Now this was far from being what Roderic wished, for well he knew that no man in all the Western Isles would spare him if he failed to pay the price of his liberty.  But also he knew that neither in cattle nor in other movable wealth was it in his power to pay the value of a thousand head of cattle in so short a time.  So he up and told this to Sir Oscar Redmain.

“I cannot pay the fine,” he said; “for not in all my lands and ships do I possess such wealth nor know I any man who would be my broch, or bail.”

“Then,” said Sir Oscar, “if that be so, I now pronounce you an outlaw in the Western Isles and in Scotland, and our sovereign lord, King Alexander, shall ratify that sentence upon you forthwith.  You shall be an outlaw for the term of three years and three days.  For those three days you shall live within the sanctuary of Dunagoil and under the protection of the good abbot of St. Blane’s.  On the third day, or before, you shall take ship and depart hence whithersoever the holy abbot shall direct you.”

Then turned Sir Oscar to the crowd.

“Men of Bute,” said he, “I charge you all that if within three years to come any of you shall see this man Roderic MacAlpin within the isle of Bute, or within his forfeited lands of Gigha and Cara, or in any other land in the dominions of the King of Scots, you shall put him to the sword and slay him.”

There was a loud cry of assent; and Roderic, wrathful at his position, felt at his side for his absent sword.

Here again were his plans defeated.  The sentence passed upon him required that during his three days of grace in the sanctuary of the church lands no man should molest him or hold speech with him.  How, then, could he hope to compass the death of the two lads, Alpin and Kenric, who stood in the way of his ambition?  Turning his eyes with fierce malice upon the two brothers he stepped boldly to the front.

“There is yet another way for me,” he cried aloud.  “Think you that I, a king, am to be hunted about by a set of wolves like these?  No, no.  Now, on this spot and before you all, do I claim wager of battle, for that is my due.  Let any man of you stand forth and meet me in fair fight, and I will fight him to the death.”

Then Duncan Graham, the seneschal, came forward in his towering height, and said he: 

“I will fight you, treacherous earl, for you deserve to die!”

“You!” exclaimed Roderic, awed at the man’s giant height.  “Not so.  An earl may hold such combat with none but his equals.  I will not cross swords with a low-born churl like you.  Show me a man whose blood is worthier of my steel.”

“Coward!” cried Duncan; “you are afraid to cross arms with me.  I would slay you at the first passage.”

“There is but one among you who is of my own rank,” said Roderic, “and there he stands;” and he pointed to Alpin.

“And I am ready,” said Alpin.  “I will engage with you to the death.  And God defend the right!”