The Washington times., 1913-01-16

I on our ears with greater volume Hal
| dozen lights moved swiftly down tn'
middle of the loch; and as we stopped
TO mark their position. we cotdd neal
the steady wash of their oars
! Pray we dinna miss them. said Ma
riposa. drawing a long stroke
Straight out shot the boat. darfposa
supple figure bending to greater speed
while sat chafing at my heipie ssness
The lights seemed to descend with IN
creasing swfftness; but presently Mari.
posa glanced from left TO rfght-nrst al
| the Macdonald torches. then at the Ga
chan-and hung on her oars.
In time!' sne gasped.
1t was a strange scene, as our boat
lay there between the murdeTers and
their oncoming victims. Over us were
dome, which seems so much higher and
wider above the water. Before US lay
the Isle of Butte; to the left the bon-
fire III up the castle where Black Jamie
had been slain by the old chieftain oi
the kyles; and to our right, SIX black
shadows. surmounted by flaming torches
moved toward us on the long reach
of Loeb Striven.
Nearer they came. The pipe-music
arose in a sullen drone. and the wild
but sweet slogan of th, Macdonalds
mingled with the fierce pipe-march o,
the Campbells. Martposa called to the
men of the kyles. 1 added my voice
but at first they did not hear us.
and although ! shouted with all my
strength, II seemed as III We must be
| run down. One of the boaSs passed to
our left, and then the fare Of its torch
IN the next boat peered ahead, with his
light held behind him; then he spoke
quickly to the rowers. The oars stopped.
the pipes hushed. and all at once
deathly stiffness. save for the slogan
l ashore. fell around us.
who stous the Macdonald?" cried
full, deep voice.
"A friendr' cried Mariposa promptly.
"A woman. What have We here?
And II we love your lives blow the
ripes.'' / added, for the Campbells
ashore might have caught a hint that
something happening.
The pipes skirled louder than before.
The boats Law still. however. except one
"A friend, ye said?" was the challenge
of Ronald of the kyles- Are not all
friends this Eight?''
Eye have no friends on these shores, :
/ said. "I am no traitor. mark ye. Mac
donald: but tell you, If ye enter that
castle ye will never leave IT. alive"
Aye, aye" said the chieftain coolly.
Indeed, IL was as " / had passed him
the time OF day. Hold the torch, Dun
can"
The bearer illumined our boat. Rom
aid peered at me; then his eyes turned
upon Mariposa. / saw a light leap into
them. II ever a man was struck by q
beautiful face. II was Ronald Macdonald
when he first beheld Martposa. 1t Is
the best / have to say of the man.
"Euheui' he said through his nose.
Hey, Rob, Get in yon boat and row
| IL whence II came. j take it," said he
| to me. that II was a discreet place"
Aye" / answered for / hardly knew
what TO say to this
"Good-very good" said he. You
| take Rob's place by me-. ] would speak
J a word with YOU as we go.
But We will surely not go on?'' 1 be-
gan. But he interrupted me:
"Obey me, sirrah. Push off, Rob"
| Doubtful and mystified. / stared first
at Mariposa. then at Rob. who was al
ready in our boat.
go, Rorie," said my lass Il am not
afraid"
] "Ye mean well?" / said, looking the
| chieftain full In the face.
'T would be a dog" he answered.
But time presses. We must on. ] would
have a word with you"
| stepped into the great boat. In
| stantly a command was given to the
| rowers. and Mariposa and Rob were
left behind.