Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-25

But at midday Of a glorious day in late
September man rode out from the west
port Of the city, fat man, faccid OF body,
pale and tallowy Of complexion. couple
OF serving men went with him, with the
Douglas arms broidered on their coats. They
looked no little terrified and shook upon
their horses, as indeed we'll they might.
This little cavalcade rode directly out Of
the city gates toward 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, ffst one and then
the other applied with his open palm the
force requisite to keep the rider erect in
the saddle.
It was the new earl OF Douglas, James
the Gross, on his way to visit the camp CT
his sons. AS he approached the sentries
| who stood on guard upon the brnomy braes
betwixt Merchiston and Bruntsfeld he was
summoned in fierce southland shout by one
of the Carsphairn levies who knew him
| not.
stand back, there, fat loon, gin ye want
ma quarrel Until that swagging tallow bag
ye ca your wame!"
"Out OF my way, hill varlet!" cried the
man on nOTseDdCh.
But the Carspharnman stood with his
crossbow pointed straight at the leader OF
| the cavalcade, crying at the same time in
| loud, far-carrying voice over his shoulder;
| Here ava, Anthon-here ava, Hob! Come
and help me argue WI this fat rogue!"
Several other hillmen came hurrying up
and the little company Of riders was brought
to standstill. Then ensued this colloquy:
| ~,
demanded the earl.
"Wha may ye be that comes shuggy-
shootin' oot Until oor camp?" retorted him
of Carsphairn, Sitting your beast for all
the warld like lump O. pottedhead turned
GOT O. a bowl?"
| II am the earl of Douglas!"
1.-THE yerl O. Douglas! Then a bonny
hand they hae made O. him in Endinburgh!
heard they had only beheaded him!"
II tell you l am the earl OF Douglas.
| bid you beware. Conduct me to the tent oil
my sons!"
At this point an aged man Of some au-
, thority stood forward and gazed intently
at James the Gross, looking beneath his
hand at an extensive prospect OF which
he wished to take in all details.
Lads" he said, "hold your hands-it
|
Jamie, the fat yerl O. Ayondale. Well lei
him gang by in peace. His sons are de-
cent lads"
There came from the hlllmen a chorus
| Of "Avondale he may be-there's nae sayin
what they can breed up there by Stra'ven
But we are weel assured that he is nae
Douglas. Ma, nae Douglas like that was
ever Graded or buried in Gallowa'."
At this moment Lord William Douglas
seeing the commotion on the outposts
came down the brae through the broom
Upon seeing his father, he took the bonnet
from Off his head, and, ordering the Carsp.
hairn men to their places, he set his hand
upon the bride Of the gross earls horse
So with the two running footmen still pre-
serving some sort Of equilibrium in the
unsteady bulk, James OF Avondale was
brought to the door OF tent from which
foated the banner of the Douglas house
blue. with a bleeding heart upon it..
At the entering in Of the pavilion, all
stained and trodden into the soil by the
feet Of passersby was the royal banner o
the Stewards, SO placed by headstrone
James Douglas, the younger, In contempt
Of the tutor and chancellor, who. being
but towards and nurderers, had usurped
the power OF the king within the realm.
That sturdy youth came to the door oi
his pavilion half dressed as he had lair
down. yawning and stretching reluctantly
for he had been on duty all night perfect
ing the arrangements for besieging the
town.
"James-James," cried his father, catch
ing sight Of his favorit, son rubbing sleep
tly his mass Of black hair. whats thil