numbers, taking ashore their besieging
engines and various instruments of war.

Then might be seen stones, arrows, quarrels, and other missiles to fly
among them, and so effectively did those within the castle exchange
their tokens with those without that in one short hour there were many
scores of persons wounded, and I know not how many killed. The heaviest
of the besieging engines were worked in throwing massive stones, which
could be got in plenty and of every size upon the shingly beach. And
when there was a good hit, a great shout arose among the invading host.
Many shot wagons and three other machines were brought by the enemy --
very large, of great power, and very destructive -- which might be
thought to cut down and crush whatever their missiles struck. But the
walls of Rothesay Castle were strong and thick, and the stones that
struck them only shivered into a thousand fragments.

Many a well-directed arrow did he of Rothesay receive, but he placed
before him his great white shield with a red cross engrailed. With his
head protected by a strong brass helm, and his chest with a well-wrought
coat of mail, he escaped all hurt. Nor did he lose courage, but cheered
his men lustily as though it were but a boy's game he was playing. But
ever he kept his watchful eye upon the Norsemen, eager to pick out the
tall figure of his uncle and dreaded foe Roderic. Not once but many
times did he see him standing with a dozen of his companions directing
the siege.

Kenric many times took up his longbow and sent his arrow shafts swiftly
towards the heart of his enemy. Roderic was clothed in complete armour,
and though many of his nephew's arrows struck him, yet they but broke
upon his breastplate and fell shivered to his feet.

For four long hours the battle continued, and at Kenric's side many
brave men lay dead. On the plain before the castle seven score of
Norsemen lay slain. Then, as the sun went down, and the evening clouds
brought heavy rain, the enemy retired to their ships. By this time the
three vessels that had been engaged with the ships of Bute were drawn
alongside their consorts, and Kenric's four galleys had sailed out to
sea, so that in the cover of darkness they might approach under the
abbey of St. Blane's, and give ready succour should the enemy discover
the retreat of the women and children.

Early in the morning the whole of Roderic's forces landed, and now they
stormed the castle gates with all their st