"So I says that I will; and we sorts it all, and I left him a-fishing. And I guessed he was one o' the scholards in the big school; and so I just wanted to know if he had caught many fish."
"So," said Dudley, addressing the master, "I brought him right off to you, sir; for he says he can tell in a minute what boy he spoke to; and, sir, you know there is only one in the school has a mark, and that's Pritchard. And," said Dudley, unable to suppress his delight, "I knew it wasn't Macintosh—it could not have been."
The matter was soon settled; the moment Pritchard saw the lad enter the school-room, he broke down and confessed all. He was the guilty one; but he had not intended, in taking the rod, to implicate Ronald. He took it because it was the only one he could lay his hands on; and fear and cowardice together made him silent when he found that the transaction was discovered, and the guilty one called on to declare himself.
When the truth was discovered, the feeling of the boys was without exception one of gladness that Ronald was proved innocent. We need not add that Pritchard was sent home; such an example could not be tolerated. And from that day George Dundas spoke no more of leaving the school. The lesson he had received was a salutary one for him. It was he who was the second boy whom Mr. Lawson's man had seen running off across the field. But though George knew that Pritchard was the offender, he had taken no part in the transaction, and knew nothing of Ronald's rod having been made use of. He only saw Pritchard fishing, as he was strolling past from another field.
But taking in the story at a glance, when he saw the man coming down the river from the other side, and Pritchard throw down the rod and make for the school, George had run also, afraid of being caught and suspected of trespassing. Fear of Pritchard had kept him silent when Dr. Bowles had spoken.
And what of Ronald? He had suffered much during these days, and learned some needful lessons; but calmly at last he had committed his way unto the Lord; and now it was with a heart full of gratitude unto him that he returned thanks that his character was cleared, and that the royal banner he upheld had not, through his sin, been disgraced. His influence in the school from that hour became stronger; and more than one boy was led openly to take his stand on the Lord's side, fight under his banner, and seek for that which is better than gold, and more to be desired than rubies.
[CHAPTER VIII.]
CLIMBING SCHIEHALLION.
"My God, I thank thee, who hast made
The earth so bright;
So full of splendour and of joy,
Beauty and light:
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right."
A HIGHLAND picnic on a bright August day, when the mountain-side where it is to be held is purple with heather, and the only clouds visible in the bright blue sky are soft, small, white fleecy ones, and young faces are glowing with pleasure at the prospect before them—who that has ever enjoyed such a recreation can ever forget it?