I give you fair warning.

You hear my words, I will not enter your rascal town.

But if so much as one be wanting at the muster, I swear in the name of my master that his house shall be burned with fire and razed to the ground, and his wife be a widow or ever the cock craw on another Sabbath morn!" And without waiting for a reply Sholto laid the reins upon the neck of Black Darnaway and rode on southward up Douglas Water to the home nest of the lordly race.
And behind him, with a wail in it, blared through the narrow streets the stormy voice of Grice Elshioner, watchman of Lanark, "Wauken ye, wauken ye, burgesses a'! The Douglas hath sent to bid ye mount and ride." The _birr_ of the war drum saluted Sholto's ears ere he had turned the corner of the town parks.

Then came the answering shouts of the burghers who thrust inquiring and indignant heads out of gable windows and turret speering-holes.
"_Birr!_" continued the undaunted and insistent town drum.
"Harness your backs! Fill your bellies, and stand ready! The Douglas has need o' ye, lieges a'!" cried the sonorous voice of the watch.
Sholto smiled as he listened.
"I have at least set them on the alert.

They will join the Douglasdale men as they pass by, or we will show them reason why.