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All we ask is that you draw not the sword ere you have done all that is possible by the persuasions of the tongue." Sir Piers bowed and exchanged glances with Kenric. "Fortunately for our plans," continued the King, "Roderic of Gigha is now out of our way. He held one of the smallest of the islands, but he was assuredly the greatest rascal in them all.

"It is," said she, "that your isle of Gigha has been invaded and conquered by the Norsemen, and that your kinsman William MacAlpin has but now given up his life in telling me the tale." Kenric stood in troubled thought, a cloud upon his brow. "Where is Lulach?" he presently asked. "Over at Inch Marnock," she said, "and ill with his foot that he hurt in climbing the rocks two days since.

"I am now your master!" said the gruff voice of Roderic of Gigha; "and again I command you to bring us our swords and dirks." "You are no master of mine, Earl Roderic," said Duncan; "and now for your insolence shall you have neither wine nor weapons," and with that he slammed to the door. "Insolent varlet!" growled Roderic within the room.

Roderic the Rover was still alive. The battle which had brought about the death of so many of his companions had spared him. The raging elements that had destroyed so many of the ships had left Roderic's galley unharmed. He had voyaged into the far north with the defeated King Hakon, and after Hakon's death he had returned to Gigha. On any day he might be expected again in Bute.

His beautiful wife, the Lady Adela attired in a rich gown inwoven with many devices of silk, and spun by the Sudureyans sat facing him at the far end of the board. At her right hand sat Earl Roderic of Gigha; and at her left Alpin, her son. So the feast began, with much merry discourse of how the men had fared that day at the hunting in Glen More.

"Yes, Lulach, run, run like the wind!" cried Aasta, and the lad ran off. Kenric was about to follow him, when Aasta drew him back. "One will serve as well as two, my lord," said she, "and methinks it were better that you sped back to Rothesay. Lulach will not fail." "But I have yet another purpose, Aasta," said Kenric. "I would find the base villain, Roderic of Gigha."

Their leader was, in truth, none other than his own brother, the Earl Roderic of the Isle of Gigha. The other two were Erland the Old of Jura, and Sweyn the Silent of Colonsay. What their unexpected mission to the lord of Bute might be had yet to be learnt.

Roderic had learned from the Lady Adela that her younger son, Kenric, was but a boy of sixteen, living with the learned abbot of St. Blane's, and to the wicked earl of Gigha it seemed that Kenric might be disposed of by very simple means. But now, even after having slain his brother, he had failed in his object.

She has not yet been seen: nor has our watch-wolf Lufa been found. Alas! I fear me the wild maid has gone off to Gigha." "Not so," said Kenric. "But come with me within the chapel, good Elspeth, and when the service is over I will tell you all." He gently pushed open the door and drew Elspeth with him. They stood there, looking in at the many rough islanders with their heads bent in devotion.

"That Earl Roderic is guilty of the crime," said Ronald Gray, their spokesman, "and that he shall pay the highest penalty that our laws can impose." "Then," said Alpin, "I claim that Roderic of Gigha shall die the death." But at that the wise men shook their heads.