xteenth, and all on Ranald's account, too, I
believe."

Mrs. Murray sat in silent and bitter disappointment. She had expected
much from Ranald. Her husband went on with his tale.

"It seems there was an old quarrel between young Aleck McRae and Ranald,
over what I cannot find out; and young Angus McGregor, who will do
anything for a Macdonald, must needs take Ranald's part, with the result
that that hot-headed young fire-eater Aleck McRae must challenge the
whole clan McGregor. So it was arranged, on Sunday morning, too, mind
you, two weeks ago, after the service, that six of the best of each side
should meet and settle the business. Of course Ranald was bound to be
into it, and begged and pleaded with the McGregors that he should be one
of the six; and I hear it was by Yankee's advice that his request was
granted. That godless fellow, it seems, has been giving Ranald daily
lessons with the boxing-gloves, and to some purpose, too, as the fight
proved. It seems that young Aleck McRae, who is a terrible fighter,
and must be forty pounds heavier than Ranald, was, by Ranald's especial
desire and by Yankee's arrangement, pitted against the boy, and by
the time the fight was over, Ranald, although beaten and bruised to
a 'bloody pulp,' as Long John said, had Aleck thoroughly whipped. And
nobody knows what would have happened, so fierce was the young villain,
had not Peter McGregor and Macdonald Bhain appeared upon the scene. It
appears Aleck had been saying something about Maimie, Long John did not
know what it was; but Ranald was determined to finish Aleck up there and
then. It must have been a disgusting and terrible sight; but Macdonald
Bhain apparently settled them in a hurry; and what is more, made them
all shake hands and promise to drop the quarrel thenceforth. I fancy
Ranald's handling of young Aleck McRae did more to bring about the
settlement than anything else. What a lot of savages they are!"
continued the minister. "It really does not seem much use to preach to
them."

"We must not say that, my dear," said his wife, but her tone was none
too hopeful. "I must confess I am disappointed in Ranald. Well," she
continued, "we can only wait and trust."

From Hughie, who had had the story from Don, and who had been pledged to
say nothing of it, she learned more about the fight.

"It was Aleck's fault, mother," he said, anxious to screen his hero.
"He said something about Maimie, that Don wouldn't tell me, at the
bl