The Laird of Dundonald curled up his mustachios in silence, while Sauchie laughed aloud; but no man stirred upon the walls, though all gazed upon each other in evident doubt and trepidation. "Will no man there desire the prince, my son, to appear before me," said the poor king. Then Sauchie answered: "The prince, your son, is with the lords, in arms, beyond the Torwood, and is birling his bicker in Callendar Hall." This intelligence cut James to the soul, and he turned to Concressault, with a glance full of reproach and inquiry. "I could not tell your majesty such evil tidings," replied the old soldier; "though I saw the prince, pale, sad, and I am glad to say it, looking miserable enough, among those evil-minded lords." "And thou, David Falconer?" said the king. "I was silent for the same reason." "It was kindly meant, sirs--kindly meant; but it makes the blow more heavy to-day. Wifeless and sonless, in one week--I may well be crownless and lifeless the next. Oh, who that could have a crust and cup of water in peaceful obscurity would be king of Scotland? One word ere we go, Sir James of Sauchie, and answer me truly on your soul as a Christian man, is my son in arms against me of his own free will?" "I know not; but the nobles, now in arms to demand justice, took him away with them." "Justice is in the hand of Heaven; and yet these rebel lords would seek it at the head of forty-thousand spears." "I know not in whose hand it may be, and care not," replied the insolent Shaw; "but time will prove all." "Time will also avenge thy perfidy!" said James, with bitterness; "fie on thee, traitor; fie! But I shall neither curse nor ban thee, for thy father was a good knight and loyal man; and this conduct in thee is enough to make his bones shake in their coffin in Cambuskenneth aisle. Foully and basely hast thou deceived me, for to thee were entrusted alike the custody of this my royal castle and of my eldest son; but I shall yet be avenged, and have thee rewarded as thou deservest." It is related that James then shook his clenched hand at the subtle traitor on the battlement above him; and all his train made the same menacing gesture, as they wheeled their horses round and descended into the town. CHAPTER XXX. THE GOOD SHIP HARRY "Yest'reen I saw the new moon With the auld moon in her arm; And if we gang to sea, master, I fear we'll come to harm. They had na' sailed a league, a league, A league, but barely three, When the lift grew dark, the wind blew loud And gurly grew the sea." _Scottish Ballad._ The evening was cold and grey; the shrill wind swept over the German Sea, tearing the surf here and there from the crests of the murky waves, which reflected the colour of the inky scud that traversed the lowering sky heavily and swiftly in flying masses overhead.