an-a-Sop thanked his stepfather for so happy a suggestion, which
he declared he would put in execution forthwith. Accordingly, setting
sail the next morning, he appeared before MacKinnon's house an hour
before noon. The old chief of Ulva was much alarmed at the menacing
apparition of so many galleys, and his anxiety was not lessened by the
news, that they were commanded by the redoubted Allan-a-Sop. Having
no effectual means of resistance, MacKinnon, who was a man of shrewd
sense, saw no alternative save that of receiving the invaders,
whatever might be their purpose, with all outward demonstrations of
joy and satisfaction. He caused immediate preparations to be made for
a banquet as splendid as circumstances admitted, hastened down to
the shore to meet the rover, and welcomed him to Ulva with such an
appearance of sincerity, that the pirate found it impossible to pick
any quarrel which might afford a pretence for executing the violent
purpose which he had been led to meditate.

They feasted together the whole day; and in the evening, as
Allan-a-Sop was about to retire to his ships, he thanked the Laird
of MacKinnon for his entertainment, but remarked, with a sigh, that
it had cost him very dear. "How can that be" said MacKinnon, "when I
bestowed this entertainment upon you in free good-will?"--"It is true,
my friend," replied the pirate, "but then it has quite disconcerted
the purpose for which I came hither; which was to put you to death,
my good friend, and seize upon your house and island, and so settle
myself in the world. It would have been very convenient, this island,
but your friendly reception has rendered it impossible for me to
execute my purpose; so that I must be a wanderer on the seas for some
time longer." Whatever MacKinnon felt at hearing that he had been so
near to destruction, he took care to show no emotion save surprise,
and replied to his visiter,--"My dear Allan, who was it that put into
your mind so unkind a purpose towards your old friend; for I am sure
it never arose from your own generous nature? It must have been your
father-in-law, old Torloisk, who made such an indifferent husband to
your mother, and such an unfriendly stepfather to you when you were a
helpless boy; but now, when he sees you a bold and powerful leader, he
desires to make a quarrel betwixt you and those who were the friends
of your youth. If you consider this matter rightly, Allan, you will
see that the estate and harbour o