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The sixth evening of the journeying of the seven knights from the tournament
towards France, brought them near the gates of an ancient castle,
in which, as it seemed untenanted, they resolved to lodge for the night.—
They therefore despatched an esquire forward to see if the interior afforded
accommodations for themselves and their retinue. He rode up to the lofty
walls, and as the gates were shut, he spurred his horse through a breach
made in a tower at one of the angles, and so got into the court. He had,
however, hardly disappeared from the sight of the knights who were slowly
pacing forward, when he suddenly re-appeared pursued by three banditti.
He succeeded in escaping from the ruin, though several long shafts
were sent after him, one of which passed through his doublet and wounded
his horse in the neck. The banditti, on seeing the company of knights on
the green beyond the walls, instantly stopped, and one of them sounding a
bugle, they were instantly joined by several others, numbering a full score
in all.

`Now, by'r Lady!' said the English knight, whose esquire it was who
had been driven back by them; `these varlets have need of a goodly chastisement!
They show front as if they would defy us. But as we must
needs lodge here to-night for lack of better hostel, let us ride at them and
drive them out; and if we can kill a round dozen it will be a blessing to
the king's highway!'

This speech of Sir Henry Percie was well received by all the knights,
and instantly wheeling their horses round with their heads towards the
breach, they set their lances in rest and spurred against the robbers, who
seeing them advancing at such hostile rate, discharged a flight of bolts, and
then drawing their long broad-swords, prepared to withstand them. The
knights, however, receiving the bolts on their shields, rode against them,
each transfixing a robber; while their esquires, coming up behind, cut
down many of those who escaped the charge. In a few moments the court
of the ruin was in the possession of the knights, and twelve of the banditti
lay dead in the breach, while the residue fled by a postern to the forests.—
Having thus gallantly won for themselves a place for encamping, the brave
knights prepared to take up their quarters in the old castle. After they had

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ended their meal, to enliven which they had sundry bottles of excellent
wine which they found among the robbers' stores, they seated themselves
around a large fire which they had built in the castle-court, for the night
was cold and the country high and mountainous, and prepared to listen to
the tale of Sir Roy Bruce, the Scottish knight, to whose lot it fell to relate
some knightly feat in behalf of the chivalry of his own land.

The Scottish knight was youthful and fair-favored, with long golden masses
of hair over his collar, a clear blue eye, and cheeks ruddy and bright:
yet his eye was bold and his bearing manly, and his post gallant and brave
as became a knight. He wore a silver thistle in his helm, and over his
shoulders was gracefully cast his tartan of gorgeous plaid Thus he began:

`Young Allan Douglas was heir to the noblest house in Scotland. In his
eleventh year, he promised in spirit, bearing of person, gentleness and courage,
to be the counter-part of his father, Stewart Douglas, who was the
best knight of his age. This Sir Douglas, or Stewart the Black Duke, as
he was called on account of his swart complexion, had seven brothers, all
of whom were knight adventurers. They, however, were as depraved in
heart as he was noble in spirit, and wickedly conspired together to take
possession of his title and estates, of which, as sons of the same sire, they
declared themselves, as of right, equally indebted to. The Black Duke was
advised of their intentions, but being as fearless as he was unsuspecting, he
took no care to keep out of their way, and was one night murdered by them
at his own castle gate. The assassins then entered the castle in pursuit of
his heir Allan, who was now in his fourth year. But the Duchess, his
mother, having taken the alarm, fled with him in season by a secret way,
and after riding all night found shelter with her brother.

Knowing well who her husband's murderers had been, the widow kept
her boy in secret for some years until her brother died. Then came the elder
of the assassins to her, and artfully putting on a face of innocence and
great respect, swore on Christ's gospel that he had no hand in his brother's
death, and had deeply lamented it. By his oaths and his art and his deep
duplicity, he at length deceived her, so far as to be admitted into her confidence,
and finally she received him as her husband. He now had the whole
government of the boy, whom he taught the sports of hunting and hawking,
and seemed to take great delight in his company. This, however, was
only a part of his duplicity and wickedness. In the meanwhile the Duchess
was assured of her husband's participation in her lord, the Black Duke's
assassination, and her soul loathed him. At length one day he overheard
her thus speaking to him, he being now in his twelfth year, a noble and
brave boy, well worthy of his father.

`Allan, my gallant child! beware of thy step-father! He, with his six
brothers, thy uncles, murdered thy father and my beloved lord, that they
might seize his estates. Thee I escaped with, or thou wouldst also have
been their victim! Betrayed by false and perjured vows I have taken to my
bosom thy father's murderer! When thou art a man—and God make thy
heard soon grow, avenge thy father's cruel death and thy mother's wrong!'

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`The youth heard with tears of grief and indignation, and kneeling before
his mother swore solemnly to avenge his murdered sire.

`Thereat the wicked step-father was greatly troubled. At length he called
two of his own men, and thus addressed them:

`I must needs get rid of this heir. Beguile him into the forest, and there
slaying a deer, upon the same spot slay him, that his blood mingling with
the animal's may not betray his death to others! Then take out his heart
and sever a finger and bring to me, that I may have proof you have obeyed
my commands. Hence and do my bidding! A purse of gold to each shall
be your reward when done!'

Thus spake the cruel step-father of the noble heir of Douglas; and forth
the men went to do his bidding. They found the youth engaged in launching
a boyish spear at a target, for he was ever employed in such manly pastime,
instead of the idle sports of lads of his years.

`Come with us, lord Allan, said one of the servitors, and we will show
you a stag at stand by the fern-rock side, who will serve as mark for thy
spear better than yon shield of bull's hide.'

`Unsuspecting any harm, the youth drew his lance from the eye of the
target into which he had just before cast it, and followed them to the forest.
No deer was to be seen by the fern-rock, and they pursued their way until
they were half a league from the castle deep in the forest. At length they
started a deer, which, ere Allan could level his light lance at, was struck
down by a bolt from one of the servitors. They then came near it and slew
it, and then looking upon each other a moment, fixed their fierce gaze upon
the youth. Then one of them spoke.

`Know, lord Allan, that we are commanded by thy step-father to slay
thee in the blood of this deer and bear thy heart and a finger to him in
proof of thy death!'

When the poor youth heard this, he fell on his knees before the two fierce
men and pitifully implored his life:

`Oh, he said, `how shall you think to look for grace, if you da this wicked
deed, when you shall appear at the great Judgment day, ranged before
Christ Jesus' face?'

But they did little heed his prayers, and told him to see his soul well ordered
with God, for he must presently die.

`Then will I not tamely be slaughtered like a deer, but make thee win
thy murder if thou wilt do it!' he said boldly.

And then snatching up a long hunting-knife with which they had struck
the deer, he attacked the one who had spoken and run him through the
heart, so that he fell dead beside the deer. The other was so astounded at
this deed that he stood like a statue; when seeing the youth instantly coming
upon him he fled, so great was his surprise and terror at witnessing
such sudden valor and strength in a mere boy.

Allan then took out the slain man's heart and cutting off his finger, strait-way
returned through the forest to the castle. His step-father was in his
chamber awaiting the return of his servitors with the signs of their having
accomplished the deed. He heard a footstep and supposing it to be them
he cried out—

`Hast thou done the deed and brought thou its proofs?'

`I have, my lord, and I do bring the proof!' answered young Allan, entering
and casting upon the table the heart and finger!'

`Ha! what means this?' he cried, starting up on seeing that he who threw
the gory signs before him was his intended victim.

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`They mean,' he answered boldly, `that Heaven hath given my murderers
into my hands. There is the heart and finger of one! the other hath
fled! When thou wouldst have my heart and finger, thou wilt have to take
it thyself!'

Thus fearlessly spoke the young Duke Allan, and his step-father trembled
before him with rage, fear and vengeance. Allan then scornfully laughed
at him, and making a gesture of haughty defiance, quit his presence, and
seeking his mother told her what had passed. From this time until he
reached his eighteenth year the bold youth was unmolested. By this time
he had pertocted himself in all the accomplishments of knighthood, and
only wanted strength and maturer age to be the best lance in Scotland.

At length he resolved to challenge his step-father and each of his wicked
uncles to single combat, and, if Heaven favored his cause, punish them for
the cruel murder of his father. Hearing of this, his step-father, who greatly
feared to meet him, for guilt had made a coward of him, as well as a
prophecy of an old sybil, that `a knight yet not a man' should be his death,
he resolved to commit a deed that has no equal in wickedness. The
night before he had intimation that he was to be challenged to single combat,
he called his false page, whom by heavy bribery he won over to his designs.
As Sir Allan lay upon his couch sleeping, the traitorous attendant
admitted the step-father into his chamber, who with a sharp knife, suddenly
sundered the tendons of his stirrup foot and hilt-hand, and ere the wounded
young man could discover in the agony and surprise of the barbarous
deed, who was its vile perpetrator, the fiend had fled!'

When the knights, who had been attentively listening to the tale, had given
vent to their indignant feelings at this unheard of act, and expressed
their deep sympathy for the hapless Allan, whose promising career they
now felt was forever closed, Sir Roy Bruce thus continued:

“The author of this diabolical outrage was not known, yet Allan truly
suspected who it was. Its effect upon his mother was fatal; for she died in
two weeks after of grief. For months he lay upon his bed, and it was
slowly that health returned to his enfeebled frame. His spirits, which at
the first shock had been broken down, began, with returning health, to revive,
and he was soon enabled to walk about aided by a crutch. At length
his bodily health was entirely restored; but never more was he to place his
`stirrup foot' in stirrup, or grasp a sword with his `hilt-hand!' Both were
powerless and no chirurgeon's skill could ever restore them to their strength
and potency. The bold spirit of the young knight, however, was high and
whole. His step-father and his brothers had fled from the vengeance of
the king who would not let so great a crime go unpunished, and sought
shelter in the French court. As the head of the house of Douglas, during
the minority of the heir, Louis received the step-father with distinction.

In the meanwhile, burning with a desire of vengeance upon his mutilator,
and a determination to avenge his father's murder, young Allan began
anew the lessons of knighthood, practising with his left hand till he could
achieve all he had before done with his right. He learned also to mount
his horse with his other foot in the stirrup; and in less than two years after
his misfortune, he was in the saddle as before he had been, the best knight
in Scotland.

He now burned to avenge himself. At length hearing of a tournament
about to take place at the French court, he took ship at a Scottish port and
set sail for France. On his arrival at Calais he there found a large number
of English and Scottish knights who had been brought hither by the

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runner of the coming jousts, at which, it was said, the flower of European
chivalry would be present.

Without making himself known to any one, and carefully disguising his
losses, but passing under an assumed name and device, Allan travelled towards
Paris in company with the others. During the way he learned that
the tournament was in truth to be a trial of battel, for the hand of the beautiful
princess Annette, who had been betrothed by the king to a Scottish
knight, for whom she entertained such dislike, that finally the king told her
she should wed whoever should slay the Scotchman and his six brothers, to
each of whom she was to fall betrothed as his brother fell.

On inquiring the names of these Scottish cavaliers, Allan learned with
fierce delight that they were his uncles. Now he rode the rest of the way
to the court with a lighter heart, for he felt that Heaven had given his cruel
uncle's into his hands.

At length the day of the tournament arrived; and the king and the princess
and their gorgeous court, with numerous knights with their glittering
retinues, and nobles and ladies in great pomp and state, assembled at the
lists. On the south side sat the king upon a magnificent throne, surrounded
by his chief knights and the gentlemen of his court. On his right, a little
lower than the throne, was seated the beautiful Princess Annette. Over
her head was suspended a canopy of azure silk, spangled with golden stars,
and around her stood the ladies of her retinue. Her face was pale; her
large blue eyes tearful, and reflected from her countenance, sadness dwelt
on the faces of all about her. Why the king should seek this alliance with
a Scottish noble was a cause of suspicion to all; but as his eye was then on
Scotland, ambitions to make it a dependant of France, it was thought he
hoped by means of this false Douglas to win it, and would, in reward for
his treachery, place his son-in-law in its government.

On the left of the king stood Sir James Douglas, the bridegroom betrothed,
the fratrieide and assassin! Dark, silent, and gloomy he stood,
searce heeding even the words which the king from time to time let fall in
his car. Near him sat his brothers, all, like himself, in armour.

At length the heralds proclaimed the object of the tournament, and Sir
James Douglas, mounting a mailed charger which his esquire led up where
he stood, rode thrice around the lists, the third time flinging his guantlet in
defiance of all corners, into the ring. He then rode towards the throne,
and placing himself in front of the place where the poor princess was seated,
waited the answer to his defiance.

The trumpet at length sounded and a knight entered the list and after
riding once round, depressing his lance before the king, as he passed him
rode into the ring and caught up the gauntlet upon the point of his spear.
He then drew near up on the opposite side. The Douglass now closed his
visor set his lance in rest, and at the signal barted forward like a thunderbolt.
The knight met him mid-way—their spears shivered—swords clashed
and the knight was unhorsed and slain! while the conquering Douglas
rode back to his post. He was to stand three comers only, and if he was
victor over each, the princess was to be his bride. And she having declared
so publicly, her aversion to him, he burned to win her, that he
might avenge upon her this insult. A second knight, who had long loved
the princess, also entered the lists, and was in like manner overthrown.

The princess was now seen to tremble and look as if she would sink
with her fears! for although she knew not who might be the victor she
prefered any husband to the hateful Douglas. A third time the trumpets
sounded and all was anxious suspense until the portals were thrown open

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and an elegantly shaped young knight rode in with his visor closed. Proudly
he sat on his gallant charger's back, and haughtily he seemd to glance
around as if seeking his foe. Thrice he pranced around the lists, making
his knightly obesience to the king, and the third time he drew rein before
the princess, and bending to his saddle bow, said,

`Fear not, sweet lady! He whom thou hatest shall roll in the dust ere
yonder cloud hath passed across the sun!'

The Douglas started, and bent upon him a fierce, defying glance, which
he heeded not; but turning towards the spot where the gage lay a third
time cut down, he caught it upon his lance held it in air an instant and
then threw it upon the ground with a gesture of contempt and caused his
horse to trample upon it with his hoof. At this, Douglas uttered a shout of
vengeance, and the next moment the two knights were in full career, charging
against each other.

`Remember the Black Duke! Remember Allan Douglas!' shouted the
knight.

At this crisis it was discovered by all present that the strange knight balanced
his lance in his left hand. Douglas also saw this but too late: for
startled by the cry and words of the other, he lost his presence of mind and
its sharp point which he could not guard against in its unwonted direction,
entered between the bars of his visor and penetrated his skull! With a
fearful cry he fell from his horse to the oarth and expired.

The young conqueror now rode up to the happy princess and lowering
the point of his lance as he passed her, turned and halted before the king.

`By my knighthood, that was fairly done,' said the king. `But thou hast
six betrothed husbands heads to cut off ere thou get to my daughter!'

`I am ready to meet the challenges, your majesty,' answered the knight.

`Boldly spoken, sir knight of the Left Hand! Let the heralds proclaim!'

The second brother Douglas now mounted a horse and cast a gauntlet
into the lists. But he had heard the battle cry of vengeance the conqueror
had uttered and felt that he was an avenger from Heaven. The trumpets
sounded—they met in full career and their lances shivered against each
others breast plates, for Shield Allan had none, for his right arm rested
helpless upon the mane of his steed. Swords were now drawn and after a
fierce combat, the skull of the brother Douglas was cloven to the chin and
he tumbled dead from his saddle.

Successive challenge after challenge was accepted and each of the young
knight's foes fell till the seventh bit the dust beneath his revengeful arm.
Loud rung the shouts of the multitude at this fierce victory, and the king
rising up, desired him to unbar his visor and name his country that he
might know to what land to give the palm of chivalry.

The young knight rode up to the throne and before the vast assembly
removed his helmet. The surprise of the king and his court and of the
old war-worn knights was unlimited on witnessing in the conqueror a mere
youth, with golden locks, a clear blue eye and a sunny cheek. The princess
gazed upon him with speechless joy and gratitude.

The knight then informed the king of his name and lineage and of the
crimes of the seven knights his uncles whom he had just slain. At hearing
this all present were struck with heaven's justice in bringing this remarkable
vengeance upon them by his hand. He was now presented to the princess,
whose beauty made a deep impression upon him. At length, after
the lapse of a few weeks, during which he had been greatly honored by the
king and caressed by the court, he took his leave, having nobly declined
the honor of alliance with the princess, from whom he had learned that her

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heart was given away to a young knight then in the Palatine, and whom he
bound the king before leaving his consent to give her in marriage.

Here sir Roy Bruce ended his story of the heir of Black Douglas, and
waited the decision of his peers.

After some discourse among the knights, each of whom expressed himself
filled with admiration at the noble character of sir Allan Douglas, especially
in so honorably declining the alliance with the lovely princess, it
was decided by them all that, so far, Scottish knighthood had the preeminence
over that of the other lands; but they could not determine to whom
the meed of honor should be given until they heard the story of the English
knight, Sir Henry Percie, who was to entertain them therewith when
they should encamp on the next and seventh evening of their journeying
through Spain.

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