History of the house and race of Douglas and Angus

J 44 HISTORY OF THS
cither of the tvro kings, lest the king of Scotland should hin-
der them, or the king of England prevent them: yet when
they had used all the expedition and secrecy they could, the
English had notice of it, and were informed of both the day
and place of their meeting. Wherefore, that they might en-
trap them and take them at unawares, they advertised one
another, and the noblemen commanded the commons to be
in readiness against the next advertisement, without appoint-
ing any certain day, for fear the Scots should hear of it. These
things thus ordered, when they heard that the Scots were
conveened in Teviotdale, not far from the march, to the num-
ber of 30,000, or as Forysard saith, 40,000 men, not daring
to join battle with such a multitude, they concluded not to
stir or appear before the coming of the enemy, but that every
man should remain in his own bounds, till they saw on whaC
coast and quarter the tempest would light, and then to take
the best course they could, according as occasion should offer}
and if they could do no more, to invade Scotland on another
hand, far from the enemy, as the Scots had done to them the
year .before, and so to recompense loss with loss. In the
mean time they sent a spy to the Scots camp, who might
bring them more certain report of all things, desirous to know
not only their intention, but even their particular speeches
and actions; he who was sent being nothing different from
the rest in language, apparel or armour, did easily pass for a
Scot, and by that means having been in the company undis-
covered, and having observed sufficiently all that was need-
ful to be known, as he returned to his horse to be gone, which
he had bound to a tree, he found that he was taken away;
whereupon taking him to his feet, with his cloak, boots, and
spurs, and his other riding equipage; he was perceived, sus-
pected, taken and examined what he was, whence he came,
and whither he went: and being found to vary in his
answers, he was brought before the general of the army,
where being threatened with the rack, he confessed all, and
revealed the Englishmen's intentions and purposes. Upon
this the Scots altered their design, and whereas they were be-
fore mifcded to have gone altogether in one host, they now