Not having opportunity to reach the stables and mount, Michael Hamilton fled on foot, with what speed he might, but sorely impeded by the weight of his armour.

The country folk, therefore, being light of foot, easily overtook him, and after slaying one and wounding more, he was caught in a noose of rope thrown over him from behind.

Now, even as he felt the noose tighten about his arms, he (though not commonly pious beyond the wont of men-at-arms) vowed in his heart to make a pilgrimage to Fierbois, and to the shrine of Madame St.Catherine, if she would but aid him.

And, indeed, he was ever a worshipper of St.
Catherine, she being the patroness of his own parish kirk, near Bothwell.
None the less, he was overcome and bound, whereon he that had thrown the noose, and was son of the spy whom Michael had hanged, vowed that he would, with his own hands, hang Michael.

No ransom would this manant take, nor would he suffer Michael, as a gentleman of blood and birth, to die by the sword.