The Morning herald., 1876-06-12
HISTORICAL sK ETCnEs.
ScOtland.i In the Sixteenth Century
The story Of AllAm-0.SOp.
[Tales of q Grandfather

The MacLeans, bold and hardy race,
who, originally, followers of the Lords Of
the Isles, had assumed independence,
seized upon great part both Of the isle Of
Null and the still more valuable island
of Hay, and made war on the MacDonalds
with various success. There is story
belonging to this clan, which may tell
you, as giving another striking picture Of
the manners of the Hebrideans.
The chief of the clan, MacLeah of Quart,
in the isle of Null, had an intrigue with a
beautiful young woman of his own clan,
who bore a son to him. In consequence
of the chilUs being, by some accident,
bora on heap of straw, he received the
name of AlIan-a-Sop, or Allan of the
Straw, by which he was distinguished
from others of his clan. As his father and
mother were not married, Allan was, of
coure, illegitimate, and had no Inheritance
to look for, save that which he might win
for himself.
But the beauty of the boys mother hav-
ing captivated man of rank in the clan,
called MacLean of Torloisk, he married
her, and took her to reside with him at his
castle of Torloisk, situated on the shores
of the sound, or small strait Of the sea,
which divides the smaller island of Ulva
from that of Null Allan-a-Sop paid his
mother frequent visits at her new resi-
dence, and she was naturally glad to see
the poor boy, both from affection, and on
account of his personal strength and
beauty, which distinguished him above
other youths Of his age. But she was
obliged to confer marks of her attachment
on him as privately as she could, for AL
lan's visits were by no means SO accepta-
BILE to her husband as to herself. Indeed,
Torloisk liked so little to see the LAD, that
he determined to put some aflront on him,
which should prevent his returning to the
castle for some time. An opportunity for
executing his purpose soon occurred.
The lady one morning, looking from the
window, saw her son coming wandering
down the hill, and hastened to put a gir-
| die cake upon the fire, that he might have
hot bread for breakfast Something called
her out of the apartment after making this
preparation, and her husband, entering at
the same time, saw at once what she had
been about, and determined to give the
boy such reception as should disgust him
for the future. He snatche d the cake from
the girdle, thrust it into his step-son's
hands, which he forcibly closed on the
scalding bread, saying, "Here Allan-here
! is a cake which your mother has got ready
for your breakfast" Allan's hands were
severely burnt; and, heing a sharp-witted
and proud boy, he resented this mark Of
his step-father's ill-will. and came not
again to Torloisk.
At this time the western seas were cov-
cred with the vessels of pirates, who, not
unlike the Sea-Kings of Denmark at an
early period, sometimes settled and made
conquests on the islands. Allan-a.Sop was
young, strong, and brave to desperation.
/ He entered as mariner on board of one
of these ships, and in process Of time OBJ
tained the command, first of one galley,
then of a small fotilla, with which he
sailed round the seas and collected con-
siderable plunder, until his name became
both feared and famous. At length he
proposed to himself to pay visit to his
mother, whom he had not seen for many
years; and setting sail for this purpose, he
anchored one morning in the Sound OF
Ulya, and in front of the house of Torloisk
, His mother was dead, but his step-father
to whom he was now as much an object o.
= fear as he had been formerly of aversion
hastened to the shore to receive his for
t midabe step-son, with great aflectatior
G of kindness and interest in prosperity
while Allan-aSep, who, though very rougl
! and hasty, does not appear to have beer
!. sullen or vindictive, seemed to take hi
kind reception in good part.
The crafty old man succeeded so we'll
as he thought, in securing Allan's friend
ship, and obliterating all recollections o
the former affront put on him, that h
:. began to think it possible to employ hi
step-son in executing his own private re
venge upon MacQuarrie of Ulva, will
whom, as was usual between such neigh
bors, he had some feud. With this pur
: pose, A offered what he called the follow
: ing good advice to his step-son: IN,
!. dear Allan, you have now wandered owe
h the seas long enough; it is time you shoul
IS have some footing upon land, castle I
a protect yourself in winter, village an
5, cattle for your men, and harbour to la
g up your galleys. Now, here is the islam
of Ulva, near at hand, which lies read
for your occupation, and it will cost yo
1t no trouble, save that of putting to deaf
5, the present proprietor, the Laird of Mac
" Quarrie, useless old earle, who has cum
bered the world long enough"
'' Allan-a-Sop thanked his step-iather fo
= so happy q suggestion which he declare
- he would put in execution forthwith. AZ
! cordingly setting sail the next morning
, he appeared before MacQuarries house a
,. hour before noon. The old chief of Ulv
was much alarmed at the menacing app;
lie rition Of SO many galleys, and his anxiet
le was not lessened by the news that the
were commanded by the redoub'ed Allal
a.Sop. Having no etfecual means of r'
10 Ni.o ,yLn ,,,,, =, ,rr.,