The elder was a giant, huge of limb, towering above his clan like Saul, in the Bible, among his Israelites. His white hair hung wildly on his shoulders, and tossed defiantly with every step he took. He may have been seventy years of age, yet his face was knit as hard as a warrior's of thirty, and he stepped out as lissom and quick as his youngest gallowglass. Yet all this was as nothing to the noble sadness of his face and the blaze of his deep, blue eyes, which, had I not known it already, would have betrayed him to me anywhere as Ludar's father. The younger warrior at his side, a man of thirty-five, joyous of mien, his yellow hair glistening in the sunlight, and his massive form (only less massive than his father's), moving with a careless ease, it was not hard to guess was Alexander, the darling of the clan and the pride of his father's life. Seeing us in the path, they suddenly halted, while the musketeers behind levelled their pieces. But Ludar stepped solemnly forward. "Father, I am Ludar," said he. The old man uttered a quick exclamation and stepped back a pace to look at this stalwart man, whom he had seen last a young boy ten years ago. Then, with a face as solemn as that of his son's, he laid his great hand on the lad's shoulder and said: "Thou art come in good time, Ludar, my son." That was all the greeting that passed betwixt these two; for immediately the march began again, the old man stalking first alone, and the two brothers (who had kissed at meeting), following, arm in arm. 'Twas a noble sight those three great men--the old chief and his first and last born sons. But to my mind, much as I loved my master, Sorley Boy was the grandest of the three. While he was by, a man could look at no one else. Every gesture, every toss of the head, and swing of the arm had force in it; and to me it seemed a wonder that such a man should need an army at his back to carry him anywhere he willed. He halted again presently, and wheeled round on his sons. "Why did you fire the beacon?" he asked of Ludar. "Because the time had come," said Ludar. "To-day Dunluce is slenderly guarded; to-morrow it will be full of the enemy." Then he coloured up with a flush as he added: "Father, I demand a favour--the first for ten years." "It is granted, lad. I know what it is. You shall take the castle." Then Ludar grew radiant, as he clutched his father's hand and thanked him for this mighty honour. And Alexander seemed scarcely less happy for his young brother's sake.