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!"


CHAPTER IX. THE ORDEAL BY BATTLE.

While Duncan Graham and one of the guards went back to the castle of
Rothesay to bring the swords of Alpin and Roderic, Sir Oscar Redmain
pronounced the assize at an end; and such as wished not to witness the
deadly combat -- the abbot Godfrey and some few women -- went away.