‘It is not the time,’ said James, ’nor will I do Scotland the wrong of striking for her with a dishonoured hand.’

‘That will we see when we have him at Hermitage Castle,’ quoth Douglas to his followers.  ’Now, Sir King, best give your sword without more grimace.  Living or dead you are ours.’

‘I yield not,’ said James.  ‘Dead you may take me—­alive, never.’  Then turning his eyes to the faces that gazed on him so earnestly in disappointment, in affection, or in scorn, he spoke:  ’Brave friends, who may perchance love me the better that I have been a captive half my life and all my reign, you can believe how sair my heart burns for my bonnie land’s sake, and how little I’d reck of my life for her weal.  But broken oaths are ill beginnings.  For me, so notably trusted by King Henry, to break my bonds, would shame both Scots and kings; and it were yet more paltry to feign to yield to my Lord of Douglas.  Rescue or no rescue, I am England’s captive.  Gentles, kindly brother Scots, in one way alone can you free me.  Give up this wretched land of France, whose troubles are but lengthened by your valour.  Let me gang to King Harry and tell him your swords are at his service, so soon as I am free.  Then am I your King indeed; we return together, staunch hearts and strong hands, and the key shall keep the castle, and the bracken bush keep the cow, though I lead the life of a dog to bring it about.’

His tawny eye flashed with falcon light; and as he stood towering above all the tall men around, there were few who did not in heart own him indeed their king.  But his picture of royal power accorded ill with the notions of a Black Douglas, in the most masterful days of that family; and Earl Archibald, who had come to regard kings as beings meant to be hectored by Douglases, resentfully exclaimed, ’Hear him, comrades; he has avouched himself a Southron at heart.  Has he reckoned how little it would cost to give a thrust to the caitiff who has lost heart in his prison, and clear the way for Albany, who is at least a true Scot?’

‘Do so, Lord Earl,’ said James, ’and end a long captivity.  But let these go scatheless.’

With one voice, Percy, Kitson, Trenton, and Brewster, shouted their resolve to defend him to the last; and Malcolm, flinging himself on Patrick Drummond, adjured him to save the King.

‘Thou here, laddie!’ said Patrick, amazed; and while several more knights exclaimed, ‘Sir, Sir, we’ll see no hand laid on you!’ he thrust forward, ‘Take my horse, Sir, ride on, and I’ll see no scathe befall you.’

‘Thanks,’ said James; ’but my feet will serve me best; we will keep together.’

The Scottish force seemed dividing into two:  Douglas and his friends and retainers, mounted and holding together, as though still undecided whether to grapple with the King and his half-dozen companions; while Drummond and about ten more lances were disposed to guard him at all risks.