Some days later the king said to Archie, “I have a mission for you; `tis one of danger, but I know that that is no drawback in your eyes.”

“I am ready,” Archie said modestly, “to carry out to the best of my power any errand with which your majesty may intrust me.”

“I have been thinking, Sir Archie, that I might well make some sort of alliance with the Irish chieftains.  Many of these are, like most of our Scotch nobles, on terms of friendship with England; still there are others who hold aloof from the conquerors.  It would be well to open negotiations with these, so that they by rising might distract Edward’s attention from Scotland, while we, by our efforts, would hinder the English from sending all their force thither, and we might thus mutually be of aid to each other.  At present I am, certes, in no position to promise aid in men or money; but I will bind myself by an oath that if my affairs in Scotland prosper I will from my treasury furnish money to aid them in carrying on the struggle, and that if I clear Scotland of her oppressors I will either go myself or send one of my brothers with a strong force to aid the Irish to follow our example.  The mission is, as you will see, Sir Archie, a dangerous one; for should any of the English, or their Irish allies, lay hands on you, your doom would be sealed.  Still you may do me and Scotland great service should you succeed in your mission.  Even minor risings would be of much utility, seeing that they would at any rate prevent Edward from bringing over troops from Ireland to assist in our conquest.  I have thought the matter over deeply, and conclude that, young as you are, I can intrust it to you with confidence, and that you are indeed the best fitted among those with me to undertake it.  Douglas is but a boy; my brother Edward is too hot and rash; Boyd is impatient and headstrong, trusty and devoted to me though he is; but I am sure that in you there is no lack either of prudence or courage.  Hence, Sir Archie, if you will undertake it I will intrust it to you.”

“I will willingly undertake it, sire, since you think me fitting for it, and deem it a high honour indeed that you have chosen me.  When will you that I start?”

“It were best to lose no time,” the king replied, “and if you have no reason for delay I would that you should embark tonight, so that before daybreak you may have gained the Irish shore.  They tell me that there are many desperate men in refuge among the caves on the coast, and among these you might choose a few who might be useful to you in your project; but it is not in this part that a rising can be effected, for the country inland is comparatively flat and wholly in the hands of the English.  It is on the west coast that the resistance to the English was continued to the last, and here from time to time it blazes out again.  In those parts, as they tell me, not only are there wild mountains and fastnesses such as we have in Scotland, but there