he question in Gaelic and received
Ronald's reply.

"He says, your majesty, that a huntsman's first duty is to kill the
game he is sent for."

"Quite right," and the king nodded approval. "Ask him if he knows as
well the second duty of a huntsman."

Ronald's eye flashed as he gave his answer with a vehemence that
caused the chief huntsman to move still farther away from him.

"He says, your majesty," translated MacNeish, "that the second duty of
a huntsman is to cut the throat of any cateran who presumes to
interfere with the progress of the provender from the forest to his
master's kitchen."

"Right again," cried the king, smiting his thigh, "and an answer
worthy of all commendation. Tell him this, MacNeish, that hereafter he
is the chief huntsman to the Castle of Stirling. We will place this
cowardly hellion in the kitchen where he will be safe from the hungry
frenzy of a Buchanan, drunk or sober."

"But, your majesty--" protested the deposed ranger.

"To the kitchen with him!" sternly commanded the king. "Strip off the
woodlander's jacket he has disgraced and tie round him the strings of
a scullion's apron, which will suit his middle better than the belt of
a sword." Then the king, flashing forth his own weapon and stepping
aside, swung it over the head of the Highlander, who stood like a
statue in spite of the menace, and the sword came down with a deft
accuracy which severed the binding cords without touching the person
of the prisoner, freeing him at a stroke. A murmur of admiration at
the dexterity of the king went up from the assemblage, every member of
which was himself an expert with the weapon. The freed Highlander
raised his brawny arms above his head and gave startling vent to the
war-cry of his clan, "Loch Sloy! Loch Sloy!" unmindful of the presence
in which he stood. Then he knelt swiftly and brought his lips to the
buckle of the king's shoe.

"Gratitude in a MacFarlane!" sneered MacNeish.

"Aye," said the king, "and bravery too, for he never winked an eyelash
when the sword swung above him; an admirable combination of qualities
whether in a MacFarlane or a MacNeish. And now, gentlemen," continued
his majesty, "although the affair of the huntsman is settled, it
brings us no nearer our venison. If the cook will not to the king,
then must the king to the cook. Gentlemen, to your arms and your
horses! They say a Scotsman fights well when he is hungry; let us put
the proverb to the test. We ride a