It really was not till afterwards I learned the cause of Sandy's suddenwrath which urged him to such unwonted length of speech. It really wasnot simply that the Presbyterian blood carried with it reverencefor the minister and contempt for Papists and Fenians, but that hehad a vivid remembrance of how, only a month ago, the minister hadgot him out of Mike Slavin's saloon and out the clutches of Keefeand Slavin and their gang of bloodsuckers.

Keefe started up with a curse. Baptiste sprang to Sandy's side,slapped him on the back, and called out, 'You keel him, I'll hit(eat) him up, me.'

It looked as if there might be a fight, when a harsh voice exclaimed ina low, savage tone, 'Stop your row, you blank fools; settle it, ifyou want to, somewhere else.' I turned, and was amazed to see very oldman Nelson, who was somewhat seldom moved to speech.

There was a look of scorn on his hard, iron-grey face, and of suchsettled fierceness as made me quite believe the tales I had heardof his deadly fights in the mines at the coast. Before any replycould be made, the minister drove up and called out in a cheeryvoice, 'Merry Christmas, boys! Hello, Sandy! Comment ca va,Baptiste? How do you do, Mr. Graeme?'

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

'A man to be envied,' exclaimed the minister, smiling. 'I am glad toknow any friend of Mr. Graeme's.'

I liked Mr. Craig from the first. He had good eyes that lookedstraight out at you, a clean-cut, strong face well set on hisshoulders, and altogether an upstanding, manly bearing. Heinsisted on going with Sandy to the stables to see Dandy, hisbroncho, put up.