Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20
CHAPTER XXI.
The naIIiea Of Dunn fries,

The combat OF the third day was, by the
will Of the earl, to be OF a peculiar kind.
1t was the custom at that time for the melee
to be fought between an equal number OF
knights in open lists. each being at liberty
to carry assistance to his friends as soon
as he had disposed Of his own man.
On this occasion, however, the fight was
to be between three knights with their sew
eral squires on the one side and an equal
number of knights and squires on the other.
As the combat Of the previous day had de-
c!ded, young James Douglas Of Avondale
was to lead one party as the successful tilter
Of the day Of single combat, while the earl
himself was to head the other The chances
of battle must be borne and whatever hap
pened in the shock Of fight was to be en-
dured without complaint. But no blow was
to be struck at either knight or squire lying
on the ground or in any way disabled by
wound.
To Sholto's great and manifest Joy the
earl, his MASTER chose the new captain OF
his guard to support him in the fray and
! told him to make choice of the best battle
AK and sword he could find, as well as arm
himself with the shield which best suited
the strength of his left arm
"By your permission will ask my father"
said Sholto.
HE also fights on our side as the squire
Of Alain Fleming" said the earl. 'If Lau-
renee had not been a monk he might have
made a third MacKim!"
Then was Sholto's heart high and uplifted
within him, to think Of the victory he would
achieve over his brother less than two days
after they had parted. and he fastened off
to choose his arms under the direction Of his
father.
The party of James Of Avondale consisted
Of his brother William and young John
Lauder. called Lauder of the Bass These
| three had already entered their pavilion to
| arm themselves for the combat, when a
trumpet announced the arrival from the
castle Of the ambassador OF France, who,
being recovered from his wound had come
| in haste to see the fighting Of the last and
greatest day Of the tourney.
As soon as he heard the wager Of battle
the marshal cried, II also will strike blow
| this day for the honor of France My Quinsy
| has altogether left me and my blood flows
| strong after the rest. will take part with
James Of Avondale!"
And without waiting to be asked he went
| off. followed by his servant, Pointou, toward
the pavilion Of the Avondale trio.
| And as the Marshal de Retz was the chief
! guest It was impossible for James OF Avon
dale to refuse his offer. But there was anger
| and blasphemy in his heart, for he knew not
what the Frenchman could do, and though
he had undoubtedly been gallant knight in
his day, yet in these matters (as James
Douglas whispered to his brother) weeks
steady practice is worth a lifetime Of theory.
Still, there was nothing for the brothers
from Douglasdale but to make the best Of
| their bargain. The person most deserving Of
| pity however, was the young laird Of the
Bass, who, being thus dispossessed, went out
| to the back OF the lists and actually shed
| tears, being little more than boy and none
looking ON to see him.
Then he came back hastily and besought
James Of Douglas to let him fight as his
| squire, saying that as he had never taken
| up the knighthood which had been be-
slowed on him by the earl for his journey
| to France, there could be nothing irregular
in his fighting once more as simple
esquire. And thus after an appeal to the
earl himself 1t was arranged much to Allan
| LADDERS content.
For his third knight the Douglas had
made choice Of his third cousin, Hugh,
younger brother of his two opponents and
| at that William and James of Avondare
| shook their heads.
| "He pushes good tree, our Hughie,"
said James, "if he comes at you, WILL mind
that trick of swerving that he hath. Aim
at right gauntlet and you will hit his
shield"
The conflict on the Boatcroft differed much
from the chivalrous encounters OF an earPier
time and richer country.
1t ehanced that on the borders of the
crowd which that day begirt the great en-
closure of the lists two burgesses of Dunn
| t,,atN g..
pie merchant, dealing in cloth ana wool,
and Ninian Halliburton, the uncle OF the
wife OF Malise MacKim, master armorer,
whose trade was only conditioned by the
amount OF capital he had to lay out and the
probability he had OF disposlng Of his pur-
chase within a reasonable time.
1t would givo an entirely erroneous inn
preston OF the state OF Scotland IL the say
ings and doings Of the wise and shrewd
burghers OF the towns OF Scotland were left
without a chronicler. The burghs Of Scot
land were at once the cradles and strong
holds Of liberty. They were not subject 20
the great mobiles. They looked with jeal-
ousy on all encroachments on their liberties
and had sharp swords to enforce their OBJ
lection. They had been endowed with privi-
leges by the wise and polite kings OF Scot
land from William the Lion down to James
Of Fate worthy memory. For they were
the best bulwark of the central authority
against the power OF the great mobiles Of the
provinces
Now Robert Semple and Ninian Halli.
burton were two worthy citizens Of Dunn
fries, men OF responsibility. well provided
for by the success OF their trade and the
saving nature OF their wives. They hat
come to the Thrieve for two purposes-tC
deliver a large consignment Of goods ant
gear. foreign provision and fruit to the
controller of the earls household. and Il
receive payment therefor. partly In none,
and partly in the wool ana cattle, hide!
and tallow. which had been the staple prod.
ucts OF Galloway throughout her genera.
| tions
Their further purposes and intents II
venturng so far west OF the safe precinct
L of lhhlr hnrRh of Durlfries NAV be eatherss