dered men arrived at the castle the
Gallwegians had already assailed the gate, and in despite of many arrows
that fell about them from the towers and loopholes, they hammered with
great clubs and iron battering bars, clamouring for blood. The gate soon
gave way before the assault of their vigorous blows. Then the
Gallwegians, with cries of triumph, rushed in upon the defending
garrison, followed presently by Kenric and his retainers of Bute. A
guard of some fifty men met them within the fallen gates and boldly
defended their stronghold with swords and pikes. The men of Galloway
leading, mowed them down and passed over their dead bodies, until,
finding no further resistance, they proceeded to their work of plunder.

Kenric, leaving his men with Duncan, and calling but a dozen to follow
him, ascended to the battlements and tore down the Norwegian flag. He
searched about for Earl Sweyn, believing he was in hiding. But neither
Sweyn nor his steward could he find, nor any living man who could tell
him where the lord of Colonsay might be.

His men, ranked in order now without the gates, awaited him, and,
returning, he led them in the direction of the beach. But as he passed
through the little settlement of wooden huts a fearful scene presented
itself. The men of Galloway whom he had left upon their two galleys, had
boldly followed their countrymen ashore, led by their under-captain.
While Kenric, who had himself not yet struck a blow, was within the
castle, these wild men had fallen upon the village. They had burst open
the doors of the cottages and ferociously slain the innocent people.
Every threshold was bespattered with blood. Before Kenric had time to
interfere, or even to realize what had taken place, many of the homes
had been plundered and laid waste.

On a little knoll above the village a band of the Gallwegians had
gathered in a crowd. As Kenric went towards them he heard screams of
terror and of pain. With his buckler on his left arm, and in his hand
the Thirsty Sword that had not yet been used, he led his men onward and
forced his way into the crowd. Three women, who had been with others
escaping to the hills, now lay slain upon the grass, with their
slaughtered infants by their sides. A shock of horror overcame Kenric as
he saw two burly Gallwegians in their wanton fury raise each a small
child upon the point of his spear, and shake the spear until the child,
pierced through the body, fell down to his hands.