimover，too，"

saidHughie，withmuchsatisfaction；"andthenAleck——heisanawfulfighter，youknow——jumpedonRanaldandwaspoundinghimjustawful，thegreatbigbrute，whenoutcamepapa。HesteppedupandcaughtAleckbytheneckandshookhimjustlikeababy，saying，allthetime，\'Wouldye？IwillteachyoutofightontheSabbathday！Here！inwithyou，everyoneofyou！\'andhethrewhimnearlyintothedoor，andthentheyallskedaddledintothechurch，Itellyou，Donsaid。Theywereprettybadlyscart，too，butDondidnotknowwhatpapadidtoRanald，andhedidnotknowwhereRanaldwent，butheisprettybadlyhurted，Iamsure。ThatgreatbigAleckMcRaeisoldenoughtobehisfather。Wasn\'titmeanofhim，mother？"

PoorHughiewasalmostintears，andhismother，whosatlisteningtooeagerlytocorrectherlittleboy\'sethicsorgrammar，wasasnearlyovercomeashe。ShewishedsheknewwhereRanaldwas。HehadnotappearedattheeveningBibleclass，andMurdiehadreportedthathecouldnotfindhimanywhere。

SheputHughietobed，andthensawMaimietoherroom。ButMaimiewasveryunwillingtogotobed。

"Oh，auntie，"shewhispered，asherauntkissedhergoodnight，"I

cannotgotosleep！"Andthen，afterapause，shesaid，shyly，"Doyouthinkheisbadlyhurt？"

Thentheminister\'swife，lookingkeenlyintothegirl\'sface，madelightofRanald\'smisfortune。

"Oh，hewillbeallright，"shesaid，"asfarashishurtisconcerned。Thatistheleastpartofhistrouble。Youneednotworryaboutthat。Goodnight，mydear。"AndMaimie，relievedbyheraunt\'stone，said"goodnight"withherheartatrest。

ThenMrs。Murraywentintothestudy，determinedtofindoutwhathadpassedbetweenherhusbandandRanald。Shefoundhimlyingonhiscouch，luxuriatinginthesatisfactionofagoodday\'sworkbehindhim，andhisfirstpipenearlydone。Sheatonceventureduponthethingthatlayheavyuponherheart。Shebeganbytellingallsheknewofthetroublefromitsbeginninginthechurch，andthenwaitedforherhusband\'sstory。

Forsomemomentshelaysilentlysmoking。

"Ah，well，"hesaid，atlength，knockingouthispipe，"perhapsI

wasalittleseverewiththelad。Hemaynothavebeensomuchtoblame。"

"Oh，papa！Whatdidyoudo？"saidhiswife，inananxiousvoice。

"Well，"saidtheminister，hesitating，"IfoundthattheyoungrascalhadstruckAleckMcRaefirst，andaverybadblowitwas。

SoIadministeredaprettysevererebukeandsenthimhome。"

"Oh，whatashame！"criedhiswife，inindignanttears。"ItwasfarmorethefaultofPeterandAleckandtherest。PoorRanald！"

"Now，mydear，"saidtheminister，"youneednotfearforRanald。

Idonotsupposehecaresmuch。Besides，hisfacewasnotfittobeseen，soIsenthimhome。Well，it——"

"Yes，"burstinhiswife，"great，brutalfellow，tostrikeaboylikethat！"

"Boy？"saidherhusband。"Well，hemaybe，butnotmanymenwoulddaretofacehim。"Thenheadded，"IwishIhadknown——IfearI

spoke——perhapstheboymayfeelunjustlytreated。HeisasproudasLucifer。"

"Oh，papa！"saidhiswife，"whatdidyousay？"

"Nothingbutwhatwastrue。IjusttoldhimthataboywhowouldbreaktheLord\'sDaybyfighting，andintheveryshadowoftheLord\'shouse，whenChristianpeoplewereworshipingGod，wasactinglikeasavage，andwasnotfitforthecompanyofdecentfolk。"

Tothishiswifemadenoreply，butwentoutofthestudy，leavingtheministerfeelingveryuncomfortableindeed。Butbytheendofthesecondpipehebegantofeelthat，afterall，Ranaldhadgotnomorethanwasgoodforhim，andthathewouldbenonetheworseofit；inwhichcomfortingconvictionhewenttorest，andsoonfellintothesleepwhichissupposedtobetherightofthejust。

Notsohiswife。Weariedthoughshewaswiththelongday，itsexcitementsanditstoils，sleepwouldnotcome。Anxiousthoughtsabouttheladshehadcometoloveasifhewereherownsonorbrotherkeptcrowdinginuponher。Thevisionofhisfierce，dark，stormyfaceheldhereyesawakeandatlengthdrewherfromherbed。Shewentintothestudyandfelluponherknees。Theburdenhadgrowntooheavyforhertobearalone。ShewouldshareitwithHimwhoknewwhatitmeanttobearthesorrowsandthesinsofothers。

Assherose，sheheardFidobarkandwhineintheyardbelow，andgoingtothewindow，shesawamanstandingatthebackdoor，andFidofawninguponhim。Startled，shewasabouttowakenherhusband，whenthemanturnedhisfacesothatthemoonlightfelluponit，andshesawRanald。Hastilyshethrewonherdressing-

gown，putonherwarmbedroomslippersandcloak，randowntothedoor，andinanothermomentwasstandingbeforehim，holdinghimbytheshoulders。

"Ranald！"shecried，breathlessly，"whatisit？"

"Iamgoingaway，"hesaid，simply。"AndIwasjustpassingby——

and——"hecouldnotgoon。

"Oh，Ranald！"shecried，，"Iamgladyoucamethisway。Nowtellmewhereyouaregoing。"

Theboylookedatherasifshehadstartedanewideainhismind，andthensaid，"Idonotknow。"

"Andwhatareyougoingtodo，Ranald？"

"Work。Thereisplentytodo。Nofearofthat。"

"Butyourfather，Ranald？"

Theboywassilentforalittle，andthensaid，"Hewillsoonbewell，andhewillnotbeneedingme，andhesaidIcouldgo。"Hisvoicebrokewiththeremembranceofthepartingwithhisfather。

"Andwhyareyougoing，Ranald？"shesaid，lookingintohiseyes。

Againtheboystoodsilent。

"Whydoyougoawayfromyourhomeandyourfather，and——and——allofuswholoveyou？"

"Indeed，thereisnoone，"hereplied，bitterly；"andIamnotfordecentpeople。Iamnotfordecentpeople。Iknowthatwellenough。Thereisnoonethatwillcaremuch。"

"Noone，Ranald？"sheasked，sadly。"Ithought——"shepaused，lookingsteadilyintohisface。

Suddenlytheboyturnedtoher，andputtingoutbothhishands，burstforth，hisvoicecomingindrysobs："Oh，yes，yes！Idobelieveyou。Idobelieveyou。AndthatiswhyIcamethisway。

IwantedtoseeyourdooragainbeforeIwent。Oh，Iwillneverforgetyou！Never，never，andIamgladIamseeingyou，fornowyouwillknow——howmuch——"Theboywasunabletoproceed。Hissobswereshakinghiswholeframe，andtohisshyHighlandScotchnature，wordsofloveandadmirationwerenoteasy。"Youwillnotbesendingmebackhomeagain？"hepleaded，anticipatingher。

"Indeed，Icannotstayinthisplaceafterto-day。"

Buttheminister\'swifekepthereyessteadilyuponhisfacewithoutaword，tryinginvaintofindhervoice，andtherightwordstosay。Shehadnoneedofwords，forinherface，pale，wetwithherflowingtears，andilluminedwithhergray-browneyes，Ranaldreadherheart。

"Oh！"hecriedagain，"youarewantingmetostay，andIwillbeashamedbeforethemall，andtheminister，too。Icannotstay。I

cannotstay。"

"AndIcannotletyougo，Ranald，myboy，"shesaid，commandinghervoicetospeech。"Iwantyoutobeabraveman。Idon\'twantyoutobeafraidofthem。"

"Afraidofthem！"saidtheboy，inscornfulsurprise。"Notiftheyweretwiceasmoreandtwiceasbeeg。"

Mrs。Murraysawheradvantage，andfolloweditup。

"Andtheministerdidnotknowthewholetruth，Ranald，andhewassorryhespoketoyouashedid。"

"Didhesaythat？"saidRanald，insurprise。Itwastohim，astoanyoneinthatcommunity，aterriblethingtofallunderthedispleasureoftheministerandtobedisgracedinhiseyes。

"Yes，indeed，Ranald，andhewouldbesorryifyoushouldgoaway。

Iamsurehewouldblamehimself。"

Thiswasquiteanewideatotheboy。Thattheministershouldthinkhimselftobeinthewrongwashardlycredible。

"Andhowgladwewouldbe，"shecontinued，earnestly，"toseeyouproveyourselfamanbeforethemall。"

Ranaldshookhishead。"Iwouldrathergoaway。"

"Perhaps，butit\'sbravertostay，andtodoyourworklikeaman。"

Andthen，allowinghimnotimeforwords，shepicturedtohimtheselfish，cowardlypartthemanplayswhomarchesbravelyenoughinthefrontranksuntilthebattlebegins，butwhoshrinksbackandseeksaneasyplacewhenthefightcomeson，tillhisfacefellbeforeherinshame。Andthensheshowedhimwhatshewouldlikehimtodo，andwhatshewouldlikehimtobeinpatienceandincourage，tillhestoodoncemoreerectandsteady。

"Now，Ranald，"shesaid，notingtheeffectofherwordsuponhim，"whatisittobe？"

"Iwillgoback，"hesaid，simply；andturningwithasinglewordoffarewell，hesprangoverthefenceanddisappearedinthewoods。

Theminister\'swifestoodlookingthewayhewentlongafterhehadpassedoutofsight，andthen，liftinghereyestotheradiantskywithitsshininglights，"Hemadethestarsalso，"shewhispered，andwentuptoherbedandlaidherdownandsleptinpeace。HerSabbathday\'sworkwasdone。

CHAPTERX

THEHOME-COMINGOFTHESHANTYMEN

ForsomeweeksRanaldwasnotseenbyanyonebelongingtothemanse。Hughiereportedthathewasnotatchurch，noratBibleclass，andalthoughthiswasnotinitselfanextraordinarything，stillMrs。Murraywasuneasy，andHughiefeltthatchurchwasagreatdisappointmentwhenRanaldwasnotthere。

IntheirvisitstoMacdonaldDubhtheministerandhiswifenevercouldseeRanald。HisAuntKirstycouldnotunderstandorexplainhisreluctancetoattendthepublicservices，norhisunwillingnesstoappearinthehouseontheoccasionoftheminister\'svisits。

"Heisbusywiththefencesandaboutthestablespreparingforthespring\'swork，"shesaid；"but，indeed，heisveryqueerwhatever，andIcannotmakehimoutatall。"MacdonaldDubhhimselfsaidnothing。Butthebooksandmagazinesbroughtbytheminister\'swifewerealwaysread。"Indeed，whenoncehegetsdowntohisbook，"hisauntcomplained，"neitherhisbednorhisdinnerwillmovehim。"

Theministerthoughtlittleoftheboy\'s"vagaries，"buttohiswifecamemanyananxiousthoughtaboutRanaldandhisdoings。Shewasmoredisappointedthanshecaredtoconfess，eventoherself，thattheboyseemedtobequiteindifferenttothesteadilydeepeninginterestinspiritualthingsthatmarkedthemembersofherBibleclass。

Whileshewasplanninghowtoreachhimoncemore，aneventoccurredwhichbroughthimnearertoherthanhehadeverbeenbefore。Astheyweresittingoneeveningattea，thedoorunexpectedlyopened，andwithoutannouncement，inwalkedRanald，splashedwithhardriding，pale，anddazed。Withoutawordofreplytothegreetingsthatmethimfromallatthetable，hewentstraighttotheminister\'swife，handedheranopenedletter，andstoodwaiting。ItwasaddressedtoRanaldhimself，andwasthefirsthehadeverreceivedinhislife。ItwasfromYankeeJim，andreadasfollows：

DearRanald——TheBossaintfeelinlikeritinmuchandtherestoftheboysisallbrokeup，andsohetoldmetoritetoyouandtotellyousomepurtybadnews。Idon\'tknowhowtogoaboutit，butthefactis，MackCamerongotdrowndedyesterdaytryintopullalittlefoolofaFrenchmanoutoftheriverjustbelowtheLachine。

We\'djustgotthroughtheroughwaterandwerelyinniceandquiet，gettinthingstogetheragainwhenthatijitFrenchmangottiteandgottryinsomefooltrickorotherwalkingatimberstickandgotupsotintothewet。I\'dalethimgo，youbet，butMackcudn\'tstandtoseehimbobbinupanddownsoherippedoffandinafterhim。Hegothimtoo，butsomehowthevarmintgrippedhimroundtheneck。TheywentdownbutwegotemoutpurtyquickandtheFrenchmancomeroundallright，butsomehowMackwouldn\'t，chokedappearinlybythattarnellittlefoolwhoaintworthoneofMack\'sfingers，andifkillinhimwuddoanygood，thenhewudn\'tbelivinlong。Weareallfeelinpurtybad。Wearecomin\'homeonThursdaybyCornwall，eightortenofus。Therestwillgoonwiththerafts。TheBosssays，betterhaverigstomeetusandMack。

That\'sall。Ihaintnogoodatweepin\'，neverwas，wishIcudsomehow，itmighteaseoffafelleralittle，buttellyouwhat，Ranald，IhaintfeltsoqueersinceIwasaboylookinatmymotherinhercoffin。TherewasnothinmeanaboutMack。Hewasgoodtotheheart。Hewuddohisworkslickandneveragrowloragroan，andwhenyouwantedafellertoyourback，Mackwasthere。Iknowthereaintnousegoinonlikethis。AllIsayis，ther\'sapurtybigholeintheworldforusto-night。Bosssaysyou\'dbettertelltheminister。Hesayshe\'sgoodstuffandhe\'llknowwhattodoatMack\'shome。Nomoreatpresent。Good-bye。Yourstruely，J。LATHAM。

Theminister\'swifebeganreadingtheletter，wonderingnotalittleatRanald\'smanner，butwhenshecametothewords，"MackCamerongotdrownded，"shelaidtheletterdownwithalittlecry。

Herhusbandcamequicklytoher，tookuptheletter，andreadittotheend。

"Iwillgoatonce，"hesaid，andrangthebell。"TellLamberttoputBlackinthebuggyimmediately，Jessie，"hesaid，whenthemaidappeared。"Doyouthinkyououghttogo，mydear？"

"Yes，yes，Ishallbereadyinamoment；but，oh，whatcanwedoorsay？"

"Perhapsyouhadbetternotgo。Itwillbeverytrying，"saidtheminister。

"Oh，yes，Imustgo。Imust。Thepoormother！"ThensheturnedtoRanaldastheministerlefttheroom。"Youaregoinghome，Ranald，Isuppose，"shesaid。

"No，IwasthinkingIwouldgototellthepeople。DonaldRosswillgo，andtheCampbells，andFarquharMcNaughton\'slightwagonwouldbebest——forthe——forMack。AndthenIwillgoroundbytheMcGregors。"

Ranaldhadbeenthinkingthingsoutandmakinghisplans。

"Butthatwillbealongroundforyou，"saidMrs。Murray。"CouldnotwegobytheCampbells\'，andtheywillsendwordtoDonaldRoss？"

"Ithinkitwouldbebetterformetogo，tomakesureoftheteams。"

"Verywell，then。Goodby，Ranald，"saidtheminister\'swife，holdingoutherhandtohim。

ButstillRanaldlingered。"ItwillbehardonBellaPeter，"hesaid，inalowvoice，lookingoutofthewindow。

"BellaPeter？BellaMcGregor？"

"Yes，"saidRanald，embarrassedandhesitating。"ShewasMack\'s——

Mackwasveryfondofher，whatever。"

"Oh，Ranald！"shecried，"doyousayso？Areyousureofthat？"

"Yes，Iamsure，"saidRanald，simply。"TheboysintheshantywouldbeteasingMackaboutit，andonedayMacktoldmesomething，andIknowquitewell。"

"Iwillgotoher，"saidMrs。Murray。

"Thatwillbeverygood，"saidRanald，muchrelieved。"AndIwillbegoingwithyouthatway。"

AsMrs。Murraylefttheroom，MaimiecamearoundtowhereRanaldwasstandingandsaidtohim，gently，"Youknewhimwell，didn\'tyou？"

"Yes，"repliedRanald，inanindifferenttone，asifunwillingtotalkwithheraboutit。

"Andyouwereveryfondofhim？"wentonMaimie。

Ranaldcaughtthetremorinhervoiceandlookedather。"Yes，"hesaid，withaneffort。"Hewasgoodtomeinthecamp。Many\'sthetimehemadeiteasyforme。HewasnexttoMacdonaldBhainwiththeax，and，man，hewasthegrandfighter——thatis，"headded，adoptingthephraseoftheMacdonaldgang，"whenitwasaplainnecessity。"Then，forgettinghimself，hebegantotellMaimiehowBigMackhadbornehimselfinthegreatfightafewweeksbefore。

Buthehadhardlywellbegunwhensuddenlyhestoppedwithagroan。

"Butnowheisdead——heisdead。Iwillneverseehimnomore。"

Hewasrealizingforthefirsttimehisloss。Maimiecamenearerhim，andlayingherhandtimidlyonhisarm，said，"Iamsorry，Ranald"；andRanaldturnedoncemoreandlookedather，asifsurprisedthatsheshouldshowsuchfeeling。

"Yes，"hesaid，"Ibelieveyouaresorry。"

Herbigblueeyesfilledsuddenlywithtears。

"DoyouwonderthatIamsorry？DoyouthinkIhavenoheartatall？"sheburstforth，impetuously。

"Indeed，Idon\'tknow，"saidRanald。"Whyshouldyoucare？Youdonotknowhim。"

"Buthaven\'tyoujusttoldmehowsplendidhewas，andhowgoodhewastoyou，andhowmuchyouthoughtofhim，and——"Maimiecheckedherrushofwordswithasuddenblush，andthenhurriedontosay，"Besides，thinkofhismother，andallofthem。"

WhileMaimiewasspeaking，Ranaldhadbeenscanningherfaceasiftryingtomakeuphismindabouther。

"Iamgladyouaresorry，"hesaid，slowly，gazingwithsosearchingalookintohereyesthatsheletthemfall。

AtthismomentMrs。Murrayenteredreadyforherride。

"Istheponycome？"sheasked。

"Indeed，itistheslouchIam，"saidRanald，andhehurriedofftothestable，returninginaveryshorttimewiththeponysaddled。

"Youwouldnotcaretogowithyouruncle，Maimie？"saidMrs。

Murray，asLambertdroveupBlackinthebuggy。

"No，auntie，Ithinknot，"saidMaimie。"IwilltakecareofHughieandthebaby。"

"Goodby，then，mydear，"saidMrs。Murray，kissingher。

"Goodby，Ranald，"saidMaimie，asheturnedawaytogethiscolt。

"Goodby，"hesaid，awkwardly。Hefeltlikeliftinghiscap，buthesitatedtodoanythingsoextremelyunnatural。Withtheboysinthatcountrysuchanactofcourtesywasregardedasasignof"pride，"ifnotofweakness。

Theirwaylayalongtheconcessionlineforamile，andthenthroughthewoodsbythebridle-pathtoPeterMcGregor\'sclearing。

Thegreengrassraneverywhere——alongtheroadside，roundthegreatstumproots，overtheroughpasture-fields，softeningandsmoothingwhereveritwent。Thewoodswereflushingpurple，withjustatingeofgreenfromtheburstingbuds。Thebalsamsandsprucesstillstooddarkintheswamps，butthetamarackswereshylydeckingthemselvesintheirexquisiterobesofspring，andthroughallthebushtheairwasfilledwithsoftsoundsandscents。Inearthandair，infieldandforest，life，thenewspringlife，ranriot。Howstrangelyimpertinentdeathappeared，andhowunlovelyinsuchaworldoflife！

Astheylefttheconcessionroadandwereabouttostrikeintothewoods，Mrs。Murraycheckedherpony，andlookinguponthelovelinessabouther，said，softly，"Howbeautifulitallis！"

TherewasnoresponsefromRanald，andMrs。Murray，glancingathisgloomyface，knewthathisheartwassoreatthethoughtofthepaintheywerebearingwiththem。Shehesitatedafewmoments，andthensaid，gently："AndIsawanewheavenandanewearth。Andthereshallbenomoredeath。"

ButstillRanaldmadenoreply，andtheyrodeonthroughthebushinsilencetilltheycametotheclearingbeyond。Astheyenteredthebrule，Ranaldcheckedhiscolt，andholdinguphishand，said，"Listen！"

Throughthequieteveningair，sweetandclearasasilverbell，camethelong，musicalnoteofthecallthatbringsthecowshomeforthemilking。ItwasBella\'svoice："Ko——boss，ko——boss，ko——boss！"

Faracrossthebruletheycouldseeherstandingonabigpinestumpnearthebars，callingtohercowsthatwereslowlymakingtowardherthroughthefallentimber，pausinghereandtheretocropanespeciallyrichmouthful，andnowandthenrespondingtohercallwithsoftlowings。GentlyBellachidthem。"Come，Blossom，comeawaynow；youareverylazy。Come，Lily；whatareyouwaitingfor？Youslowoldpoke！"Thenagainthelong，musicalnote："Ko——boss，ko——boss，ko——boss！"

Ranaldgroanedaloud，"Och-hone！Itwillbeherlastgladhour，"

hesaid；"itisahard，hardthing。"

"Poorchild，poorchild！"saidMrs。Murray；"theLordhelpher。Itwillbeacruelblow。"

"Thatitis，acruelblow，"saidRanald，bitterly；sobitterlythatMrs。Murrayglancedathiminsurpriseandsawhisfacesetinangrypain。

"TheLordknowsbest，Ranald，"shesaid，gravely，"andlovesbest，too。"

"Itwillbreakherheart，whatever，"answeredRanald，shortly。

"Hehealeththebrokeninheart，"saidMrs。Murray，softly。Ranaldmadenoreply，butletthecolttakeherwaythroughthebruletowardthelaneintowhichBellahadnowgothercows。Howhappythegirlwas！Joyfilledeverytoneofhervoice。Andwhynot？

Itwasthespringtime，thetimeoflifeandlove。Longwinterwasgone，andsoonherbrotherswouldbebackfromtheshanties。"AndMack，too，"shewhisperedtoherhappyheart。

"Andareyesurethenewsistrue？

Andareyesurehe\'sweel？

Isthisatimetothinko\'wark？

Yejades，flingbyyourwheel。

"Forthere\'snaeluckabootthehoose，There\'snaeluckava，There\'slittlepleesureinthehooseWhenoorgudeman\'sawa。"

Soshesang，nottooloud；fortheboyswereatthebarnandshewouldneverheartheendofit。

"Well，Bella，youaregettingyourcowshome。Howareyou，mydear？"

Bellaturnedwithascarletfacetomeettheminister\'swife，andherblushesonlybecamedeeperwhenshesawRanald，forshefeltquitecertainthatRanaldwouldunderstandthemeaningofhersong。

"Iwillgoonwiththecows，"saidRanald，inahoarsevoice，andMrs。Murray，alighting，gavehimherponytolead。

PeterMcGregorwasasternmantohisownfamily，andtoalltheworld，withthesingleexceptionofhisonlydaughter，Bella。Hissixboyshekeptinorderwithafirmhand，andnotoneofthemwouldventuretotakealibertywithhim。ButBellahadnofearofhisgrimfaceandsternways，and"justtwiddledherfatherroundherfinger，"ashermothersaid，withagreatshowofimpatience。

But，inspiteofallherpettingfromherbigbrothersandherfather，Bellaremainedquiteunspoiled，thelightofherhomeandthejoyofherfather\'sheart。Ithadnotescapedthefather\'sjealouseyethatBigMackCameronfoundoccasionformanyavisittotheboysonaneveningwhentheday\'sworkwasdone，andthatfromthemeetingshefoundhisshortestwayhomeroundbytheMcGregor\'s。Atfirsttheoldmanwasverygruffwithhim，andwasforsendinghimabouthisbusiness，buthisdaughter\'shappyface，andthelightinhereyes，thatcouldmeanonlyonething，madehimpause，andafteralongandsleeplessnight，hesurprisedhisdaughterthenextmorningwithawordofgentlegreetingandanunusualcaress，andthenceforthtookBigMacktohisheart。Notthatanywordorexplanationpassedbetweenthem；ithadnotcometothatasyet；butBigMackfeltthechange，andgavehimthenceforththeobedienceandaffectionofason。

Theoldmanwasstandingintheyard，waitingtohelpwiththemilking。

Ranalddrovethecowsin，andthen，tyingupthehorses，wentstraighttohim。

"Ibringbadnews，Mr。McGregor，"hesaid，anxioustogetdonewithhissadtask。"Therehasbeenanaccidentontheriver，andMackCameronisdrowned。"

"Whatdoyousay，boy？"saidPeter，inaharshvoice。

"HewastryingtosaveaFrenchman，andwhentheygothimouthewasdead，"saidRanald，hurryingthroughhistale，forhesawthetwofigurescomingupthelaneanddrawingnearer。

"Dead！"echoedtheoldman。"BigMack！Godhelpme。"

"Andtheywillbewantingateam，"continuedRanald，"togotoCornwallto-morrow。"

Theoldmanstoodforafewmoments，lookingstupidlyatRanald。

Then，liftinghishatfromhisgrayhead，hesaid，brokenly："Mypoorgirl！WouldGodIhaddiedforhim。"

Ranaldturnedawayandstoodlookingdownthelane，shrinkingfromthesightoftheoldman\'sagony。Then，turningbacktohim，hesaid："Theminister\'swifeiscomingyonderwithBella。"

Theoldmanstarted，andwithamightyeffortcommandinghimself，said，"NowmayGodhelpme！"andwenttomeethisdaughter。

ThroughthegloomofthefallingnightRanaldcouldseethefrightenedwhitefaceandthestaring，tearlesseyes。TheycamequitenearbeforeBellacaughtsightofherfather。Foramomentshehesitated，tilltheoldman，withoutaword，beckonedhertohim。Withaquicklittlerunshewasinhisarms，whereshelaymoaning，asifinsorebodilypain。Herfatherheldherclosetohim，murmuringoverherfondGaelicwords，whileRanaldandMrs。

Murraywentovertothehorsesandstoodwaitingthere。

"IwillgonowtoDonaldRoss，"Ranaldsaid，inalowvoice，totheminister\'swife。Hemountedthecoltandwasridingoff，whenPetercalledhimback。

"Theboyswilltakethewagonto-morrow，"hesaid。

"TheywillmeetattheSixteenthatdaylight，"repliedRanald；andthentoMrs。Murrayhesaid，"Iwillcomebackthiswayforyou。

Itwillsoonbedark。"

ButBella，hearinghim，criedtoher："Oh，youwillnotgo？"

"Notifyouneedme，Bella，"saidMrs。Murray，puttingherarmsaroundher。"Ranaldwillruninandtellthemathome。"ThisRanaldpromisedtodo，androdeawayonhiswoefuljourney；andbeforehereachedhomethatnight，thenewshadspreadfarandwide，fromhousetohouse，likeablackcloudoverasunnysky。

Thehome-comingofthemenfromtheshantieshadeverbeenatimeofrejoicinginthecommunity。TheMacdonaldgangwereespeciallywelcome，fortheyalwayscamebackwithhonorandwiththerewardsoftheirwinter\'swork。Therewasalwaysaseriesofwelcominggatheringsinthedifferenthomesrepresentedinthegang，andthere，inthemidstoftheadmiringcompany，taleswouldbetoldofthedeedsdoneandthetrialsendured，oftheadventuresontheriverandthewondersofthecitieswheretheyhadbeen。Allwerewelcomeeverywhere，andnonemorethanBigMackCameron。Brimmingwithgoodnature，andwitharemarkableturnforstories，hewasthecenterofeverygroupofyoungpeoplewhereverhewent；andatthe"bees"forloggingorforbuildingorforcradling，BigMackwasheldinhonor，forhewassecondinfeatsofstrengthonlytoMacdonaldBhainhimself。Itwaswithnocommongriefthatpeopleheardthewordthattheywerebringinghimhomedead。

AttheSixteenthnextmorning，beforethebreakofday，Ranaldstoodinthegloomwaitingforthecomingoftheteams。Hehadbeenupmostofthenightandhewaswearyinbodyandsoreatheart，butMacdonaldBhainhadtrustedhim，andtheremustbenomistake。Onebyonetheteamsarrived。FirsttoappearwasDonaldRoss，theelder。Foryearshehadgivenoverthedrivingofhisteamtohisboys，butto-dayhefeltthatrespecttothefamilydemandedhispresenceonsuchanerrandasthis；andbesides，heknewwellthathissonDannie，Mack\'sspecialchum，wouldexpecthimtosohonorthehome-comingofhisdeadfriend。PeterMcGregor，fearingtoleavehisdaughterforthatlongandlonelyday，senthissonJohninhisplace。ItwaswithdifficultythatMack\'sfather，LongJohnCameron，hadbeenpersuadedtoremainwiththemotherandtoallowMurdietogoinhisstead。

ThelasttoarrivewasFarquharMcNaughton，Kirsty\'sFarquhar，withhisfineblackteamandnewlightwagon。Tohimwastobegiventhehonorofbearingthebodyhome。Gravelytheytalkedandplanned，andthenleftalltoRanaldtoexecute。

"Youwillseetothesethings，Ranald，myman，saidDonaldRoss，withtheairofonegivingsolemncharge。"Letallthingsbedonedecentlyandinorder。"

"Iwilltry，"saidRanald，simply。ButFarquharMcNaughtonlookedathimdoubtfully。

"Itisapeety，"hesaid，"thereisnotonewithmoreexperience。

Heisbutalad。"

ButDonaldRosshadbeenmuchimpressedwithRanald\'scapablemannerthenightbefore。

"Neveryoufear，Farquhar，"hereplied；"Ranaldisnotonetofailus。"

AsRanaldstoodwatchingthewagonsrumblingdowntheroadandoutofsight，hefeltasifyearsmusthavepassedsincehehadreceivedtheletterthathadlaidonhimtheheavyburdenofthissadnews。Thathisuncle，MacdonaldBhain，shouldhavesentthewordtohimbroughtRanaldasenseofresponsibilitythatawakenedthemaninhim，andheknewhewouldfeelhimselfaboynomore。

Andwiththatnewfeelingofmanhoodstirringwithinhim，hewentabouthisworkthatday，omittingnodetailinarrangementfortheseemlyconductofthefuneral。

NightwasfallingasthewagonsrumbledbackagainfromCornwall，bringingbacktheshantymenandtheirdeadcompanion。UpthroughtheSixteenth，whereagreatcompanyofpeoplestoodsilentandwithbaredheads，thesadprocessionmoved，pasttheoldchurch，upthroughtheswamp，andsoonwardtothehomeofthedead。NoneoftheMacdonaldgangturnedasidetotheirhomestilltheyhadgiventheircomradeoverintothekeepingofhisownpeople。BythetimetheCameron\'sgatewasreachedthenighthadgrownthickandblack，andthedriversweregladenoughofthecedarbarktorchesthatRanaldandDonwavedinfrontoftheteamstolightthewayupthelane。InsilenceDonaldRoss，whowasleading，droveuphisteamtothelittlegardengateandallowedthegreatMacdonaldandDannietoalight。

AtthegatestoodLongJohnCameron，silentandself-controlled，butwithfaceshowingwhiteandhaggardinthelightoftheflaringtorches。Behindhim，intheshadow，stoodtheminister。Forafewmomentstheyallremainedmotionlessandsilent。Thetimewastoogreatforwords，andthesemenknewwhenitwasgoodtoholdtheirpeace。AtlengthMacdonaldBhainbrokethesilence，sayinginhisgreatdeepvoice，ashebaredhishead："Mr。Cameron，Ihavebroughtyoubackyourson，andGodismywitness，Iwouldhisplacewereminethisnight。"

"Bringhimin，Mr。Macdonald，"repliedthefather，gravelyandsteadily。"Bringhimin。ItistheLord；letHimdowhatseemethHimgood。"

ThensixoftheMacdonaldmencameforwardfromthedarkness，CurlyandYankeeleadingtheway，andliftedthecoffinfromFarquhar\'swagon，andreverently，withheadsuncovered，theyfollowedthetorchestothedoor。Theretheystoppedsuddenly，forastheyreachedthethreshold，therearosealow，long，heart-smitingcryfromwithin。AtthesoundofthatcryRanaldstaggeredasifstruckbyablow，andlethistorchfalltotheground。Thebearerswaited，lookingateachotherinfear。

"Whisht，Janet，woman！"saidLongJohn，gravely。"Yoursonisatthedoor。"

"Ah，indeed，thatheis，thatheis！Myson！Myson！"

Shestoodinthedoorwaywithhandsupliftedandwithtearsstreamingdownherface。"Comein，Malcolm；comein，myboy。Yourmotheriswaitingforyou。"

Thentheycarriedhiminandlaidhiminthe"room，"andretiringtothekitchen，satdowntowatchthenight。

Inhalfanhourthefathercameoutandfoundthemthere。

"Youhavedonewhatyoucould，Mr。Macdonald，"hesaid，addressinghimforall，"andIwillnotbeunmindfulofyourkindness。Butnowyoucandonomore。Yourwifeandyourpeoplewillbewaitingyou。"

"And，pleaseGod，ingoodtimetheywillbeseeingus。Asforme，Iwillneithergotomyhomenorupintomybed，butIwillwatchbythemanwhowasmyfaithfulfriendandcompaniontillheislaidaway。"

Andinthismindheandhismenremainedfirm，takingturnsatthewatchingallthatnightandthenextday。

AsMacdonaldfinishedspeaking，theministercameintothekitchen，bringingwithhimthemotherandthechildren。Themenallrosetotheirfeet，doingrespecttothewomanandtohergrief。Whentheywereseatedagain，theministerroseandsaid："Myfriends，thisisanightforsilenceandnotforwords。ThevoiceoftheLordisspeakinginourears。Itbecomesustohear，andtosubmitourselvestoHisholywill。Letuspray。"

AsRanaldlistenedtotheprayer，hecouldnothelpthinkinghowdifferentitwasfromthosehewasaccustomedtohearfromthepulpit。Solemn，simple，anddirect，itliftedtheheartsofallpresentuptothethroneofGod，totheplaceofstrengthandofpeace。Therewasnoattempttoexplainthe"mysteryoftheProvidence，"buttherewasasublimetrustthatrefusedtodespaireveninthepresenceofimpenetrabledarkness。

Aftertheministerhadgone，MacdonaldBhaintookRanaldasideandaskedhimastothearrangementsforthefuneral。WhenRanaldhadexplainedtohimeverydetail，Macdonaldlaidhishandonhisnephew\'sshoulderandsaid，kindly，"Itiswelldone，Ranald。Nowyouwillbegoinghome，andinthemorningyouwillseeyouraunt，andifshewillbewishingtocometothewaketo-morrownight，thenyouwillbringher。"

ThenRanaldwenthome，feelingwellrepaidforhislonghoursofanxietyandtoil。

CHAPTERXI

THEWAKE

ThewakewasanimportantfeatureinthesociallifeofthepeopleofIndianLands。Inancientdays，inthelandoftheirforefathers，thewakehadbeendeemedadirenecessityforthesafeguardingofthedead，whoweresupposedtobepeculiarlyexposedtothemaliciousattacksofevilspirits。Hence，withmanylightedcandles，andwithmuchincantation，friendswouldsurroundthebodythroughtheperiloushoursofdarkness。Itwasaweirdandwearyvigil，andsmallwonderifitappearednecessarythatthecourageandenduranceofthewatchersshouldbefortifiedwithcopiousdraughtsof"mountaindew，"withbreadandcheeseaccompaniments。

Andthecompletenessoftheirtrustintheefficacyofsuchsupportswastoooftenevidencedbytheconditionofthewatcherstowardthedawnofthemorning。And，indeed，ifthespiritswerenottoofastidious，andiftheyhadsodesired，theycouldhaveeasilyflownaway，notonlywiththe"waked，"butwiththe"wakers"aswell。

Butthosedaysandthosenotionshadlongpassedaway。Thewakestillremained，butitsmeaningandpurposehadchanged。Nolongerfortheguardingofthedead，butforthecomfortoftheliving，thefriendsgatheredtothehouseofmourningandwatchedthewearyhours。ButHighlandcourtesyforbadethatthecustomofrefreshingthewatchersshouldbeallowedtodieout，andhence，throughthenight，onceandagain，thewhisky，bread，andcheesewerehandedaroundbysomeclosefriendofthefamily，andwerethenplaceduponthetableforgeneraluse。Itwasnotsurprisingthat，whereallwerefreetocomeandwelcometostay，andwhereanythinglikescantinessinprovidingorniggardlinessinservingwouldbeamatteroffamilydisgrace，thewakeoftendegeneratedintoafrolic，ifnotadebauch。Inordertocheckanysuchtendency，ithadbeenthecustomoflateyearstointroducereligiousservices，begunbytheministerhimselfandcontinuedbytheelders。

Astheeveningfell，agroupofeldersstoodbythebackdoorofLongJohnCameron\'ssorrow-strickenhome，talkingquietlyoverthesadeventandarrangingforthe"exercises"ofthenight。AtalittledistancefromthemsatYankee，withRanaldbesidehim，bothsilentandlisteningsomewhatindifferentlytothetalkoftheothers。Yankeewasnotinhiselement。Hewasalwayswelcomeinthehomesofhiscomrades，forhewasreadywithhistongueandcleverwithhisfingers，butwiththegraverandreligioussideoftheirliveshehadlittleincommon。Itwas，perhaps，thisfeelingthatdrewhimtowardMacdonaldDubhandRanald，sothatforweeksatatimehewouldmaketheirhousehishome。Hehad"nouseforwakes，"ashesaidhimself，andhaditnotbeenthatitwasoneofthegangthatlaydeadwithin，Yankeewouldhaveavoidedthehouseuntilallwasoverandtheelderssafelyaway。

Oftheelders，onlyfourwerepresentasyet：DonaldRoss，whowaseverreadytobringthelightofhiskindlyfacetocheertheheartsofthemourners；StraightRory，whonever，byanychance，allowedhimselftomissthesolemnjoyofleadingthefuneralpsalm；PeterMcRae，whocarriedbehindhissternoldfaceaheartofgenuinesympathy；andKennyCrubach，towhomattendanceatfuneralswasatonceadutyandahorror。

DonaldRoss，towhomalltheeldersaccorded，instinctively，theplaceofleader，wasarrangingtheorderof"theexercises。"

"Mr。McCuaig，"hesaidtoStraightRory，"youwilltakechargeofthesinging。Therestofuswill，inturn，giveoutapsalmandreadaportionofScripturewithafewsuitableremarks，andleadinprayer。Wewillnotbeforgetting，brethren，"saidoldDonald，"thattherewillbesoreheartsherethisnight。\'

StraightRory\'sanswerwasasighsowoefulandsodeepthatYankeelookedoverathimandremarkedinanundertonetoRanald，"Heain\'tsocheerfulashemightbe。Hemustfeelawfulinside。"

"ItisasadandterribledayfortheCamerons，"saidPeterMcRae。

"Aye，itissad，indeed，"repliedDonaldRoss。"Hewasagoodsonandtheywillbemissinghimbad。Itisagreatloss。"

"Yes，thelossisgreat，"saidPeter，grimly。"But，afterall，thatisasmallthing。"

StraightRorysighedagainevenmoredeeplythanbefore。DonaldRosssaidnothing。

"Whatdoestheoldduckmean，anyhow？"saidYankeetoRanald。

Theboymadenoreply。HisheartwassickwithhorroratPeter\'smeaning，whichheunderstoodonlytoowell。

"Aye，"wentonPeter，"itisaterrible，mysteriousProvidence，andaheavywarningtotheungodlyandcareless。"

"Hemeansme，Iguess，"remarkedYankeetoRanald。

"Itwillperhapsbenotamisstoanyofus，"saidKennyCrubach，sharply。

"Indeed，thatistrue，"saidDonaldRoss，inaveryhumblevoice。

"Yes，Mr。Ross，"saidPeter，ignoringKennyCrubach，"butattimesthevoiceofProvidencecannotbemisunderstood，anditwillnotdofortheeldersofthechurchtobespeakingsoftthingswhentheLordisspeakinginjudgmentandwrath。"

Donaldwassilent，whileStraightRoryassentedwithaheartrending"Aye，aye，"whichstirredYankee\'sbileagain。

"What\'shetalkin\'about？Hedon\'tseemtobeusin\'mylanguage，"

hesaid，inatoneofwrathfulperplexity。Ranaldwastoomiserabletoanswer，butKennywasreadywithhisword。

"Judgmentandwrath，"heechoed，quickly。"ThemanwouldrequiretobeveryskillfulwhateverininterpretingthewaysofProvidence，andveryboldtoputsuchameaningintothedeathofayoungmansuchasMalcolmyonder。"Thelittleman\'svoicewasvibratingwithfeeling。

ThenYankeebegantounderstand。"I\'llbegol-blamedtoacinder！"

heexclaimed，inalowvoice，fallingbackuponacombinationthatseemedmoresuitabletothecircumstances。"Theyain\'tsendin\'himtohell，arethey？"Heshutuptheknifewithwhichhehadbeenwhittlingwithasharpsnap，andrisingtohisfeet，walkedslowlyovertothegroupofelders。

"Farbeitfrommetojudgewhatisnottobeseen，"saidPeter。

"Butweareallowedandcommandedtodiscernthestateoftheheartbythefruits。"

"Fruits？"repliedKenny，quickly。"Hewasagoodsonandbrotherandfriend；hewashonestandclean，andhegavehislifeforanotheratthelast。"

"Exactlyso，"saidPeter。"Iamnotdenyingmuchnaturalgoodness，forindeedhewasafinelad；butIwillbelookingfortheevidencethathewasinastateofgrace。Ihavenotheardofany，andgladwouldIbetohearit。"

Theoldman\'semotiontookthesharpnessoutofKenny\'sspeech，buthepersisted，stoutly，"Goodnessisgoodness，Mr。McRae，forallthat。"

"YouwillnotbeholdingtheArmeniandoctrineofworks，Mr。

Campbell？"saidPeter，severely。"Youwouldnotbepointingtogoodworksasagroundofsalvation？"

Yankee，whohadbeenfollowingtheconversationintently，thoughthesawmeaninginitatlast。

"IfImighttakeahand，"hesaid，diffidently，"Imightcontributesomethin\'tohelpyouout。"

Peterregardedhimalittleimpatiently。Hehadforgottentheconcrete，forthemoment，intheabstract，andwasdonninghisarmorforabattlewithKennyuponthe"fundamentals。"HencehewasnottoowellpleasedwithYankee\'sinterruption。ButDonaldRossgladlywelcomedthediversion。Thesubjectwastohimextremelypainful。

"Wewillbeglad，"hesaidtoYankee，"tohearyou，Mr。Latham。"

"Well，"saidYankee，slowly，"fromyourremarksIgatheredthatyouwantedinformationaboutthedoingsof——"hejerkedhisheadtowardthehousebehindhim。"Now，Iwanttosay，"hecontinued，confidentially，"you\'vecometotherightshop，forI\'veateandslept，I\'veworkedandfought，I\'velivedwithhimbydayandbynight，andrightthroughhewasthestraightest，whitestmanIeverseen，andIwon\'texceptthebosshimself。"Yankeepausedtoconsidertheeffectofthisstatement，andtoallowitsfullweighttobeappreciated；andthenhecontinued："Yes，sir，youmayjustbetyour——youmayberightwellsure，"correctinghimself，"thatyou\'resafeingivin\'"——herehedroppedhisvoice，andjerkedhisheadtowardthehouseagain——"ingivin\'thehighestmarks，fullvalue，andnodiscount。Why，"hewenton，withanenthusiasmrareinhim，"askanymaninthegang，anymanontheriver，iftheyeverseenorheardofhisdoin\'ameanorcrookedthing，andifyoufindanyfellerwhosayshedid，bringhimhere，and，by"——Yankeerememberedhimselfintime——"andIgiveyoumysolemnwordthatI\'lleathim，hatandboots。"Yankeebroughthisbonyfistdownwithawhackintohishand。Thenherelapsedintohislazydrawlagain："No，siree，hoss！Ifit\'sdoin\'syou\'reafter，don\'tyoubeslowinbankin\'yourlittleheaponHISdoin\'s。"

DonaldRossgraspedYankee\'shandandshookithard。"Iwillbethankingyouforthatword，"hesaid，earnestly。

ButPeterfeltthatthecauseoftruthdemandedthatheshouldspeakout。"Mr。Latham，"hesaid，solemnly，"whatyouhavebeensayingisverytrue，nodoubt，butifamanisnot\'bornagainhecannotseethekingdomofGod。\'ThesearethewordsoftheLordhimself。"

"Bornagain！"saidYankee。"How？Idon\'tseemtogetyou。ButI

guessthefellerthatdoestherightthingallroundhasgotapurtygoodchance。"

"Itisnotaman\'sdeeds，wearetold，"saidPeter，patiently，"buthisheart。"

"Thereyouare，"saidYankee，warmly，"rightagain，andthat\'swhatIalwaysholdto。It\'stheheartamancarriesroundinhisinside。Nevermindyourtalk，nevermindyouractin\'upforpeopletosee。Givemetheheartthatiswarmandred，andbeatspropertime，youbet。Say！you\'reallright。"YankeegazedadmiringlyattheperplexedandhopelessPeter。

"IamafraidyouarenotrememberingwhattheApostlePaulsaid，Mr。Latham，"saidPeter，determinedtodealfaithfullywithYankee。

"\'Bythedeedsofthelawshallnofleshbejustified。\'"

ItwasnowYankee\'sturntogazehelplesslyatPeter。"Iguessyouhavedroppedmeagain，"hesaid，slowly。

"Man，"saidPeter，withatouchofseverity，"youwillneedtobemorefaithfulwiththeWordofGod。TheScripturesplainlydeclare，Mr。Latham，thatitisimpossibleforamantobesavedinhisnaturalstate。"

Yankeelookedblankatthis。

"Theprophetsaysthattheplowingandsowing，theveryprayers，ofthewickedareanabominationtotheLord。"

"Why，nowyou\'retalkin\'，butlookhere。"Yankeeloweredhistone。

"Lookhere，youwouldn\'tgofortocall"——hereagainhejerkedhisheadtowardthehouse——"wicked，wouldyou？Furifyoudo，why，thereain\'tanymoreconversationbetweenyouandme。"

Yankeewasterriblyinearnest。

"\'Thereisnonerighteous，no，notone，\'"quotedPeter，withtheairofamanwhoforceshimselftoanunpleasantduty。

"That\'sso，Iguess，"saidYankee，meditatively，"butitdependssomeonwhatyoumean。Idon\'tsetmyselfupforanycopy-bookhead-line，butasmengo——men，say，justlikeyouhere——I\'dput——

I\'dputhimalongside，wouldn\'tyou？Youexpecttogetthroughyourself，Ijudge？"

ThiswasturningthetablessomewhatsharplyuponPeter，butYankee\'skeen，wide-openeyeswereuponhim，andhisintenselyearnestmannerdemandedananswer。

"Indeed，ifitwillbeso，itwillnotbeforanymeritofmyown，butonlybecauseofthemercyoftheLordinChristJesus。"

Peter\'stonewassincerelyhumble。

"Guessyou\'reallright，"saidYankee，encouragingly；"andasfor——

asfor——him——don\'tyouworryaboutthat。Youmaybedeadsureabouthiscase。"

ButPeteronlyshookhisheadhopelessly。"Youaresorelyinneedofinstruction，Mr。Latham，"hesaid，sadly。"Wecannotlistentoourheartsinthismatter。WemustdohonortothejusticeofGod，andthewordisclear，\'Yemustbebornagain。\'Nothingelseavails。"Peter\'stonewasfinal。

ThenYankeedrewalittlenearertohim，asifsettlingdowntowork。

"Nowlookhere。Youletmetalkawhile。Iain\'tupinyoursideofthebusiness，butIguesswearetryin\'tomakethesamepoint。

Nowsupposin\'youwasinforahossrace，whichIhopeain\'tnooffense，seein\'itain\'tlikelybutsuppose，andtotakefirstmoneyyouhadtoperdooseatwo-fifteengait。\'Purtygoodlick，\'

saysyou；\'nowwherewillIgetthenag？\'Thenyousetsdownandthinks，and，saysyou，\'Bygum，whichofcourseyouwouldn\'t，butsupposin\'saysyou，\'aBlueGrassbredisthehossforthatgait\'；

andyoubegintoinquirearound，butthereain\'tnoBlueGrassbredstockinthecountry，andthatraceiscreepin\'upclose。Oneday，justwhenyouwasbeginnin\'tofigureontakin\'thedusttothehullfield，youseesacoltcomin\'alongtheroadhittin\'upapurtyslickgait。\'Hello，\'saysyou，\'thatlookslikely，\'andyoubegintonegotiate，andyoufindsoutthatcolt\'sallrightandhertime\'stwo-ten。Thenyoubegintotalkabouttheweatherandthecropsuntilyoufindsouttheprice，andyouofferhimhalfmoney。

Then，whenyouhavefetchedhimdowntotherightfigure，youpullsoutyourwad，thinkin\'howthatcoltwillmaketherestlooklikealineoffence-posts。\'Butholdon，\'saysyou，\'isthisherecoltBlueGrassbred？\'\'BlueGrass！Notmuch。Thishere\'sGreyEaglestock，NorthVirginny\'sayshe。\'Don\'twanther，\'saysyou。

\'What\'sthematterwiththecolt？\'sayshe。\'Nothin\'，onlysheain\'tBlueGrass。GottobeBlueGrass。\'\'Butshe\'sgotthegait，ain\'tshe？\'\'Yes，thegait\'sallright，actionfine，good-looking，too，nothingwrong，butsheain\'tBlueGrassbred。\'Andsoyouloseyourrace。Nowwhatkindofanamewouldyoucallyourself？"

PetersawYankee\'spoint，butheonlyshookhisheadmorehopelesslythanbefore，andturnedtoenterthehouse，followedbyStraightRory，stillsighingdeeply，andoldDonaldRoss。ButKennyremainedamomentbehindtheothers，andofferinghishandtoYankee，said："Youarearightman，andIwillbeproudtoknowyoubetter。"

YankeeturnedapuzzledfacetoKenny。"Isay，"heinquired，inanamazedvoice，"doyouthinkhedidn\'tcatchontome？"

Kennynodded。"Yes，heunderstoodyourpoint。"

"Butlookhere，"saidYankee，"theydon\'tholdthat——thatheis——"

Yankeepaused。Thethoughtwastoohorrible，andthesemenwereexperts，andweresupposedtoknow。

"It\'shardtosay，"saidKenny，diplomatically。

"Seehere，"saidYankee，facingKennysquarely，"you\'reapurtylevel-headedman，andyou\'reupinthisbusiness。Doyouthinkwiththem？Nomonkeying。Straighttalknow。"Yankeewasinnomoodtobetrifledwith。HewasinsuchdeadlyearnestthathehadforgottenallaboutRanald，whowasnowstandingbehindhim，waiting，withwhitefaceandpartedlips，forKenny\'sanswer。

"Whisht！"saidKenny，pointingintothekitchenbehind。YankeelookedandsawBellaPeterandherfatherentering。ButRanaldwasdeterminedtoknowKenny\'sopinion。

"Mr。Campbell，"hewhispered，eagerly，andforgettingtherespectduetoanelder，hegraspedKenny\'sarm，"doyouthinkwiththem？"

"ThatIdonot，"saidKenny，emphatically，andYankee，atthatword，struckhishandintoKenny\'spalmwithaloudsmack。

"Iknewblamedwellyouwerenotanysuchdumbfool，"hesaid，softeninghisspeechindeferencetoKenny\'sofficeandthesurroundingcircumstances。Sosaying，hewentawaytothestable，andwhenRanaldandhisuncle，MacdonaldBhain，followedalittlelatertoputupPeterMcGregor\'steam，theyheardYankeeinside，swearingwithafluencyandvigorquiteunusualwithhim。

"Whisht，man！"saidMacdonaldBhain，sternly。"Thisisnoplaceortimetobeusingsuchlanguage。Whatisthematterwithyou，anyway？"

ButMacdonaldcouldgetnosatisfactionoutofhim，andhesaidtohisnephew，"Whatisit，Ranald？"

"Itistheelders，PeterMcRaeandStraightRory，"saidRanald，sullenly。"TheyweresayingthatMackwas——thatMackwas——"

"Lookhere，boss，"interruptedYankee，"Iain\'twellupinScriptures，anddon\'tknowmuchaboutthesethings，andthemeldersdo，andtheysay——someofthem，anyway——aresendingMacktohell。

Now，Iguessyou\'rejustaswellupastheyareinthisbusiness，andIwantyoursolemnopinion。"Yankee\'sfacewaspale，andhiseyeswereglaringlikeawildbeast\'s。"WhatIsayis，"hewenton，"ifafellerlikeMackgoestohell，thenthereain\'tany。Atleastnonetoscareme。WhereMackiswillbegoodenoughforme。

Whatdoyousay，boss？"

"Bequiet，man，"saidMacdonaldBhain，gravely，butkindly。"Doyounotknowyouareneartoblasphemythere？ButIforgiveyouforthesoreheartyouhave；andaboutpoorMackyonder，noonewillbeabletosayforcertain。Iamapoorsinner，andtheonlyclaimIhavetoGod\'smercyistheclaimofapoorsinner。ButI

willdaretosaythatIhavehopeintheLordformyself，andI

willsaythatIhaveagreatdealmoreforMack。"

"Iguessthatsettlesitallright，then，"saidYankee，drawingabigbreathofcontentandbitingoffahugechewfromhisplug。

"Butwhattheblankblank，"hewenton，savagely，"dothesefellersmean，stirringupaman\'sfeelin\'slikethat？Seemtobenotabadsort，either，"headded，meditatively。

"Indeed，theyaregoodmen，"saidMacdonaldBhain，"buttheywillnotbeknowingMackasIknewhim。Henevermadeanyprofessionatall，buthehadtherootofthematterinhim。"

Ranaldfeltasifhehadwakenedoutofaterriblenightmare，andfollowedhisuncleintothehouse，withahappierheartthanhehadknownsincehehadreceivedYankee\'sletter。

Astheyenteredtheroomwherethepeopleweregathered，DonaldRosswasreadingthehundredandthirdpsalm，andthewordsofloveandpityandsympathyweredroppingfromhiskindlylipslikehealingbalmuponthemourninghearts，andastheyroseandfelluponthecadencesof"Coleshill，"thetuneStraightRoryalwayschoseforthispsalm，thehealingsankdownintoallthesoreplaces，andthepeacethatpassethunderstandingbegantotakepossessionofthem。

Softlyandsweetlytheysang，theoldwomenswayingwiththemusic：

"For，astheheaveninitsheightTheearthsurmountethfar，Sogreattothosethatdohimfear，Histendermerciesare。"

Whentheyreachedthatverse，themothertookupthesongandwentbravelyonthroughthewordsofthefollowingverse：

"AsfaraseastisdistantfromThewest，sofarhathheFromusremoved，inhislove，Allouriniquity。"

AsshesangthelastwordsherhandstoleovertoBella，whosatbesideherquietbuttearless，lookingfaraway。Butwhenthenextwordsroseonthedearoldminorstrains，"SuchpityasafatherhathUntohischildrendear，"

Bella\'slipbegantotremble，andtwobigtearsrandownherpalecheeks，andonecouldseethatthesorepaininherhearthadbeenalittleeased。

AfterDonaldRosshadfinishedhispartofthe"exercises，"hecalleduponKennyCrubach，whoreadbriefly，andwithoutcomment，theexquisiteScottishparaphraseofLuther\'s"littlegospel"：

"BeholdtheamazinggiftofloveTheFatherhathbestowedOnus，thesinfulsonsofmen，TocallussonsofGod——"

andsoontotheend。

AllthistimePeterMcRae，themanofiron，hadbeensittingwithhardeningface，hiseyesburninginhisheadlikeglowingcoals；

andwhenDonaldRosscalleduponhimfor"somewordsofexhortationandcomfortsuitabletotheoccasion，"withouthasteandwithouthesitationtheoldmanrose，andtremblingwithexcitementandemotion，hebeganabruptly："Anevilspirithasbeenwhisperingtome，astotheprophetofold，\'Speakthatwhichisgood，\'buttheLordhathdeliveredmefrommineenemy，andmyansweris，\'AstheLordliveth，whattheLordsaiduntome，thatwillIspeak\'；anditisnoteasy。"

Astheoldmanpaused，avisibleterrorfelluponallthecompanyassembled。Thepoormothersatlookingathimwiththelookofoneshrinkingfromablow，whileBellaPeter\'sfaceexpressedonlystartledfear。

"AndthisisthewordoftheLordthisnighttome，"theelderwenton，hisvoicelosingitstremorandringingoutstrongandclear：

"\'Thereisnonerighteous，no，notone，forallhavesinnedandcomeshortofthegloryofGod。Hethatbelievethshallbesaved，andhethatbelievethnotshallbedamned。\'Thatismymessage，anditislaiduponmeasasoreburdentohearthevoiceoftheLordinthissolemnProvidence，andtowarnoneandalltofleefromthewrathtocome。"

Hepausedlong，whilemencouldheartheirheartsbeat。Then，raisinghisvoice，hecriedaloud："Woeisme！Alas！itisagrievousburden。TheLordpityusall，andgivegracetothisstrickenfamilytokisstherodthatsmites。"

Atthiswordtheoldman\'svoicesuddenlybroke，andhesatdownamidanawfulsilence。Noonecouldmisunderstandhismeaning。Astheawfulhorrorofitgraduallymadeitswayintohermind，Mrs。

Cameronthrewupherapronoverherheadandrockedinanagonyofsobs，whileLongJohnsatwithfacewhiteandrigid。BellaPeter，whohadbeengazingwithafascinatedstareupontheoldelder\'sfacewhilehewasspeakinghisterriblewords，startledbyMrs。

Cameron\'ssobs，suddenlylookedwildlyaboutasifforhelp，andthen，withawildcry，fledtowardthedoor。Butbeforeshehadreacheditastronghandcaughtherandagreatvoice，deepandtender，commandedher："Wait，lassie，sitdownhereameenute。"

ItwasMacdonaldBhain。Hestoodashortspacesilentbeforethepeople，then，inavoicelow，deep，andthrilling，hebegan："YouhavebeenhearingthewordoftheLordthroughthelipsofhisservant，andIamnotsayingbutitisthetrueword；butIbelievethattheLordwillbespeakingbydifferentvoices，andalthoughI

hevnotthegift，yetitislaiduponmetodeclarewhatisinmyheart，andasoreheartitis，andsoreheartshevweall。ButI

willbethinkingofaferyjoyfulthing，andthatisthat\'Hecametocall，nottherighteous，butsinners，\'andthatinHisdaymanysinnerscameaboutHimandnotonewouldHeturnaway。AndIwillberememberingaferygreatsinnerwhocriedoutinhisdyinghour，\'Lord，rememberme，\'andnotinvain。AndI\'mthinkingthattheLordwillbemakingiteasyformentobesaved，andnothard，forHewasthatanxiousaboutitthatHegaveupHisownlife。Butitisnotgivenmetoargue，onlytotellyouwhatIknowabouttheladwhoislyingyondersilent。Itwillbethreeyearssincehewillbecomingontheshantieswithme，andfromthedaythathelefthismother\'sdoor，tillhecamebackagain，neveroncedidhefailmeinhisdutyinthecamp，orontheriver，orinthetown，whereitwasferyeasytobeforgetting。Andtheboyswouldbetellingmeofthetimesthathewouldbekeepingthemoutofthoseplaces。AnditisnotsoonthatDannieRosswillbeforgettingwhoitwasthattookhimbackfromthecampwhenthediseasewasuponhimandallwereafraidtogonearhim，andforseexweeks，bydayandbynight，watchedbyhimandwasnotthinkingofhimselfatall。AndsureamIthatthelessonshewouldbehearingfromhismotherandintheBibleclassandinthechurchwerenotlostonhimwhatever。Forontheriver，whenthewaterwasquietandI

wouldbelyinginthetentreading，itisoftenthatMackCameronwouldcomeinandlistentotheWord。Aye，hewasagoodlad"——thegreatvoiceshookalittle——"hewouldnotbethinkingofhimself，andatthelast，itwasforanothermanhegavehislife。"

Macdonaldstoodforafewmomentssilent，hisfaceworkingwhilehestruggledwithhimself。Andthenallatoncehegrewcalm，andthrowingbackhishead，helookedthroughthedoor，andpointingintothedarkness，said："Andyonderisthelad，andwithhimagreatcompany，andhisfaceissmiling，and，oh！itisagoodland，agoodland！"Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper，andhesankintohisseat。

"Godpreserveus！"KennyCrubachejaculated；butoldDonaldRossroseandsaid，"LetuscalluponthenameoftheLord。"FromhisprayeritwasquiteevidentthatforhimatleastalldoubtsandfearsastopoorMack\'sstatewereremoved。AndevenPeterMcRae，subduednotsomuchbyanyargumentofMacdonaldBhain\'sasbyhisraptvision，followedoldDonald\'sprayerwithbrokenwordsofhopeandthanksgiving；anditwasPeterwhowasearlyatthemansenextmorningtorepeattotheministerthethingshehadseenandheardthenightbefore。Andallnextday，wheretherehadbeenthehorrorofunnamablefear，hopeandpeaceprevailed。

Theservicewasheldunderthetrees，andwhilethemotherandBellaPetersatsoftlyweeping，therewasnobitternessintheirtears，forthesermonbreathedoftheimmortalhope，andtheheartsofallwerecomforted。Therewasnoparadeofgrief，butafterthesermonwasoverthepeoplefiledquietlythroughtheroomtotakethelastlook，andthenthefamily，withBellaandherfather，wereleftaloneafewmomentswiththeirdead，whiletheMacdonaldmenkeptguardatthedoortillthetimefor"thelifting"wouldcome。

AfterLongJohnpassedout，followedbythefamily，MacdonaldBhainenteredtheroom，closedtheliddownuponthedeadface，andgavethecommandtobearhimforth。

So，withsolemndignity，asbefittedthem，theycarriedBigMackfromhishometoFarquharMcNaughton\'slightwagon。Alongtheconcessionroad，pastthenewchurch，throughtheswamp，andontotheoldchurchyardthelongprocessionslowlymoved。Therewasnounseemlyhaste，andbythetimethelastwordswerespoken，andthemounddecentlyrounded，thelongshadowsfromthewoodslayfaracrossthefields。Quietlythepeoplewenttheirwayshomeward，backtotheirlifeandwork，butformanydaystheycarriedwiththemthememoryofthosefuneralscenes。AndRanald，thoughhecamebackfromBigMack\'sgravetroubledwithquestionsthatrefusedtobeanswered，stillcarriedwithhimahearthealedofthepainthathadtornittheselastdays。Hebelieveditwaswellwithhisfriend，butaboutmanythingshewassorelyperplexed，anditwasthisthatbroughthimagaintotheminister\'swife。