The doors had been opened now, but those within were unable to force their way across the blazing mass of straw.

Many appeared at the windows and screamed for mercy, and some leapt out, preferring to fall by the Scottish swords rather than to await death by fire within.
The flames rose higher and higher, and soon the whole building was enveloped, and ere many minutes all those who had carried out, if not planned, the massacre of Ayr had perished.

In the meantime Grahame and his party had reached the gate of Ayr.

Bidding others follow him at a distance of about a hundred yards, he himself, with Archie and ten of his followers, ran up at full speed.
"Quick!" he shouted to the sentry on the gate.

"Lower the bridge and let us in.