The aged, the women, and the little ones came forth to meet and to welcome with acclamations, and outstretched arms the victors of the different games. The crest-fallen bearing of Black Callum and myself led them at first to suppose what they had hitherto believed to be impossible and incredible, that we hail been beaten at rifle-shooting 'by the strangers.'
When I left the glen that morning, all my thoughts were bent on victory, and I saw only one thing in the world—a black spot on a white target; but now the blue eyes of Laura Everingham were ever before me, in all their variety and beauty of expression.
My mother's feeble voice fell sadly and reproachfully on my ear as I entered her chamber, and Minnie, drawing back the curtains, revealed the thin and aged form that seemed to be passing like a shadow from among us.
'You have won the prize, my dear boy, Allan?'
'Yes, mother.'
Her eyes were bent in love and sorrow on me. Oh, how full my heart was at that moment!
'A hundred guineas, Allan—think of that!'
'And Callum won the second prize,' said Minnie, with a timid blush of pleasure.
'Fifty more—one hundred and fifty! Oh, Allan, my poor boy. God's blessed hand was in this, to save us from the grasp of ruin!'
I wrung my hands, and throwing the empty purses before my mother, covered my face and sat down.