have been
molested."

"I suppose then I should be thankful they are unharmed?"

"You have reason," said the king shortly.

"His majesty must set great value on your heads if he sends his whole
fleet to succour you."

"He does."

"How did he know you were here if you did not break your parole and
communicate with Stirling?"

"The king knows there is more going on in Skye than the making of
strong drink. I did not break my parole, neither did MacDonald."

"In spite of what you said to me, you must have told the king before
you left Stirling where you were going."

"I did not."

"Then word must have been brought to him from Skye?"

"It was not."

"In that case the only conclusion I can come to is that the king is
unaware of your presence here."

"He is well aware of it."

"You speak in riddles, my friend. However, I had no real wish to
detain you, and you might have gone where you pleased any time this
fortnight or more."

"So you say now."

"It's true enough, and if you wish to visit the fleet one of my boats
will be ready to carry you the moment you give the order. I told you
the first day that if you were a friend of the king's, or an emissary
of his, you could go on your way unchecked. Did I not, MacDonald?"

"You said something of that sort, sir."

"You denied being a friend of the king's," persisted MacLeod, "and
said you were but a small farmer near Stirling."

"I deny yet that I am a friend of the king. On the contrary, I don't
mind confessing to you that I am the greatest enemy he has in the
world, and it's well he knows it."

"You amaze me. Then you do not wish to meet the fleet."

"On the contrary, I do, and I ask you to order a suitable boat for
me."

"You shall have the best boat in my possession," said MacLeod leaving
them for a moment to give his command.

In a short time a large boat with ten oarsmen was waiting at the
landing.

"They are ready for you," said MacLeod with an effort at geniality,
which gave a most sinister effect to his face. "I am sorry to bid you
good-bye, but I hope you bear away with you no ill will against
Dunvegan."

"Sir," said the king ignoring his compliments, "that boat will not do
for me."

"It is the best I have," said MacLeod looking at his truculent guest
with new anxiety.

"The boat you must bring to the landing is the twenty-six oared barge,
which Malcolm MacLeod builded so well."

The MacLeod stepped back two paces.

"That boat is fo