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The bold Dick, who had caught the infection, stoutly refused to yield either. His life was dear to him, but a soda scone considerably dearer. He had rather be dead than hungry. "Then die, traitor!" said Andra, throwing down his bag, all forgetful of Winsome Charteris's precious parcel and his promises thereanent. So these two brave champions had at one another with most surprising valour.
His eyes fell before the question as though he were guilty. "Aye, it's jist that," he said with simple sorrow; "I came for ye both." The two turned and retraced their steps at his side. Andrew Johnstone was the first to speak. "He's no gone, Peter?" he asked, with more than his usual sternness. "Aye," said the other in a whisper, "that's jist it, Andra, he's gone."
Sandy's fiddling and dancing went on uninterruptedly, parallel with his Christian Endeavour meetings. Wee Andra was even more irreverent than formerly and Donald showed no signs of an added desire to enter the ministry. Donald's case was particularly disappointing. He wanted Donald to sit at his young pastor's feet and learn the lesson of true consecration.
Ralph had the same thought. So in a few moments they traced the whole plot to its origin. It was a fit product of the impish brain of Jess Kissock. Jess had sent the false note of appointment to Ralph by Andra, knowing that he would be so exalted with the contents that he would never doubt its accuracy.
"Oh, and it will be you, Andra," he said, "Oh yes, yes, it will be time to be going, indeed." Collie came sadly and limply to the gate and watched them depart. He was a wise dog, and knew that when his master wore a black suit and carried two books, dogs were not wanted.
Their dress betokened plainness of nature, though that of the Australian might indicate prosperity. Both would seem uncultured, except in heart. "A speecial occasion!" cried the one addressed as Gavin, "a speecial occasion! I should say it is verra speecial! It's twa an' forty years sin we claspit ane anither's hand man, Andra, friendship's sweet, an' God's guid!
mind ye that, we twa hae paidl't i' the burn an' it's flowin' yet, an' God's gey guid here's to ye, Andra," and the men drank together, the elder and the unordained, but the past was sacred to them both and childhood's tears came back to make that past complete. About an hour later, Andrew and Gavin passed out through the adjoining room. They came upon Mr.
Fraser, in her never failing kindness of heart, went to tell his bereaved sister, while Wee Andra drove off to Lake Oro to find Donald and Sandy. All day the neighbours came in, silently and sorrowfully, to see the man who had saved the village and to speak of the brave deed he had done at such cost. But none of all the crowd guessed at the meaning of the sacrifice, except one man.
But that was exactly what Splinterin' Andra intended to do; failing that, he determined to carry his old threat of violence into effect, rather than allow the desecration. He grew fiercer and more resolute every day, and yet in spite of his strength it was plain that at last he was approaching defeat. Duncan Polite strove to bring about a peaceable settlement. He counselled yielding.
The idea had been Mr. Egerton's and had been planned by him with great care. He felt that the sight would be inspiring enough to please even Splinterin' Andra. For the ruling elder looked with dark disfavour upon any prominent performance by children and his young minister was rather anxious as to the effect the programme would have upon him.
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