A detachment of fifty men were sent off with the prisoners to Bruce, and Archie, with the main body of his followers, two days later joined the force under Sir James Douglas.

Upon the following morning a messenger from Aberfilly reached Archie.

“My lord,” he said, “I bring you a message from the Lady Marjory.  I have spent five days in searching for you, and have never but once laid down during that time, therefore do not blame me if my message is long in coming.”

“What is it, Evan? nought is wrong there, I trust?”

“The Lady Marjory bade me tell you that news has reached her, that from each of the garrisons of Ayr, Lanark, Stirling and Bothwell, a force is marching toward your hold, which the governor of Bothwell has sworn to destroy.  When I left they were expected hourly in sight, and this is full a week since.”

“Aberfilly can hold out for longer than that,” Archie said, “against aught but surprise, and the vassals would have had time to gather.”

“Yes,” the man replied, “they were flocking in when I came away; the men of Glen Cairn had already arrived; all the women and children were taking to the hills, according to the orders which you gave.”

“And now, good Evan, do you eat some supper, and then rest.  No wonder you have been so long in finding me, for I have been wandering without ceasing.  I will start at once with my followers here for Aberfilly; by tomorrow evening we will be there.”

Archie hurried to the hut occupied by Douglas, told him the news, and said he must hurry away to the defence of his castle.

“Go, by all means, Archie,” Douglas replied.  “If I can gather a force sufficient to relieve you I will myself march thither; but at present I fear that the chances of my doing so are small, for the four garrisons you have named would be able to spare a force vastly larger than any with which I could meet them in the field, and the king is no better able to help you.”

“I will do my best,” Archie said.  “The castle can stand a stout siege; and fortunately I have a secret passage by which we can escape.”

“Never mind the castle,” Douglas replied.  “When better days come we will rebuild it again for you.”

A few notes on a horn brought Archie’s little band of followers together.  Telling them the danger which threatened Glen Cairn, Archie placed himself at their head, and at a rapid step they marched away.  It was five-and-forty miles across the hills, but before morning they approached it, and made their way to the wood in which was the entrance to the subterranean passage leading to the castle.  Archie had feared that they might find the massive doors which closed it, a short distance from the entrance, securely fastened as usual.  They were shut, indeed, but as they approached them they heard a challenge from within.

“It is I, Sir Archie Forbes.”

The door was opened at once.  “Welcome, Sir Archie!” the guard said.  “The Lady Marjory has been expecting you for the last five days, and a watch has been kept here constantly, to open the doors should you come.”