"Norman, my lad, all our fortunes are made," said Randal to me when we were left alone.

"There will be gilt spurs and gold for every one of us, and the pick of the plunder." "I like it not," I answered; whereon he caught me rudely by both shoulders, looking close into my face, so that the fume of the wine he had been drinking reached my nostrils.
"Is a Leslie turning recreant ?" he asked in a low voice.

"A pretty tale to tell in the kingdom of Fife!" I stood still, my heart very hot with anger, and said no word, while his grip closed on me.
"Leave hold," I cried at last, and I swore an oath, may the Saints forgive me,--"I will not go!" He loosed his grasp on me, and struck one hand hard into the other.
"That I should see this, and have to tell it!" he said, and stepping to the table, he drank like one thirsty, and then fell to pacing the chamber.

He seemed to be thinking slowly, as he wiped and plucked at his beard.
"What is it that ails you ?" he asked.

"Look you, this onfall and stratagem of war may not miscarry.