‘If anie gentleman undefamed, of my qualitie and degree, of his factioun and perteaning to him, will say the contrare heerof but I am a true Scotish man, I will say he speeketh untruelie, and leeth falslie in his throat; and denounce by thir presents to whatsomever persons will take the said querrell in hand, I sall be readie to fight with him on horsebacke or on foote, at time and place to be appointed, according to the lawes of armes.’ When the Captain’s preparations were complete, he set himself to the task of training the garrison. For that purpose he devised a sham assault, which the chronicler who records it, ignorant of military matters, sets down as a foolish skirmish, and as mere boastful display. His graphic description of it, however, is interesting as a quaint picture of mediæval warfare. ‘The one part of the Captan’s souldiours tooke upon them to skirmishe, in manner of an assault to the Castell; the other part of the Captan’s gentlemen took upon them the defence and keeping of the Castell. The skirmishe continued from eight houres at night till nyne. It was demanded from the Castell, who these were that troubled the Captan, under silence of night? It was answered by the other partie below, that they were the Queen of England’s armie. These beganne brawling and flytting; and these in the Castell answered, “Away, lubbard! Away, blew-coat! I defy thee, white-coat!” “Dirt in your teeth!” “Hence, knaves, and goe tell that whoore, your mastresse, yee sall not come heere. We lett you know, we have men, meat, and ordinance for seven yeeres.” About the end of the skirmishe, three cannons were discharged, and the counterfoot assaulters tooke the flight.’