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If the dynasty of MacAlpin could win rich Lothian, with its English-speaking folk, they were "made men," they held the granary of the North.
But Roderic MacAlpin was as much at home in the water as upon the dry land, and though Kenric believed that he had but preferred a watery grave to being hacked to death by sword or axe, yet Roderic reached his ship in safety and lived to fight another day. Kenric, returning with Aasta from the beach, found Allan Redmain, surrounded by many men of Bute, fighting still.
'Oh, Jamie! oh! dear holy Father, cried Eleanor, turning from the King to the Bishop, 'do not, for mercy's sake, give me over to one of those ruffians. 'They are coming, Eleanor, said James, with a boy's love of terrifying; 'the MacAlpin and Mackay are both coming down after you, and we shall have a fight like the Clan Chattan and Clan Kay.
Crossing to the outer seas, Hakon gathered about him the few pirate chiefs who had joined him in the hope of plunder, and upon them he bestowed as rewards for their service the islands of which he had made imaginary conquest. He gave the isle of Arran to Earl Margad, who had invaded it, and upon Roderic MacAlpin he bestowed the isle of Bute.
And do you hope to rule in Bute do you believe that there is one man in all this land who would accept you as his lord and master, and who would pay homage to you, after the ills you have done? Vain fool! be satisfied. Turn back to your ships and ask of Heaven the forgiveness which no man on earth will now accord you! Go, Roderic MacAlpin!" "Miserable hag!" cried Roderic grasping his sword.
"I charge Roderic MacAlpin, king of Gigha," said Alpin, and at that there was a great yell of execration. "Down with the traitor! Death to him!" was the cry as the crowd opened. And Alpin turning round saw Duncan Graham taller by a head than the tallest man there present leading in the criminal, followed by his two companions of Colonsay and Jura. In a moment Alpin sprang forward at his enemy.
But I swear that they are henceforth safe from all further peril. And now, for my own curiosity alone, I would ask you how it happened that you were so timely warned of the danger that threatened you, my lord?" Kenric told how William MacAlpin had come to Bute, and how he himself had spied upon the council of King Hakon in Gigha.
'Peter MacAlpin, my dear, said the provost, made himself too busy for a person in office, and drunk healths and so forth, which it became no man to drink or to pledge, far less one that is in point of office a servant of the public, I understand that he lost the music bells in Edinburgh, for playing "Ower the Water to Charlie," upon the tenth of June.
"What mean you? Who then was this youth? Of what land was he, and what was his name?" Elspeth paused and stepped nearer. "His name, my lord, was Lulach, and he was the son of Roderic MacAlpin and Sigrid the Fair." "You lie, vile witch, you lie!" cried Roderic, recoiling as he heard her words, and pressing his hands to his brow.
"And now do I leave my kinsman, William MacAlpin, as my chosen steward and governor over my lands and as the defender of my people." Kenric then went on board Sir Piers de Currie's ship, taking a fisherman of Gigha to act as pilot, and they left the rest of their barks at anchor in the quiet bay under the care of Allan Redmain.
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