The Thirsty Sword

s of the island, for the word had travelled round with the swiftness of a bird's flight that their good king, Earl Hamish, had been cruelly slain by h

wl drawn over his reverend head to shield him from the warm sun. At his left Dovenald, most learned in the laws of the land, ready to explain and discuss the ancient legal customs; and round them in a circle were the others of the twelve ruthmen. The witnesses or compurgators stood in an outer ring within a fenc

ese onlookers to see that no man carried weapons, for it was held in strict custom t

clothed in garments of sheepskin, others of a better condition wore a plaid or mantle of frieze. They had buskins made of rawhide,

the God of the Christians to punish the peace breaker. Then the crowd opened a

the bare knees, and his feet were encased in brogues with silver clasps. His long hair was well combed, and it hung about his broad

lpin, king of B

he cries were taken up by the whole assembly,

en one of the guards had shaken the rattling chains and all were listening with bated b

ul crime?" asked Sir Oscar Redmain,

Gigha," said Alpin, and at that th

Death to him!" was the

ad than the tallest man there present -- leading in the cri

enemy. He raised his right hand and all

e cried, bringing down the w

ing Alpin by the wrist he threw him backward. Duncan Gr

"to attempt such a thing withi

thout the severest punishment. You are here to plead the cause of justice, and not to insult those whom you have summoned to this

, and then when silence had been restored he proceeded to

aces of tears. His brown hair, lighter than Alpin's, was rough and tangled, and now, as always, he wore no covering on his head. His coarse buckskin coat looked mean beside the richer apparel of his brother, and his buskins were ill-t

nce for this grave crime whereof you are accused?" a

l upon it shone scarcely less bright than the well-wrought dragon that twined its scaled form up

his own hearth stone. But it was in fair fight that I did it; and I call my two f

s he spoke these false words, and no one tried

knife such as the one you used, methinks you would not now be here to utter your false words. Your own arms were left in the armoury hail, where 'twas right they should be; and you took up the knife from the board, knowing full well what you meant to do

s great fists as he stepped forward to smite

your craven moans of anguish when you came out from that darkened hall wherein my father lay dead. I heard you tell of how you meant to slay the vixen and her cubs. And who are they? My mother and Alpin and me! My mother, whom you flattered with soft speeches -- my mother, in whose presence you were not w

lusty voices broke out in a prolonged groan of imprecation.

e saw Ailsa Redmain standing with her brother Allan; and Ailsa's eyes glis

hmen, "ye have heard what has passed. It is now for you t

Ronald Gray, their spokesman, "and that he shall

laim that Roderic of Gig

e wise men sho

ie for the slaying of his enemy unless he were caught red-handed and with the weapon in his hand; but that for taking the life of a man in hot blood he shoul

Dovenald the lawman, and his fa

ent of his ill deeds and commend himself to God. But for the slaying of a king the fine is not nine score, but six times nine-score of kine, or three thousand golden oras. And if that fine be not paid within a year and a day, then shall the traitor die the death. And now, oh men of Bute, sin

he failed to pay the price of his liberty. But also he knew that neither in cattle nor in other movable wealth was it in

l my lands and ships do I possess such wealth no

entence upon you forthwith. You shall be an outlaw for the term of three years and three days. For those three days you shall live within the sanctuary of Dunagoil and

Sir Oscar

s man Roderic MacAlpin within the isle of Bute, or within his forfeited lands of Gigha and Cara, or i

Roderic, wrathful at his position, f

hurch lands no man should molest him or hold speech with him. How, then, could he hope to compass the death of the two lads, Alpin and

et of wolves like these? No, no. Now, on this spot and before you all, do I claim wager of battle, for tha

schal, came forward in his t

reacherous earl, for

ay hold such combat with none but his equals. I will not cross swords with a

fraid to cross arms with me. I wou

my own rank," said Roderic, "and the

I will engage with you to the d