But the young men of the Craufords would have nothing to say to him, having, as I suspect, no goo for a Minister meddling in the bickerings of men.
So he returned and asked Cassillis for one to take him to Kerse.
'Go, Launcelot,' said the Earl,' and guide him. We will manage somehow to keep the battle up among us till you return.'
So, nothing loath to get away from gruntling horror on the knowe top, I set Dom Nicholas's breast to the river, and was beside the Minister in a trice.
As I passed up the waterside I came quite near to David Crauford the younger. He stelled up the cock of his pistol to shoot at me, but I held up my hand.
'I am going to the Kerse to see your father. Have you any word?' I cried to him.
For in these quaint times the friendliness and complaisance with which killing was done will scarce be believed—often with a jest, and, as one might say, amicably.
'To see my father?' cried David across the water. 'Ye'll find him bird-alone. Then tell him that we'll flit the Cassillis sow or it be dark yet.'
He turned again to where his brothers were standing in council, looking often south and north, as though they expected some reinforcement. Then something came into his mind.
'Gangs the Minister to Kerse wi' you?' he cried down the wind. I told him ay.