CHAPTER VII

THE DOUGLAS MUSTER


The day of the great weapon-showing broke fair and clear after the
storm of the night. The windows of heaven had had all their panes
cleaned, and even after it was daylight the brighter stars
appeared--only, however, to wink out again when the sun arose and
shone on the wet fields, coming forth rejoicing like a bridegroom from
his chamber.

And equally bright and strong came forth the young Earl, every trace
of the anger and disappointment of the night having been removed from
his face, if not from his mind, by the recreative and potent sleep of
youth and health.

In the hall he called for Sir John of Abernethy, nicknamed Landless
Jock.

"Conduct my uncle the Abbot from the chapel where he has been all
night at his devotions, to his chamber, and furnish him with what he
may require, and bring up Malise the Smith from the dungeon. Let him
come into my presence in the upper hall."

William Douglas went into a large oak-ceiled chamber, wide and high,