And Sir Archie ran toward them and cried in a loud voice: "Hither
to me! For Scotland! For Scotland!"




CHAPTER IX

OVER THE ICE

As Sir Archie walked out over the ice he still held Elsalill on
his arm.

Sir Philip and Sir Reginald walked beside him. They tried to tell
him how they had discovered the trap laid for them and how they
had succeeded in getting the heavy treasure chest away to the
gallias and in collecting their countrymen; but Sir Archie paid no
heed to their words. He seemed to be conversing with her he
carried on his arm.

"Who is that you carry there?" asked Sir Reginald.

"It is Elsalill," answered Sir Archie. "I shall take her with me
to Scotland. I will not leave her behind. Here she would never be
aught but a poor fish wench."

"No, that is like enough," said Sir Reginald.

"Here none would give her clothes but of the coarsest wool," said
Sir Archie, "and a narrow bed of hard planks to sleep on. But I