"What!" exclaimed the former, "is there a boat that we can have the use of?" "'Deed is there, a good safe boat too, that can hold the whole of ye. I'll show you where the oars lie after breakfast." "Capital," cried Mr Sudberry, rubbing his hands. "Charming," exclaimed Lucy, with sparkling eyes. Master Jacky expressed his glee with a characteristic cheer or yell, that at once set fire to the easily inflamed spirits of the dogs, causing them to resume their excited gambols and furious barking. This effectually stopped the conversation for five minutes. "I delight in boating," observed Fred, when McAllister had quelled the disturbance. "So do I," said his father; "but fishing is the thing for me. There's nothing like fishing. You have fine trout in the lake, I believe?" "Ay, an' salmon too," answered McAllister. "So I've heard, so I've heard," said Mr Sudberry, with a glow of excitement and pleasure on his round visage. "We must get our rods and tackle unpacked at once, George. You are a great fisher, no doubt, Mr McAllister?" "Well, not just that, but I do manage to fill a basket now and then, an' whiles to land a g'ilse." "A gilse!" cried George in surprise, "what is that?" "It is a small salmon--" "Oh! you mean a grilse," interposed Mr Sudberry. "Yes, I mean that, an' I said that," returned McAllister, slowly and with emphasis. "Scienteefic men are not agreed whether the g'ilse is a small salmon or not; I'm of opeenion that it is. But whether or not, it's a famous fish on the table, and lively enough on the line to delight the heart of every true disciple of Isaac Walton." "What, you have read that charming book?" exclaimed Mr Sudberry, looking at the rugged Highlander in some surprise. "Yes," replied the other, in the grave quiet manner that was peculiar to him; "I took to it one winter as a sort o' recreation, after readin' through `Paley's Evidences.'" "What!" cried Mr Sudberry, "whose Evidences did you say?" "Paley's; ye've heard o' him, dootless." "Why, yes," replied Mr Sudberry, "I have heard of him, but I--I must confess that I have not read him."