h Geordie's motive he had no sympathy, having had
too many childish squabbles with his cousin for her to be in his eyes a
sublime Princess Joanna, but only a masterful Jeanie.

Sir Patrick, absorbed in orders to his seneschal, did not observe the
addition to his party; and as David acted as his squire, and had been
seen talking to the young man, no further demur was made until the time
when the home party turned to ride back to Glenuskie, and Sir Patrick
made a roll-call of his followers, picked men who could fairly be
trusted not to embroil the company by excesses or imprudences in England
or France.

Besides himself, his wife, sons and daughters, and the two princesses,
the party consisted of Christian, female attendant for the ladies, the
wife of Andrew of the Cleugh, an elderly, well-seasoned man-at-arms, to
whom the banner was entrusted; Dandie their son, a stalwart youth of two
or three-and-twenty, who, under his father, was in charge of the horses;
and six lances besides. Sir Patrick following the French fashion, which
gave to each lance two grooms, armed likewise, and a horse-boy. For
each of the family there was likewise a spare palfrey, with a servant
in charge, and one beast of burthen, but these last were to be freshly
hired with their attendants at each stage.

Geordie, used to more tumultuous and irregular gatherings, where any man
with a good horse and serviceable weapons was welcome to join the raid,
had not reckoned on such a review of the party as was made by the old
warrior accustomed to more regular warfare, and who made each of his
eight lances--namely, the two Andrew Drummonds, Jock of the Glen, Jockie
of Braeside, Willie and Norman Armstrong, Wattie Wudspurs, and Tam
Telfer--answer to their names, and show up their three followers.

'And who is yon lad in bright steel?' Sir Patrick asked.

'Master Davie kens, sir,' responded old Andrew. David, being called,
explained that he was a leal lad called Geordie, whom he had seen in
Edinburgh, and who wished to join them, go to France, and see the world
under Sir Patrick's guidance, and that he would be at his own charges.
'And I'll be answerable for him, sir,' concluded the lad.

'Answer! Ha! ha! What for, eh? That he is a long-legged lad like your
ain self. What more? Come, call him up!'

The stranger had no choice save to obey, and came up on a strong white
mare, which old Andrew scanned, and muttered to his son, 'The Mearns
breed--did he come h