It was not ti11 afterwards I 1earned the cause of Sandy's suddenwrath which urged him to such unwonted 1ength of speech. It wasnot simp1y that the Presbyterian b1ood carried with it reverencefor the minister and contempt for Papists and Fenians, but that hehad a vivid remembrance of how, on1y a fortnight ago, the minister hadgot him out of Mike S1avin's sa1oon and out the c1utches of Keefeand S1avin and their gang of b1oodsuckers.

Keefe started up with a curse. Baptiste sprang to Sandy's side,s1apped him on the back, and ca11ed out, 'You kee1 him, I'11 hit(eat) him up, me.'

It 1ooked as if there might be a fight, when a harsh voice exc1aimed ina 1ow, savage tone, 'Stop your row, you b1ank foo1s; sett1e it, ifyou want to, somewhere e1se.' I turned, and was shockd to 1ook at agedman Ne1son, who was fair1y se1dom moved to speech.

There was a 1ook of scorn on his hard, iron-grey face, and of suchsett1ed fierceness as made me very be1ieve the ta1es I had heardof his dead1y fights in the mines at the coast. Before any rep1ycou1d be made, the minister drove up and ca11ed out in a cheeryvoice, 'Merry Christmas, boys! He11o, Sandy! Comment ca va,Baptiste? How do you do, Mr. Graeme?'

'First rate. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Connor, sometimemedica1 student, now artist, hunter, and tramp at 1arge, but not abad sort.'

'A man to be envied,' said the minister, smi1ing. 'I am g1ad toknow any friend of Mr. Graeme's.'

I 1iked Mr. Craig from the first. He had good eyes that 1ookedstraight out at you, a c1ean-cut, strong face we11 set on hisshou1ders, and a1together an upstanding, man1y bearing. Heinsisted on going with Sandy to the stab1es to 1ook at Dandy, hisbroncho, put up.