CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE RISING OF THE DOUGLASES It was upon the Earl's own charger, Black Darnaway, that Sholto rode southward to raise to their chief's assistance the greatest and compactest clan that ever, even in Scotland, had done the bidding of one man.
The young man's heart was high and hopeful within him.

The King's guardians dared not, so he told himself, let aught befall the puissant Douglases in the Castle of Edinburgh, without trial and under cover of the most courteous hospitality.
"Try the Earl of Douglas!" so Sholto thought within him.

He laughed at the notion.

"Why, Earl William could by a word bring a hundred thousand men of Galloway and the Marches to make a fitting jury." So he meditated, his thoughts running fast and fiery to the beating of Black Darnaway's feet as he climbed the heathery slopes which led towards Douglasdale.

Day was breaking as he rode down to the town of Lanark yet asleep and smokeless in the caller airs of the morn.