The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-05-09


about his appearance which the king
did not feel in his heart inclined to
elucidate. But among the young
warriors there were sneers and sup.
pressed filters, until one holder than
the rest, addressed the old man.
my father is DID," said he; why
should he wander? He should have
rested in his oak crowned cell this
frightful night"
"Nay, my son, replied the druid
fear not for me; the storm affects
not the rock though it be old in the
ocean; the winds and the waves dash
harmlessly round it."
But" replied the young man.
"the rock is always young in its
strength. and age has fallen heavily
on my father"
my head is hoary." replied the
druid, Out"
"Aye,' interrupted another, ut is
certainly very venerable. but time
has dealt unfairly by this curling
tress," and he held up to the view
of the rest a long black tress of hair.
The laugh became general against
the druid, in which the king was fain
to join. The druid spoke not. but his
eyes flashed terrific lightnings on all
around. The king met his glance
and quailed beneath the fury of its
meaning; and increasing hatred and
dread was inspired within him, and
he ordered the druid to leave his
presence. It was then that the druid
stood erect, and casting off his hoary
disguise, with his long grey mantle.
he appeared a youthful warrior, COW
cred from helmet to heel in glittering
armour and with powerful axe in
his hand.
"Seize him." cried the king aloud;
"seize the traitor; but no one
stirred to do his bidding. Traitor.
will you not STIR" said he, fiercely
striking one of the mobiles that stood
near him. The stroke reused the
nobleman from his establishment.
Death to my honour" he cried
aloud, "a blow from the blood
stained hand of Cobthach. the
usurper"; and unsheathing his blade.
he rushed furiously upon the mon
arch; but numbers threw themselves
between him and Cobthach. Strife
of the most deadly nature was about
taking place in the hall of feasting,
for some of the princes and mobiles
siding with their injured compeer,
and others joining the king. were
about forgetting the druid) to COM
mingle in bloody broil; and the king,
in the confusion, endeavoured to ef-
feet his escape. and gliding from the
combatants, made for a private door;
but the mail-clad stranger, with the
up-lifted axe, stood ready to receive
him. Cobthach turned to another en-
trance, but there stood the seranger
before him again. Cobthach eyed him
maliciously, and. drawing his sword,
rushed on the stranger with deter
mined courage; but the young man.
stepping from before the deadly
thrust. with the uplifted axe dashed
the usurper's skull to pieces. A cry
arose from one who beheld the kings
fall, and saw the streaming axe
raised high in the strangers hand
The mobiles gazed in establishment
and the stranger spoke.
"The vengeance of my fathers
house is on my STEEL" he cried;
there in this hall. where Cobthach
murdered my grandfather, Logaryi
the king. and my father. Olioll Ayne
the Good; here have I, Mayne. re.
venged their fall"
Some shouted Long live the
grandson Of Logary!" but the great
or number shouted. Revenge on the
murderer Of Cobthach!" and agair
wild tumult and clash of arms arose
within the hall. Mayne put small
horn to his mouth, and blew shrill
blast. which was answered from with
out; and soon the guards Of the pal
ace, surprised and unarmed. were
seen flying before a band Of strange
soldiers, clad in polished armour, ant
soon the hall was filled with the vic
torious foreigners.
1t is useless now to dwell longer OF
our history. The crown was giver
to Mayne, who then obtained the title
Of Labrach Loingseach; and who in 8
short time after espoused the beau
tiful and faithful Moria, as it wa.