"Now, Duncan, if so be you have the strength," said Allan, going back to
his cabin, "I would hear what you have yet to tell."
Duncan raised himself on his elbow and began. His tale was told with
feeble, faltering voice, and not until afterwards did Allan hear it in
all its particulars.
Kenric, with his squadron of six galleys, left the little isle of Gigha
ere the galleys of Sir Piers de Currie were well out of sight. Through
the fierce sound of Islay his good ships sailed as with spreading wings,
and the next morning he sighted the isle of Oronsay. Taking the western
coast, he crept up to the more northern isle of Colonsay, and stood off
a little village that had a castle in its midst. Above the gates of this
castle, that was called Dungallan, waved the white falcon banner of the
old Norse vikings. On seeing it, Kenric hoisted the banner of the
Scottish lion.
Now the position held at this time by both Erland of Jura and Sweyn of
Colonsay -- vassals both of Hakon of Norway -- was shown in the
conversation that was the prelude to the murder of the good Earl Hamish
of Bute. Of the attitude held by these two island kings towards
Scotland, Kenric, however, knew nothing, and though it may be that he
was eager enough to meet Earl Sweyn the Silent in mortal combat, yet he
did not forget the caution of King Alexander against drawing the sword
ere the tongue had done its work.
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