e, "but the say-weed _is_ so slippy on them rocks
we're almost for iver doin' that sort o' thing be the merest accident.
But av yer as fond o' cowld wather as meself ye won't objec' to it,
although it do come raither onexpected."

The officers made no reply, but, collaring Ruby, pushed him into the
boat.

Again the men made a rush, but Peter Logan stood between them and the
boat.

"Lads," said he, holding up his hand, "it's of no use resistin' the law.
These are King's officers, and they are only doin' their duty. Sure am
I that Ruby Brand is guilty of no crime, so they've only to enquire into
it and set him free."

The men hesitated, but did not seem quite disposed to submit without
another struggle.

"It's a shame to let them take him," cried the smith.

"So it is. I vote for a rescue," cried Joe Dumsby.

"Hooray! so does I," cried O'Connor, stripping off his waist-coat, and
for once in his life agreeing with Joe.

"Na, na, lads," cried John Watt, rolling up his sleeves, and baring his
brawny arms as if about to engage in a fight, "it'll niver do to
interfere wi' the law; but what d'ye say to gie them anither dook?"

Seeing that the men were about to act upon Watt's suggestion, Ruby
started up in the boat, and turning to his comrade, said:

"Boys, it's very kind of you to be so anxious to save me but you
can't--"

"Faix, but we can, darlin'," interrupted O'Connor.

"No, you can't," repeated Ruby firmly, "because I won't let you. I
don't think I need say to you that I am innocent," he added, with a look
in which truth evidently shone forth like a sunbeam, "but now that they
have put these irons on me I will not consent that they shall be taken
off except by the law which put them on."

While he was speaking the boat had been pushed off, and in a few seconds
it was beyond the reach of the men.

"Depend upon it, comrades," cried Ruby, as they pulled away, "that I
shall be back again to help you to finish the work on the Bell Rock."

"So you will, lad, so you will," cried the foreman.

"My blessin' on ye," shouted O'Connor. "Ach! ye dirty villains, ye
low-minded spalpeens," he added, shaking his fist at the officers of
justice.

"Don't be long away, Ruby," cried one.

"Never say die," shouted another, earnestly.

"Three cheers for Ruby Brand!" exclaimed Forsyth, "hip! hip! hip!--"

The cheer was given with the most vociferous energy, and then the men
stood in melancholy silence on _Ralph the