to his son-in-law:--"My dear Allan, you have now wandered over the
seas long enough; it is time you should have some footing upon land,
a castle to protect yourself in winter, a village and cattle for your
men, and a harbour to lay up your galleys. Now, here is the island
of Ulva, near at hand, which lies ready for your occupation, and it
will cost you no trouble, save that of putting to death the present
proprietor, the Laird of MacKinnon, a useless old carle, who has
cumbered the world long enough."

Allan-a-Sop thanked his stepfather for so happy a suggestion, which
he declared he would put in execution forthwith. Accordingly, setting
sail the next morning, he appeared before MacKinnon's house an hour
before noon. The old chief of Ulva was much alarmed at the menacing
apparition of so many galleys, and his anxiety was not lessened by the
news, that they were commanded by the redoubted Allan-a-Sop. Having
no effectual means of resistance, MacKinnon, who was a man of shrewd
sense, saw no alternative save that of receiving the invaders,
whatever might be their purpose, with all outward demonstrations of
joy and satisfaction. He caused immediate preparations to be made for
a banquet as splendid as circumstances admitted, hastened down to
the shore to meet the rover, and welcomed him to Ulva with such an
appearance of sincerity, that the pirate found it impossible to pick
any quarrel which might afford a pretence for executing the violent
purpose which he had been led to meditate.

They feasted together the whole day; and in the evening, as
Allan-a-Sop was about to retire to his ships, he thanked the Laird
of MacKinnon for his entertainment, but remarked, with a sigh, that
it had cost him very dear. "How can that be" said MacKinnon, "when I
bestowed this entertainment upon you in free good-will?"--"It is true,