Evening star., 1898-12-17
CHAPTER NXXNI.
The Rising OF the DOngIases.

II was upon the e9rIs own charger,
BarnaWay. that ShOIto rode southwark to
raise "a their chiefs assistance the greatest
and comgaccest clan that EVER. even in
Scotland. had done the bidding Of one man.
The young mans heart was high and
hopetu. within him. The kings guardians
dared not, 50 he told himself, let aught be-
IA. the puissant DougIases in their Castle
ef Edinburgh without trial and under
cover Of the most courteous hospitality
Try the Earl of Douglas" SO Sholto
thought within him. He laughed at the no.
ton Why. Earl William could. by
word. bring hundred thousand men of
the Galloway and the Marches TO make a
fitting jury"
So he mrditated, his thoughts running
fast and fiery to the beating of Black
DarHaway's feet as he climbed the heath
cry slopes which lead to the Castle of
Douglas. Day was breaking as he rode
Isst The town Of Lanark. yet asleep and
srgke.eSs IN the caller airs of morn. At
The gates II this frontier town he delivered
his itst summons. for The hurghers of La
mark were Nes-uIen of the DUuslases of
IpuG-lsidlc, and were Though not with
much goudWitD bound TO furnish service at
call
Shu!to had some difficulty in making him
SELF heard athwart the pond-rous wooden
gates, bUSSed with leather and studded
with iron At first he shouted to the 81
ivHce, but presently nearer and nearer came
" r-hg" rs 0t Il brazen bull, thunderous
and eghurv.
Power o the clock and a Draw, Draw
morning.
II was Grire ElShiOuer. watchman of the
town Of Lauark. ev5dencing TO the uagis-
traJeS and HeGes that he vas earning his
three shilling IN a Week-a handsome wage
IN those hard times and one well able TO
tENr- rFv--F.z
Tor the wife and Wedus who. dwelling in a
close off the high street were called by his
name.
sholto thuniered again upon the portal.
Open. there, Open, l say in the naua
Of ne Earl OF Douglass
FoWer . the morning! Lord, what's o.
the steer In the name o the YearI o.
Douglas, But wha kens that il is ma the
English Ma, IA. Grice E,Ishfoner opens not
10 every night-raking loon that likes TO cry
the name o the Nearl o Douglas over oor
tupn war
And Grice the yalorous would hav, taken
him of with fresh sleep-dispelIfus he'll
low. had IL not been that ne heard himself
lay. w
Open varlet Of a watchman. or bv Ct
Brice 1 VIII have you swinging in half an
hour from the bars of your own portcul-
rs j who speak am ShOlto AacKinn cap
tam ~ the earls guard. Every liegeman in
Inc Town must arm. mount and ride This
instant 20 Edinburgh. | give Won fair
warning. You hear my words / will not
enter your rascal town. But if so much as
one he wanting at the muster | swear in
'Ge nStIn5 OF my master that his house
snail he burned with fire and razad 10 the
ground. that his wife shall be a widow Ger
ever the cock craw on another Sabbath
morn
And. without waiting for a reply SboIto
tald tAH ryins upon the neck Of Black
Darua"ay and rode on southwark up pou-
s-as water 10 The home nest of his great
house.
And behind him. with wall in it. blared
through the narrow streets the stormy
Voice Of Grice Elshioner watchnnan of
LdNdfk: 'WaUksu ye. wauken We bUr-
Eesses a, The Douglas hath sent 70 hiie
y mount an ride
The nirr Of the town drum saluted Shol-
10 : ears ere he had turned the corner
Ihtn came the answering shouts of the
burshers- who thrust inquiring and indig-
r+nt heads out Of the gable windows and
tUrret speerinS holes.
BlTT- continued the undauufad and in
sisteHt town drum -
Harness your backs. Fill your bellies.
snu stand ready! The Douglas has need
yt htSes a cried the sonorous voice of
the watch. SholtO smiled as he listened
Il have At least set them on the aIart
Ihey VIII join the Douglasdale men as they
pass by. or We will know the reason why.
But they OF Lanark are ill-set tn,,p,ra "a
men. and Of no true leaI heart. save an n
be to their own Golfers. Yet they will
march with for fear of the harrvine,
hand and the burning roof-tree"
The sun shOne fair on the battlements of
Douglas castle as Sholto rode up to the
level mead, wherOn a little company of
men was exercising. He could hear the
words of command cried gTuffiy in the broad
Galloway speech Lanjless Jock was drill
ing his spearmeT1, and as the shining triple
line OF points dropped to the ready 10 re-
ceiye" the old knight aud former captain
OF the earl's guard came forward a little
way to welcome his successor with what
little grace was at his command.
''Eh, stree. and what has brocht sic a
Draw young knight and grand freQuenter o.
courts sac far as Douglas castIe2 Could no
even let puir aud Landless Jock hae the
tilt yaird here 70 exercise his handful In.