Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/18

26 Learning that the Regent was to pass through Linlithgow on a certain day, Bothwellhaugh secretly introduced himself into a house whose window looked to the street. He hung a black cloth on the wall of the apartment where he lay, that his shadow might not he seen from without, and spread a mattress on the floor, that the sound of his feet might not he heard from beneath. To secure his escape, he fastened a fleet horse in the garden behind the house, and barricaded the door which opened to the street. Thus prepared, he armed himself with a loaded carabine, and waited the arrival of his unsuspecting victim.

It is said that the Regent was warned of the danger, but thinking it beneath him to show any signs of fear, he kept on his way down the crowded street. As he came opposite to the fatal window, his horse was retarded by the crowd. This gave Bothwellhaugh time to take a deliberate aim; he fired his carabine, and the Regent fell, mortally wounded.

The ball, after passing through his body, killed the horse of a gentleman who rode on his right hand. His attendants rushed furiously at the door of the house from which the shot had issued; but Bothwellhpugh's precautions had been so securely taken, that they were unable to force their entrance till he had mounted his good horse, and escaped through the garden gate. He was not withstanding pursued so closely, that he had very