think the island won't
be sorry to see the last of him, though. He hasn't lived with his
tribe for weeks. He had a den of his own in the banks of the burn that
flows past our house; a queer place, far up in the hills.'

'Look,' said Reggie, 'that must be the gipsies' boat over there, off
the south side of the island; and a little boat is going out to it with
some of their things.'

'And there are the carts going down,' said Allan; 'it won't be long
before the camp is broken up.'

'Pity we couldn't go gipsying for a little while,' observed Marjorie;
'just for the summer. It would be such fun wandering about from place
to place. But look at the tide coming up in Cateran Bay; the waves are
dashing on the shore and making the most beautiful foam. Would there
be time for us to go down to the beach for a little while?'

'Plenty,' said Hamish; 'Mother doesn't expect us before one o'clock.'

'Come along, then,' said Marjorie; 'let's run;' and they all raced down
to the shore, Laddie with them, the dog jumping with all four paws off
the ground, and barking in anticipation of sport.

Breeze and tide together were flinging up little breakers which curled
on the shore and then retreated, only to be sent up again by the next
roller. A fascinating game was to run down to the very edge of a
retreating wave, with one's toes almost within the line of foam; to
wait until it gathered itself up again, and then fly to avoid being
overtaken by the water which came hissing and bubbling over the pebbles.

Laddie, after watching the fun for a minute or two, suddenly rushed off
with a bark, and returned dragging a huge flat stone which he deposited
at Allan's feet; then he stood eagerly waiting, making a variety of
signs to show Allan that he expected him to do something with it.

'Fetch, Laddie!' said Allan, throwing the stone as far as he could.

Laddie uttered a joyful yelp and sprang after it, returning with it in
his mouth to ask Allan to throw it again.

'Laddie, fetch!' cried Allan, throwing it into the sea this time, and
Laddie plunged into the water and came back dripping.

He laid down the stone and shook himself, to the great inconvenience of
Marjorie; then he jumped about, baying for Allan to throw the stone
once more.

The shouts and laughter and Laddie's barking were making a tumult which
vied with the noise of wind and waves, when Hamish touched Allan's arm
and pointed to the sky.

'Oh, I say,' said Allan, 'w