Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20


square wooden bodies set on boughs OF trees
and flung into the river by the earls varlets
and stablemen.
The liegemen OF the Douglas were by this
time steaming homewards by every mountain
pass. over the heather and through the
Astounding morasses horse and foot took their
way, no longer marching In military order,
as when they came. but each taking the
route which appeared the shortest to him
self. North. east and west spearheads glinted
and armor flashed against the brown OF the
heather and the green OF the little wales
wherein the horses bent their heads to pull
at the meadow hay as their riders sought
the nearest way to their peel towers and 40
shilling lands.
It was at the great gate OF Thrieve that
the earl called for Sholto. He had been
speaking to bic cousiu William. . strong,
silent man, whose repute was highest for
good counsel among all the branches Of the
house of Douglas.
Sholto came forward from the head OF
his archer guard with haste which be-
trayei his anxiety, lest in some manner
he had exceeded his duty. The earl bade
him kneel down. A little behind the young
Dougleses Of Avondale, William, James and
Hugh, sat their horses and the boy David,
who had been left at home to keep the cas-
tie, looked forth disconsolately from the
window of the great hall. On the steps
stood the little maid, Margaret and her
companion, Maud Lindsay, who had come
down, to meet the returning train OF riders.
And, truth to tell, that was what Sholto
cared most about He did not wish to be
dsgraced before them all.
Sholto knelt with sober countenance be-
fore his lord the earl took his cousin Will
liam's sword out Of his hand and, laying
1t on the shoulder Of Sholto MacKim, he
said ''Great occasions bring forth good
men, and one battle tries the temper Of
the sword. You, Sholto, have been quickly
tried. but thy father hath been long temper
ing thee. Three days agone you were but
one Of the archer guard, yesterday you were
made Its captain, today dub you knight
for the strong courage OF the heart that is
within and the service which this day you
did your lord. Rise, Sir Sholto!"
But for all that he rose not for the head
OF the young man whirled and little drum
ming pulses beat in his temples. His heart
cried within him like the overword OF a
| song, docs she hear? viii she care? Will
this bring me nearer to her?" So that, in
spite Of his lords command, he continued
! to kneel till lusty James Of Avondale came
and caught him by the elbow. "Up, Sir
Knight. and give grace and good thanks
to your lord. Not your head, but mine,
| hath right to be muzzy with the coup l
gat this day on the green meadow Of the
boatcroft."
And practical William of Avondale whis-
pered In his cousins ear: And the lands
for the youth that we spoke off"
bok
suitably support the knighthood which your
sword has won. freely bestow on you the
| forty shilling lands of Airelands and Lin
coins with Screel and Ben Gairn, on condi-
tion that you and yours shall keep the watch
| fires laid ready for the lighting, and that in
| time you rear sturdy yeomen to bear in the
Douglas train the banneret of MacKim OF
Aireland."
Shorto stood before his generous lord
| trembling and speechless. while James
Douglas shook him by the elbow and en-
| couraged him roughly: Say thy say, man!
Hast lost thy tongue?"
! But William Douglas nodded approval OF
the youth.
| May" he said, "let alone james! like
the lad the better that he hath no ready
tongue. 'Tis not the praters that fight, as
this youth hath fought this day."
So all that Sholto found himself able to
do was no more than to kneel on one knee
and kiss his masters hand.
II am too young!" he muttered. II am
not worthy"
Nay" said his master. but you have
fairly won your spurs. They made me a
knight when I was but two years Of my
age, and I cried all the time for my nurse
your good mother, who when she came com.
forted me with pap. Surely 1t was right
that / should make a place for my foster
brother within the goodly circle OF the
Douglas knights"