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Updated: September 22, 2025
But if the Almighty would send him to hell, I would be following him there." "Whisht, Hugh," said Macdonald Bhain, in a voice of awe. "It is a terrible word you have said, and may the Lord forgive you." "Forgive me!" echoed his brother, in a kind of frenzy. "Indeed, he will not be doing that. Did not the minister's wife tell me as much?" "No, no," said his brother. "She would not be saying that."
The bee was a great affair, for Macdonald Bhain was held in high regard by the people; and besides this, the misfortune that had befallen his brother, and the circumstances under which it had overtaken him, had aroused in the community a very deep sympathy for him, and people were glad of the opportunity to manifest this sympathy.
As Ranald stood watching the wagons rumbling down the road and out of sight, he felt as if years must have passed since he had received the letter that had laid on him the heavy burden of this sad news. That his uncle, Macdonald Bhain, should have sent the word to him brought Ranald a sense of responsibility that awakened the man in him, and he knew he would feel himself a boy no more.
A few minutes of fierce, eager fighting, and the Glengarry men were all freed and on their feet, all except Black Hugh, who lay groaning in his corner. "Hold, lads!" Macdonald Bhain cried, in his mighty voice. "Stop, I'm telling you." The fighting ceased. "Dan Murphy!" he cried, casting his eye round the room, "where are you, ye son of Belial?"
Then his good little wife began to get ready his long, heavy stockings, his thick mits, his homespun smock, and other gear, for she knew well that soon she would be alone for another winter. Before long the word went round that Macdonald Bhain was for the shanties again, and his men came to him for their orders.
"Afraid?" said LeNoir, wondering that any of that gang should confess to fear. "Yes, afraid of what I would do. But now, tonight, it is gone," said Ranald, simply, "I can't tell you how." "Das mos' surprise!" exclaimed LeNoir. "Ne comprenne pas. I never see lak dat, me!" "Yes, it is wonderful," said Macdonald Bhain. "It is very wonderful. It is the grace of God," he said again.
There was no attempt to explain the "mystery of the Providence," but there was a sublime trust that refused to despair even in the presence of impenetrable darkness. After the minister had gone, Macdonald Bhain took Ranald aside and asked him as to the arrangements for the funeral.
Ranald had no desire to be a farmer, and indeed, when the mortgage was paid there would not be much left. "He will be my son," said Macdonald Bhain to his brother; "and my home will be his while I live." So in every way there was quiet preparation for Macdonald Dubh's going, and when at last the day came, there was no haste or fear.
"Sit down, Mr. LeNoir," said Macdonald Bhain, gravely, pointing to a bench, "and I will be telling you something." LeNoir sat down and waited. "Do you see that young man there?" said Macdonald Bhain, pointing to Ranald. "He is the strongest man in my gang, and indeed, I will not be putting him below myself." Here Ranald protested. "And he has learned to use his hands as I cannot.
"Yon lad will be making as good a man as yourself," said Farquhar, enthusiastically, to Macdonald Bhain, as Ranald drove his team to the stable. "Aye, and a better, pray God," said Macdonald Bhain, fervently, looking after Ranald with loving eyes. There was no child in his home, and his brother's son was as his own.
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