The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-10-04
600 oOCo COCO oEEo oE3o oC3o oC
; ReHIGHLAND
3 LOVERS ~

The sun had sunk behind Ben Nevis
towering triple peak, and the mountain
| cast a deep shadow over the castle Of In
verlochy and far out upon the placid blue
waters Of Lochiel.
A merry group Of highland lads and
lasses were congregated upon the green
| sward before the castles walls, threading
with joyous steps the maZes Of the dance,
to the inspiring notes of the shrill bag
| pipe.
All was mirth and glee. when an I'M
toward accident disturbed the harmony of
the scene. A band of highlanders de-
scended the mountain pass, driving before
them a herd of cattle. A bull, shaggy
| and unframed, broke from the herd and
| with a ferocious below dashed toward
the circle of dancers.
With shrill cries they broke up their
sport and fled in all directions. The in
furiated animal singled out one fair girl.
probably attracted by her scarf, the pre-
vailing color of which was red, and close
~ pursued her.
Though fear lent her wings, the mad
beast gained upon her. He was close at
| her heels, his head leveled for the plunge,
when tall highlander sprang before the
flying girl, grasped the bull by the horns
and, with a dexterous movement, hurled
the huge animal upon its back. Ere it
could rise to its feet again the drovers,
who had been swarming to the rescue Of
the girl, bound 1t securely with cords.
When goaded to its feet again. the bull
moaned paintively and looked around be.
wildered and subdued by its rough tum-
bic.
The villagers Of Inverlochy thronged
around the man who had performed this
great feat of muscular strength. and the
fair girl he had saved timidly thanked
her deliverer. They all gazed curiously
upon him. for 1t was now perceived that
he did not wear the tartan of the Camp
bells and was a stranger.
He was a hoy in years, not over TWEEN
ty. and yet fully developed. standing full
6 feet inches in height. clad in highland
costume, which displayed his well proper
toned form to great advantage. and
wearing an eagles feather in his bonnet,
the symbol of a chief. His target, or
shield, "round as the moon," covered with
OK hide and studded with brass knobs.
hung around his neck. The hilt of 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, a rudy complexion
and bright blue eye. he was fine type
Of those ancient warriors Of the Gael
whom the bard Ossian has immortalized
| in song.
What is thy name. pretty lassieT" he
asked the girl. when she had thanked him
for the good service and stolen a glance
of admiration at the frank, open face and
| 80 Lo,
81 am called Annie Of Lochiel," she an
swered timidly, yet with sweet smile
that had a strange fascination for the
young highlander, who found it impossi
BILE to withdraw his gaze from that win
ming face.
Are you a Cameron Of the Clan Loeb
| iel?' he asked eagerly and with interest.
"Not she" broke in one of the men Of
Inrerlochy, who wore the badge Of an
under chief "She is Campbell. and we
cali her Annie of Loche because she was
born by yonder water. Her mother was
a Mclean: she died when Annie was an
infant. Her father was Duncan Camp
bell, laird of Morven. and he was slain
by the Gordons of Huntley in the raid Of
Garioch. There's her history in a nut
shell. that tell it to you am Malcolm
my Draw gilie, who are your"
The highlander reared his tall form
with naughty pride as he replied:
II am Alaster Macdonald. son Of Coll
of-the-left- hand. chieftain Of Mingarry
and Kintyrr."
A buzz went around the circle at these
words The MacDonalds were a bold
| and warlike clan. and Coll-of-the-left
| hand was not unknown to fame.
II have heard Of the chieftain of Kin
tyre" returned Malcolm MacIhie. but
why do they call him of the left handT :"
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 murmur 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 hast preserved
our fairest maiden from a cruel death.
Bide with me in Inverlochy for a few
days and taste the hospitality Of our an
| cient castle"
"There is no feud between our clans, "
returned Alaster, land ! accept your OF
fer"
They entered the castle together.
Malcolm MacPhie had cause to rue the
hospitality which had induced him to in
yite the young highland chipftain to ell
ter the walls of Castle Inverlochy. i,
soon became apparent to others besides
himselt that the bold Alaster had found
favor in the eyes of pretty Annie Of Loeb,
iel A strong affection seemed toe have
arisen at the first meeting Of this young
pair, an affection which their eyes were
not slow TO confess and which was re.
vealed in eloquent glances.
Malcolm had detected more than one OF
these glances as he dispensed the hospi
tality of the castle, and he resolved in his
own mind that Alaster should not bide
long at Inverlochy. He prevented ar
chances of conversation between them
until it was time for Annie to retire fol
the night. He then invited Alaster to
walk with him upon the battlements and
pointed out the strength Of the castle.