Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

180 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
" Of a surety. I'm no vain coxcomb to boast of a night-interview .' i
with a fair maid."
'' Well, I trust you," she "whispered. " Your master, Dermond, has I
been released." '
"Thank God for that." j
" But he is almost a prisoner, so far as free intercourse Avith the rest !
of the chieftains is concerned, and John of Lorn has forbidden him from; i*
speaking with my lady Bertha. She has a letter for him, which is to be; ■
delivered safely and secretly to Sir David Macneill, who belongs to the,' 1
ranks of the rebel. She did not know how to get it given to young | (
Dermond without being observed, but of course I knew you could do it."' j
" I will, sweet Kate, and if Dermond fails to carry it to its destina-j I
tion, for your sake I'll undertake the task." ;
" The saints will reward you for your devotion to a damsel in distress.! j
She, at least, wont forget you." • ]
" And will you not remember me likewise f ' '
"Well, well, both of you be good and faithful knights. 'Tis a featj*
of chivalry worthy of two such gallants." i
" Now, let's seal the contract," said he, grasping the little hand thai: \
thrust the letter through. "May the foul fiend brain the knave whc; (
locked this gate and built this wall between us." '
He raised the little hand passionately to his lips, and bade farewell. . I
" Be brave and faithful in the battle to-morrow, and keep your heac ' )
with a strong hand," said Kate, as she drew her hand away, and, turning, \
on her heel, soon reached her lady's chamber to tell her of her success. \ j
Chapter VII. ; ■
All day long the mountains thrilled with sounds of war. — Anon. ; ;
At grey dawn the men-at-arms were marshalled along the beach. Ji {
regular order each chieftain took possession of his gaUey, and a hundreq i
and seventy vessels spread canvas to the wmd. About forty years hac' -I
elapsed since the Norsemen had been driven from the Western Highlands : i
but traces of their domination could be seen in the arms and armour oil '
the Islesmen, whose well-appointed accoutrements contrasted strongl].' i
with the primitive dress and weapons of the men of the interior. Th( ; I
deck of Lorn's leading galley shone brilliantly with steel-clad warriors'; t
the flower of Western chivahy. Bright in his glittering hauberk, amonf i >
the chieftains more closely allied to DunoUy, was the noble Dermond! .'
He stood leaning on his battle-axe, while his long sword hung from hiii
chastely embroidered girdle. His plaid was bound across his breast, anci i
secured Avith a fijiely ornamented silver clasp, while his broad and bumi .:
ished shield hung on his well-formed shoulders. Though tall and manljj i
in figure, his countenance was feminine and youthful, with the down o:i (
approaching manhood shading his ruddy cheek. His glossy raven lockil (
curled on a shapely head, and escaped Irom beneath his shining helmet in 'i
graceful wavelets. The towers of DuuoUy were crowded with spectators] '
and few commanded more attention among the fair ones of the West thai I 'i
the gallant young chief of Dunlcerlyne. Bertha looked anxiously fronj i
the seaward window of her turret-chamber, and although no one else coulcl i
have distinguished her, Dermond did not fail to mark her out fron; «