"Craftie," said the chief, "is what you are telling me true?" "Ask HER," answered Craftie, who knew that asseveration on her part was not all-convincing. "She speaks the truth, Macruadh," said the other. "I will take my oath to it." "Your word is enough," replied the chief, "--as Craftie knew when she brought you with her." "Please, laird, it was myself brought Craftie; she was not willing to come!" "Craftie," said the chief, "I wish I could make a friend of you! But you know I can't!" "I do know it, Macruadh, and I am sorry for it, many is the good time! But my door never had any latch, and the word is out before I can think to keep it back!" "And so you send another and another to back the first! Ah, Craftie! If purgatory don't do something for you, then--!" "Indeed and I hope I shall fall into it on my way farther, chief!" said Craftie, who happened to be a catholic. "But now," resumed the chief, "when will you be going for the rest of your peats?" "They're sure to be on the watch for us; and there's no saying what they mightn't do another time!" was the indirect and hesitating answer. "I will go with you." "When you please, then, chief." So the next day the poor women went again, and the chief went with them, their guard and servant. If there were any on the watch, they did not appear. The Macruadh fished out their creels, and put them to dry, then helped them to fill those they had borrowed for the occasion. Returning, he carried now the one, now the other creel, so that one of the women was always free. The new laird met them on the road, and recognized with a scornful pleasure the chief bending under his burden. That was the fellow who would so fain be HIS son-in-law! About this time Sercombe and Valentine came again to the New House. Sercombe, although he had of late had no encouragement from Christina, was not therefore prepared to give her up, and came "to press the siege." He found the lady's reception of him so far from cordial, however, that he could not but suspect some new adverse influence. He saw too that Mercy was in disgrace; and, as Ian was gone, concluded there must have been something between them: had the chief been "trying it on with" Christina? The brute was always getting in his way! But some chance of serving him out was certain to turn, up! For the first suitable day Alister had arranged an expedition from the village, with all the carts that could be got together, to bring home as many peats as horses and men and women could together carry. The company was seen setting out, and report of it carried at once to Mr. Palmer; for he had set watch on the doings of the clan. Within half an hour he too set out with the messenger, accompanied by Sercombe, in grim delight at the prospect of a row. Valentine went also, willing enough to see what would happen, though with no ill will toward the chief. They were all furnished as for a day's shooting, and expected to be joined by some of the keepers on their way.