Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

DEEMOND. 67
" Pardon me," said Derraond, " but if my father is not liere I must
go. I fear the violence of the storm, and must instantly take measures to
secure his safety."
" A noble youth !" exclaimed Sir GuUbert. " Happy the father with
so brave a son. Come, sir chieftain, you -will pledge me this bumper to
the safety of your noble father, Brian of Dunkerlyne."
" Naj," said Lorn, " we assure you of his safety. Moreover, let no
man say that so gallant a youth went on so hazardous an expedition, or
visited his liege lord on so stormy a night without partaking of his hospi-
tality. Come, sir, be seated until we pledge you right royally. Here, by
the brave Macnab, you have a seat."
" Excuse my want of ceremony," said Dermond, " but my vow forbids
it. Above all, my lord, remember the feud that exists between the house
of Dunkerlyne and the chieftain on your right."
" Tush !" said Lorn. " Here is your place ; be seated."
"What!" exclaimed Dermond, " Sit at your board with a skulking
Macnab ! God save me from a dishonour so great. And to sit beneath
the cliief of that clan, I should resent the proposal as an insult were it
not that my liege lord is iucapable of malice towards one of his faithful
vassals. ]S"o, my lord, I must go. MeanwhUe, farewell ! "
Having said this Dermond made towards the door of the hall, but
Lorn and Macnab started up at the same time and signed to the attendants
to detain him.
" Olf with your menial hands," said the youth, drawing his weapon
and making the attendants stand aghast.
" What !" he continued, turning to John of Lorn, "Am I to be thus
insulted by your very servants 1 Does my liege lord call for so mean a
measure, and that at the instigation of a Macnab 1 Violence and insult
to a son of Dunkerlyne in the hall of Macdougall 1 Let no man be so
rash ! If anyone desires to stop me it must be Macnab. Let him not
foolishly imagine that the menials of Lorn wiU form a cloak to his
treachery. Villain as he is, he shall yet answer for his conduct."
Here Dermond lifted the hilt of his sword in his left hand, and shook
his fist in the face of Macnab, who again started up, clutched his clay-
more, and glared at the angry youth.
"Draw!" said Dermond, his gleaming sword stiU quivering in his
passion- stricken hand. " I have hitherto refrained from striking, but I
can bear it no longer. I will instantly be revenged for a thousand insults.
Draw, you trembhng, cowardly jackanapes. Eig and strong though you
be, my blood is young and my heart is steeled with the sense of right.
Have at you, sir chief."
At the same time Dermond advanced to where Macnab stood, and
struck desperately at him. By this time, however, Macnab had bared his
weapon, in time to guard the blow aimed by Dermond at his head. Ke-
turning the blow with as much strength and dexterity as he could, Mac-
nab made a thrust which started the guard of Dermond and drew fire
from his steel breastplate. The hot blood tingled in the cheek of the
youth at the thought, but as yet no harm had been done, and striking
down the sword of Macnab, he make a frantic attempt to disarm him.
Consternaiion prevailed in the hall, and Lorn called for the termina-
tion of the fight by the interference of the attendants ; but to no purpose.