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.