points dropped to the "ready to receive," the old
knight and former captain of the Earl's guard came forward a little
way to welcome his successor with what grace was at his command.

"Eh, siree, and what has brocht sic a braw young knight and grand
frequenter o' courts sae far as Douglas Castle? Could ye no even let
puir Landless Jock hae the tilt-yaird here to exercise his handfu' in,
and keep his auld banes a wee while frae the rust and the green
mould?"

But even as the crusty old soldier spoke these words, the white
anxiety in Sholto's face struck through his half-humorous complaint,
and the words died on his lips in a perturbed "What is't--what is't
ava, laddie?"

Sholto told him in the fewest words.

"The Yerl and Dawvid in the power o' their hoose's enemies. Blessed
Saint Anthony, and here was I flighterin' and ragin' aboot my
naethings. Here, lads, blaw the horn and cry the slogan. Fetch the
horses frae the stall and stand ready in your war gear within ten
minutes by the knock. Aye, faith, will we raise Douglasdale! Gang your
ways to Gallowa'--there shall not a man bide at hame this day. Certes,
we wull that! Ca' in the by-gaun at Lanark--aye, lad, and, gin the
rascals are no willing or no ready, we will hang the provost and
magistrates at their ain door-cheeks to learn them to bide frae the
cried assembly o' their liege lord!"

Sholto had done enough in Douglasdale. He turned north again on a yet
more important errand. It was forenoon full and broad when he halted
before the little town of Strathaven, upon which the Castle of
Avondale looks down. It seemed of the greatest moment that the
Avondale Douglases should know that which had befallen their cousin.
For no suspicion of treachery within the house and name of Douglas
itself touched with a shade of shadow the mind of Sholto MacKim.

He thundered at the town-ward port of the castle (to which a steep
ascent led up from a narrow vennel), where presently the outer guard
soon crowded about him, listening to his story and already fingering
bowstring and examining rope-matches preparatory to the expected march
upon Edinburgh.

"I have not time to waste, comrades; I would see my lords," said
Sholto. "I must see them instantly."

And even as he spoke there on the steps before him appeared the dark,
handsome face and tall but slightly stooping figure of William Douglas
of Avondale. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and his
serious thought-we