They are dead, betrayed into the hands of their enemies, cruelly and treacherously slain!" Then the keening cry smote the air as Barbara MacKim sank on her knees and lifted up her hands to heaven.
"Oh, the bonny laddies--the twa bonny, bonny laddies! Mair than my ain bairns I loved them.

When their ain mother wasna able for mortal weakness to rear him, William Douglas drew his life frae me.

What for, Sholto, are ye standin' there to tell the tale?
What for couldna ye have died wi' him?
Ae mither's milk slockened ye baith.

The same arms cradled ye.

I bade ye keep your lord safe wi' your body and your soul.
And there ye daur to stand, skin-hale and bane unbroken, before your mither.