History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

428
Appendix.
Undaunted and tireless she pulled at the nars,
Undaunted and fearless the breakers' deep
song
She heard, 'mid Kerrera's wild, treacherous
shores,
But watchful and wary she darted along.
She saw with dismay that Dunollyshe passed,
She saw its dark tower swiftly gliding
astern ;
As gloaming gave place to night's darkness at
last.
The landmaiks, erst known, she could dimly
discern. —
The lone herald star of the evening appeared.
In pale, silvera modesty's beauty serene;
"While down in the east o'er the cloud edges
peered
The halo that ushered Kight's full-beaming
Queen ;
Then leapt every star from its holy repose.
As choristers sweet in the heavens above
Their bright, joyous anthems of glory arose
lu soft, trembling beauty, in homage of love.
On, on I and still on ! to the westward she
sped,
And cold-dawning fear filled her bosom with
awe —
That awe which unnerves us and fills us with
dread.
And makes us poor slaves to its pitiless law.
The night mists descended from lofty Ben
More,
And rolled as a cloud on the breast of the
deep.
Weird sounds rose anon — now behind, now
before.
And floating sea-gulls wildly screamed in
their sleep.
The conflict of currents hissed loud to the
skies.
And heightened the waves that in anger
arose
Around her frail skiff, their wan, death-gleam-
ing eyes
Oft peered at the maiden and laughed at her
woes.
The terror of death filled her soul with des-
pair.
She trembled and wept as a motherless
child;
She gazed to the heavens, she shrieked a heart-
prayer
In accents of agony fearfully wild.
Hark! hark I o'er tlie deep came a sound;
could it be
Her praj-er was answered? that succor was
nigh?
The harsh creak of oars on the mist-laden sea
Came nearer! came clearer! and filled her
with joy.
A voice from the darkness was heard! she re-
plied, —
The moments seemed hours that would ne'er
have an end;
She marked through the mist a boat's faint
shadow glide.
And heard the "Halloo!" of a fast-nearing
friend.
Invisible hands flung unerring a rope.
Its swift-gliding folds seemed the answer
she craved,
'Twas clutched with the frenzy of fast-dying
hope,
And consciousness fled as the maiden was
saved !
MacDougall's grim chieftain was restless this
night.
He stood on his ramparts, he watched, and
he mourned ;
His henchman and clansmen, with fleet-footed
might.
Had sought her afar, but despairing re-
turned :
They sought her in chamber, they sought her
in cot,
They searched Etive's shore, they scoured
valley and heath ;
Their slogan pealed far, but an answer came
not.
And filled was each breast with forebodings
of death.
MacDougall's grim chieftain stalked thro' his
lone halls.
Despair's mood^- silence o'ershadowed his
face.
The voice of the night-wind in ominous calls
Seemed chanting a dirge for the doom of
his race.
He started, he wept, then he laughed, then he
scowled.
Then sullenly motionless stood.on the floor,
And quivered with terror as dismally howled
The stag hound that kept his night-watch at
the door.
Mysterious footsteps he heard as they moved.
Strange beings appeared but to vanish
again ;
Ah ! little he know that the daughter he loved
Was safe in the halls of his foe, the Mac-
Lean !