The Washington times., 1913-01-17

the center of a semi-circle or torch
bearers and pipers. Behind them. and
to left and right Of this half-moon,
were scores OF men in full Highland
dress; and. back OF all, the trees cut
fantastic figures against the bonnre by
the castle.
AS the Macdonald's boat ran on the
low surf dozen men nprang forward
to beach II. The chieftain Of the kyles
The Campbeils drew their claymores
and held them aloft with shout.
Black Archibald welcomed the Mac
donald, who gave him grip OF MS
hand, while his own men hailed the
Campbells
found myself shaking hands with my
own people-with men who would have
known me had not shame turned my
back to the torches, SO that my race
was ever In. darkness. oh, the bitter,
cruel moment that was! But 1t was
nothing to the rest.
Again the pipes screamed and droneo'
and the "festar' procession moved to-
ward the castle. First went the torches,
then the Campbell pipers, then more
torches and Black Archibald. the chief
tain of the Kyles and young jamie,
with a few body men; more torches:
then the pipers Of the Macdonalds, and
a vast mingling Of the two clans. lit at
intervals by rows OF flaming links.
Speech was not wanting In the throng,
but, to my Imagination at least, II was
charged with brutal hypocrisy on Doth
sides.
While we were still In the woods
tried to escape from the crowd. Moth
ing seemed easier Of accomplishment
until essayed 1t. Then found myself
hemmed in. front and rear. by Macdon-
aids. In vain pushed. but the men OF
the Kyles blocked the way without
change Of countenance or any sign that
they even noticed me. But their steady
resistance showed clearly that there was
method I'm their seeming indifference.
/ sroaned aloud. Never was man in
so terrible a position. gave up trying
to escape, and, bowling my head In de-
spair. allowed myself to be swept On
like a murderer to the gallows tree.
At the castle door there was pause.
The three chieftains stood in the great
doorway. while the Campbell ripers
played the slogan Of the Macdonalds,
and the men of the kyles returned the
ironic compliment. My brain was like
to burst, for II was as IL the pipes
Knocked, jeered, and chuckled.
When the clans moved into the castle
there was a grim, subdued air about
the procession. 1t was but human that
each man should draw a long breath OF
would breathe when he came out again
As for me, l was incapable OF breath
ing. The air seemed to enter my mouth
and 60 no farther. and an empty sick
ness seized me. As in dream. i went
in with the rest. In the confusion Of
seating the guests" / was not noticed !;
or II any Campbell recognized me he
but saw but one who had right there,
and overlooked the tartan that every
suddenly 1 looked up and discovered
that IL / did not sit down at once l
would be left standing and target for
all eyes. Every place was occupied but
two, and these, TO my dismay, were to
the left of young jamie, who sat at
the head of the table. with the chieftain
Of the Kyles on his left-a fine place
of honor!
stumbled forward and sat down by
young Jamie, Just as ca sIg n, tGok
Our eyes met over half an arms length.
Hey, Rorie,' he hailed.
Then his eyes fell upon the tartan.
They widened, first In amazement. next
in wild rage Then they half closed.
sharp and fierce. My eyes fell to the
table. His great hairy, knotted hand
lay on the edge and his fingers were
twitching.
never another word did he utter.
But my agony was only beginning,
for there was Black Archibald him
self staring down the table al me. His
face was as white as milk and his teeth
were dug into the lower lip: Other eyes
and I was as one cruci1ed. l could feel
the breath Of young Jamie turned on my
right cheek.
The candles swan before my eyes
and the odor of the dried brackens on
the floor strangled me. i was In tor
lad Names
torch fires. silence-the silence OF
death awaiting judgment surrounded
me ] knew every mans hand was ut
his sword-hilt. for the secret was out.
Ronald O. the Kyles was gazing with a
sardonic smile at his enemy, as one
who would say, Weir
And still young Jamie and Aundra
hemmed me In with appalling silence.
Although the weakness OF my wound
was upon me. | ierked myself together.
had done right. Even II the cause
had proven unworthy. I had tried to
do right. For Mariposa's sake / must
preserve my wit. Yet. how to act. I'M
armed as | was, save for my dirk?
And I knew enough OF the Campbells
to appreciate that a score OF swords
would seek me as a sheath the moment
the signal for massacre sounded.
The significant silence ended. Black
Archibald laughed harshly and said
something to his vassals. And immedi-
ately the feast began. From the
kitchen came the drone OF a dozen
pipes. The pipers entered four abreast.
Between the second and third ranks
came six men bearing upon their
shoulders an immense trencher. upon
which lay the haggis. adorned with one
tall thistle.
Thrice around the board they march,
ed: then the haggis was laid before
Black Archibald. who arose and drew
his clayrnore.
"Ox-blood, mutton and meal" he
cried so we bury the sword
Under other circumstances the speech
would have been hailed with a shout:
but Black Archibald's sneer, as he
plunged the blade into the rocking
haggts, was caught up and echoed
around the board in hooking. quiet
laughter.
So the horrible feast went on. As
the liquor loosened mems tongues and
stirred their temper speech became
more natural to the situation. A Mac
donald deliberately upset a Campbells
goblet; a Campbell spat on Macdon-
AIDS meat; and the battle was held In
check only by a word from Black
Archibald or frown from the cmef-
tain of the Kyles.
And still young jamie on one side OF
me and Big Aundra on the other pre-
served q maddening silence.