"I am willing to go wherever Mr. Ross wishes, and at any time, and for any length of time—it is Mr. Ross himself knows that," Coinneach made answer.
"And you, Calum?"
"It is the same that I am saying," responded the younger lad, with downcast eyes.
"And where would you like to go, Coinneach, if you have all the world to choose from?" the young master asked.
"That is not for me to say—that is for Mr. Ross to say."
"And if you were never to see Eilean Heimra again?"
"That also to me is indifferent," said Coinneach, with dogged obedience.
Donald Ross stepped into the boat, and took his seat in the stern.
"Come away, then, lads; for if we are to set out on our travels, we must make a hasty start. Did you look at the glass this morning, Coinneach? And there is a thick bank of cloud rising in the west: we shall not want for wind, I'm thinking, when we get outside. And as for getting under way at a moment's notice, well, we can put in stores and everything else that is wanted when we are safe in Portree Harbour, with a little time to spare. For there is wild weather coming, Coinneach, if I am not mistaken; but anything is better than being storm-stayed at Heimra, when it is to the south you wish to be going."
And he himself helped the two men to get the vessel in readiness when they had got on board—ordering them, as a preliminary precaution, to take down a couple of reefs in the mainsail. For even here in this sheltered little bay, the omens were inauspicious; the sky had grown dark and the wind had risen; there was a low and troubled and continuous murmur from the out-jutting spur on the north.