Hakon then proposed that Alexander should meet him, each at the head of his army, and treat concerning a peace.  If the attempt at negotiation failed, then he would throw down the gauntlet from Norway and challenge the Scottish monarch to debate the matter with his army in the field, and let God, in His pleasure, determine the victory.

Upon this Alexander, in no wise unwilling to fight, pronounced the truce at an end, and war was declared.

CHAPTER XXVI.  A TRAITOR KNAVE.

Earl Kenric, on seeing the outlaw and his troops march back in the direction of Rothesay, breathed a great sigh of relief.

The people of Bute were so far safe; much bloodshed had been avoided.  The abbot and Elspeth Blackfell had by their simple words reversed the designs of an army.  So when the abbot returned into the walled inclosure, Kenric took his hands and reverently kissed them.

“And now, holy father,” said he, “let us all offer thanks to God for His great goodness at this time of our need, for God alone can have stayed the hands of these ruffians.”

Then the abbot and his friars stood before the many children and moist-eyed women and brawny islanders who crowded into the circle, and all knelt down upon the grass.  Never since the gospel of Christ had been introduced into that land had prayers been more fervently uttered.

In the midst of the prayers, Ailsa Redmain, kneeling by Kenric’s side, suddenly touched him on the shoulder, and pointed over towards the Arran hills.  There, in the direction of Ranza, he saw a great column of black smoke rising in the air.

“Alas for Sir Piers de Currie!” he murmured, and then again bent his head.

But when the prayers were said Kenric quickly rose and climbed the thick wall, and running with all speed to Dunagoil he ordered Allan Redmain to take two ships over to Arran, for that Sir Piers de Currie’s castle was in flames.

Not long were the two galleys in crossing the sound.  Entering Loch Ranza, they entrapped three ships of the Norsemen that had been sent against the castle while Margad their chief was attacking the castle of Brodick on the eastern side of the island.  Attacking these ships, Allan Redmain speedily put the Norse warriors to the sword and took their vessels as prizes.

On the beach he found the gallant knight, Sir Piers, standing in the light of the flames that devoured his home.  His wife and six children were clinging to his side piteously weeping.  His castle was completely wrecked, and as there was not another fit dwelling for many miles around, Allan Redmain, having driven off the enemies who were on shore, besought Sir Piers to bring his family on board, and with twelve brave men of Arran who had escaped, he was taken over to St. Blane’s to such refuge as there remained to him.  The beautiful Lady Adela and the Lady Grace de Currie fell into each other’s arms, for in the hour of their adversity they were as sisters.