Lairds of Glenlyon

THE LAIRDS OF GLENLVON. 25
and in studied terms showed his claims, and exhorted his
kinsman peacefully to drop all opposition. M'Cailein stood
before the wily man, his brow clouded with anger, but
firmly self-confident. With an effort at self-control, he
heard him uninterruptedly to the end, but not without pay-
ing dear. The point of his unsheathed sword rested on his
soft brogue, and unconsciously he kept boring with it until
brogue and foot were equally pierced through. " Now give
thy say for peace, fair nephew," concluded Sir Duncan.
" Never ! " fiercely replied M'Cailein. " What," said the
knight — " what can you hope to do with your pitiful twelve
against my hundred ? My men, pull down the hut."
" Whatever a man of clean heart may against a craven
treacherous fox " — making a spring, clutching Sir Duncan
by the throat, and brandishing his sword. " I shall have
your life first, and as many other lives afterwards as I can.''
His men now could do little for the knight; for M'Cailein,
at their slightest movement to rescue him, threatened to
plunge his sword in their captain's breast, and they knew he
was the man to keep his word. Sir Duncan begged pardon,
and obtained it. His parting words were : " St. Martin,
nephew " — (by-the-bye, how or when did Martin of Tours
become a chief Scottish Saint ?) — " I will not risk my good
against your violence ; but of me will yet come those who
shall possess Luban." Magician as he was counted to be,
these words did not prove prophetic.
But Sir Duncan, if a magician himself, did not approve
of magic in others. On one occasion, when clan necessity
had thrown him and his nephew together, an Italian wizard
accosted Sir Duncan, offering to show him wonders. The
knight pooh-poohed, and told him to go to M'Cailein, add-