THE BROKEN BROADSWORD
by Richard M^cKenna 1927

Andy MacAllister felt strange. He did not know whether he wanted to meet the Saxon party that was rumored to be roaming the hills, or not. He was conscious of a feeling of security, however, at the knowledge that his broadsword was hanging by his side and that he had his bow and shafts.

He made directly for the brink of a sheer precipice, where he would often go, when he wished to be alone. When he reached the mouth of the cave, he drew his broadsword and gazed at it admiringly. He had only acquired it two days before and the spell of the ownership was still strong upon him.

He pretended that he had chanced upon the party of Saxons, that they had all assailed him at once, and forced him to the edge of the cliff.

"Aye, cowards," he cried, "come all at once for I’m ready," He waved his sword on high and gave a reckless laugh which changed to a cry of amazement and fear as his foot slipped and he fell over the cliff.

He dropped his weapon and reached wildly for a handhold as he fell. He came to a rest ten feet down on a narrow, rocky ledge. He had wrenched his foot severely. He rose quickly to his feet and grimaced with the pain of it. "Oh," he exclaimed, "it pains me sorely for such a short fall."

He started to climb to the top, which task would have ordinarily been easy, but his injured foot made it a painful and laborious proceeding.

When he reached the top, he looked about for his broadsword but it was nowhere to be seen. Then he realized, with a stab of fear, that it must have fallen below. He leaned over the edge of the cliff and scanned the rocks below carefully. At last he gave a sigh of relief and exclaimed, "Ah, ‘tis there."

He studied it for about two minutes in order to have its location firmly established in his mind, and then began the descent. His foot pained him excruciatingly as he made his roundabout way to the foot of the cliff, and when he finally reached the base, it was swollen so greatly that he must perforce remove his boot. He stopped to bathe it in a brook that ran past, but it only enhanced the pain, making him exclaim, " ‘Twas a bad fall, in truth, for all its smallness."

With that he began crawling on toward where his broadsword lay. When he reached the two rocks between which it had fallen and saw its handle protruding above one of them, he started forward at increased speed but was quickly stopped by his aching foot.

When he at last reached it, he gave a gasp of dismay for it was broken off half-way down. The realization was a staggering blow to him for he had it only two days, and he prized it greatly. It could not be easily replaced as his family was poor. As he sat gazing at it dully, two tears welled into his eyes. He shook them away impatiently, for, as he remarked later, " ‘Twere shame for one of Clan Alpine to weep."

Mechanically he picked up the two pieces and thrust them into his scabbard, then he began the painful process of crawling home on his hands and knees.

He was rounding the corner of a large rock, when he heard faint shouting. His first thought was to hide for he did not wish for human companionship just then. But as his foot was paining him considerably he decided, "After all, it were better that I go on."

As he went on, he was sure that he could hear the click of blades and, as the shouting indicated that there were at least twenty men he hurried his pace.

At last he rounded a corner of rock and came in full view of the party. It took but a moment to see that at least eighteen men were assailing three men. There were three limb forms on the ground. From their costumes, Andy could see that the attacking party was composed of Saxons and the three of his fellow Clansmen were in danger. Forgetful of his wounded foot, he stumbled forward to get in accurate bowshot.

As soon as he came into good range, he sent an arrow into a big Saxon, who was pressing close to a highlander. At he sight of their comrade falling with an arrow in his back the Saxons turned amazedly. They regretted this immediately, however, for three of them turned as one and fell under the Clansmen’s swords.

At that six of them turned to renew the battle, while the rest of them bounded up the slope toward Andy. He stopped six of them with arrows and then rising, he drew his broken broadsword, to defend himself. He saw a sword descending with the flat side. He immediately lapsed into unconsciousness.

When he returned to his senses, he saw a score of Clansmen standing in the background and then became aware of a tall, dark-complexioned man standing beside him. With a start he recognized, his chieftain, Roderick Dho. He was speaking, "And who be ye, laddie, who has proven yourself a man today?"

"Andy MacAllister," he replied bashfully.

"A son of Donald MacAllister?" inquired the chief.

"Aye, " answered Andy, "he is my father, chief."

"You are braver than your father was at your age," hr remarked, " ‘tis boys like you who will support Clan Alpine." And the chieftain’s eyes sparkled with pride. "You can shoot an arrow with marvelous skill and you shall have a place in my expeditions and forays henceforth. But what is this?" he broke forth, seeing the broken broadsword. Andy told him the story and he replied, "Take mine. A boy like you deserves a reward and I can easily get another, while for you ‘twould be no simple matter. But I must go and see how sorely Malise is hurt for he was dead wounded."

With that he left Andy to meditate on his good luck. Here he had a position, which every boy, and many a man in Clan Alpine, would envy; and the Chieftain’s own broadsword. It was of fine workmanship, which would stir the envy of every male soul in Clan Alpine.

"And to think," he reflected, "I thought it was a bad fall."

-RICHARD M^cKENNA