CHAPTER XV.
THE NIGHT ALARM At parting with his father, the young captain received many wise and grave instructions, all of which he resolved to remember and profit by--a resolution which he did not fail to keep for full five minutes.
"Be douce in deportment," said his father, speaking quietly and yet with a certain sternness of demeanour.

"Think three times before you give an order, but let no man think even once before obeying it.

Set him astraddle the wooden horse with a spear shaft at either foot to teach him that a soldier's first duty is not to think.

Keep your eyes more on the alert for the approach of an enemy than for the ankles of the women-folk at the turnings of the turret stairs." To these and many other maxims out of the incorporate wisdom of the elders, Sholto promised most faithful attendance, and, for the time being, he fully intended to keep his word.

But no sooner was his father gone, and he introduced to his new quarters and duties by David Douglas, the Earl's younger brother, than he began to wonder which was the window of Maud Lindesay's chamber and speculate on how soon he would see her thereat.
In the castle of Thrieve that night there was little sleeping room to spare.