It had not escaped the father's jealous eye that Big Mack Cameron found occasion for many a visit to the boys on an evening when the day's work was done, and that from the meetings he found his shortest way home round by the McGregor's.

At first the old man was very gruff with him, and was for sending him about his business, but his daughter's happy face, and the light in her eyes, that could mean only one thing, made him pause, and after a long and sleepless night, he surprised his daughter the next morning with a word of gentle greeting and an unusual caress, and thenceforth took Big Mack to his heart.

Not that any word or explanation passed between them; it had not come to that as yet; but Big Mack felt the change, and gave him thenceforth the obedience and affection of a son.
The old man was standing in the yard, waiting to help with the milking.
Ranald drove the cows in, and then, tying up the horses, went straight to him.
"I bring bad news, Mr.McGregor," he said, anxious to get done with his sad task.

"There has been an accident on the river, and Mack Cameron is drowned." "What do you say, boy ?" said Peter, in a harsh voice.
"He was trying to save a Frenchman, and when they got him out he was dead," said Ranald, hurrying through his tale, for he saw the two figures coming up the lane and drawing nearer.
"Dead!" echoed the old man.

"Big Mack! God help me." "And they will be wanting a team," continued Ranald, "to go to Cornwall to-morrow." The old man stood for a few moments, looking stupidly at Ranald.