He that cannot
execute vengeance like a man, should not harbour
useless enmity like a craven. Mother, young
Barcaldine is true and brave; I know that MacPhadraick
counselled him, that he should not let
me take leave of you, lest you dissuaded me from
my purpose; but he said, `Hamish MacTavish is
the son of a brave man, and he will not break his
word.' Mother, Barcaldine leads an hundred of
the bravest of the sons of the Gael in their native
dress, and with their fathers' arms---heart to heart
---shoulder to shoulder. I have sworn to go with
him---He has trusted me, and I will trust him.''
At this reply, so firmly and resolvedly pronounced,
Elspat remained like one thunderstruck, and
sunk in despair. The arguments which she had
considered so irresistibly conclusive, had recoiled
like a wave from a rock. After a long pause, she
filled her son's quaigh, and presented it to him with
an air of dejected deference and submission.
``Drink,'' she said, ``to thy father's roof-tree,
ere you leave it for ever; and tell me,---since the
chains of a new King, and of a new Chief, whom
your fathers knew not save as mortal enemies, are
fastened upon the limbs of your father's son,---tell
me how many links you count upon them?''
Hamish took the cup, but looked at her as if uncertain
of her meaning.
Pages:
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260