Lairds of Glenlyon

22 THE LAIRDS OF GLENLYON.
day suddenly presented himself before Donnachadh M'Cai-
lcin, and offered him his sword, bidding him do with him
what he liked, as he was weary of life. " Keep your sword,"
said Duncan ; " I do not pursue your clan. If you wish to
surrender, go to Lawers ; he knows how to mete out mercy
and justice to the M'Gregors." " To Lawers ? and die the
death of a dog by the hands of a coward ! No ; since I
must die, let me receive the death-blow as a warrior should
— from a brave man." " By Mary ! you say well ; will you
go to Lawers with a letter from me ? " "I will." " Then
you will set out to-night, and, if he lets you go, be back to-
morrow at noon." So said, so done. M'Gregor, under the
safeguard of Glenlyon's letter, presented himself to Lawers
in the morning, when making ready to renew the pursuit
after him. The cruel are generally cowardly ; and Lawers
was glad to let the enemy, now within his power, off scot
free, ere more harm came of it. M'Gregor lost some time
on the way, and was an hour or two too late in appearing
before Glenlyon. He found the chieftain at the head of his
men, banner displayed, and pipe playing, on the point of
marching to Breadalbane, to revenge the supposed death of
the fugitive. Gregor explained. The chieftain smoothed
his ruffled brow, and said : " It is well. Had it been other-
wise, ere night the house of Lawers would perish — stock,
shoot, and branch. Though in my quarrel with Black Dun-
can with the Cowl, kindred blood glues the sword to the
scabbard, thank Heaven ! there is no such bar to hinder my
revenge upon his minion Lawers." This is the abridged
version of a story often yet told over the winter fire by the
old Highlanders.
Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, or " Black Duncan