52 THE DEER FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



There, while the sea-birds scream around them, 

 Holding by his throat the boy, 



Eachan turns, and to the father 

 Shouts in scorn and mocking joy : 



" Take the punishment thou gavest, 

 Give before all these a pledge 

 For my freedom, or thy darling 

 Dying falls from yonder ledge ! 



" Take the strokes in even number, 

 As thou gavest, blow for blow ; 

 Then dishonoured on thine honour, 

 Swear to let me freely go." 



Silent, in his powerless anger, 

 Stood the chief, with all his folk, 



And before them all the ransom 

 Was exacted stroke for stroke. 



Then again the voice of vengeance 

 Pealed from Eachan's lips in hate : 

 " Childless and dishonoured villain, 

 Expiation comes too late ! 



" My revenge is not completed 1 " 

 And they saw, in dumb despair, 

 How he hurled his victim downward 

 Headlong through the empty air. 



Then they heard a yell of laughter, 

 As they turned away the eye ; 



