So concluded this memorable expedition against Scotland, which began with high hopes, but ended only with disaster and the death of its royal leader.  No more did the sons of the vikings attempt to take their stand upon the Western Isles.

Alexander III, freed from a restless and powerful enemy, could look forward to a continuance of peace and prosperity.  But he lost no time in following up the advantages he had gained from the engagement at Largs.  In the following year he sent a strong military force against those unfortunate chiefs who during the late expedition had remained faithful to Hakon.  Some of the island kings were executed; all were reduced.

Three years afterwards, in 1266, the disputes with Norway were finally settled by a formal treaty with Magnus IV, Hakon’s son, who agreed to yield to Scotland for ever after, all right and sovereignty over the Isle of Man and the Western Isles, specially reserving Orkney and Shetland to the crown of Norway.

In the year 1281 a bond of friendship was established between the two nations by the marriage of the Scottish princess Margaret, daughter of Alexander III, to Eric of Norway, the grandson of Hakon the Old.  It was the daughter of this marriage, Margaret the Maid of Norway, whose sad death in 1290 brought about the disputes of Bruce and Baliol, and led to the great war of Scottish Independence.

CHAPTER XXVIII.  AASTA’S SECRET MISSION.

Since the invasion of Bute, when Elspeth Blackfell’s cottage had been laid in ruins, Aasta the Fair had taken up her abode with the old woman in a little cave that may still be seen opening out upon the wooded heights above Ascog Bay.

On an evening in late December the maiden sat in this cave.  Her fair head, with its long flowing hair, was resting in her hands, and her deep blue eyes were fixed upon the glow of a peat fire that burned in the middle of the chamber, and reflected its warm light upon the deerskin curtain at the entrance.  From without came the soughing of a bitter east wind that blew in biting gusts across the Clyde.

The three months that had passed since the battle of Largs had brought but little joy into Aasta’s lonely heart.  The destruction of the castle of Kilmory, and the coming of winter, had deprived her of her daily occupations upon the farm lands, and her work would not be renewed until Allan Redmain had rebuilt his castle and spring had softened the frozen fields.  The frosts and snows had brought many hardships; food was scarce, and life in that rocky cave had few comforts.  More than all, Duncan Graham, whom she had hoped to wed, was dead —­ slain in battle by the sword of the outlaw Roderic.  Aasta almost felt that she had rather have been slain at her lover’s side than live longer without him in a world that offered her so little joy.