my friend," replied the pirate, "but then it has quite disconcerted
the purpose for which I came hither; which was to put you to death,
my good friend, and seize upon your house and island, and so settle
myself in the world. It would have been very convenient, this island,
but your friendly reception has rendered it impossible for me to
execute my purpose; so that I must be a wanderer on the seas for some
time longer." Whatever MacKinnon felt at hearing that he had been so
near to destruction, he took care to show no emotion save surprise,
and replied to his visiter,--"My dear Allan, who was it that put into
your mind so unkind a purpose towards your old friend; for I am sure
it never arose from your own generous nature? It must have been your
father-in-law, old Torloisk, who made such an indifferent husband to
your mother, and such an unfriendly stepfather to you when you were a
helpless boy; but now, when he sees you a bold and powerful leader, he
desires to make a quarrel betwixt you and those who were the friends
of your youth. If you consider this matter rightly, Allan, you will
see that the estate and harbour of Torloisk lie as conveniently for
you as those of Ulva, and that, if you are to make a settlement by
force, it is much better it should be at the expense of the old churl,
who never showed you kindness or countenance, than at that of a friend
like me, who always loved and honoured you."

Allan-a-Sop was struck with the justice of this reasoning; and the old
offence of his scalded fingers was suddenly recalled to his mind. "It
is very true what you say, MacKinnon," he replied, "and, besides, I
have not forgotten what a hot breakfast my father-in-law treated me to
one morning. Farewell for the present; you shall soon hear news of me
from the other side of the Sound." Having said thus much, the pirate
got on board, and commanding his men to unmoor the galleys, sailed
back to Torloisk, and prepared to land in arms. His father-in-law