It turned out afterwards, as I suspected, that Quacco, who was a tolerable fireworker, amongst his other accomplishments, at Flamingo's instigation had beat up some charcoal and gunpowder, moistening the mass well, and filled the tin tube which composed poor Tuncan's queue with it; thus literally converting it into a squib. Great was the amazement of Master Roderick at all this, and loud were his exclamations as his retainer was dragged out of the pond, more dead than alive with fear, and all but choked with mud; seeing, however, that he had been drinking, and, what was more in blackey's favour, his master having been indulging himself, he was, after much entreaty, pleased to send the poor fellow home, instead of clapping him in the stocks. I had noticed that a little mulatto boy, also in a kilt, had been the chief agent in the extrication of poor Tuncan. "Ah, Lachlan," said Mr Frenche to this lad, "when did you return? Why, I thought you were in Scotland!" "So he was," said Rory. "I sent him last fall to my sister in tae Western Highlands, that is married _upon_ tae minister; put she returned tae puir callant py next post, saying she was surprised that I should make no more of sending home my--I'll no say what--and _them_ yellow too, than if _they_ were sae mony tame monkeys--'_and to a minister's hoose_!'--Maype, if they hat na heard of my coffee crop having peen purned in the store, and if I hat no forgotten to say ony thing apoot tae callant's poord, tey wad na hae peen sae straitlaced." It was now getting dark,--the horses had been some time at the door, and we were about saying good-night to Rory and Flamingo, who was to take up his quarters for the evening, in order, as previously arranged, to his having a day's shooting at wild-ducks and pigeons on the morrow, when it suddenly came on to rain, as if a waterspout had burst over head; so the animals were ordered back into the stable, as it was out of the question starting in such a _pour_. We had coffee, and were waiting impatiently for it to clear, but it came down faster and faster, and soon began to thunder and lighten most awfully.