The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28


! of the powerful and proud clan of
| Quhele under his proper title of Eachin
MacIan.
The poor armorer recalled with
| groan the fact that Catherine always
| had been most gentle and courteous to
| the handsome apprentice. He learned
| now that the young Highlander had
| been sent to Giovers house only be-
] cause of a prophecy that threatened
! i'll for the tribe unless he should be re-
| moved from it for time, and that now
| the doom had been lifted and he was
among the most powerful of all the
rude but still semi-royal chiefs who de-
| fed even the King of Scotland when
they chose.
Within a few days the name of
| Eachin MacIan affronted the jealous ar
morers ears wherever he went, for the
town of Perth was excited by the prep
aration for an event that thrilled the
minds of all even in those bloody days.
The Clan Quhele and the Clan Chattan
had agreed to fight out a long standing
feud by the battle of 80 champions on
each side before the King.
Proclamation was made forbidding
the burghers to go within a half mile
of the place where the champions were
to be quartered. There were too many
ancient quarrels to permit any APP
proach between such natural enemies.
Even Harry of the Wynd, eager as he
was to pick a quarrel with his rival,
dared not violate the edict.
A few nights before the combat a
Highlander came secretly to the ar
morer's place to buy a coat of mail. The
smith saw that he wore the colors of
the Clan Quhele, which he hated thor
oughly by this time. He refused to
sell him anything until he learned that
the armor was for Eachin MacIan..
At once Harry of the Wynd brought
out the finest mall shirt in his armory.
The Highlanders eyes cleaned and he
cried, "A hundred cows and bullocks
and good drift of sheep would be
cen over cheap an offer for such a
piece as this, the best l ever beheld.
But 1 will pay what you will"
'Neithe gold nor gear will buy It,"
said Harry. IT will give you that or
NOR for your chief If he will promise
to face me after the combat and let me
try my sword on him. He has injured
me, and it is only on these terms that
he can have it."
"If he hath wronged you he must
meet you" said the Highlander. "He
is first in the Highlands, and so sure
as he is Eachin SO surely will bring
Ii 10 ba oil fnr OF
know, brother that the Clan Chattan's
claws pierce deep"
The smith was foremost in the crowd
that assembled to see the battle. When
he saw Eachin. stripped of his mean
slough of an apprentice and blazing
forth as chieftain with his quick eye
and gallant demeanor. the noble shape
of his brow and throat, he felt that the
Fair Maid Of Perth could hardly be
blamed for choosing him for lover and
husband, but though he was thus mod
est about his own attractions the
thought did not in the least soothe his
hot desire for one good, honest blow
at his rival.
The lists were opened in level
place washed on one side by the river
Tay. A space $50 yards long and "A
yards wide was laid out, and at each
end stood an aged warrior, holding the
standard Of his clan. The wild scream
of the pipes proclaimed the arrival of
the champions. The Lord High Consta-
BILE examined each man to see that he
was properly armed with mail shirt,
steel cap, two-handed sword and dag
ger. Suddenly he cried, Hold! There
Is champion missing In the Clan
Chattan"
1t was so. One OF the champions was
absent--tempted, as 1t turned out after
ward, by girl who had promised to
marry him II he would elope with her
at once.
Make proclamation" said the Lord