Page:History of the Black Douglas.pdf/8

12 this manner the garrison of the Castle marched to church. The solemn service of the day proceeded at first without interruption, but before being quite finished, a loud flourish of trumpets rung through the church, accompanied with loud cries of "A Douglas! A Douglas!" being the Douglas slogan or war-cry, and which was the signal agreed upon by the Scots.

The English seized their arms, and endeavoured to rush out of the church; but they were met by Thomas Dickson, and one or two more, who rushed upon them sword in hand. The signal, however, having been made too soon, Dickson was overpowered and slain before assistance could reach him. Douglas and his men now came up, and furious at finding his faithful adherent slain, he performed such deeds of valour, that the English were slaughtered around him in heaps, and the remainder made prisoners. Douglas next assailed the castle, but instead of meeting with resistance, he found the gates open, and that part of the garrison which was left at home, busied in cooking provisions for those who were at church: so he and his followers entered and sat down to the dinner prepared for their enemies.

But Sir James Douglas, who was no less prudent than valiant, soon perceived, that although he had now got possession of his own castle, yet the English were strong in the country, and it would be impossible with his limited numbers to keep it. He therefore resolved to destroy all the provisions which the English had stored up in the Castle, and render the place unavailing to them.