[26] The spelling of the names is taken from a surviving copy of the covenant.
But what was of immediate interest and importance to Ian was that the Earl of Hawick[27] was at that moment raising forces in the border shires, nominally to fight on the border, but in reality to be ready to support the Protestant cause against Mary of Guise.
[27] This is a fictitious title and likewise the border incident, although there were several such affrays in this year.
His headquarters were but a few miles away and Ian wondered whether it was not his duty to throw in his lot with them. His own feelings on the whole were friendly to England and he hated the policy that the regent was pursuing of making Scotland an appendage of France, but if English marauders invaded the border he was quite ready as a true Scot to fight against them, although it was the religious cause that he had more deeply at heart.
“Methinks I ought to join them,” he said. “I have seen a good deal of fighting in my day and I might be useful to the cause.”
“I will go with you,” said Aline.
“Nonsense, child, girls do not fight.”
“Joan of Arc fought and why should not I?” she replied.
“Joan of Arc was older than you and could stand a strain that would be quite beyond you, little one, hardy as you are.”
“But I should go as your page or attendant. Would you fight as a trooper or on foot, because that, of course, would make some difference?”