“Ah! my boy,” he said, “I feared that your wilful disposition would have its way.  You have embarked young on a stormy course, and none can say where it will end.  I myself have no hope that it can be successful.  Did the English rule depend solely on the troops which garrison our towns and fortresses, I should believe that Wallace might possibly expel them; but this is as nothing.  Edward can march a hundred and fifty thousand trained soldiers hither, and how will it be possible for any gathering of Scotchmen to resist these?  However, you have chosen your course, and as it is too late to draw back now, I would not dispirit you.  Take the best of my horses from the stable, and such arms and armour as you may choose from the walls.  Here is a purse for your own private needs, and in this other are a hundred pounds, which I pray you hand to Sir William Wallace.  Fighting never was in my way, and I am too old to begin now.  Tell him, however, that my best wishes are with him.  I have already sent word to all my tenants that they are free, if they choose, to follow his banner.”

“You have plenty of pikes and swords in the armoury, uncle; weapons will be very useful; can I take some of them?”

“Certainly, Archie, as many as you like.  But your aunt wants you to ride at once to Glen Cairn, to ask your mother to come over here and take up her abode till the stormy times are over.  The news of last night’s doings in Lanark will travel fast, and she will be terribly anxious.  Besides, as the Kerrs are heart and soul with the English faction, like enough they will take the opportunity of the disturbed times, and of your being involved in the rising, to destroy the hold altogether, seeing that so long as it stands there it is a sort of symbol that their lordship over the lands is disputed.”

“The very thing that I was going to ask you, uncle.  My mother’s position at Glen Cairn would always be on my mind.  As to the Kerrs, let them burn the castle if they will.  If the rising fail, and I am killed, the line will be extinct, and it matters little about our hold.  If we succeed, then I shall regain my own, and shall turn the tables on the Kerrs, and will rebuild Glen Cairn twice as strong as before.  And now can I take a cart to convey the arms?”

“Certainly, Archie; and may they be of service in the cause.  You will, I suppose, conduct your mother hither?”

Archie replied that he should do so, and then at once made his preparations for the start.  His uncle’s armoury was well supplied, and Archie had no difficulty in suiting himself.  For work like that which he would have to do he did not care to encumber himself with heavy armour, but chose a light but strong steel cap, with a curtain of mail falling so as to guard the neck and ears, leaving only the face exposed, and a shirt of the same material.  It was of fine workmanship and of no great weight, and did not hamper his movements.  He also chose some leg pieces