'Look here, Duncan,' she said, after Hamish, followed consolingly by Tricksy, had passed out of hearing, 'we must make them too late for the caves.'
'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, we will hev to keep them out whateffer,' said Duncan, 'Mr. Graham's eyes will pe ferry sharp, he iss as bad as Mr. Harry, who is notticing efferything. But there iss ta laird, Miss Marjorie, he will pe calling to me to come with ta lunch baskets, I will hev to go.'
The hall was a scene of animation. The Sheriff was standing talking to Mrs. MacGregor and receiving defiant glances from Tricksy; the minister, an elderly man with white hair and stooping shoulders, stood somewhat apart; the other gentlemen were collecting rugs and fishing tackle, and Harry and Gerald were jumping about, asking questions and getting in every one's way.
'Rob MacLean has come to say that the Kelpie iss all ready, sir,' said Duncan, who among his other avocations sailed his master's yacht.
'Don't let us wait any longer then,' said the laird; 'we shall not have time to visit the caves this evening if we miss the tide.'
Two trips of the Mermaid—the Craft only when her young owners were by themselves—conveyed the entire party on board the Kelpie, whose crew, consisting of Rob MacLean and another crofter, were in readiness.
'We must manage not to go to the caves, Rob,' said Marjorie as she passed.
'Aye, Miss Marjorie, she will not pe going to the caves to-day,' said the Highlander grimly.
It was a glorious day for a sail, and the young people's spirits rose in spite of themselves. There was enough wind to fill out the sails and make the vessel skim swiftly over the water, but not enough to make any one in the least uncomfortable, and the waves were dancing in the sunlight.
'Do you see that island over there?' said Marjorie to Harry, who was looking about him with sparkling eyes; 'that high one beyond all the little skerries? That's where we're going; it's an awfully jolly place, there's a fine loch with sea trout in it and a capital beach.'