“The two went outside and took the road by which they had come.”
The young men awoke somewhat late next day with heads reasonably clear, a very practical testimonial to the soundness of their previous night’s vintage.
“What’s to be done?” asked the king.
MacDonald proposed that they should repair instantly to MacLeod and demand of him conveyance and safe conduct to the mainland.
“We can scarcely do that,” demurred the king, “until we are sure that detention is intended. Let us put the matter at once to a practical test, and see if we are prevented from leaving the castle. If we are, then is the time for protest.”
Acting on this suggestion, the two went outside and took the road by which they had come. They found an agile young gillie at their heels before they were out of sight of Dunvegan.
“Why are you following us?” asked MacDonald, in Gaelic.
“I was told to wait on your lordships,” returned the man.
“We need no waiting on; turn back.”
But the gillie shook his shaggy uncovered head and patiently trod in their footsteps.