Part 29 (1/2)

'Nonsense, man,' returned Mr Stewart; 'call this a heavy sea? I never saw a better sea in my life Tell Duncan to put her head south-east by south'

But Duncan had taken the helainst the wind

'It iss ta cross currents, sir,' said Rob 'Yo-ho there! Slack theoff the rope before they had realised what they were about

The vessel gave a plunge or two and then steadied herself, Duncan standing with a griht now, sir,' said Rob co her back to catch a wind tat will tek her to Corrachin after this'

Dr MacGregor was looking surprised

'I can't think what ails theunusual in the appearance of the sea so far as I can ht to knoell as they can'

'Successful rinned

Mr Graham walked to the side and looked down at the water, but did not take it upon hih the felloere keeping so back,' continued Mr Stewart

'Perhaps it's one of their Highland superstitions,' suggested Mrs

Stewart 'I wouldn't take any more notice if I were you'

Silence fell as the _Kelpie_ glided past the caves The vessel passed near enough for those on board to look into the yawning hollows beneath the overhanging cliffs, and to hear the thunder of the angry sea which always beat upon that shore

Marjorie and the boys felt a luht of the coe in that desolate spot

CHAPTER XII

SURROUNDED

'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr

Grahao fishi+ng for crabs!'

'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgetywith so to do'

'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishi+ng Coie We ht ask Duncan to put some provisions in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper Let's hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon'

The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft

Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, ca up their ears