'No, no!' cried Marjorie and Tricksy; 'Carlo must come too.'
'Let him come,' said Hamish; 'he won't be in the way.'
The little dog, who had been frisking about and wagging his tail, sat up and begged, looking from one to the other of the young people with a beseeching whine.
'You darling,' cried both the girls; and Tricksy sprang out of the boat and lifted him in.
Allan looked contemptuous as he pushed off; but Laddie gave a little yelp of satisfaction, and the little spaniel curled himself cosily in Tricksy's lap, while Marjorie leaned over and petted him when the boys were not looking.
The steady strokes of the rowers brought the boat rapidly through the water, while the herring gulls flew screaming around, and a small island in the middle of the firth came nearer and nearer.
Presently the sea became shallower, and the boat shot up on the beach.
'Here we are,' said Marjorie, springing out first; 'now you must see what we've made of the place, Allan. Haul up the boat, Hamish; and Reggie, you might hand out some of these things. Take care you don't drop any of them. Every one take something, and let's come.'
Laddie waited impatiently while the articles were distributed among the party, and then followed his young friends with an anticipatory bark. Carlo was lifted out by Hamish, and immediately set off to chase a gull which sailed majestically out to sea, and left him barking on the shore.
'Now, Allan,' said Reggie, his dark eyes twinkling; 'you are going to see what we've been about.'