The guide looked despondingly. "I fear, sirs, even if we could reach the top, there would be no view, and my advice is that we should all turn and go down, for the rain is going to be heavy."
But his voice was drowned by the three lads all exclaiming in one breath: "No, no! Let's get on. Who minds a little rain? We're not salt or sugar that will melt. Let the ladies stay here till we go up, and we'll be back in no time. Do let us try."
"Well, sirs, if you're bent on it we can try; but I warn you, you'll get nothing but a wetting for your trouble. However, I'll take you round the shoulder of the hill, and look around; but if the mist be thick there, I'll not go one step farther, for there's danger farther up."
So with this decision they were obliged to be satisfied; and the guide, putting the ladies, as he said, under the shelter of an overhanging rock, and leaving them under the care of Mr. Macleod, set off with the boys.
"Here we are, back again, uncle," said Eric, as he bounded down the hill, about a quarter of an hour after they had set off with the guide. "When we got round the shoulder of the hill we found ourselves enveloped in mist, and Sandy wouldn't let us go a step farther. Isn't it a shame?"
At this moment the guide, accompanied by Ronald and Alick, appeared, and accosting Mr. Macleod, said, "'Deed, sir, we must get downhill as fast as possible for the rain's getting worse, and these hill showers are heavy, and wetting ones as well; so let's be off."
Amid much mirth, despite the disappointment and the rain, the party hastened downwards; but ere they reached the inn they were thoroughly soaked. Once inside, peat fires were blazing; and much laughter was expended as the girls presently appeared in the little parlour where the picnic dinner was to take place, attired in all manner of fantastic dresses, kindly lent by the women of the house whilst their own wet garments were drying.
Miss Stewart, attired in the hostess's Sunday dress, looked strange indeed; while the girls, in woollen petticoats, coarse worsted stockings, and bright-coloured short gowns, evoked shouts of laughter from the boys, who, on their part, were running about without boots or stockings. But, notwithstanding, the day's excursion was fully enjoyed by the youngsters, and with great glee they rehearsed their adventures in the evening to Mrs. Macleod; and in after-days it became an established joke how a whole party had set off to go to the top of Schiehallion, and were nearly lost in the mist.
More than once during those pleasant holidays did Ronald find his way to the cottage in the glen, and many a pleasant talk he had with old nurse, who still cherished the vague hope that somewhere in London Ronald would meet with her lost laddie.
It was strange enough that never, during the six weeks they spent together, did the three children meet at the Wishing-Well. Ronald sat often there alone, as in olden days, and mentally reviewed the scene with the passing stranger, renewing in God's presence the resolution he had made, the vow he had taken, to serve under the royal banner.