Then he went on to speak of the Earl, mocking at him as one greedy-tooth for land and siller like his father, and warning me that when he had done with me he would cast me off without fee or reward, like an old glove. ’Nay, worse,’ said he, ’for he will save the worn glove to sell over again to Granny Nish of the Luckenbooths.’ ’Light-hand or luck-penny,’ said I, ’Launcelot Kennedy is not the man to change his colours for goods or gear.’ ’And who bids you?’ said he. ’Tush, man! you are at the horn and outlaw. Any man may take your life and be the freer for it. The sneckdraw Cassillis and the old wife Culzean are not fit mettle for a gallant like you to ride beside. Hear ye, man; I will tell you a secret which none knoweth yet, but which, if you are wise and bold, will make your fortune with the King. Bargany is to marry one of the Queen’s bower-maidens—one too that carries the King’s name—_and he is to have the Earldom of Carrick_!’ Here he hushed his voice and leaned towards me, setting his hand on the arch of Dom Nicholas’s neck. ’And that,’ he whispered,’ will mean knighthood and an estate—besides a fair maid with a tocher, to every good man that can draw a sword and lead a company. What think ye of that? Be not hasty, man. I tell you Bargany will crumple up Cassillis as I crumple this bit of paper.’ And he threw a crushed sheet of writing into Doon Water as we rode beside it. Then I faced about upon him, and set myself very straight in the saddle. ’Sir,’ I said, ’you are an older man, a richer man, a better learned man than I. But let me tell you, sir, that I am an honester man than you; and maybe I shall win though none the worse of that at the long and last. But if what I have said offend you, I am willing to give satisfaction on horse or foot, now or again, either to you or to any younger man of your name. I bid you good-day, sir, for I count you not good company for leal gentlemen.’ And with that I turned my back on him, and rode on my way. ’Go your own gate,’ he said, rather regretfully than angrily. ’You have thrown away a kindly offer for an old song and a sounding phrase. You are a mettle lad, but with much wind in your belly.’ So I rode on, thinking that I had done with him—which was very far indeed from being the case. *CHAPTER IX* *CARTEL OF CONTUMELY*