" Mournful
and weird it sounded through the gloom, but upon the hearts of these
Highlanders it fell like a soothing balm. With a wave of his hand Mack
indicated a seat, which Fatty took without a word. Irrepressible though
he was, he had all the instincts of a true gentleman. He knew it was the
time for silence, and silent he stood till the Lament had run through
its "doubling" and its "trebling," ending with the simple stately
movement of its original theme. To Fatty it was a mere mad and
unmelodious noise, but, reading the faces of the three men before him in
the moonlight, he had sense enough to recognise his own limitations.
At length the Lament was finished and Cameron came forward into the
light.
"Ah! That iss good for the soul," said old piper Sutherland. "Do you
know what your pipes have been saying to me in yon Lament?
'Yea, though I walk through Death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.'
And we have been in the valley thiss day."
Mack rose to his feet.
"I could not have said it myself, but, as true as death, that is the
word for me."
"Well," said Fatty, rising briskly, "I guess you are all right, Mack. I
confess I was a bit anxious about you, but--"
"There is no need," said Mack gravely.
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