Now, there were brought warlike engines of all kinds, casting deadly missiles, in the shape of immense stones, leaden balls, and javelins; but for a time without effect.
Sir William Oliphant, the governor, had been appointed by the guardian Soulis, and seemingly considering the defence hopeless, in face of the preparations making against him, he proposed that time should be allowed him for communicating with his superior ; but this was contemptuously refused.  Now, there were brought warlike engines of all kinds, casting deadly missiles, in the shape of immense stones, leaden balls, and javelins; but for a time without effect.  Then we see Edward stripping the roofs of the religious houses of St. Andrews and Brechin, "consecrated buildings" though they were, for lead to supply his engines,1 and writing 1 Edward's letter to his son, the prince of Wales, on this subject, is curious, and, we venture to think, characteristic. "