if the weather was not
likely to improve, the laird hurried his party down to the boat.
Waterproofs were put on, umbrellas were put up, the sails were hoisted,
and the boat put off.

"I fear the sea is very rough," remarked Milly Moss, drawing close to
Aggy Anderson, so as to shelter her somewhat from the driving rain.

"Oo, ay; it iss a wee rough," assented Ian, who now took the helm; "but
we wull soon rin ower. Haud you the main sheet, Mr Mabberly, an' pe
ready to let co when I tell ye. It iss a wee thing squally."

It was indeed a little more than a "wee thing squally," for just then a
vivid flash of lightning was seen to glitter among the distant crags of
the Eagle Cliff. This was followed by a loud clap of thunder, which,
leaping from cliff to crag, reverberated among the mountains with a
succession of crashes that died away in ominous mutterings. At the same
time a blue line towards the nor'-east indicated an approaching squall.

"Had we not better take in a reef, Ian?" asked the laird anxiously.

"We had petter weather the pint first," said the boatman; "efter that
the wund wul pe in oor favour, an'--but, ye're richt. Tak in a reef,
Roderick an' Tonal'. Mind the sheet, Mr Mabberly, an' sit low in the
poat, poys."

These orders were promptly obeyed, for the squall was rushing down the
loch very rapidly. When it burst on them the boat leaned over till her
lee gunwale almost ran under water, but Ian was a skilful boatman, and
managed to weather the point in safety.

After that, as he had said, the wind was more favourable, enabling them
to run before it. Still, they were not out of danger, for a wide
stretch of foaming sea lay between them and the shores of Kinlossie,
while a gathering storm was darkening the sky behind them.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

STIRRING EVENTS OF MORE KINDS THAN ONE.

The squall which blew the Kinlossie boat round the Eagle Point was but
the precursor of a succession of heavy squalls which quickly changed
into a furious gale, compelling Ian Anderson to close reef his sails.
Even when this was done, the boat rushed through the foaming water with
tremendous velocity, and exhibited that tendency to drinking, to which
reference has already been made; for every time she plunged into the
trough of the sea, a little water came over the bow.

Of course, going as they were at such a rate, the traversing of six or
eight miles of water occupied but little time, and they were soon close