e better go back and get the rifles?"

"Noo? No; let's come to-morrow airly, and have a coot fair try."

"Perhaps that will be best," said Kenneth in assent, as the stag
disappeared, and the boat sped on.

"But may you shoot stags?" said Max rather wonderingly.

"Of course, when they are on my father's part of the forest. That's his
out there."

"Forest? Where?" asked Max wonderingly.

"Why, there."

"What, that place like a great common? There are no trees!"

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Scood. "Who ever heard of a forest with trees?"

"Hold your tongue, Scood, or I'll pitch you overboard."

"She's always talking spout pitching her overpoard, but she never does,"
muttered Scood.

"Our land runs right along there for three miles. Once upon a time The
Mackhai's forest ran along for thirty miles."

"How is it that it does not now?"

"Father says the rascally lawyers--I beg your pardon. He was cross when
he said that."

Kenneth hastily changed the subject, as he saw his companion's flushed
countenance.

"I say, we'll come out here fishing one day. Like fishing for
mackerel?"

"I never did fish for them."

"Oh, it's rare sport. We have a couple of rods out each side as we sail
along, and catch plenty when there's a shoal. Looks high, doesn't it?"

"Yes," said Max, as the boat glided on over the calm heaving water till
they were right under a great grey wall of crag, which towered above
their heads, and cast clearly-cut reflections on the crystal water over
which they rode.

"That's five hundred feet if it's an inch," said Kenneth, as he threw
himself back and gazed up. "Look, Max."

"What at?"

"See those two black fellows on that ledge with their wings open?"

"Yes. What are they--blackbirds?"

"Black enough. Cormorants drying their plumage."

"But it hasn't been raining."

"No; but they've been diving, and got well wet. Why, they can swim
under water like a fish."

"Go on, if you like telling travellers' tales," said Max, smiling.

"Well, of all the unbelieving old Jews! Just as if I was always trying
to cram you! I tell you they do. So do the gannets and dookkers. They
dive down, and swim wonderfully under water, and chase and catch the
fish. They're obliged to."

"Look out! there she goes," cried Scoodrach.

Kenneth raised his gun, but the bird to which his attention was drawn
was out of shot.

"That's the hen bird, Scood."

"Yes; and I can see where the nest is," cr