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

and knows more of what IS going on
| III his realm than folk who think them
selves wiser nigh imagine"
You hint, them" said Macleod, draw
/ ing down his black brows, that His Maj
esty might have spies in skye?'
Truth to tell, Laird of Dunvegan, it IS
more than likely" admitted the King,
with an air of great candor.
| The frown on MacLeod's countenance
deepened, and he said harshly:
you two gentlemen probably know the
fate Of spies when they are captared.
Their fate is a short shrift and a Ions
lrope." y.
And quite properly So" retoined the
King promptly.
II am glad that you are so we'll in
formed. and need no instruction from me,
commented the Crottach, with menace in
his tone.
Suddenly the Kings manner changed,
and the air Of authority which was nat
rral to him asserted itself.
Macleod of Skye he cried. this dis
cussion and beating about the bush is
interesting, but nothing at all 10 the pur
pose. You are limiting that we are two
spies, and l tell you there are no spies,
and can be no spies or this island
i have only your word to set against
my own doubts" said Macleod
My word and your doubts are both
aside from the purpose. Your E"lnd has
become confused. Unless you are at war
with James of Scotland there can be
spies neither in the domain you hold
under his hand nor in the kingdom over
which he rules. Are you a rebel against
your king, Macleod OF Skye?"
THAT | am not answered Allaster
hastily, and with evident liscomposure.
Very well then. You see the absurdity
OF an argument on espionage. Macdonald
and l have as much right on the island
of Skye as you have. because it is part
Of the Kingdom of Scotland ana we are
loyal If humble subjects of His Majesty"
You are not come here, then to report
on the condition OF Skye"
I'VE came here of ouc own free viii;
the messengers OF nc man, and we are
to report to no man, Ii The King should
ask me any question regarding my visit
to Skye | would answer him that / had
met with the utmcEt courtesy, except from
its chief. l would say thai Macleod OF
Macleod was so ignorant regarding the
usages of good society that he received
US sitting down and never asked US to
be seated, an error in politeness which l
was myself forced to amend. Macdonald,
plant yourself on that chair beside you
L will take this one
Macdonald promptly obeyed the COM
mand, and the King seated himself.
throwing one leg over the other and lean
ing back in comfort.
'Now, my Lord of Skye" he said.
have you any further questions to ask.
or any additional hints to bestow upon
your guests at present in your sullen
presence upon your own invitation"
The chieftain regarded the King in ST
lence for a few moments, then said with
out change of countenance:
by God! you may be a small farmer
but you are brave man. You are the
first who has questioned the authority of
the Macleod on his own ground. So the
case being without precedent, one has to
be made, and that will require some
thought. We will postpone the question
until later. / trust you will both honor
me with your presence at dinner this
evening, but if you prefer it, you may
sup alone in your own apartments"
eve are sociable travellers" said the
King, rising, for the lairds words had
we will have great pleasure in accepting
seats at your table"
Then, with bow to the man who still
remained in his chair, the King and his
comrade withdrew. They consulted to.
gether for a time in the room of the
former, but reached no definite decision
Macdonald urged that they should come
to an understanding with their host al
once, and learn whether they were pris-
oners or free men, but the King held that
Alllaster should have time for thinking
over the situation, which has been prac.
tically agreed upon.
There is no hurry" he said. Each
of us is younger than Allaster, and so
there is time to bide.''
On being summoned to the great din
ing hall that night they found company
awaiting dinner numbering perhaps
score, all men. A piper was marching
UP and down the room making the tim
bers ring with his martial music. TIE
Macleod stood at the head of his table,
stalwart man, whose massive head
seemed sunk rather deep between his
broad shoulders, but otherwise, perhaps
because his costume was cunnlngly ar
ranged, there was slight indication of the
def0rmlty with winch ne was aHHcteu.
When the eating was done with the
servants placed three large fiagons before
their master and the two who sat on
either side of him. These they filled to
the brim with wine.
Gentlemen" said Macleod, 'it is
custom in this castle that our guests, to
show they are good men and true, each
empty one of these flagons at draught,
and without drawing breath. Will you
then accompany me to any toast you may
care to manner"
'The wine have already consumed at
your hospitable board" said the king, is
the best that ever ran down a thirsty
mans throat, but if I supplement it with
so generous and instant an addition l
fear my legs will refuse their service,
even if my head retain sense enough to
give the command"
''That need not trouble you,1 said Mac
Leod, ''for in the last hundred years no
man has insulted this vintage by leaving
the hall on his feet. There stand your
legs against the WALL Guidman OF Bellen'
geich."
The King, glancing over his shoulder