The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-03

study. They followed him and were usll-
cred into an oblong room, somewhat iarg-
er than the one they had left. The King
was astonlshed to find the walls lined with
numerous volumes, some of the tones
massive In heavy binding. AS books were
not overplentiful even in the realms or
civilization, he had not expected to find
them III a corner OF the world so re-
riote.
Allaster the Hunchback sat by the side
of a huge oaken table, and he did not
rise from his chair when his visitors We're
presented to him, either because ae
wished the better to conceal the ieformity
which gave him his nickname or because
he did not consider his guests of such
Importance as to deserve a more courte-
Gus reception. He addressed them in ex-
cellent English, and the King constituted
himself spokesman for the occasion.
Il understand began Macleod that
you have honored my poor rugged island
of Skye with your presence for some
days"
The honor, sir, has been ours, replied
the King with an inclination of his head
Il was visiting my friend Macdonald in
Cleat and heard of the Kings barge, so
This is your friend Macdonald of Sleat
them"
Eyes. May l have the pleasure of pre-
senting James Macdonald to the Mac
Leod?"
The two Highlanders, one sitting, one
standing, bowed somewhat dstantly to
each other as the King, with a flourish
of his hand, made the introduction.
Perhaps, continued Macleod sauvely,
''your friend from Sleat will do like
chlgement for yourself
Il shall not put him to that trouble"
ssid the King airily. Il am of such small
account that it would be a pity to put
upon a Highland chieftain the task of
pronouncing my name. l am called the
Guidman of Ballengeich, very much at
your service, sir"
''Guidman, meaning farmer of course?"
asked Dunvegan.
Meaning small farmer, said the King
with q graceful inclination of the head.
The tones of the Macleod had not been
too cordial from the first, but they be-
came less so at this confession OF low
quality on the part of his visitor.
you will forgive my ignorance, but
where is Ballengeich?"
''It is a little stealing near Sitting, but
of more vlue than it's size would Indicate.
for 1 am fortunate in possessing the Gus
tom of the court
"You cater for the castle, them" asked
Macleod frigidly.
yes, in various ways"
Macleod turned from his loquacious
guest as if he desired to hold no further
converse with him, and thus, however
crafty he might be, he convinced the King
that the castle had no suspicion whom it
held. Macleod said abruptly to his other
visitor, fastening his piercing eyes upon
him:
II heard you were prisoner at Stir
lingo
Prisoner, sirl" cried Macdonald an
grily, the red color mounting to the roots
of his hair. But before he could SPEAK
further his garrulous companion struck
in
''What an absurd rumor! Macdonald
prisoner! I assure you he "
prisoner at Stirling castle than he is at
this moment in Dunvegan Castle
''Ah,' said Macleod, turning again to
the farmer, his eyes partially closing, ex-
aiming the other with more severe
scrutiny than had previously been the
case. "He was at liberty to come and
go as he pleased ther?'
''As free as air sir; otherwise how could
he have visited my slight holding and
thus become acquainted with me?'
81 thought perhaps he had met you in
the courtyard of Stirling with sack
of corn on your shoulder.
The King laughed heartily at this.
81 said a small farmer, certainly, but
To 10 Mt
to imply. l have a better horse to carry
my corn than the one that today carried
ME to Dunvegan."
The laird ignored this disparagement
of his castle.
''You come to Skye, then, to see the
Kings boat, of which you had heard ia
vorable report? The news of her seems
to have travelled very quickly"
Indeed, and that's true" said the King
complacently. Information spreads rap
idly in the Highlands
ct seems to spread to the Lowlands as
well. You heard the Kings proclamation
perhaps?"
Eyes we heard the announcement"
''It's possible you came from the fleet?"
''No. We came overland"
HAD you heard of the fame of Nal
CClm S boat DeIOro you lelC SllIilllS
81 did not say we left Stirling. AS
matter of fact, we left the small village
OF Doune, some miles to the north OF 1t,
and at that time had heard nothing either
of Malcolm or his boat.
Hunt" calculated the laird, rummag-
ing among his papers on the table. The
King, glancing in the direction of Mac
Leod's hands, saw spread out the charter
which he himself had signed, giving Mac
Leod tenure of his land, and BESIDE it, as
if this island magnate had been comparing
the signature, was the recent draft OF
the proclamation commencing Malcolm
MacLeod's boat. This document Dunve-
gan passed to the Guidman of Ballen-
geich.
''You know the Kings writing, perhaps?
Will you tell me whether this is, as l sus-
pect, a fargery?"
James wrinkled his brows and examined
the signature with minute care. 81 have
seen the writing of His Majesty he said
at last, "but Macdonald here knows 1t
better than 1. What do you think of 1t,
Jamie?" he continued, passing on the
parchment to his friend. rs this the real
Mo oLay or ;S II not ?'