"'Tis out of the question," one of the Bairds said, "they could not
raise fifty men. Doubtless they will send a complaint to Douglas, but
he has his hands well full; and is not likely to quarrel with us about
such a trifle, when he may want our aid, at any moment, either against
Albany or against the English."
"What do you intend to do with the girls?"
"I have not settled yet," William Baird said, shortly. "At any rate,
for the present I shall hold them as hostages. I don't think that
anything is likely to come of the affair; but if we should hear of any
force approaching, likely to give us trouble, we could send word to
them that, if an arrow is loosened at our walls, we will hang the girls
out as marks for their archers. I fancy that will send them trooping
off again, at once."
As soon as the meal was over, and the carousal began, the priest rose
and, accompanied by Roger, retired to his chamber.
Chapter 13: Escape.
Oswald, who was thoroughly fatigued with the events of the last
thirty-six hours, slept soundly, on an armful of rushes that his host
threw down in a corner of the room for him. At eight o'clock, the man
who had spoken to him on the previous evening came in.
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