Kings of Carrick

ii2 THE KINGS OF CARRICK.
heard them, and called out to the walls a strong party of the
garrison who were ready at hand. They saw Mure as he
strained up the approach, and the Kennedys in hot pursuit ;
and they stood by the outer gate till he passed within the
portal. No sooner was he within than they closed it. It
went to with a loud clang, and the chase was fruitless.
Once inside, Mure hastened to attempt reprisal. The
guard, which had turned out in reply to the summons of the
sentry, opened fire on the Kennedys, but without effect ; and
the Kennedys, on their part, fruitlessly fired their pieces at
the strong battlements, and rode round the walls, yelling out
taunts begotten of anger and disappointment.
Ordering his men to cease firing, the Master of Cassillis and
his followers rode near the gateway which had been closed
upon them. Mure surveyed them calmly from one of the
loopholes in the wall hard by. Brandishing his sword, the
Master fiercely called on Mure to come forth and defend his
honour. Mure laughed scornfully.
" Come out, bloody souled villain," shouted the Master,
taunted beyond description by the reception of his challenge ;
" come out. The blood of Sir Thomas Kennedy is on your
soul."
" You lie ! " retorted Auchendrane, discharging a pistol at
the Master. The shot failed of its mark, but took effect on
one of the Cassillis followers who was standing by the side of
his leader. The man reeled in his saddle and dropped upon
the ground.
" I do not lie," cried the Master defiantly ; " and you know
that I do not lie. You are afraid to face me, coward ! Come
out, I tell you, and I will establish in single combat the cause
of justice and of right."
Auchendrane laughed again, and ordered his men to dis-
charge a volley at the Kennedys. This they did with fatal
effect. Three of the followers of the Master of Cassillis fell,
never to rise again; several were wounded, and the horse