What life is to another, honour and his word must be to a Douglas.

But I send your son Sholto to you.

I bid him ride fast to Galloway and bring all that are faithful with speed here to Edinburgh.

Go also into Douglasdale and tell my cousin William of Avondale--and if he is too late to save, I know well he will avenge me." "O William Douglas, if indeed ye will neither fleech nor drive, I pray you for the sake of the great house to send your brother David, that the Douglases of the Black be not cut off root and branch.

Remember, your mother is sore set on the lad." "I will not go," cried David, as he heard this; "by the saints I will stand by my brother's shoulder, though I be but a boy! I will not go so much as a step, and if by force ye stir me I will cry for the guard!" By this time the young David was leaning half out of the window, and almost shouting out his words down to the unseen Douglases beneath.
"Go, Sholto," said the Earl, setting his hand on his squire's shoulder.