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of beasts, the Lochboisdale clan could claim. Some of the
Dunvegan family put more store on title than on stock. Two
ladies of the castle, maidservants to the daughter promised
to Alasdair, were known to have argued against the match.
But the Uist family had arrived and the ceremony was to be
done. The Lochboisdale people were introduced to the
Macleods of Dunvegan, as soon as they had taken some rest
and washed the salt from their faces.
The two maidservants of the highest rank were indeed
present at the gathering. But one of them had just suffered
an accident. Her right arm was bandaged up in a sling.
Alasdair knew then that they had done their worst to
prevent the match. After the business of the day was done,
drams were taken and goodwill prevailed. He took the
opportunity to speak to the two maidservants, calling them
aside from the gathering which was now growing very
lively. The pipers were having their time.
‘
Now don
’
t be
afraid of me,
’
he said.
‘
I bear you no grudge as long as you
now accept what
’
s been decided here.
’
He called for his gun and again told them, neither of them
had anything to fear.
‘
There have been too many from Skye
and from the Uists, lost in feuding and disputes,
’
he said.
He put the tip of his gun to the wound which he knew to be
in that woman
’
s injured shoulder. He turned it three times