here was no talk of it."

"There was talk of it, but no certainty; for our royal brother kept his
own counsel, and spoke not of this much-desired event till his way lay
clear before him. There have been some turbulent spirits in the
camp--your humble servant, this black lord, and Randolph amongst
them--who in truth conspired to let his grace know no peace by night or
day till this object was attained; but our prudent monarch gave us
little heed till his wiser brain arranged the matters we but burned to
execute."

"And what, think you, fixed this resolve?"

"Simply that for a time we are clear of English thieves and Norman
rogues, and can march northward, and sit down before Perth without fear
of being called southward again. Edward will have enow on his hands to
keep his own frontiers from invasion; 'twill be some time ere he see the
extent of our vengeance, and meanwhile our drift is gained."

"Aye, it were a sin and crying shame to let Perth remain longer in
English hands," rejoined Douglas; "strongly garrisoned it may be; but
what matter?"

"What matter! why, 'tis great matter," replied Sir Edward, joyously.
"What glory were it to sit down before a place and take it at first
charge? No, give me good fighting, tough assault, and brave defence.
Think you I would have so urged the king, did I not scent a glorious
struggle before the walls? Strongly garrisoned! I would not give one
link of this gold chain for it, were it not. But a truce to this idle
parley; we must make some miles ere nightfall. Sir Knight of the Branch,
do your men need further rest? if not, give the word, and let them fall
in with their comrades, and on."

"Whither?" demanded Sir Amiot, as he gave the required orders. "Where
meet we the king?"

"In the Glen of Auchterader, south of the Erne. Lady Campbell and
Isoline await us there, with the troops left as their guard at
Dumbarton. So you perceive our friend Lord Douglas here hath double
cause to use the spur; times like these afford little leisure for
wooing, and such love-stricken gallants as himself must e'en make the
most of them."

"And trust me for doing so," laughingly rejoined Douglas. "Scoff' at me
as you will, Edward, your time will come."

"Not it," answered the warrior; "glory is my mistress. I love better to
clasp my true steel than the softest and fairest hand in Christendom; to
caress my noble steed and twine my hand thus in his flowing mane, and
feel that he bears me gallan