The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-10

no longer, so without glancirg at his
visitor he said:
Perhaps you sir. can tell me the
rurport of all this display"
"Assuredly." answered the King with
a trace of sterness in his tone that had
hitherto been absent in his converse with
his taller. The feet comes at the COM
mand of the King to take away your
prisoners. if they are unframed, or to bat
ter down your castle if they have been
nolested''
Il suppose then I should be thankful
they are unharmedT
you have reason" said the King
shortly.
His Majesty must set great value on
your heads If he sends his whole fleet 10
succor YOU"
He does"
How did he know you were here it
you did not break your parole and COM
municate with StirllnG?''
1.-THE King knows there is more going
on in Skye than the making OF strong
drink. I did not break my parole. neither
did Macdonald"
I'm spite of what you said to me, you
must have told the King before you left
Stirling where you were going"
81 did not
''Then word must have been brought to
him from Skye?"
ct was not
I'm that case the only conclusion I can
ccme to is the King is unaware of your
presence here"
''IIe is well aware of it,
"You speak in riddles, my friend. How
ever, l had no real wish to detain you,
and you might have gone where you
pleased any time this fortnight OF more"
80 you say now"
Its true enough, and if you wish to
visit the feet. one OF my boats will be
ready to carry you the moment you give
the order / told you the first day that If
you were a friend Of the Kings or an en-
issary of his you could go on your way
unchecked. Did / not, Mac Donald?"
Iou said something of that sort. sir"
'''You denied being a friend Of the
Kings, persisted Macleod, land said you
were but a small farmer near Stirling"
Il deny yet that L am a friend of the
King. On the contrary, l don't mind con-
Tossing to you that l am the greatest
enemy he has in the world, and it's well
he knows it,
You amaze me. Then you do not wish
to meet the feet?'
ION the contrary. do, and ask you to
order a suitable boat for me-
You shall have the best boat in my
possession said Macleod leaving them
for moment to give his command.
In a short time a large boat with ten
oarsmen was waiting at the landing.
They are ready for you," said Mac
Leod with an effort at geniality, which
gave a most sinister effect to his face.
Il am sorry to bid you goodby, but hope
you bear away with you no i'll Will
against Dunvegan."
Sir" said the King, ignoring his COM
pliments, that boat will not do for
me-"
1T is the best have" said Macleod,
looking at his truculent guest with new
anxiety.
1.-The boat you must bring to the land
ing is the twenty-six cared barge, which
MALCOLM Macleod builded so we'll"
The Macleod stepped back two PAGES.
That boat is for the King Sc said il
voice scarcely above a whisper.
Eyes it is for the King, therefore the
King demands it. Give the order 10
stantly that it be brought to the landing,
well manned with twenty-six rowers. !"
All color left MacLeod's face. His next
words were to Macdonald. us this
true?" he said.
eyes," answered Macdonald, sit is
true"
The girl, her wide eyes distended with
fear, clutched the arm of her lover. Even
she knew this was a case for the heads
man, but Macleod, with not a culver in
his voice called down to his followers:
Bring around the Kings barge, and
see ii is well manned. 1 myself will take
the rudder."
The stern face of the King relaxed as
he saw this chieftain stand straightcr
than ever before since he had known
him, ready to take on his head whatever
might befall.
The girl impetuously flung herself at
the Kings feet, and in her excitement
forgetting the limitations of his learn
ing, she poured forth a plea for her
father in Gaelic. The King smiled as he
stopped and raised the suppliant.
"My DEAR" he said, Il shall never hear
that language without thinking OF you
and of my own discontinue. It 1T were
not that Macdonald stands there with
that dour Highland look on his race, II
is 1 would kneel at your feet. Your
father is to come with me to Stirling
for / have said he should, and / must
keep my word with myself as we'll as
have kept it with him. Do not draw
away your hand, in spite of MacDonalds
scowls, for / have this to promise you
II you and he will accompany US to Stir
ling, l pledge to you the Kings word
that l shall grant you whatever you ask.
So you see you need have no fear for your
fathers safety" Saying this, the King.
with that courtly manner which SO weii
became him, gave the hand OF the girl
into that of Macdonald.
Thus it came about that the Macleod
took voyage he had not intended, ahd
came so unscathed from it that he long
outlived the man who was the cause OF
his journey.