Now that the ice had been broken, however, all the youth of the neighbourhood volunteered for service, and a plan of search was being hastily formed under the direction of the Elder, when two men in a canoe were seen to paddle very slowly to the landing-place at the foot of the garden. After hauling the end of their canoe on shore, they walked, or rather staggered, up towards the house.
One of them tripped and fell, and seemed from his motions as if he thought it was not worth while to rise again. The other, paying no attention to his companion, came on.
“Pless my soul!” exclaimed old McKay, “it iss Tan—or his ghost—whatever!”
And so it was! Dirty, bruised, scratched, battered, and soaking wet, Daniel Davidson appeared to claim his beautiful bride. And he did not come in vain, for, regardless of propriety and everything else, Elspie ran forward with a little shriek and flung herself into his arms.
“I have kept my promise, Elspie.”
“I knew you would, Dan! I said you would.”
“Tan, you rascal! come here.”
The youth obeyed, languidly, for it was evident that he was thoroughly exhausted.
“My poy,” said the Highlander, touched by Dan’s appearance, “you hev been in the watter!”
“Not exactly, father, but last night’s thunderstorm caught us, and we had no time to seek shelter.”