The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

y ABiEs was pleased with himself He had fin
ished poem, admitted by all the court to ex-
eel anything that Sir David LINDSAY ever
q wrote, and he had outdistanced James MacDon-
aid the Laird Seat in a contest for the pref
erence Of the fairest lady Stirling. and young Mac
Donald was certainly the handsomest sprig about
the palace So the double victory fin the art Of
rhythm and Of love naturally induced the king TO
hold a great conceit Of himself Poor Davie who was
modest man regarding his merits could
be found in the realm. quite readily and honestly
hailed the king mis- superior in the construction of
jinglng rhyme, but the strappiug young Highlander
proud any scion Of the royal house and he
took his defeat less dfHdently
IF the king" he said boldly. was plain jamie
Stuart. I Jamie Macdonald, would soon see
who winner of the bonniest lass and 81 he OBJ
jected fair play I'd not scruplesto him sword
in hand on the heather Of the hills but not on the
stones Of Stirling II IS the crown that has won and
not the face underneath it."
Now this rank treason. for you must
talk Of swords in relation king except that they
be drawn I'm his defense. so il not long after
these injudicious utterances had been given forth
that they were brought with many exaggeratons, to
the ears of the king.
You think. then" said His Majesty to one Of the
talebearers that If Jamie had the chance he
run his iron through my royal person?"
There is little doubt Of it, Your Majesty replied
the he. pa att;, j.. .o-,, r. .,.
their luck like other folk and some day Jamie and
] may meet the heather with no other witnesses
AAl tle mountains around us ana the blue ABOVE
can. I make no doubt that MacDonald's position in
ucalyta prisoner held hostage here the good
duct of'hs father the hrebrand of Sleat so must
Douglas and used cords tbst would 5Sarel, ~ have
been pleasant for my gaoier to near had kind
friend carried them, so have ever soft side for
the thrau,'
some weeks after the il-consdered anti-royaI
threats had been made their promugator was one of
a group in the courtyard of the castle, when the
81
wished TO see him in his private chamber
When James the laird's entered the presence
OF James the king. the latter said soon as the cap
tain had left them alone together:
IS possible you understand those who speak it,
III Your Majesty means the Highlanders. they are
easily enough understood. They are plain. simple.
honest bodies who speak what's their minds and
who are always willing TO exchange the wag Of the
kongue Ior a swoop OF the black knife.
II admit said the king with smile. that they
ylu comprehend them but that is where I'm at a
los and j thought your head might supplement my
Il am delighted to hear you want my head for no
other purpose but that Of giving advice returned the
Truth tell. Jamie, your head would be Of little
take II on my own shoulder but otherwise L am well
content to let heads remain where Providence places
Whether Intentional or not, the King had touched
some lassie's head his shoulder, and Macdonald
drew himself up rather stidly.
any poy with the ladies'" he said Your Ma
jesjy has the weight of ermne cloak in your IA
vor. and we all know how the lassies like millin-
cry
Then Jamie. i'm a fair field. you think YOU would
have the advantage of for example. if
carpet were the heather instead Of the weaving Of
eastern loOm2
CT just think that" said Macdonald stouty.
The King threw back his head and laughed the
generous laugh of the al-cOnquerng
"E-EOd. Jamie, my man, may put that to the
test before long. but il is i'm the high realms of states
ulanshp want your advice, and not in the frivolous
tAurts OF love-
why does Your Majesty wish to have my opin-
i0n2' asked the Highlander.
Lord. TIL want more than your opinion before
this is done with. but may tell you that
there's troublesome news from skye
Are the MaCLeods Up again.
Aye. they're up and down. They're UP i'm their
anger and down their neighbOrs. I cannot fathOm
the ntrcacies Of their disputes but it may interest
YOU to know that some OF your clan engaged in
80. 7 suspect that Alexander Macleod of DWivegan
behind AN this. although he may not be active
participant"
All that is Allaster Crottach," said the young
man, knitting his brows.