Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27


buildings did not adopt the original archi-
tectural designs. which would not nave
cost any more. so as to perpetuate tne
historic castle. instead of lot or ouiio-
ings that look like warehouses-and that
is exactly what they are.
The Castle Banquet Hall Attractive.
Only small part of the castle Is open
to the public. including the great banquet
hall. a splendid apartment. which, with the
rest of the older part, was built by KING
Malcolm III. Of whom I wrote the other
day. The banquet hall is filled with
ancient armor and arms, the banners or
the Scottish earls and other rehcs OF
great historic interest. and whoever ar
ranged them is entitled to the highest
praise.
1t was in this great hall that the young
Earl of Douglas and his brother were
shown the head of the black Dull an
amiable Scottish method OF anhouhc-
ing that some one present was doomed to
death During the regency of the LORD
Chancellor Crichton, while King James
III was a minor, the great Earl Douglas
and Duke of Touraine of France. more
powerful in wealth and vassals than the
king himself. breathed his last, leaving
two sons William and David. Crichton
was fearful of the former. although the
young earl was only eighteen years old
and David was only sixteen. He was
furious because of Williams superb IN
difference to his authority and the lad
arrogance and pride. The young earl,
whose castle was only thirty miles away,
never entered Edinburgh without a ret
niue of 100 warriors clad In sHtterlnS
coats of mail. and had treated with CON
tempt several suggestions which the
regent had sent him. The latter realized
that the earl was a dangerous obstacle
to his power. and set a trap for his life.
Crichton's Murderous Treachery.
Crichton induced the boyish king. then
fourteen years old. to invite the Earl OF
Douglas and his brother David to Edn-
burgh and the two young men marched
up to the castle gate in response to this
invitation with their usual sDlendor. AL
though they we're received with princely
honors and shown to the most splendid
apartments, the regent apologized for not
being able TO accommodate their escort,
and said that he had provided them &C
cOmmodatonS outside the castle walls.
This should have been a warning to
Douglas, but he was young and honest
and did not have the slightest suspicion
of treachery.
The king spent the day with his guests,
and the three boys became very fond of
each other. In the evening great ban
uuet was given in honor of the visitors.
who were seated on either side of the
king. The remainder of the table was
occupied by the courtiers and adventures
that Crichton had gathered around him.
There was no lack of compliments or
cordially: there was nothing TO awaken
forebodings or fears until, at the Close
of the feast, the head of black bull was
brought in upon a silver platterand placed
before the little kinG. The three boys
recognized the symbol instantly. and. ris-
ing from the table. drew their swords.
young James shouting torrent of indig-
nant protests at his regent. who occupied
the other end of the table. But he was
hurried away alone into a distant part
of the castle. The Douglas boys were
speedily tried for treason and sentenced
to death by an impromptu court. The
headsmans AK was stained with their
blood at daylight and their escort was
ordered home. No attempt was ever
made to revenge this awful treachery
and there is TO doubt that James the
Gross" an uncle Of Earl Douslas, MAo