Accompanied by but one retainer, the friends set out for Douglasdale.  When they arrived there Douglas went to the cottage of an old and faithful servant named Thomas Dickson, by whom he was joyfully received.  Dickson went out among the retainers and revealed to such as could be most surely depended upon the secret of their lord’s presence, and one by one took them in to see him.  The friends had already determined upon their course, and the retainers all promised to take part in the scheme.  They were not numerous enough to assault the castle openly, but they chose the following Sunday for the assault.  This was Palm Sunday and a festival, and most of the garrison would come to the Church of St. Bride, in the village of the same name, a short distance from the castle.

Dickson with some of his friends went at the appointed time, with arms concealed under their clothes, to the church; and after the service had commenced Douglas and some of his followers gathered outside.  Unfortunately for the plan, some of those outside set up the shout, “A Douglas!” prematurely before the whole party had arrived and were ready to rush into the church.  Dickson with his friends at once drew out their arms and attacked the English; but being greatly outnumbered and for a time unsupported, most of them, including their leader, were slain.  Sir James and his followers then fought their way in, and after a desperate fight all the garrison save ten were killed.

The party then proceeded to the castle, which they captured without resistance.  Douglas and his companions partook of the dinner which had been prepared for the garrison; then as much money, weapons, armour, and clothing as they could carry away was taken from the castle.  The whole of the vast stores of provisions were carried into the cellar, the heads struck out of the ale and wine casks, the prisoners were slain and their bodies thrown down into the mass, and the castle was then set on fire.  Archie Forbes in vain begged Douglas to spare the lives of the prisoners, but the latter would not listen to him.  “No, Sir Archie,” he exclaimed; “the King of England held my good father a prisoner in chains until he died; he has struck off the heads of every one of our friends who have fallen into his hands; he has wasted Scotland from end to end with fire and sword, and has slain our people in tens of thousands.  So long as this war continues, so long will I slay every prisoner who falls into my hands, as King Edward would slay me did I fall into his; and I will not desist unless this cruel king agrees to show quarter to such of us as he may capture.  I see not why all the massacreing and bloodshed should be upon one side.”

Archie did not urge him further, for he too was half beside himself with indignation and grief at the murder of the king’s brothers and friends, and at the cruel captivity which, by a violation of the laws of sanctuary, had fallen upon the ladies with whom he had spent so many happy hours in the mountains and forests of Athole.