"What can we do, my lords?" said the prince, whose patriotism was fired by hearing this news, which made Gray and Shaw exchange glances of anger and disappointment.
"Nothing that I know of, for Wood and all his people remain sullenly and proudly aloof from us, acknowledging no authority but that of James III.," said Angus.
"My father's good and faithful subject!" said Rothesay, with honest ardour.
"I will wager my coronet against a jester's cap, that old Largo will sail against these Englishmen, if we do but ask him," said Angus.
"I say nay," said Sir Patrick Gray.
"I gay yea," added Angus, frowning.
"If this English churl is yet tarrying in Scottish waters, we may be totally ruined," whispered Shaw to Gray.
"It cannot be he; this breathless courier speaks five ships; now young Howard had but three."
"True; yet I quake at the suggestion of sending out Wood against him."
In less than half an hour several urgent messages of similar import came from the Whitefriars of Aberlady; from the provost of North Berwick, and the prioress of the Cistercians there, all complaining of ravages committed along the coast of Eastern Lothian; and by the prince's desire the Albany herald was despatched to Admiral Wood, requesting him to come on shore, on the double purpose of discovering whether he knew anything of the king's safety, and if he would sail against the enemy.