I have come south to seek service, with one who will welcome a strong arm to wield a sword." "Hast tried the Douglas ?" "No," he said, "the Douglas has men enough of his own, and methinks I should not care to be mewed up in one of his castles.

I have had enough of that already, seeing that I was a man-at-arms with George Dunbar, till he turned traitor and went over to the English." "You look a likely fellow; but, you know, we do not pay men, here, to do our fighting for us.

'Tis all very well for great nobles, like Dunbar and Douglas, to keep men always in arms, and ready to ride, at a moment's notice, to carry fire and sword where they will.

War is not our business, save when there is trouble in the air, or mayhap we run short of cattle or horses, and have to go and fetch them from across the border.

It is true that there are always a score or two of us up there, for somehow the Bairds have enemies, but most of the followers of the house live on their holdings, raise cattle and mountain sheep, grow oats, and live as best they can." "For myself, I would rather live with others," Oswald said.