"And now, Duncan," said Allan, when his two vessels were well under way,
"take, I beg you, a little more food --"
"No, no," said Duncan, bracing himself up. "I have already taken what
will serve me till I tell you all that has befallen my young master. Not
another bite passes my lips until I have seen him again in life. But,
lest by chance my own life's breath ebb out too soon, let me direct you
to this stronghold wherein the Earl Kenric lies lingering to his death
in bitter hunger. Know, then, that the castle of Breacacha lies at the
southeast of Coll. Could I have got within its strong walls, as you and
your men-at-arms may now do, haply I might have saved him. But I alone
am left of those who followed him ashore, and I could not reach him
without help. The great God be thanked that I have at last found it."
Then Duncan, groaning, threw back his head and closed his eyes.
"Men of Bute," said Allan, returning to his shipmates, "yonder, in that
isle that you see across the waters, our lord Kenric lies perishing of
hunger in a castle dungeon. No more need I say to you, my brave
comrades, for well do I know that there is no man of you who will think
of rest until we have saved him. Speed you, my lads, work well your
oars, and God grant that we be yet in time."
"Kenric! Kenric!" they cried with one voice as they fell to their oars,
and so the ship sped on over the chopping waves, leaving the companion
galley of Arran to follow in the wake.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163