"Remember, Laird of Largo," said Lord Drummond, with a darkening brow, "thou speakest to the Lieutenant-general of the kingdom, and to men who will not stoop to monarchs, for 'tis beneath the dignity of true nobility."
"Then why should I stoop to such as thee, an old jackfeather, when 'tis beneath the dignity of true manhood?"
"Let us have no brawling here, sirs," said the High Constable, stepping forward, as he saw the admiral disposed to "come to close quarters;" "remember my office, its high prerogative, and this presence."
"Know ye aught, Sir Andrew, of the king my father?" asked Rothesay.
"Alake! I do not," replied Wood, mournfully.
"Will you swear on your honour as a knight, that he is not on board your fleet?"
"There are over many knights here for me to be believed," replied Wood; "but I pledge you my faith and troth as a seaman, that he is not on board of any of the ships now under my broad pennon."
"Who were those you took off after the battle?"
"My Lord St. John of Jerusalem, the High Treasurer, the Mareschal de Concressault, and a few more loyal men: but as for the king,—God bless him, and confound his enemies!—of him I know nothing; even rumour hath not reached us in the Firth. My shipmates and I were ready to have risked our lives in his defence; and we landed many times on that evil day, yet saw him not, though duly warned by his Grace of Montrose that James would wear a yellow plume, and ride a grey charger."
Here Sir James Shaw gave a peculiar snort, and blew his nose to conceal his malicious laughter.