“Doubtless they are shrewdly on guard against surprise,” Archie said; “but as they know that the king and his host are just now crossing the Border into Cumberland, they may well think that for a time they are safe from disturbance. `Tis in that that our best chance lies.”

Entering the village they purchased some fish from the fishermen, and asking a few careless questions about the garrison, found that it was composed of 150 men, and that extreme precautions were taken against surprise.  The gates were never opened save to allow parties to pass in and out, when they were instantly closed and the drawbridge raised.  Only ten of the garrison at a time were ever allowed to leave the castle, and these must go out and come in together, so that the gates should not be opened more than twice a day.  “They generally come out,” the man said, “at eleven o’clock and go in at four; at eleven o’clock all with corn, wood, and other stores for the castle must present themselves, so that the drawbridge need only be lowered at those times.  The governor, Sir John Morris, swears that he will not be caught asleep as were those of Linlithgow and Castle Douglas.  I fear,” he concluded, “that we of Dunottar will be the last in Scotland to be free from the English yoke.”

“That is as it may be.  Other castles have been captured, and maybe the lion of Scotland may float on those walls ere long.”

The man looked keenly at him.

“Methinks there is meaning in your words,” he said, “and your language does not accord with your attire.  I ask no questions; but be sure that should an attempt be made, there are a score of strong fellows among us who will be ready to strike a blow for freedom.”

“Is that so?” Archie replied; “then, man, taking you to be a true Scot, I will tell you that the attempt will be made, and that soon, and that, if you will, you can aid the enterprise.  I am Sir Archibald Forbes, of whom, perhaps, you have heard.”

“Assuredly,” the man said in a tone of deep respect, “every Scotsman knows the name as that of one of the king’s truest and bravest knights.”

“My purpose is this,” Archie said.  “On a dark night some ninety-five of my men will march hither; I need a faithful friend to meet them outside the village to lead them in, and to hide them away in the cottages, having already arranged beforehand with their owners to receive them.  I, myself, with four of my men will come hither in a fishing boat well laden with fish; we will choose a time when the wind is blowing, and will seem to have been driven here by stress of weather and disabled.  Then I shall try to sell our cargo for the use of the garrison.  As we carry it in we shall attack the guard, and at the signal those hidden will rush out and cross the drawbridge.”

“The plan is a good one,” the fisherman said; “its difficulty mainly lies in the fact that the drawbridge will be raised the moment you have crossed it, and long before your followers could arrive it would be high in the air, and you would be cut off from all aid.  It never remains down for an instant after men have passed over it.”