The said John, offended hereat, said that he would occupy that office by force, if they would not give it unto him of benevolence; and so departed, and communicated the matter with the Lord Gray, with Norman Leslie, and with other friends. These he easily persuaded to assist him in that pursuit, because he appeared to have the Governor's right, and had not only a charge to the town, but also had purchased letters empowering him to besiege it and to take it by strong hand, if any resistance were made unto him. These letters made many favour his action. The other party made for defence, and the Master of Ruthven (the Lord that afterwards departed to England) undertook the maintenance of the town, having in his company the Laird of Moncrieffe, and other neighbouring friends. [Sidenote: The Fight for the Provostship of Perth.] The said John made frack for the pursuit; and upon the Magdalene's day, in the morning, anno 1543, approached with his forces, the Lord Gray taking upon him the principal charge. Norman Leslie, with his friends, should have come by ship, with munition and ordnance, and they were in readiness. But because the tide served not soon, the other, thinking himself of sufficient force for all that were in the town, entered by the bridge. They found no resistance until the foremost were well within the Fish Gate, when the Master of Ruthven, with his company, stoutly rencountered them, and so rudely repulsed them that such as were behind gave back. The place of the retreat was so strait, that men durst not fight, and could not flee at their pleasure, for Lord Gray and his friends were upon the bridge. The slaughter was great; for there fell by the edge of the sword threescore men. The Cardinal had rather that the unhap had fallen on the other side; but, howsoever it was, he thought that such trouble was for his comfort and advantage. The knowledge of this came unto the ears of the party that had received the discomfiture, and was unto them no small grief. Many of them had entered into that action for his pleasure, and thought they should have had his fortification and assistance. Finding themselves frustrated, they began to look more narrowly to themselves, and did not so much attend upon the Cardinal's devotion, as they had been wont to do. Thus was a new jealousy engendered amongst them; for whosoever would not play to him the good valet was reputed amongst his enemies. [Sidenote: Treachery of the Cardinal.]