orse's flank. The
stung steed pranced in a semi-circle answering his master's rein, but
the fence of mounted steel was complete, every drawn sword a picket.
Again Armstrong, laughing uneasily, faced the king, who still stood
motionless.

"Your majesty has certainly the advantage of me as far as escort is
concerned."

"It would seem so," replied James. "You travel with twoscore of men; I
with a thousand."

"I have ever been a loyal subject of your majesty," said Armstrong,
moistening his dry lips. "I hope I am to take no scathe for coming
promptly and cordially to welcome your majesty to my poor district."

"You will be better able to answer your own question when you have
replied to a few of mine. Have you ever met me before, Mr. Armstrong?"

The robber looked intently at the king.

"I think not," he said.

"Have you ever seen this man before?" and James motioned Sir David
Lyndsay from the troop at his side.

Armstrong drew the back of his hand across his brow.

"I seem to remember him," he said, "but cannot tell where I have met
him."

"Perhaps this third man will quicken your memory," and the cobbler
came forward, dressed as he had been the night he was captured.

Armstrong gasped, and a greenish pallor overspread his face.

[Illustration: "THE FORTY-ONE TREES BORE THEIR BURDEN."]

"What is your answer, Armstrong?" asked the king.

"I and my forty men will serve your majesty faithfully in your army if
you grant us our lives."

"No thieves ride with any of Scotland's brigade, Armstrong."

"I will load your stoutest horse with gold until he cannot walk, if
you spare our lives."

"The revenues of Scotland are sufficient as they are, Armstrong,"
replied the king.

"Harry of England will be glad to hear that the King of Scotland has
destroyed twoscore of his stoutest warriors."

"The King of England is my relative, and I shall be happy to please
him. The defence of Scotland is my care, and I have honest men enough
in my army to see that it is secure. Have you anything further to say,
Armstrong?"

"It is folly to seek grace at a graceless face. If we are for the
tree, then to the tree with us. But if you make this fair forest bear
such woeful fruit, you shall see the day when you shall die for lack
of stout hearts like ours to follow you, as sure as this day is the
fatal thirteenth."

The forty-one trees bore their burden, and thirteen years from that
time the outlaw's prophecy was fulfilled.