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THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 29
may ever destroy our pleasant dream, and yet there are times when I
have a half-nervous dread that Red Hector of the Hills will bring us
trouble."
" Cease these fears, my darling," Haco cried with a forced merry laugh
that belied the true state of his feelings, for at the mention of Red Hector's
name the Prince's brow darkened, and he clenched his hands as if in
passion.
" But you know how Red Hector has pressed me to become his bride,"
she answered, " and he is so wild and stern that I fear me he would resort
to anything to gain his purpose."
"I fear him not," Haco returned with great firmness, "and if he
should persecute you more I will slay him."
"
Nay, Haco my own, I would not have you take his life," the Princess
murmured as she threw her arms round her lover's neck and pressed her
warm cheek
"
to his. Should he annoy me further I will tell the Abbot
and seek his protection."
Whatever Haco's thoughts were he kept them to himself, and made
no further remark on the subject, and when a happy and too short hour
had passed the lovers separated, and the Prince blew a small silver whistle
which hung round his neck. This was a signal for the monk to appear
and row him across the loch.
When Haco reached the mainland, and close to the spot from whence
he had started, he sprung lightly out, and wishing the boatman good -night,
he bent his steps in the direction of his lodgings.
The moon was shining brilliantly, and the night was very still, save
for a soft breeze that had risen within the last hour, and was just moving
the heather and the trees into a weird rustle, that only served to heighten
the effects of the stillness.
As the Prince trudged on he was suddenly startled by a sound that was
not that of the wind, but which he knew to be an arrow that had whizzed
past his ear, and was within a hair'sbreadth of striking him in the face.
He was a bold and courageous youth, but he stopped and drew his long
rapier that flashed ominously in the moonlight, and while he stood irresolutely,
and undecided how to act, another arrow sped on its course and
went through his bonnet. No longer hesitating, he grasped his rapier
with a grip of iron and rushed towards a huge boulder that stood in his
path, and from which direction the arrows had been shot. As he reached
the rock, there suddenly rose up before him, like a spectre in the moonlight,
a tall, powerful man, with coarse red hair that hung about his
shoulders like a mat, and a beard that descended below his waist. His
arms were bare, and were brawny and powerful, and covered with coarse
fibrous hair that spoke of immense strength. In one hand he carried a
bow that was still strung, and raising this above his head, he stood like a
Hercules in the Prince's path, and in a stentorian voice exclaimed
"
Hold, Prince. You and I have an account to settle, and one of us
must die to-night.
(To be Continued.)