ped to
sleep upon their heather couches.

It was about midnight when Marjorie awoke, aroused by a slight noise,
and the flames from the peats showed her Allan staring in front of him
with wakeful eyes, and listening.

'What is it?' she asked.

'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again--now, hark.'

Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the
grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the
water.

'It's some one coming for us,' she said.

'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.'

Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed.

'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested.

She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some
adventure.

'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes.
Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the
youngsters.'

They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a
little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood
out of doors in the cool quiet night.

'Crouch down, Marjorie, and keep behind the dyke,' said Allan. 'Let's
make certain that it _is_ Neil before we show ourselves.'

By this time the boat was close to the shore, and its occupant sprang
out.

The cloudy moonlight showed the face and figure to be those of Neil.

'Stand up, Marjorie; let him see it's a girl,' said Allan, 'and he'll
know that he's safe.'

Marjorie stood up, and called 'Neil! Hist! Neil!'

The figure turned round.

'Who is that?' asked a voice in Gaelic.

'It's Marjorie, Neil; and Allan.'

Neil carefully secured the boat and came forward.

'What are you doing here, Miss Marjorie, at this time of night? and
Allan too? Has anything happened?'

'We're shipwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the
tide-way,' said Marjorie.

'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe.
Come along.'

They entered very softly, Neil dragging his limbs as though he were
fatigued.

'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes.

'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had
stirred on his heather couch.

'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake. 'He's going
to stay here till morning.'

'Neil?' repeated Harry. 'Oh, I say, what a lark. Gerald, wake up, you
lazy beggar, here's Neil at last--Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he
administered a shove