cried the king with impatience, "am I to find myself
involved in a Highland feud in my own hall? MacPherson, it seems this
man does not require your interpreting, so perhaps it will further the
peace of our realm if you withdraw quietly."

MacPherson with a low obeisance, did so; then to MacNab the king
spoke,--

"Sir, as it appears you are acquainted with our language, why did you
not reply to the question I put to you?"

"Because I would have you know it was not the proper kind of question
to ask the like of me. I am a descendant of kings."

"Well, as far as that goes, I am a descendant of kings myself, though
sorry I should be to defend all their actions."

"Your family only began with Robert the Bruce; mine was old ere he
came to the throne."

"That may well be, still you must admit that what Robert lacked in
ancestry, he furnished forth in ability."

"But the Clan MacNab defeated him at the battle of Del Rhi."

"True, with some assistance, which you ignore, from Alexander of
Argyll. However, if this discussion is to become a competition in
history, for the benefit of our ignorant courtiers, I may be allowed
to add that my good ancestor, Robert, did not forget the actions of
the MacNabs at Del Rhi, and later overran their country, dismantled
their fortresses, leaving the clan in a more sane and chastened
condition than that in which he found it. But what has all this to do
with your coming storming into a peaceable town like Stirling?"

"In truth, your majesty," whispered Sir David Lyndsay, "I think they
must have come to replenish their wardrobe, and in that they are not a
moment too soon."

"I came," said the chief, who had not heard this last remark, "because
of the foray you have mentioned. I came because Robert the Bruce
desolated our country."

"By my good sword!" cried James, "speaking as one king to another,
your revenge is somewhat belated, a lapse of two centuries should have
outlawed the debt. Did you expect then to take Stirling with twenty
men?"

"I expected King James the Fifth to rectify the wrong done by King
Robert the First."

"Your expectation does honour to my reputation as a just man, but I
have already disclaimed responsibility for the deeds of ancestors less
remote than good King Robert."

"You have made proclamation in the Highlands that the chieftains must
bring you proof of their right to occupy their lands."

"I have, and some have preferred to me their deeds of tenure