It would go ill with us all if he should
succeed, and methinks 'twere well that you took timely refuge where he
could not find you."
"My lord," said Aasta, "what Dovenald says is but wisdom; and now, if
you would take safe hiding, I know of a little cave above the shores of
Ascog Bay wherein you might be secure from all discovery."
"What? and would you counsel me to shrink from meeting this man? No, no,
my friends. I am no craven, and it is not thus that I will desert my
post. Here do I stand to defend our stronghold; and while I have a drop
of blood in my body so long will I fight."
Soon from the battlements the six ships of Roderic were seen emerging
from the Kyles of Bute, and as they passed Ardmaleish Point, the four
galleys of Rothesay dashed out from the bay of Kames, and encountered
the enemy. They met him with a rain of well-aimed arrows and showers of
missiles. The two ships of Roderic and King Magnus shot ahead, leaving
their four consorts behind to engage broadside to broadside with the
vessels of Bute, and there followed a terrible sea fight hand to hand --
Scots broadsword against Norse battle-axe -- that lasted many hours,
until the vessels of both sides, much damaged, and with the loss of four
score of men and more, found themselves drifted into Rothesay Bay.
From the towers, as he watched the opening of the fight, Earl Kenric
espied a band of men marching upon Rothesay from the northward.
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