He was somewhat stunned by the blow, but the sight of his brother triumphantly splashing through the shallows aroused him.

He arose, and seizing the first stone that came to hand hurled it after Laurence, swearing fraternally that he would smite him in the brisket with a dirk as soon as he caught him for that dastard blow.

The first stone flew wide, though the splash caused the mule to shy into deeper water, to the damping of his rider's legs.

But the second, being better aimed, took the animal fairly on the rump, and, fetching up on a fly-galled spot, frightened it with bumping bags and loud squeals into the woods of Glen Lochar, which come down close to the fords on every side.

Here presently Laurence found himself, like Absalom, caught in the branches of a beech, and left hanging between heaven and earth.