The Thirsty Sword

words of Alpin and Roderic, Sir Oscar Redmain pronounced the assize at an end; and such as w

idding them not wait for their weapons, but to slip away out of the

the King of Scots. Well, be it so; we shall see what Alexander can do. Methinks it will not be long that he will hold his own against us. When these three years of my outlawry are over you shall see such things

his Majesty of Norway fail in conquering Scot

ustice his daughter Ailsa crept within the ci

Blackfell; and she bade me ask you, Kenric,

it was with your nest of ouzels, Ailsa, so has it been with the castle of R

id them still be wary of this man. Not until he is dead will all danger from him be past.' Those were her words, Kenric; and lest there should be truth in them I have come to you as speedily as I might. Alpin is about to engage in mortal com

need of this warning. Help me, I beseech you. Run to the cast

and like a lapwing ra

ght the coat of mail; and Kenric seeing this drew his brother aside and bade him tarry until Ails

hed within the sacred circle reserved for the administration of the laws. And they formed a great ring upon the level ground, in the midst of wh

cry we

is Alpin? Is h

e circle and Alpin strode bol

no sight for a girl, stood beside Sir Oscar and Allan R

rie, who can handle a sword as your brother can; and methinks Earl Roderic will not easily bear up against him

rsed. Then Alpin got his back to the sunlight, drew himself up, and flung back his sword. With a fierce cry they rushed together and their swords clashed with mighty strokes. Then they both reeled backward two strides to recover. Tracing and

one who beheld them could know which was like to win the battle. Their clothing was so far hewn that the

it was ever at his head that Roderic aimed. Often he smote such strokes as made Alpin stagger and kneel; but in a

ries of approval, and none doubted that he would soon make an end o

, and he rushed upon Alpin, doubling his mighty strokes. Their swords clashed and clanged and flashed in bright circles through the air. Bu

eril in which his brother was placed, would have rushed forward to Alpin's help had not Duncan Graham held him back, fearing that he too might f

But it shall never be said that Roderic of Gigha would meanly slay any man who was weapon

take up his sword. Then into Roderic's eyes there came a

the grip of his two hands. Down came his weapon with a mighty swing, and all thought surely that blow would be Roderic's end. But Roderic sprang lightly aside, so that

ed to raise him from the ground. But the sword of Ro

ng king, raised a wailing cry that rent the sunny air, a

passed through the crowd of men. For the islanders, having just left the court of the mooting, were none of th

was but a few paces from where the battle had been fought. Many of them

e base traito

ere ankle deep in the mere. Then he turned round for a moment and saw young Kenric, armed with

his glancing helm could be seen above the surface. As the antlered stag, pursued by men and hounds, swims swiftly over the mountain tarn to the safety of cra

kings -- the well-beloved Hamish, who had ruled over that little nation for a score of peaceful and prosperous years, and Alpin, his son and successor, who had fallen ere yet he had known the power of his kingship. And forgetting that by

hey wanted to strike him down that the world might no longer harbour a villain whose e

he firm ground on the western shore, and now he shook the water from him and

looking about him he saw many men running towards him from north and from south through the dingle of Lochly; and now m

ns. Bracing his long sword about his back he crossed westward over the rising ground until he came in view of the qu

less that he would be speedily overcome. The one band was led by S

fell in showers about his head. A stone thrown by Kenric struck him on the helmet. He sank deep down, and all believed that the water would be his death. But, like the dive

any to think of meeting the fugitive earl on the farther shore. So at the bidding of Sir Oscar Redmain the men all gave up the chas