Long Shon looked as if he did not believe it.
“Wonterful! It was wonterful!” said Tavish again. “She will come town here, and kill ta biggest fush; and she sails ta poat alone, and she shall kill a stag soon, and all ta hares and grouse.”
“Why wass she not town py ta blue hawk’s nest wi’ ta poys?” said Long Shon suddenly and fiercely.
“I was holding the anchor,” replied Max.
“She wass holting ta anchor, Shon. She tolt her pefore.”
“Put she ought to have peen wi’ ta poys!” cried Long Shon, giving the side of the boat a slap with his great hand. “She wass afraid.”
“Yes,” said Max, flushing slightly, “I was afraid to go down. They did want me to go.”
“Put ta poy Scoodrach wass never afraid,” cried Long Shon, looking hard at Max as if he had ill-used him.
“Waugh!” ejaculated Tavish slowly, his voice sounding like the low, deep growl of some wild beast.
“Ta Scoodrach wass never pe afraid,” cried Long Shon defiantly.