folk have to make their own laws?... So my plan is that the lot of us
get into the House and form a garrison. If you don't, the tinklers
will come back and you'll no' beat them in the daylight."

"I doubt no'," said Dougal. "But what about our meat?"

"We must lay in provisions. We'll get what we can from Mrs. Morran,
and I've left a big box of fancy things at Dalquharter station.
Can you laddies manage to get it down here?"

Dougal reflected. "Ay, we can hire Mrs. Sempill's powny, the same
that fetched our kit."

"Well, that's your job to-morrow. See, I'll write you a line to
the station-master. And will you undertake to get it some way
into the House?"

"There's just the one road open--by the rocks. It'll have to be done.
It CAN be done."

"And I've another job. I'm writing this telegram to a friend in Glasgow
who will put a spoke in Mr. Loudon's wheel. I want one of you to go to
Kirkmichael to send it from the telegraph office there."

Dougal placed the wire to Mr. Caw in his bosom. "What about yourself?
We want somebody outside to keep his eyes open. It's bad strawtegy to
cut off your communications."

Dickson thought for a moment. "I believe you're right. I believe
the best plan for me is to go back to Mrs. Morran's as soon as the