The beast had long been dead, with a skull smashed in and a neck dislocated by the sweeping blows it had dealt its kin.
"Sholto! My Lord James!" cried Malise, coming up to them hastily.

"How fares it with you ?" "We are both here," answered his son.

"Come and help me with the Lord James.

He has fallen faint with the stress of his armour." After the disappearance of the wolves the unearthly brilliance of the wild-fire gradually diminished, and now it flickered paler and less frequently.
But another hail from Sholto revealed to Malise the whereabouts of his companions, and presently he also was on his knees beside the young Lord of Avondale.
Sholto gave him into the strong arms of Malise and stood erect to listen for any renewal of the attack.

The wise smith, whose skill as a leech was proverbial, carefully felt James Douglas all over in the darkness, and took advantage of every flicker of summer lightning to examine him as well as his armour would permit.
"Help me to loosen his gorget and ease him of his body mail," said Malise, at last.