Evening star., 1898-12-24

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 lead
er. and as that unwieldy horseman swayed
this way and that in the saddle. first one
and then the other applied with his open
palm the force requisite to keep the rider
erect in the saddle
1t was the new Earl of Douglas, James
the Gross, on his way to visit the camp Of
his sons. AS he approached the sentri.s
who stood on guard upon the broomy braes
betwixt Merchiston and Bruntsfield, he was
summoned in a fierce southland shout by
one of the Carsphairn levies who knew him
not.
Stand back. there, fat loon, gin ye want
ma a quarrel Until that staggering tallow
bag ye ca your wame!''
Out of my way, hill Varlet! cried the
man on horseback.
But the Carsphairman stood with his
crossbow pointed straight at the leader of
the cavalcade, crying at the same time in
a loud, far-carrying voice over his shoul-
der, 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 a standstill. Then ensued this
collOquy:
Who are you that dares stop my way?"
demanded the earl
''Wha' may ye be that comes shuggy-
OF Carsphairn, sitting your beast for all
the warld like lump O. potted-head turned
DOT O. a bowl?"
Il am the Earl of Douglasw
'"Ths Yerl O Douglas! Then a bonny
hand they hae made O. him in Edinburgh!
heard they had only beheaded him.
Il tell you 1 am the Earl Of Douglas.
bid you beware. Conduct me to the tent
of my sons!
At this point an aged man of some
authority stood forward and gazed intently
at James thu Gross. looking beneath his
hand at an extensive prospect of which he
wished to take in all details.
Lads" he said, hold your hands|t
rims + my head that this craitur' may be
Jamie, the fat Yerl O. Avondale. Well let
him gang by In peace. His sons ara decent
lads.
There came from the hillmen a chorus
of "Avondale he may be-tEere's nae sayin
what they can breed up there by Stra'ven.
But we ara 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 ths broom
Upon seeing his father, he took the bonnet
from of his head, and. ordering the Cars
phairn men to their places, he set his hand
upon the bride of the gross sarrs horse.
So, with the two running footmen still pre-
serving some sort of equilibrium in the un-
steady bulk. James Of Avondale was
foated the banner Of the Douglas house,
blu,, with a bleeding heart upon 1t.
At the entering in of the pavilion, all
stained and trodden into the soil by the
feet Of passersby, was the royal banner of
the Stewarts. SO placed by headstrong
James Douglas the younger. in cont smpt
of the tutor and chancellor. who being but
towards and murderers, had usurped the
power of the king within the realm.
That sturdy youth came to the door of
his pavilion half dressed as he had lain
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 favorite son rubbing Sleep
lily his mass of black hair. Whats this
rebellion and are defying the power O. the
anointed king"
At this moment the footmen undid the
girths of his horse, which being apparently
well used to the operation, stood still with
his feet planted wide apart. Then they ran
quickly around to the side to which the
swaying bulk threatened to fall, the sad
tree James the Gross fell into the arms of
his attendants, who. straining and painting,
presently set him on his feet upon the
blazoned royal footcloth at the threshold
Of the pavilion.
Almost he fell backward when he saw
the use to which his daring sons had put
| the emblem Of royal authority.
"God save us, ladies" he cried, stag.
gering across the flag into the tent. Ken
ye what ye do? The royal banner o. the
King O. Scots-to max a floor clout o.!
Sirce. stree. in three weeks shall be as child
less az tho Countess o. Douglas is this day."
That" said William Douglas. coldly. In