l; and you and he can have a go at
each other every day if you like.'

'Dear me,' said Mr. Matthews the minister, coming towards the group
with a concerned face; 'I am sorry to see that some of you have been
quarrelling. Pray, what has been the subject of dispute?'

'It's nothing,' said Allan, 'only practice. There's no quarrel at all.'

'What's this? what's this?' broke in the somewhat rasping voice of the
Sheriff, who had followed Mr. Matthews, unobserved by the young people;
'it seems that half-a-dozen boys cannot be together without coming to
blows.'

'They're not fighting seriously,' cried Marjorie; 'it's only fun.'

Mr. Matthews was looking both grieved and puzzled.

'Dear me,' he said, shaking his head, 'this is most distressing. To
fight when you have not any ground for quarrelling. Why did you not
endeavour to dissuade them, Miss Marjorie?'

'It's all right,' said Marjorie. 'What would be the good of
interfering?'

The Sheriff said nothing, but he was looking so grimly amused that
Marjorie added hastily, 'Why, it doesn't matter! Why shouldn't they
fight if it amuses them? When once you learn to understand boys you
know that it's no use being surprised at anything they do!'

'Allan! Reggie!' Mr. Stewart's voice was calling somewhat
impatiently. 'Go and look for the young ladies and gentlemen, Duncan;
quick, don't lose time, we're late already.'

'Tear me,' observed Duncan, looking at Harry's and Reggie's somewhat
battered faces as they passed; 'so there hass peen a fight between you
two young gentlemen, and Mr. Allan hass been helping you. I wass
thinking from Mr. Allan's looks these last days tat there would pe some
mischief pefore ferry long! It iss ahl right, Miss Marjorie, it iss
ahl right,' he said soothingly, in response to her glance; 'we hev made
the _Kelpie_ an hour and a quarter late, whateffer. That iss ferry
good, although Rob says he will pe thinking it iss a pity that the sea
will not pe going to pe at ahl rough.'

There was only enough breeze to fill the sails as the _Kelpie_ glided
gently towards the island of Erricha. The gulls sat balancing
themselves on the smooth swell of the waves; and as the vessel passed a
low rocky islet a number of seals flopped into the water and swam in
her wake.

'It's awfully nice,' observed Gerald, his blue eyes shining with
enjoyment.

'Yes,' replied Tricksy; 'we've had an awfully jolly day, but I've been
thinking, that all this time