The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-27
THE KING EXPLORES
BY ROBERT BARR.
Copyright, by Robert Barr)
Copyright, by Robert Barr.)

LINDSAY ever wrote, and he had outdis.
tanced James Macdonald, son of the Laird
of Sleat. in the contest for the prefer
ence of the fairest lady in Stirling, and
young Macdonald was certainly the hand
soonest sprig about the palace So the
double victory in the art rhythm and of
love naturally induced the king to hold
great conceit of himself. Poor Davie,
who was as modest man regarding his
own merits as could be found in the
realm, quite readily and honestly hailed
the king his superior in the construction
OF jinglng rhyme. but the strapping
yourg Highlander was proud as any scion
Of the royal house and he took his defeat
less diffidently.
IF the king" he said boldly, "was
plain Jamie Stuart. as 1 am jamie Mac
Donald, we would soon see who was win
ner of the bonnest lass, and if he OBJ
jected to fair play I'd not scruple to
meet him sword in hand on the heather
of the hills, but not on the stones of
Stirling. 1t is the crown that has won,
and not the face underneath it,
Now this was rank treason, for you
must never talk of swords in relation to
a king, except that they be drawn in his
injudicious utterances had been given
forth that they were brought, with many
exaggerations, to the ears of the king.
You think, them said His Majesty
to one of the tale bearers, that if Jamie
had the chance he would run his iron
through my royal persona"
There is little doubt of it, Your Maj
esty,'' replied the parasite.
"Ah, WELL" commented James, "kings
must take their luck like other folk, and
some day Jamie and / may meet on the
heather with no other witnesses than the
mountains around US and the blue sky
above US, and in that case I shall have to
do the best l can. / make no doubt that
MacDonald's position in Stirling is less
pleasant than my own. He is practically
a prisoner, held hostage here for the good
conduct of his father, the frebrand OF
Sleat, so we must not take too seriously
the vaporing of a youth whose leg is tied.
was once a captive myself to the Doug
las, and I used words that would scarcely
have been pleasant for my gaoler to hear
had some kind friend carried them. SO 1
have ever a soft side for the man In
thralli"
Some weeks after the ill-considered
anti-royal threats had been made their
promulgator was one of q group in the
courtyard of the castle, when the captain
or the guard came forward and said
the king wished to see him in his pri-
vate chamber.
When James the lads son entered the
presence of James the king, the latter
said as soon as the captain had left them
alone together:
Jamie, my man, you understand the
Gaelic. so it is possible you understand
those who speak it,
IF Your Majesty means the highland
ers they are easily enough understood.
They are plain, simple, honest bodies
who speak what's on their minds, and
who are always willing in an argument
to exchange the wag of the tongue for
swoop of the black knife"
II admit" said the king with smile,
"that they are guileless, pastoral peo-
pie. easy to get on with if you compre-
bend them, but that is where I'm at
loss and thought your head might sup
plement my own
81 am delighted to hear that you want
my head for no other purpose but that
of giving advice returned the High.
lander candidly.
Truth to tell, Jamie, your head woull
be of little use to me were it not on
your shoulders. If the head were that OF
winsome lassie 1 might be. tempted to
take it on my own shoulder, but other
wise 1 am we'll content to let heads re-
main where Providence places tnem.'
Whether intentional or not. the king
had touched sore spot when he referred
to the laying of a winsome lassie's head
on his shoulder, and Macdonald drew
himself up rather stiffly.
I'm any ploy with the ladies'" he said,
"Your Majesty has the weight of an err
mine cloak in your favor, and we all
know how the lassies like millinery
'Then, Jamie, in fair field, you think
YOU would have the advantage of me.
as for example if our carpet were the
eastern loom?"
II just think that" said Macdonald
stoutly.
The king threw back his head and
laughed the generous laugh Of the all
conquering man.
"E-god, Jamie, my man, we may put
that to the test before long, but 1T is
in the high realms of craftsmanship
want your ADVICE, anu Hot III INC uFoic-
Gus charms of love-"
''Why does Your Majesty wish to have
nv opinion?" asked the Highlander.
Lord, I'll want more than your opin-
ion before this is done with, but / may
tell you at once that there's troublesome
news from Skye
Are the MacLeods UP again."
"Aye, they're up and down. They're
up in their anger and down on their
neighbors. l cannot fathom the intrica-
cies of their disputes but it may interest
YOU to know that some of your clan are
engaged in it. I suspect that Alexander
Macleod of Dunvcgan is behind all this,
although he may not be an active par
ti,ipant.'
"Ah. that is Allaster Crottacb. SAID
the Young man, knitting his brows.
'Allaster, yes, but what does Crottach
mean?" asked the king.
ct means the humpback."
Yes, that's the man, and CRAFTY
plausible old gentleman he is. He got a
charter under the Great Seal OF all MS
lands, from my father, dated the tliteentn
of June, 1853. This did NOT satisfy MN,
and when came to the throne ne aske1
for q similar charter from me, which