And at last, how, using a fine day, we made across to Cantire, where, so soon as Ludar declared his name, we were hospitably received by the McDonnells there, and promised a safe conduct over to Ireland.
From the wild men here--half soldiers, half mariners--we heard--not that I could understand a word of their tongue, but Ludar and the old nurse could--that Sorley Boy, Ludar's father, was already across, hiding in the Antrim Glynns, where, joined by many a friendly clan, he was waiting his chance to swoop down on the English and recapture his ancient fortress.

Turlogh Luinech O'Neill, the maiden's father, we heard, was still lending himself to the invaders, and in return for the Queen's favour, holding aloof, if not getting ready to fall upon the McDonnells when the time came.

Of these last, Alexander, Ludar's brother, first and favourite son of the great Sorley Boy (for Donnell, the eldest of all, had been slain in battle), was reputed, next to his father, the bravest; he was also in the Glynns; but James and Randal, his other brothers, were in the Isles, raising the Scots there, and waiting the signal to descend with their gallow-glasses on the coveted coast.
Ludar, had he been alone, would have stayed, I think, to join them.
But, with the maiden there, he could think of naught until he had rendered her up safely to her father, foeman though he might be.

So to- morrow we were to sail for Castleroe, Turlogh's fort on the western bank of the River Bann, whence, having left our charge, we would repair, Ludar said, sword in hand to his father's camp.
At daybreak we quitted the McDonnells' hut in which we had sheltered and went down to the little harbour in the bay.

The long Atlantic waves thundered in from the west as if they would bar our passage, and I wondered much at the peril of crossing that angry channel in so frail a craft.
But Ludar laughed when I questioned him.
"These galleys," said he, "have carried my fathers on stormier seas than this--ay, and the maiden's fathers too; therefore they may be trusted to carry you now, Humphrey." "I care naught for myself," said I, "and you know it.