By St.Bride! When it was steel coat to frieze mantle, the thieves knew what lances were good for, and whether swords had edges or no.

There were some three hundred of their best bonnets, besides that of their chief, Donald Cormac, left on the moor of Thorn and in Rochinroy Wood; and as many were gibbeted at Houghmanstares, which has still the name from the hangman work that was done there.

This is the way men deal with thieves in my country; and if gentler methods will succeed better with these Earish knaves, do not blame Douglas for speaking his mind.

You smile, my Lord of Rothsay.

May I ask how I have a second time become your jest, before I have replied to the first which you passed on me ?" "Nay, be not wrathful, my good Lord of Douglas," answered the Prince; "I did but smile to think how your princely retinue would dwindle if every thief were dealt with as the poor Highlanders at Houghmanstares." The King again interfered, to prevent the Earl from giving an angry reply.
"Your lordship," said he to Douglas, "advises wisely that we should trust to arms when these men come out against our subjects on the fair and level plan; but the difficulty is to put a stop to their disorders while they continue to lurk within their mountains.