The peat-fire flame : folk-tales and traditions of the Highlands & Islands

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
he was to partake of food only when his clansmen were
admitted to the same apartment.
That evening the termination of the meal was marked by
a long carouse. MacLeod soon warmed up to the occasion
and, turning to Donald Gorm by way of vague recollection^
he inquired of him whether it was not he who had killed
his father.
" It has been laid to my charge that I killed three
despicable Highland lairds," came the ready retort; " and I
reck not of adding a fourth to that list this very night
There's the dirk that laid your father low. It has a point
and a haft ; and its edge is sharp indeed ! And, what's
"
more, it is held by the second best hand in Skye !
" And whose hand is the best? " inquired MacLeod, with
a faint hope that Donald Gorm, out of courtesy for his host,
might have accorded to MacLeod's hand the foremost place.
Thereupon Donald Gorm alertly changed the dirk to the
left hand,
" There it
raised
"
is !
the weapon in the air, and exclaimed :
MacLeod, who was not a little taken by surprise at this
unexpected development, did not accept the challenge, and
discreetly disregarded an innuendo that, in ordinary circum-
stances, would have led to bloodshed without further delay.
When it was time to retire for the night, Donald Gorm
was offered a separate apartment in Dunvegan Castle. But,
to MacLeod's wheedlings that he should have a quiet night,
" When from home, Donald Gorm never sleeps
he replied :
apart from his men." Much as he was enticed with offers
of comfortable and luxurious quarters, he so steadfastly
declined that in the end it was found necessary to provide
accommodation for him and his men in the kiln {ath), a
capacious, thatched erection, such as in olden times was
possessed by almost every township for the preparation of
corn prior to grinding.
Weary, indeed, were Donald Gorm's men that night ; and
they truly slept the sleep of the storm-worn. But Donald
Gorm closed not an eye. Stealthily there came to the kiln
at the first flush of dawn a friend, who advised him and his
men to evacuate the place with all haste, and to close the kiln
door behind them, so as to make believe that they still
242
; !