d carried him below into the cabin.

For two long hours the man lay without uttering a word. But the warm
wine with which they fed him brought back something of his strength. He
put his hand to his chest to show that he was wounded. Allan Redmain
drew away the garments and revealed a gaping sword wound.

"No; not dead," moaned Duncan. "He yet lives. But oh, my masters, hasten
to his aid, for he is even now a helpless prisoner in the dark dungeon
of Breacacha Castle!"

"A prisoner?" echoed Allan.

"Breacacha?" said Sir Piers. "Where is that castle? In what isle?"

"Over in Coll," said Duncan, pointing westward across the sea.

Then from the ships of the Earl of Ross came the loud call of a clarion
horn. Sir Piers de Currie moved to go on deck.

"Stay, stay, Sir Piers," said Allan Redmain. "Ere You go, give me, I
implore you, the liberty to take two of our ships across to Coll, that I
may save my friend and master and rescue him from out his dungeon."

"Little need have you to ask that, Allan," said the knight. "Would that
I might accompany you! But I am in the hands of my lord of Ross, whose
orders, by the King's instructions, I am now subject to. But ere I
resign my command, let my last directions be to you, Allan. Take two of
our galleys, with what men you will. Rescue our dear young friend even
if need be at the cost of your own life, and God be with you. Farewell!"

Allan Redmain had Duncan carried upon the /Kraken/ galley, and, taking
also the /Seahorse/ of Arran, with a full company of men upon each, he
set out to cross the twenty miles of sea that divide Iona from the
island of Coll; while Sir Piers de Currie repaired on board the flagship
of the Earl of Ross.

"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
wi