eton that I have been to have faith that that
villain ever meant to keep to his vows! And this is how he went on the
pilgrimage! and all these months, while we have fondly believed that he
was serving the Cross, he has but been serving his own ambitious ends!
It was he, then, who led the Norsemen to Gigha! It was he who besought
King Hakon to let him make the invasion of Bute, that he might murder
our children and lay waste our lands -- that he might claim the dominion
he covets! But by my father's soul he shall yet fail!"

Then Kenric unsheathed his sword, and solemnly swore upon the cross of
its hilt that never should that weapon leave him until either himself or
Roderic the Outlaw lay dead.

The story of Roderic since the time of his quitting the isle of Bute may
soon be told.

Scarce had he passed the rock of Ailsa Craig ere he had resolved to
break his vows of penance and go his own chosen ways. Sailing southward
in the English salt ship, he was still upon familiar waters. He lay
quiet for three days, recovering from his wounds; then, when the vessel
was abreast of the Isle of Man, he forcibly took the helm, and drawing
his sword, threatened the life of any man who dared approach him, and he
steered the ship into the haven of Peeltown. There he landed among the
descendants of the Norse King Orry, and seeking out his friend Magnus,
who was the lord and monarch of that land, with him he lived for many
months, until on a time there came a message from Hakon of Norway,
bidding King Magnus set forth with his ships of war to the Western
Isles. When the Manx ships joined Hakon's navy at Skye, Roderic the
Rover was welcomed above all other chiefs, and he offered that the isle
of Gigha should be made the headquarters of the forces, from which they
might easily swoop down upon Bute and Arran, and thence invade the
mainland of Scotland.

"Methinks, my lord," said old Dovenald, as he stood with Kenric and
Aasta, "that this outlaw will not now be satisfied until he bath
compassed your death. Forget not, I implore you, that you alone stand
between him and his ambitions. 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 c