Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

226 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 1 ;
In tlie midst of the revelry, however, a somewhat diflPereiit tone was j
given to the proceedings by the arrival from Dairy of one of Dermond'sl i
followers who related tlxe incidents of the fight — the defeat and escape ol! •
Bruce, the wrath of Lorn, the disaffection of Macnab and the other chief- 1 c
tains, the death of the three Durwarths, and the conduct of the young | >'
chief, who had gone in pursuit of the King's army and never returned, j I
" He must undoubtedly have fallen into the hands of Bruce," sug«l i
gested Cyril. ,
" He has at least escaped from the hands of Lorn," said Brian, " and j
will, of a certy, continue at liberty." j
" What if he has been slain in the battle 1" enquired young Clement.ij i
" Ay, but that's what troubles me," said Brian. " I fear he may havel i
fallen by the hand of the great Bruce." i
" If he has," said Jarloff, '' he has fallen by the hand of a worthyl J
knight. 'Tis no craven feat to venture within the reach of Bruce's sword j <
or battle-axe. But, have no fear ; my son, Olave, was with him, and a
more faithful and gallant follower he could not have."
" As you say, good Jarloff," said Brian, evidently somewhat relieved,
" Olave is valiant and devoted, and Dermond is skilled and daring in the
use of every weapon. Both may now be with the Bruce as prisoners.
What think you if we send to ascertain 1 If they should perchance
escape, let them not walk with open eyes into the dungeons of Dunolly,
Let's send some one in search bidding them fight for the noble king."
" What, good nephew, if we leave this accursed place and join the
Bruce in a body 1" asked Cyril.
This was received with shouts of assent, in which Clement heartilj
joined.
" Wait yet a little, my noble kinsman," said Brian, " till the good
father Dommick comes. He'll be here to-night, and his advice is worth
the waiting for. Besides he m%j have news of Dermond."
" A health to the merry friar," rose from almost every lip at the men-
tion of his name.
*' Come, send the goblet round," said Brian.
This was answered with acclamation, the health of Dominick being
pledged with round after round.
" Confound the Lord of Lorn and all his tyrannies," said Brian when
the ale began to take effect. " He is a coward — a miserable, prating, skulk-
ing coward. Let him come to Dunkerlyne, and woe betide his haughty
head."
" He come to Dunkerlyne !" said Donald. " He dare not."
'' 'Tis as well," chuckled the treacherous Cormac Doil, half-audibly
as he shouldered his pick, and hastened from the hall to the outer portaI,i
his appointed place of watch.
" A murrain on the knave, but I like not his chuckling," exclaimed
the Viking. " Call him back."
As Jarloff and several others made to hail him, Brian, on second
thoughts, said " Nay ; let him go. 'Tis his way."
" A singular way, indeed," said one.
" Shame on you for a slanderous knave. He is most excellent, cun-
ning, wise, and worthy of all honour," said another.