med wise that Sir Oscar and Kenric should each defend his own
castle, and that he who first descried the invaders from afar should
send word of their approach to his neighbour.

Being assured that Kilmory was well guarded, and prepared to offer a
strong resistance, Kenric asked to see Ailsa Redmain. Ailsa was in the
fields.

"Ailsa," said he when he had found her, "you have heard of the great
danger that threatens our island?"

"Who is there in all Bute that hath not already heard it, my lord?" said
she. "Ah, would that I were a man that I might be of some service at
this time!"

"It needs not that you should be a man, Ailsa, to be of very great
service, and I will ask your help. You are no longer a child, and well
do I know what wisdom there is in you. I would trust you in all things
to act wisely."

Then dismounting and standing at her side he told her how the women and
children were to be taken to St. Blane's.

"The Norsemen may arrive," he said, "even before another day be gone,
and passing up Kilbrannan Sound they will doubtless make landing near
your father's castle, where it were most unwise in you to remain. Go,
therefore, to the abbey and make what womanly preparations may be
needful. There will my mother join you. With her and you do I intrust
the children of Bute, so that you may minister to their comforts until
the danger be past. You shall not lack help, but 'tis well that there be
some womanly authority whose word may be held as law in case of need.
And now, Ailsa, since it may be that we shall never meet again in this
world, fare you well!"

Then as he was about to remount he saw the tears gather in the girl's
eyes, and he put his arms about her neck and drew her to him.

"Ailsa," he murmured, "never till this moment did I know how dear you
are to me! But now when death faces me -- when another day may see me
slain -- the thought of you, my playmate, my dear friend, my loved
Ailsa, makes life on earth more precious. God watch between us in our
danger. The holy Mother protect you, and on earth or in Heaven grant
that we may meet again!"

Then holding her near him he touched her white brow with his lips and
left her sadly.

Passing across the meadows of Kilmory he found Lulach the herd boy.
Lulach was in great terror at knowing that the Norsemen were expected,
for though he was himself by blood and nature a Norseman, and was wont
to speak their tongue rather than the Gaelic, yet he looked upon