Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-11-14
THE MAIDEN'S LEAP.

cum hdu suhh Dehfnd Ben Nevis
towering triple peak, and the mountain
cast deep shadow over the castle of In.
veriochy and far out upon the placid blue
waters Of Lochiel.
A merry group of Highland lads and
iasses were congregated upon the preen-
sward hefore the castles walls. threading
with joyous steps the maZes of the dapca
10 the inspiring notes of the shrill bappine
All was mirth and glee, when an un-
toward accident disturbed the harmony of
the scene. A band of Highlanders de-
scended the mountain pass, driving before
them herd of cattle. A bull, shaggy and
untamei, broke from the herd, and with
lerocious below dashed toward the circle
of dancers
With shrill cries they broke up their
sport and fled in all directions. The in
furiateo animal singled out one fair girl
probably attracted by her scarf, the Ore.
vailing color of which was red, and closely
pursued her.
Though fear lent her wings, the ss,l
beast gained upon her. He was close at
her heels, his head leveled for the plunge.
when a tall Highlander spraug before the
lying ri, grasped the bull by the horns
ana with dexterous movement hurled
the huge animal upon its back Ere il
could rise to its feet again, the drovers.
who had been swarming to the rescue of
the girl, bound it securely with cords
When goaded to its feet again. the bull
moaned plaintively, and looked around be-
wlidered and subdued by its rough tumble.
The villagers of lnverlochy thronged
around the man who had performed this
great fe&t of muscular strength, and the
fair girl he had saved timidly thanked her
iall
him, for II was now perceived that he did
not wear The tartan of the Campbells, and
was ST ranger.
He was Il boy in years, not over twenty.
and yet fully developed, standing full six
feet four inches in height, clad in Highland
costume. which displayed his well proper
toned form to great advantage, and wear
ing an eagles feather in his bonnet. the
symbol OF chief. His target, or shield,
round as the MOON" covered with OK
hide and studded with brass knobs, hung
around ais neck. The hilt of a huge two
handed claymore peeped from under his
left arm, and long dirk rested in the
sheath upon his right thigh. Clad in this
picturesque garb, with long flowing locks
OF light brown hair, rudy complexion
and bright blue eye, he was fine type of
those ancient warriors of the Gael whom
the bare Ossian has immortaliZed in song
What is thy name, pretty lassiet" he
asked tie girl, when she had thanked him
for the good service and stolen glance of
admiration at the frank, open face and
stalwart form of her preserver.
Il am called Annie of Lochiel'' she an
swered, timidly, yet with a sweet smile
that had a strange fascination for the
young Highlander, who found it impossi-
bic to W thdraw his gaze from that win
ming face
"Are on Cameron of the Clan Loeb
iel?' he asked, eagerly, and with interest.
Not she," broke in one of the men of
Inverloc by, who wore the badge of an I'M
der chic. She is Campbell and we call
her Annie of Lochiel because she was born
by yondcr water. Her mother was Me
Lean; sac died when Annie was an infant;
Her father was Duncan Campbell, laird of
Morven, and he was slain by the Gordons
of Hunt ey in the raid of Garioch There's
her history in a nutshell. that tell it to
you am Malcolm MacPhie, captain of In
verlochy, and now, my Draw gillie, who
are you:"
The Highlander reared his tall form
with Eaughty pride as he replied:
Il am Alaster Macdonald, son of Coll
of-the-left hand. chieftain OF Mingarry and
kintyre
a buzz went around the circle at these
words. The MacDonalds were bold and
warlike clan. and Coll-of-t hc- left hand was
not unknown to fame.
Il have heard of the chieftain of Kin
tyre" returned Malcolm MacPhie. but
why do uhey call him OF the left hand.'"
FAITH ] know not" answered Alaster
carelessly, unless it be that he can WELD
his claymore as well with the left hand as
with the right"
A murnur of admiration greeted this
announcement. Strength of limb and
skill in arms were considered great virtues
in those warlike days.
Come, Alaster," cried Malcolm. his
heart won by the bold bearing of the
young Highlander Thou has preserved
our fairest maiden from a cruel death
Bide wit Ii me in Inverlochy for a few days
and taste the hospitality of our ancient
castle"
There is no feud between our Clans"
returned Alaster, land | accept your Of
fer
They entered the castle together.
Malice IN MacPhie had cause 10 rue the
hospital ty which had induced him to in
vite the Young Highland chieftain to enter
the wal S of Castle Inverlochy. 1t soon
became apparent to others besides himself
that the bold Alaster had found favor in
the eyes of pretty Annie of Lochiel. A
strong affection seemed to have arisen at
the first meeting of this young pair, an af-
lection which their eyes were not slow to
confess, and which was revealed in elo-
quent glances.
Malcolm had detected more than one of
these chances as he dispensed the hospital
ity of the castle, and he resolved in his own
mind tn 1T Alaster should not bide long at
Inverlochy. He prevented all chances of
converse ton between them until 1t was
time for Annie to retire for the night. He
then invited Aiaster to walk with him upoa
the bat Elements. and pointed out the
strength of the castle.
A taper cleaned from low turreted
window that looked out upon the parapet.
"Wbo occupies yon chamber asked
Aiaster.
aAnnis of Lochiel, replied Malcolm.
"A wins lassie" responded Aiaster
warmly. 81 would could persuade her to
- --.:.L - into tho land of kinfyre and