spirited Master of Angus; and indeed obedience, save to the head
of the name, was so little a Scottish virtue that Sir Patrick
was by no means unprepared for reluctance.

'I give thee thy choice, laddie,' he said, not unkindly; 'best
make up your mind while thou art still in thine own country,
and can win back home. In England and France I can have no
stragglers nor loons like to help themselves, nor give cause for
a fray to bring shame on the haill troop in lands that are none
too friendly. A raw carle like thyself, or even these lads of
mine, might give offence unwittingly, and then I'd have to give
thee up to the laws, or to stand by thee to the peril of all,
and of the ladies themselves. So there's nothing for it but
strict keeping to orders of myself and Andrew Drummond of the
Cleugh, who kens as well as I do what sorts to be done in these
strange lands. Wilt thou so bind thyself, or shall we part
while yet there is time?'

'Sir, I will,' said the young man, 'I will plight my word to
obey you, and faithfully, so long as I ride under your banner
in foreign parts--provided such oath be not binding within this
realm of Scotland, nor against my lealty to the head of my name.'

'Nor do I ask it of thee,' returned Sir Patrick heartily, but
regarding him more attentively; 'these are the scruples of a
true man. Hast thou any following?'

'Only a boy to lead my horse to grass,' replied George, giving
a peculiar whistle, which brought to his side a shock-headed,
barefooted lad, in a shepherd's tartan and little else, but with