They looked no little terrified, and shook upon their horses, as indeed well they might.
This little cavalcade rode directly out of the city gates towards the pavilion of the young Douglases of Avondale.

As they went two running footmen kept them company, one on either side of their leader, and as that unwieldy horseman swayed this way and that in the saddle, first one and then the other applied with his open palm the force requisite to keep the rider erect upon his horse.
It was the new Earl of Douglas, James the Gross, on his way to visit the camp of his sons.

As he approached the sentries who stood on guard upon the broomy braes betwixt Merchiston and Bruntsfield, he was challenged in a fierce southland shout by one of the Carsphairn levies who knew him not.
"Stand back there, fat loon, gin ye wantna a quarrel shot intil that swagging tallow-bag ye ca' your wame!" "Out of my way, hill varlet!" cried the man on horseback.
But the Carsphairn man stood with his cross-bow pointed straight at the leader of the cavalcade, crying at the same time in a loud, far-carrying voice over his shoulder, "Here awa', Anthon--here awa', Bob! Come and help me to argue wi' this fat rogue." Several other hillmen came hurrying up, and the little company of riders was brought to a standstill.

Then ensued this colloquy.
"Who are you that dare stop my way ?" demanded the Earl.
"Wha may ye be that comes shuggy-shooin' oot o' the bluidy city o' Edinburgh intil oor camp," retorted him of Carsphairn, "sitting your beast for all the warld like a lump o' potted-head whammelled oot o' a bowl ?" "I am the Earl of Douglas." "The Yerl o' Dooglas! Then a bonny hand they hae made o' him in Edinburgh.

I heard they had only beheaded him." "I tell you I am Earl of Douglas.