Kings of Carrick

THE TRAGEDY OF THE BROCKLOCH BURN. 31
goings in Ayr. I know why you have brought with you so
many of the men of Ayr, armed as is not their wont when
they are on a peaceful errand ; and I see yonder among your
troopers one of my men whom you are keeping a prisoner.
Bargany has come here prepared to fight his way through if
he can."
" That is as your lordship shall take the responsibility."
" I am willing to take it, Dalrymple."
" Very well, my lord ; then I shall return and say that you
will not let us pass undisputed."
" That will I not, sir," replied the Earl ; " if you advance,
you do so at your peril, and God do so to me and more also if
I do not make Bargany rue his attempt. And hark ye,
Dalrymple, look well to yourself. That flag you carry pro-
tects you, else you had never left my presence but to die. I
have not forgotten how you, with Thomas Kennedy, shot at
me hard by Craigneil within those few days ; and I give you
fair warning to beware henceforth how you cross my path.
Do you understand, sir ? "
" The Master of Stair," replied Dalrymple in tones as un-
bending as those of Lord Cassillis himself, " can take care of
himself."
" Then let him do so," was the Earl's reply, as he turned
and rode back to his men.
The Master of Stair returned to Bargany and communicated
the results of the interview.
"Just as I expected," was Bargany's answer; "if I had
thought it would have been otherwise, I would hardly have
sent out the flag of truce. But now, Auchendrane, you,
Cloncaird, and you too, Dalrymple, I call you to witness that
the Earl of Cassillis has denied to me, as one of his Majesty's
lieges, the right to ride along one of the highways of the
realm. There remains nothing else than to make good that
right if I can."
The party then, headed by Bargany himself, began in