In the man he recognized the leader of the MacDougall's party, who had captured him near Dunstaffnage.

The conflict would have terminated in an instant had not Hector intervened.

Turning round with a deep growl the great hound sprang full at the throat of the Highlander as with uplifted sword he rushed at Archie.

The impetus of the spring threw the MacDougall on his back, with the fangs of the hound fixed in his throat.

Archie's first impulse was to pull the dog off, the second thought showed him that, were the man to survive he would at once denounce him.