The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-03
Selett Sturp.
THE RACE FOR A CHIEFS DAUGHTER.
A LEGEND OF LOCH RUSKIE.

From the topmost walls of "Ruskie' S
escutcheoned battlements' a maid looks
forth upon the waters all around and then
beyond to the steep sides Of Ben Gullipen
and Ben Dearg, that shut out from hel
gaze the farther country-the hills and
glens that gave her birth.
For she is daughter Of the wild Mac
farlanes that dwell up around Loch Reodite
and raid the lands of fair Monteith Her
| father is the chief of the clan, and has led
a great onslaught on the more civilized
Angliied tribe of Montieth, and wrought
great damage and captured much spoil.
As a result Monteith was reused, and a
great revenge was sought-a revenge that
was dearly paid for, for the foe melted away
among the hills, and their chief was never
seen save on those occasions when he
dashed down with few followers and
slaughtered any men who dared to strag-
gle then up again to the hills, where pur-
suit was all but hopeless.
But Monteith, though he could not
harm his active foe, by treachery and
bribes, carried off the pride Of Loeb REQ
dite-Matilda, the sixteen year-old daugh-
ter of the chief, and a charming, winning
maid that every Macfarlane loved. And
to Loeb Ruskie he brought her, and put
her in the castle there, on the small island,
safe from rescue, and now the knights are
meeting down below, discussing what her
fate shall be. She, poor girl: snatched
from her friends, feels well that she can
expect no mercy from those her father has
so often harried; but at least her life has
taught her not to be afraid, and not to
fear to die. But this waiting on, this
suspense, is terrible.
At last she hears step upon the stair;
her door is opened, and Monteith himself
strides in.
1--WE have decided your future, my
girl hesays ''Young Fan Stewart said
that he would like to wed you, but we
thought that would be too high fate for
a Macfarlane. All the same, we did not
wish to disappoint the lad, so we arranged
that tomorrow he and are to race on the
course yonder for you, his black horse Ar
row against my brown mare Bess. If [
win YOU are mine, and l hand you over to
my men; but if young Ean wins, he may
wed you if he wish. That is all; good
night. And the earl went off to join in
the revelry in the dining hall below.
Matilda was stunned for a minute. To
treat the Macfarlane's daughter as prize
for which to race was a scandal and crime
To hand her over to the winner to be we'd
ded by him, or to be given by him as play
thing to his followers, was shameful beyond
description. She who had lived as free as
air and breathed the freedom of the noun
tains was to be made slave for shame.
Poor child, she spent miserable night
praying for strength to plunge her small
dagger in her breast, but always checking
each stroke before it was half through, and
waiting, again waiting for something
waiting for anything that might save her.
At last the sun begins to rise by Stirling
Castle, and sends his bright rays down the
valley of the Forth, and even up to the
small window on the turret on Loch Rus
kie. Often had Matilda watched the sun
rise from her native hills, and often won,
dered at his splendor, but never did he
seem so glorious as he did this morning, on
the day she felt would be her last. But
she has not long to wait, for the contest is
to be decided early.
A. orouuI around the
race course that lies on the south shore,
take up their places, and make great wag-
ers among themselves. For these two
horses are easily the fastest in all the coun-
try round, and all look forward to see this
test of speed Then she is called, rowed
across, and placed within the circle of the
course, on high platform beside the
knights. She can see everything from
here, each move in the race; while all Can
see the captive Macfarlane, a prisoner Of
their earls prize for the winner of the
race. At last the two appear, the old
earl and their young knight, and each as
they canter past bows low to the maid.
The race is four times round the course
| suoII opuiI-~apouo uilo III All. n
herald is to start them with flag.
Soon they are ready. Young Sir Ean
has won the toss, and chosen the inside
station; no small advantage. All is still.
The excitement is intense as the two great
horses stand side by side waiting for the
signal. The flag falls, and they are off,
the black and the brown.
Sir Fan rides his hardest, and forces his
horse ahead; while the earl seems to hold
back the mare. They are at the first cor
ner, and Sir Fan S mad rush carries him Out
a little, and gives the earl the chance fol-
which he waits. He pulls his mare behind
the horse, and runs into the inside place.
The cheering is frantic. The black leads
] bv nearly length. but the brown has nov