he gae up the life that made me childless. They were a' shot by English
hands, in different armies, in different battles. I am an honest woman,
and wish to return to the English what belongs to the English; but that
in the same fashion in which they were sent. The Black Douglas has the
strongest arm an' the surest ee in auld Scotland; an' wha can execute my
commission better than he?"

"I do not use the bow, good woman," replied Sir James. "I love the grasp
of the dagger or the battle-axe. You must apply to some other individual
to return your arrows."

"I canna tak' them hame again," said the woman, laying them down at the
feet of Sir James. "Ye'll see me again on St. James' E'en."

The old woman departed as she said these words.

Sir James took up the arrows, and placed them in an empty quiver that lay
amongst his baggage. He retired to rest, but not to sleep. The figure
of the old woman and her strange request occupied his thoughts, and
produced trains of meditation which ended in nothing but restlessness and
disquietude. Getting up at daybreak, he met a messenger at the entrance
of his tent, who informed him that Sir Thomas de Richmont, with a force
of ten thousand men, had crossed the Borders, and would pass through a
narrow defile, which he mentioned, where he could be attacked with great
advantage. Sir James gave instant orders to march to the spot; and, with
that genius for scheming, for which he was so remarkable, commanded his
men to twist together the young birch-trees on either side of the passage
to prevent the escape of the enemy. This finished, he concealed his
archers in a hollow way, near the gorge of the pass.