“’Tis but seven days ago that we were out together, Alpin and I,” said Allan, “and never saw I a better trained pair of hawks than those that are now in keeping at Rothesay against the time when the tribute must be paid.  We took seven birds that rose from the heronry of Barone.  Alas! had Alpin but lived I had hoped to accompany him into Scotland that I might see King Alexander.  But ’tis ever so with me.  Never yet have I been able to make that journey.”

“But,” said Ailsa, “when Kenric has been throned, will not he also need to pay yearly homage to the King of Scots, even as his father was wont to do?”

“Assuredly,” said Sir Oscar.  “The king of Bute is so bound by his vassalage, and it were a sorry day for him if he should fail to observe the usages which custom has ordained.  So soon as Kenric can do so, he will take his tribute of falcons to King Alexander, and Allan might even accompany him.”

“But are there no falcons in Scotland, father?” asked Ailsa.

“Plenty there are, my child.  ’Tis but the form of tribute, showing that the lord of Bute acknowledges his vassalage.  In like manner, the lord of Arran delivers each year two dead eagles, and the lord of Islay a roll of homespun cloth.  So may his Majesty know that his subjects remain true to him.”

“Ah, heard you those lusty shouts?” broke in Ailsa, as the hum of many voices reached their ears. “’Tis surely the young king that they are hailing.  Spur on the horse, for I would not willingly miss the sight of his arrival.”

“’Tis but some wrestler thrown,” said her father.  “We shall be at the Stone of Destiny long ere Kenric leaves his castle gates.”

Nevertheless, he urged on the horse, and soon they were in the midst of the vast crowd of islanders who had assembled on the great plain to elect their new king.

Sir Oscar, dismounting, took his place by the throne, and when the court was duly fenced and the ruthmen had taken their places, each at his particular stone, the islanders crowded round in a circle that all might see.  Ailsa and Allan were behind their father, and near them were Lulach and Aasta the Fair, with Elspeth Blackfell and many hillmen and dalesmen, with their women.  And nearest to the fence cord, so that their elders could see above their curly heads, were the little children of Bute, who had been brought from far and near, to the end that when they were old and gray headed they might have it to say, “When I was a child, so high, my mother carried me to Loch Ascog side, and there I saw young Kenric made king of Bute, and it was the lordliest sight that ever was seen in the island; for Kenric was a true-born king, and the wisest and noblest of all our rulers, and all who saw him on that great day foretold that it would be so.”