Accordingly, though he appeared to tug hard at Hector's chain, he in reality allowed him to have his way.

Pembroke and his knights instantly galloped up.

As they arrived Hector loosed his hold, and with his hair bristly with rage prepared to attack those whom he regarded as fresh enemies.
"Hold in that hound," Pembroke shouted, "or he will do more damage.
What means all this ?" For a minute Archie did not answer, being engaged in pacifying Hector, who, on seeing that no harm was intended, strove to return to his first foe.
"It means," Archie said, when Hector was at last pacified, "that that Highlander came the other day to our cottage and wanted to carry off a cow without making payment for it.

I withstood him, he drew his sword, but as I had a stout cudgel in my hand I hit him on the wrist ere he could use it, and well nigh broke his arm.

So he made off, cursing and swearing, and vowing that the next time he met me he would have my life." "And that he would have done," Pembroke said, "had it not been for Bruce's dog, who has turned matters the other way.